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In order for me to become closer with God and the Church, I need to take a new and important step into my Catholic faith and become confirmed. I would like to be treated as a maturing young adult in the Church. I feel that I am growing older and wiser in my decision-making. This is probably going to be the biggest decision that I will make with religion-wise. I feel that I am old enough and have asked enough questions about what it means to be a Catholic to say that I want to continue to be a Catholic and grow in my faith and beliefs. From time to time, I ask my mom questions about religious differences. She is a born and raised Lutheran. She explained to me the differences between Lutherans and Catholics. Lutherans don’t have confession,
Lawrence S. Cunningham's The Catholic Faith: An Introduction is a difficult book to muster up a response to. One is tempted to quip "there it no there there,"although more accurately I would say that there is little there that inspires much more than an indifferent shrug in response. Perhaps the blame lay in the purpose of the book, which is set out first to not be "an encyclopedia of Catholic trivia" (Cunningham, 8). I was disappointed to read this, since while an explanation of the meaning of the different titles and offices in the Catholic hierarchy, or an explanation of the various vestments and ceremonies may be "trivia" to some, at least it is information. Had I spent my time with this book acquiring a knowledge of these facts, I could claim to have added something to my education, albeit maybe only some banalities, lacking in profundity. Instead, what does the book set out to be? Cunningham seeks to "provide an account, as fully as space allows, of the texture of the Catholic experience and the bases for that experience" (9). I have learned to be a little nervous on reading words like "texture" used in this way; usually the author is unintentionally trying to warn the critically-trained reader away. Doubly so with the word "experience," as in hackneyed phrases like "the African American Experience" or the "Gulf War Experience." Such writings have established that they do not wish do deal in facts, nor in reasoned argument to support their conclusions. They deal in "impressions," to complement the "textures" that they will be skimming the surface of. Their primary justification for their existence is that each person's "experience" is of value, and no one...
When choosing a religious service I was very limited on my choices so I was intrigued to go back to my roots and try the Catholic denomination. This denomination is the one that is most prevalent in my community and also in my social circle as well. Since I have actually been to a Catholic church as a child I thought I knew what to expect but I was shocked at how naive I was to the subject. My preconceived ideas and thoughts were that there would be a lot of getting down on your knees then back up again then saying your Hail Mary’s with not much depth to a service. Also growing up with a social group that was full of Catholics you would always hear of confession so that was something I was particularly dreading for the fact that I did not quite understand the concept and believe in it. This did not take place however which was a sigh of relief on my part cause I was not ready for that big of a leap from my own comfort zone.
One of the most debated topics within the Christian churches today is baptism. This debate began during the 16th Century reformation, where on the base of Scripture many theologians separated from the Catholic Church. A prime example of this debated topic can be seen in The Augsburg Confession, "Concerning Baptism." "Concerning baptism they teach that it is necessary for salvation, that the grace of God is offered through baptism, and that children should be baptized... They condemn the Anabaptists who disapprove of the baptism of children and assert that children are saved without baptism." Luther centered his baptism theology on the salvations promises of God. He stressed forgiveness of sins received by baptism when the believer puts his or her trust in that promise. Luther's emphasis on the saving work of Christ Jesus, and his belief that the Church of Rome still had some things right, led him to accept the baptism of infants. Luther saw baptism as a sign of the covenant God had made with us at Calvary. The understanding and acceptance of infant baptism is seen widely throughout by modern Christian denominations such as: Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Episcopalians. The idea of infant baptism is contested by some denominations as well including Baptists and many Church of Christ congregations.
Next there is the major difference in scriptures that are read. In Catholicism there is one book, I am sure that we all have heard of it, the Bible. In Catholicism it is made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is made up of scriptures before the coming of Jesus. The New Testament is made up of scriptures written up after the coming of Jesus.
The Church I visited was The Infant of Prague, in Jacksonville, NC. At first, I wasn’t sure if the Saturday night vigil would be like the normal service, because the word vigil was attached, so I looked it up, and to my relief the definition is simply “night service.” Catholicism has an extensive history, deep-rooted rituals in their Order of Mass and a specific style of worship. Although the Baptist and Catholic pray to the same God, the way in which this worship is conducted is definitely foreign to one another.
Russell, Wendy T. "12 Simple Differences Between Catholics and Protestants | Wendy Thomas Russell." Wendythomasrussell.com. Wendy Thomas Russell, 10 June 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
A difference between their teachings, however, were on how they viewed the Eucharist. Luther believed that the bread and wine were the literal body and blood of Christ, whereas Zwingli saw them as a spiritual conception. Calvin and Luther both saw scripture, not hierarchy, as the basic authority for the Christians. They believed in the use of the local language in religious services and studies. They differed on their view of the Eucharist as well. Calvin insisted that communion provided the way for faith to awaken, not the bread and wine. Another issue came up between the two. Luther believed that separation between state and church was possible, but Calvin desired a theocracy, so that no state could claim church power. These differences separated the Protestant movement politically and theologically, and different affiliations formed, hindering the movement with its different ideas, eventually leading to half of the converted going back to the Catholic
One day I had built up enough courage to ask a close Hispanic friend what would happen if he just “stopped” being Catholic, or could he even “stop” being Catholic? He simply said that he ...
