Catholic Cysters Corner

jennynd · 08-08-2006, 06:46 AM

Hi all of you Catholic cysters!!

I know there are many of you on this board & I have even met a sweet few. Just thought it might be nice to have a little thread where we can share our thoughts & questions or just meet our fellow Catholic cysters. It seems there are many moral questions that come up with PCOS too (bcp, fertility treatments, etc.) so this might be a nice place to get a Catholic perspective on those topics.

I'd especially love to hear about your experiences with the Catholic faith... were you raised Catholic? Have you "come back" to the Church? Did you convert? What brought you to where you are today? What is your favorite thing about the Catholic Church? What do you struggle with?

I look forward to meeting you all!!

jennynd · 08-08-2006, 07:06 AM

Ok, it seems silly to post again but I figured I'd start us off.

My mom became Catholic (was Lutheran) when she married my dad. I was baptized & raised Catholic & sent to Catholic schools K-12. When I was a teen I stopped caring very much about my faith (go figure!). I was into pro-life stuff & liked being Catholic but I fell away from some of the teachings. Reconciliation & the Real Presence were the two major things I really struggled with. I stopped going to Rec in high school... we'd have services at school & I figured out my parent's wouldn't know if I didn't go (used to go w/ dad during Lent).

Two things in my life turned me back to my faith. I went to a very liberal college & heard all sorts of lies & misconceptions about Catholicism. I was surprised at how much it angered me & w/ my extensive education I was able to answer & correct a lot of people... even professors! It sort of made me wake up & realize that I needed to get serious & answer my own questions if I was ever going to help anyone else understand it. The other thing was the passion my DH had for learning about Catholicism. He was always interested & when we started dating in high school I was able to help him learn more.

Long story short, when my DH decided to become Catholic (he was Methodist) a year after we married I got really honest w/ myself about how my lack of understanding was really just resistance - denied this for years. I went to Rec for the first time in 8 years the same day my DH went for the first time ever... mine took longer than his!! I think after that I finally understood that not everything about faith can be rationalized like science. That helped me understand Rec, the Eucharist, & even the Holy Spirit more clearly. I am totally committed to my faith now & want to be a religious ed teacher at my former high school so I can help waivering teens like I once was!

tigir · 08-08-2006, 08:31 AM

Hi! It is me again, I just found your post and had been thinking the same things! It can be hard posting when the issue of bcp, etc. come up. Sometimes it is really nice to just chat with people who share your same views on things - it is hard enough to live day to day as a Catholic at times.

My story...I am a convert to the Traditional faith. I have been Catholic for 7 years now and am raising my children Catholic. My DH is not baptized, but he is supportive - I married him a year before I was baptized. I wasn't raised with any particular religion, we attended a baptist church because that was where one of my grandmothers had gone. My parents were married by a Methodist minister (as were DH and I), but my parents never went to church. Throughout school I attended LDS church with friends, also a Nazarene church. I studied with Jehovah Witnesses for a year and attended a non-denominational church as well. It was when my younger sister (who converted a few years before I did) showed me a picture of St. Bernadette of Lourdes that I knew where I belonged. I had been interested in the church in Jr. High, but was told I had to be born Catholic to be one.

Of course I didn't know any better so it took me 10 years to get here.

I attend the Latin Masses and the closest churches are about 2 hrs away from me. I am also the only Traditional Catholic I know in this area, so makes it hard to connect with people of the same faith.

I would have to say that my favorite thing about the church is Confession. I know, probably not on anyone else's top 10, but there is just something about pouring it out and hearing you are forgiven that really just overwhelms me. I have been crying in confession lately - crazy! The priest's advice is always so right on and there is just such relief in it. The hardest part for me is being so far away and not having the support network of friends who share my faith. It is very easy to not say my rosary or other prayers, my mind can just be so full of c*%@ that I forget about it or put it off. Sometimes it is hard to be a roll model for my DDs (and DH). I keep praying for a conversion for him, and my eldest does too.

He says maybe on his deathbed.

Here is another topic - who is your patron saint? Mine is St. Irene of Portugal. My other saint - the one I took at my confirmation - is St. Gertrude the Great. I chose her because of her attachment to the Sacred Heart. My DH and I were married in an old mission that is the Mission of the Sacred Heart.

I am not sure of what else to write for now, I look forward to meeting more Catholics!

CelticSpirit · 08-08-2006, 09:01 PM

Oh how WONDERFUL!!!!

