Even thought it isn't easter yet

I just had to share this. It's a powerpoint presentation of some very interesting Stations of the Cross.

Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

Will be happening next Sunday (19th December) for me!! There is one other inquirer who I think is (was?) an Anglican and thus already baptized and therefore, her journey is going to be a bit different to mine. I think there is going to be combined rite. Sue (who is apprently going to be my sponsor O_o not that I mind) and I are going to the Diocsean center tomorrow evening to prepare with other people from the Diocease for this.


I'm quite excited!

P.S - are Catechumens still dismissed after the homily? I don't know what will happen in our Parish as there is only me.

finally

Mann was talking to me during Mass about us getting initiated together. Kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak. She hasn't been confirmed and I haven't been baptized so I'll be getting baptized and we'll be getting confirmed together and maybe even my first communion. I'm talking to Sue about this afternoon - finally! something is happening.

Where to from here?

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit lost in the lurch. I'm really keen on becoming Catholic (and have been for some time now. Even before I started, officially, going to Mass) but... nothing seems to be happening. I thought there was this programme I had to go through but... there is nothing happening and I don't know what I should do to be honest. Perhaps I'll talk to Sue on Sunday. She is taking the Year 3's at St. Josephs through first reconciliation and said I might be interested. I might pop along actually. Although spending the morning with a bunch of hyperactive 7-8 year-olds doesn't exactly excite me (they are the same age as 2 of my brothers).

If someone said "Tania, do you want to get baptised this Sunday instead of waiting till Easter?" I would say yes. In a heartbeat.

Dinner and a chat

I went and had dinner with a lady in the parish called Sue Ryan. She is the mother hen of a discernment house that is connected to the parish (it used to be where the priests lived in days passed). Anyways, we had a great talk about everything and she even asked my opinion about an idea that the Bishop has about moving the house to Palmerston North (the city). I personally thought it was a good idea as Feilding is a bit out of the way especially for 20-somethings most of whom moved to the city anyways either to study or because there is more jobs. However, it needs to be in the center of the city and connected to either the Cathedral (it's in the centre of town) or St Mary's or Our Lady of Lourdes parishes. I'm more for the Cathedral because it's more central. So yes. Thats my bit about that.

Next, I've noticed that I'm really, really interested in Church history, and how things arose as they did. Sue and I talked about the Council of Nicaea and the Council of Trent and then also about the reformation and counter reformation. I had no idea there was a counter reformation. Sue mentioned something about Luther being some sort of prophetic witness or something like that. Pointing out something that needed to be changed or done, but it being too early. She brought up the illustration of global warming and the environment. There are still the nay-sayers who deny anything is wrong just like in Luthers time. It's a shame that Luther didn't stick it out with the Church because as Sue says, "it's my church too!"

Does anyone know of some good books that give an overview of Church history that won't confuse someone like me?

Oh Sue also said that its possible for someone to be baptized at any Mass because people come into the Church with all sorts of previous history. And that its possible for me to not have to wait until Easter. But she said that we will just have to wait to see what happens with my hopefully-future job.

Religion and Science

Well, if I don't have to deal with enough stress trying to get myself through University the good Lord saw fit to bless(ing in disguise) me with PCOS. My Doctor (who is an Obstetrician / Gynaecologist and happens to have served as the president of the Royal Australasian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists so he knows his stuff!) just wants me to go on the pill. As a Catholic (or almost. Although it's never too late to surrender to Gods will is it? Even if I'm not "officially" counted among the faithful) the pill is an artificial birth control measure right? I want no take in that. I want to treat my symptoms by other means. Here is another womans experience here.

I don't think marriage and children is in Gods plan for me but I do, do, do want to treat the symptoms.

Now to my actual post: being on this road has made me think about science. A lot. It has made me view science and the scientific community and endeavors with new eyes. I think before I put too much trust and faith in science to lead me to knowledge. To lead me to truth. Jesus is truth, he can't deny his nature (as the priest said a couple of Sundays ago) and I will follow him and arrive, blissfully, and probably at the end of my life to the truth realized. I put a lot of stock into being honest and truthful, being the whole truth and nothing but. I think science was my false god, my idol that I would kneel before and say 'your will be done'. Sure, some Christians blindly refuse to believe obvious, OBVIOUS truths and that too, is also wrong. The Lord blessed us with reason and free will and we should use our reason and science help guide us along with His word.

Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.
Pope John Paul II. Ah yes Pope John Paul, you are right. 

anti-catholicism & gays

Okay so, the one thing I'm worried about during my faith journey (and it managed to manifest its self last weekend from my nana no-less) is the anti-Catholicism that is still present in the mind-set of some people. Even Father Marcus brought it up when I was talking to him over a cuppa. I would have NO IDEA how to deal with it. I was expecting a bit of flak from Jessie to be honest, when I told her about our professor and H.O.P (head of programme. I actually think she is an associate professor.) and her telling me she comes from a Presbyterian background but currently goes to the Baptist church in town.