The Roman Catholic Church had complete influence over the lives of everyone in medieval society including their beliefs and values. The Church’s fame in power and wealth had provided them with the ability to make their own laws and follow their own social hierarchy. With strong political strength in hand, the Church could even determine holidays and festivals. It gained significant force in the arts, education, religion, politics as well as their capability to alter the feudal structure through their wealth and power.
Christianity most specifically, the Holy Roman Catholic Church has been involved in the world throughout time. Since Christianity, when if first became a major religion in society the involvement of the Roman Catholic Church has affected many areas of history. The Roman Catholic Church has affected the world historically, as demonstrated by it's impact upon the historical figures like Hypatia, Joan of Arc, and Jan Hus, historical events such as the Salem Witch Trials, and many other eras and events. The Roman Catholic Church slowed down scientific advancement during the Middle Ages when they had the greatest control over society, due to their personal beliefs. Finally, the Roman Catholic Church for a time changed the world ethically for women and homosexuals, although this is not inclusive. Without the extreme control the Roman Catholic Church had, the world would be a completely different place to live in. To prove this, topics such as the effect the Roman Catholic Church has had throughout history, how science has been affected by the Roman Catholic Church, and how the Roman Catholic Church has affected society ethically to a small and temporary degree.
The effect of life after Confirmation unites one more firmly to Christ allowing the Holy Spirit to anoint you with special gifts, and receive a special strength from the Holy Spirit held within. The Holy Spirit spreads and defends faith by word and action as a true witness of Christ, and therefore never ashamed of the Cross. For the future of Confirmation, there are many ways to continue the future development of Confirmation with the Holy Spirit thereby bringing others closer to Christ as well as continuing out path of righteousness, once completed. We tend to get so busy in our daily lives and families that we find ourselves not making time for God and our faith; this is when the walk with Christ can dissipate. Once you are confirmed, you are making the lifelong choice to follow God, and live a life of service to your faith. We do this by working to bring our children closer to Him. There are many tools and vessels in order to create excitement and joy for the younger generations to have a successful walk with Christ. Ones such as Vacation Bible School (VBS) , camping trips, and Sunday morning kids studies. We can even gear towards the young adults, or even our single members in the congregation by holding youth group Bible studies, taking missionary trips, or creating studies dedicated for the “single” members, not
The Catechism states that Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace. Confirmation roots us more deeply in the divine feeling which makes us call, "Abba" or "Father." Confirmation also unites us more firmly to Jesus, it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in people, and it renders a person 's bond with the Church more perfect. Furthermore, the sacrament of Confirmation gives a person special strength of the Holy Spirit that allows a person to preach about the Good News and to defend his faith. A person with the power of the Holy Spirit can confess to the name of Jesus and the person will never be ashamed of the Cross. Confirmation can only be received once, just like Baptism because it leaves a mark that can never be erased (Catholic Church 1302-1305). In the Latin Church only the bishop can perform the Sacrament of Confirmation. Having bishops be the only ones able to perform the sacrament highlights the connection of Confirmation with its apostolic origins. The bishop is a sign that the Church is unified, universal, and apostolic. Every bishop has been ordained by another bishop who was also ordained by a bishop. The line of the bishops can be traced back to the Apostles which is called Apostolic Succession. It is handed down through the laying of the hands in Holy Orders. Confirmation deepens a person 's grace from the outpouring of
Christians must come to understand that in order to serve God and His people well, we need to know and live better my Catholic Faith. We must study and read about the Church’s teachings and traditions to appreciate them better, but we must also allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our Christian lives. He will do it! God’s Spirit desires to form a close relationship with each and every one of us. Indeed, He is the Great Unknown Companion within us that we already received in our baptism to form us perfectly into God’s image and likeness. However, if in Baptism we receive the Spirit to bear Christ 's image, it 's equally true that in Confirmation we are sent by God in that same Spirit to bear true witness to Christ. With the Holy Spirit we are sent to share with others the wonders that God has done, and to share that God is alive and that God is love. Therefore, open your heart to the Holy Spirit’s presence and action in your life; always invite Him with desire, faith, and fervor to fill you completely; and pray to Him constantly for wisdom, strength, guidance, and courage. God will do it – yes, He will! God bless you
Born into a practicing Catholic family, I’ve acquired six traditional sacraments of the Catholic Religion. In Catholic teaching, sacraments are gifts of Christ, performed through the office of the Church, (www.spaceandmotion.com/religion.personal communication, August, 2007). For the duration of elementary through high school, I attended Catholic School. At the age of eighteen, I came to the conclusion; the catholic religion was not for me. I find Catholicism highly contradictive.
Religion is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such beliefs (Wikipedia, 2006). Most of the major religions have evolved over the centuries into what they are today. In many cultures and times, religion has been the basic foundation of life, permeating all aspects of human existence (Fisher, 2002). Religion is passed on from generation to generation. My religious beliefs were passed on from my relatives on my mother's side. My family has believed in the Catholic faith for many generations. Since I grew up in the Catholic faith I went to Catholic schools my entire childhood. My personal experiences and the Catholic faith made me into the person I am today. Without a religious upbringing I feel that there would have been something missing in my life.