I'm a cradle-Catholic, but I fell away for quite a while. I think because I saw the hypocrisy of the priests where I lived and never really thought about separating the priests from the faith. Hope that makes sense.

In 2003, I went back to the Catholic faith. I went to the church where I live now and saw that the priests believed what they were preaching. They weren't the hypocrites that I saw growing up (who would take the church money and do "other things" with it than was intended). These men were wonderful and I fell in love with the church. Another thing I noticed was that there were a TON of people in the church. It was PACKED. Standing room only!

That year my husband (who was raised to be an atheist) joined the RCIA. Our marriage was blessed by the church and on during the Easter Vigil in 2004, my husband became a Catholic. I was so proud and so very happy.

We TRY to attend church together, but it's really hard with my toddler who doesn't like to sit. We have to really knuckle down and go regularly.

And, I took part-time classes in the local community college and saw what ridiculous stuff was said about people of faith. When I get to go back to school to finish my degree, I plan to attend a Catholic University.

Patron saints--My favorite was Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her story is amazing!

Lemonade Ladybug · 08-08-2006, 10:37 PM

Hi all.

Cradle Catholic Cyster here...

I grew up thinking we were devout because we went to mass weekly unless there was an ice storm and couldn't drive or if all our cattle (farm girl) were loose and running around the country side.

And we observed Lent. Other than that....nothing.

I had a reversion or deepening of my faith after college when I visited an apparition site in Georgia. I was curious and the minute I set foot on the grounds, my heart felt things it had never felt before. It was beautiful and peaceful and I was hungry to learn as much about my faith after that. I was asked to be someone's RCIA sponsor and LOVED learning everything over again...religious education as a child is so important but before you have the full capacity to soak it up, it was a weak point for me. I suppose this is where a parent comes in to support the lessons and deepen the meaning. We were taught to save ourselves for marriage...etc. I was on the BCP from the age of 12 (horrid heavy bleeding) until I got married.. and THAT is when all my PCOS symptoms arrived in full force..in 2004. The last year my health has been soooo ridiculous that I haven't made it to mass when I wasn't feeling well. I have received the Sacrament of Anointing (AMAZING!) twice because of the sheer exhaustion and pain (physical, mental, and spiritual). I know I am sitting in the hand of God and He's carrying me through this. I used to attend daily mass but am just too tired to do much of anything extra. I pray almost every day...for the patience and grace to carry this cross, whatever it turns out to be. I know who is in charge of my life but still am human, and mess up a lot.

I think my favorite things about being Catholic... being 'pulled' to church when I am broken, just to sit there, in tears most time...in complete silence....and soak up His love. One time, fresh out of college....I was feeling really down and didn't like who I was, my job, my boss, where I was living...etc...etc...so I ended up at the church at midnight, crying and I said out loud...'God, you called me here so you better have a door open.' The second door I tried was open. The main church was locked up but you could go into a side chapel. So I did. It was dim, only THAT cool red candle that's always lit and some in the back. I am crying so much I can't see and I hear a noise...so I get quiet, slide my hand around my mace in my pocket, hoping it's a cleaning person, not someone who will do me harm. The noise stopped, so I went back to sign the prayer book...you know...those cool books that you put all your worries and praise in and people pray for you. I hear the noise AGAIN! EKK!! So, I quietly tiptoe to the front of the chapel to investigate and what do I see? A man, readjusting himself on the hard wooden pew to sleep. He was homeless. BAM. And in my heart I felt...who are to complain? You have a job. You have food to eat. You have a roof over your head. A family that loves you. What more do you think you need? So, I guess what I love about being Catholic is His ability to teach you something at the exact time you are open to learning.

I also love Confession and Adoration!

My husband and I are going through RCIA this fall. He's not Catholic, doesn't understand it, sometimes jokes (ticks me off) about Catholicism. I told him I will never pressure him to convert. He will do it when he and God choose that...but I at least wanted him to learn some of the basics...we are attending to learn...not to convert (but maybe he will change his mind, you never know). He was raised in a Christian church but doesn't have some of the basics of that either... I will keep praying for this in silence.