Next, I like girls right? The Churches teaching is that I should be celibate right? Okay-doke no problems. However, a lot of my gay friends have big problems with this. And Christianity in general. I think it's because they feel shat on. They feel not loved because they're being CONSTANTLY told that they (who are made in the image of God) are an abomination in the eyes of God. We are all called to chastity if we aren't married right? Who doesn't struggle with that? The homos struggle with the same urges as hetero people do. It's just that the homos will never be allowed to express their sexuality (orientation?) because the Church doesn't allow 2 men or 2 women to get married so they will be forever sinning when they do something sexual someone they love, who just so happens to be of the same sex. I'm not for gay marriage simply because marriage is a religious term, and I want my marriage between a man and woman. I am fine however, with what ever formal recognition the state wants to provide for people who don't share the religious convictions I do. I don't care if it's marriage by any other name. Here in New Zealand we have civil unions. 2 men can get together and get civilly-unified and have similar rights in regards to properties and what not but they're not married. I'm all down for that.

Homosexuality should be no different than any other sin, if I ever slept with a girl again through my own lack of self-control I would be down on my knees asking God for forgiveness. Just like any other sin I have committed

I hope that makes sense..

Open Letter

Dear Mum,

Can you, for one second of your life, please, keep your trap shut. For once. Please. I've only just told you this morning when I came home from Mass where I was and I was honest. Yes it is a CATHOLIC Church. Why? Because Jesus set up this church, and for all its failings, Jesus is still at its heart. Please, don't go telling everyone I'm afraid not everyone will take it well - like your Mum (my Nana) did today. This is my personal decision and I'm not appreciating you opening your mouth. AGAIN. Please get the hint - if I want people to know I will tell them it's not your place to say anything.

Love,

Your Daughter.

Just searching around the interwebs

Just browsing the interwebs for Catholic sites specific for young adults (generally 18-30) and the vast majority is on sexual morality. Seriously? Is that all Catholic Young Adults think about? Is that all the everyone thinks we thing about? There is so little about the lives of saints, lessons from the scriptures, vocations, relating to others in a Christian way... I just think it's sad. And to be honest I'm sick of hearing about it.

If you find any good ones. Let me know ok?

Father Marcus called

Tonight just calling to say he hadn't forgot about me because we weren't able to talk after Mass. He said ideally, he'd like to get a group of people to go through R.C.I.A together to share the experience although currently, there is only an Anglican woman who is interested in coming into full communion with the church at thus, is at a different stage to me, but he will work on it. I'm hopefully going to drop in and see him tomorrow afternoon.

I was just thinking that I'm not going to vote for a dunder-head M.P. just because they're pro-life. If you can't do the job the people elect you for then you're not getting my vote.

They're E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E....

Wow so I just saw my head of programme i.e. the ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR at Mass last night [didn't say gidday because she must have been sitting behind me and I only just noticed her when she was going up for communion]. Also saw some other people that I see around campus ALL THE TIME. This is at the Cathedral though. I also saw one of my aquaintences with their family (they're sisters) on the Feast of the Assumption as well.

Catholics. They're everywhere.

Meeting with Father Marcus

It went well, not really much to say.

He is going to introduce me to some people in the parish after the service on Sunday. He also said for me to choose which parish I want to do R.C.I.A in, as that will become my "home parish" although, I would be welcome in any RC church anywhere in the world (like visiting an aunts house going to another church innit?). I have chosen the local parish, because it's local, and honestly, it's about 5mins walk down the road.

No Tania it's not Saint Snuffleupagus... Thoughts on the Mass

I love going to Mass I must say. I found this awesome resource that told me what the priest said when and how the congregation responds. Although there is quite a few variations (at most 3 of each sections. Although even 3 different version of 3 sections is... 3^3=27 ways in which it could be arranged. My mind, it boggles O_o) I'm not sure how I'm going to remember them all. I suppose it's just a case of getting used to hearing them. I've also noticed that different priests like say different versions. Listening to the congregation is pretty unhelpful as all I can get is "murmur murmur Lord murmur forgive our sins murmur murmur murmur murmur Lord Jesus. Amen" most of the time.

Till next time!

Overview and the first meeting with priest

I created this blog just so I can have a record of my journey through this process and in the hope that it may give some insights to others who are going through or considering going through R.C.I.A.

I had called the pastoral worker at my local Catholic Church after being given her number by the enquiry center. She then set up a meeting with the local priest (he sorts of flits between 2 parishes) for 10am Wednesday! Excited a nervous at the same time. Firstly - haven't told the 'rents. Not sure how they'd take it. I know they think that Catholics are a bit weird. I personally think it's because of lack of understanding about what they do and why. And secondly I'm a bit over-awed at meeting a fully-fledged priest. Weird huh? I'm sure he will be nice though.

Let you know how it goes!