Looking forward to hearing from others...
LL

4042 · 08-09-2006, 12:05 AM

Hello ladies what a great idea you have. Ok here is my story, which seems pretty boring. Well here goes. I am a cradel catholic. Have been a practicing Catholic all my 32 years. Thanks to my wonderful parents who are still married after 48 years. My parents are very good examples of the catholic faith. I am the 6th child of 7. Every one of us attended catholic school, all of us still practice the faith and i even have a sister who is a Nun in a very conservitive order. Even while on vactation, my parents would make sure we found a mass to attend no matter where we were. It was very seldom that we missed mass while on vacation. I attribute this to my parents b.c even though we went to catholic school, my parents taught us our faith at home. There were many night we sat around the dinner table discussing the Balimore Cathitism (sp). My dad would always say that you cannot be a grocery store catholic (you cannot pick and choose what you want to believe and follow) and he was right. I have a deep love for my faith and believe that he has gotten me where i am today. Thanks for letting me share a little about myself.

I was dx in June 2005 with pcos. I agreed to go on bcp purly to regulate my cycles, since i was not sexually active. I know i am not sinning, taking the bcps but i still don't feel right taking them and i know i will not take them once i get married. I have posted several times asking for alternatives to the bcp that would regulate my cycle but not contracept once i get married. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Activelly looking for Mr. Catholic Right to come along!!!

tigir · 08-09-2006, 07:52 AM

4042 ~ Hello! I am taking prometrium to help stop midcycle spotting. I was told by my OB that women take it to ttc - getting their cycles regulated. It isn't bc, it is just natural progesterone. Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but that was my understanding of it.

So far I have done well with it, I am on month two of three, so we will see in the next couple of months. I am not actively ttc, just trying to be regular!

Stacie ~ I know what you mean about the toddler - I've got two now!

My DH will usually keep them at home while DD #1 and I go to mass. When I have to take them I feel like an octopus and I inevitably end up in the crying room. I know there are tons of graces for attending mass even if I don't hear half of it, but I don't feel it is worth the hassle sometimes when we have so far to drive. The little ones have to sit too long in the car and then I am asking them to sit another hour.........it was really cute last time I took them though, as #2 said goodbye to everyone as we were leaving.

jennynd · 08-09-2006, 03:28 PM

I'm so glad to hear from everyone - your personal stories are amazing!

My patron saint is St. Philomena... I had to choose her as a Confirmation saint b/c all the popular saints were already taken. I was kind of embarrassed b/c I thought her name was ugly (I was 15)

Years later, I came across the info and read the things she is known for and right then I knew she had been with me the whole time even though I neglected her - it was everything that had happened in my life so far! I have a new respect for her & now I find her name beautiful... the renderings of her look exactly like me too! (of course, no one knows what she really looked like)

Lemonade Ladybug · 08-09-2006, 03:46 PM

Wow Jenny! Very cool on the patron saint story... I loved that you weren't too keen on her name... ha ha

I was on the hunt for a saint to call my own several years ago. I found out a sneaky boss was going to 'fire me in 6 months'...(lol) so I crumbled and began to look for another job. I have always visualized angels surrounding me when I walk in to interviews so I don't get nervous because I am not alone...I interviewed for a job (it was nuts...18 people interviewing and 8 hours)...during one of the interviews, a St. Anthony's prayer card snuck out...so I push it back in the folder and still have no clue how it ended up there (OH MY GOSH!!! as I type this..I am remembering that I interviewed on St. Anthony's feast day too! lol)...had other health problems during this time...St. Anthony's feast day is the day before my birthday... a friend told me....duh, I think he's trying to tell you something... ha ha.. so I did....I chaperoned a group of youth to see the Pope in Rome in 2000 and made a side trip to St. Anthony's 'house' in Padua....the pullI felt to get in that church was amazing. And in closing...what is the name of the parish I was attending through ALL of my little trials? ST ANTHONY'S!

Anyone else have something like this happen to them?
LL

annem84 · 08-10-2006, 04:25 PM

I was raised Catholic. My mom is Catholic but my dad isn't. His mom is against the Catholic faith so when she dies, he will convert but if he converts now, she will take him out of the will and will make him pay back tha land that was given to them to build a house on (yes, she is an evil woman) My dad has attended Mass every week since they got married 32+years ago.

I was a "Good Catholic" until I went away to college, which was a small Catholic College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. I had a wild streak and my faith was put on the back burner. I "dated" guys and had "fun"

I've known Kyle since I was little. Our rleationship started out "friends with benefits" but then escalated into something much deeper. We had sex for the first time in a hayloft and I got pregnant. My parents still dont know i was pregnant and later miscarried. We broke up for awhile but then got back together in October of last year. I got pregnant and am now currently 18 weeks pregnant.

I still attend Church, still practice some of the teachings but some of them (ie, birth control, sex be4 marriage) i dont follow. I know it is wrong but I'm happy with my life...

tigir · 08-10-2006, 07:22 PM

Jenny ~ Philomena is a wonderful Saint! Her name isn't really what you would call common anymore is it?

I was hesitant about Gertrude for a little while, but I just seemed so drawn to her.

LL ~ I guess someone was trying to tell you something! I have had those types of experiences myself.

Anne ~ If I could go back and be married before my #1 DD was conceived (or even change a few things before) I would, but I would never change the fact that I have her. Welcome to this thread!

It is great to get to know everyone!

jennynd · 08-10-2006, 09:35 PM

LL - My church is St. Anthony of Padua... he's awesome!

I know this girl who was pregnant & as a little blessing someone gave her a Kateri Tekakwitha holy card... then she gave birth on Kateri's feast day! I mean, she was probably due around then anyway but it is such a great story.

The reason I felt like Philomena had been with me all these years is when I saw what she's known for... return to the Sacraments, problems in the home & family, mental illness, money problems, help for the sick, etc... these are all things I've experienced first hand growing up & have somehow gotten through. I think the "somehow" was St. Philomena. She is also known for help with sterility/fertility problems so I'm hoping she sticks around!!!

Lemonade Ladybug · 08-11-2006, 03:57 PM

ahhh...St Anthony is everywhere Jennyinfargo!

ha ha

And I had never thought of this until your post but years ago one of my sisters was giving me pictures..etc.. of St. Philomena and since I was no where being diagnosed, I didn't latch on to her...but after hearing all the stuff from you that she's 'over'...wow... she's our saint! I have been so severely sick since a year ago...I haven't had the energy to make it mass weekly (I just go when I can)...so by YOU sharing about her...I am seeing that I need to 'adopt' her too....and get me back to my Sacraments!!!!!!!

I love it when God uses others to 'reach' you...
LL

08-11-2006, 04:33 PM

HI ladies!! Glad to see this thread!

I married my dh in 2000 in our his Church. He was a craddle Catholic and his WHOLE family was active practicing Catholics. When I say whole family I mean parents, brothers, sisters, 15 nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins. EVERYONE is Catholic, and what a testament to the faith they are! Of course no one is perfect but it is amazing how they all have never left their faith. To this day my dh will not miss Mass unless he is VERY ill. And that is the way his whole family is.

So anywho, I attended Mass with him not all the time but pretty regularly. He never pressured me to go or made me feel like I had to convert. Really the only time we ever talked about it was if I asked him questions (now I joke and say that was his "way"hehe). I was not raised with any specific religeon but we prayed to God at night and new he watched over us. I struggled alot with my decision to join my dh in his faith. I thought about what would happen when we had children, what would it be like for them if we didnt share the same strong faith. I thought that would be enough to make my mind up to convert but it wasnt. It was quite some time later that something in me "clicked" during Mass one day. I felt a strong desire to explore the faith more, to really learn about it. I joined the RCIA that year and recieved my sacraments that next Easter Vigil. It was truely amazing and a decision made all on my own. Of course my dh and inlaws were THRILLED, but the fact that they let me come to this conversion on my own, the fact that they trusted I would makes me feel warm all over. I am so happy to be part of something so wonderful. I couldnt be more pleased with my conversion.

It was nice because dh and I attended RCIA classes together. He actually learned alot. I am sure some of you CC know how easy it is to just go through the motions. It was very refreshing for both of us.

I would have to say my favorite and least favorite part are the same, strange enough. Its confession of course! It is not a good feeling to know that you are about to confess your faults, some that you are very ashamed of, to another human being. I fought this for quite some time. In fact, I had converted 3 yrs already before making my first conf. last Christmas. I was determined I was not gonna do this! Only God needed to hear my sins! Well, it was the best thing I ever did. The feeling of the weight off your shoulders, the release of it all is unexplainable. Keeping your faults in is a terrible burden. I can see and understand why people that dont have this outlet could feel so badly about themselves, feel depressed. I know! It used to be me. I still have my struggles but it is so nice to take comfort in the fact that there is someone here on earth that God has picked to show me God forgives me and will take the burden away.

Lemonade Ladybug · 08-11-2006, 05:37 PM

Welcome Julieh!

Thanks for sharing your story...wow! I found it very inspirational (my husband isn't Catholic) and I will never pressure him..but we're doing RCIA this year so he can learn and me again (so right about the motions!)...I could answer the easy questions...like no honey, that isn't a microwave, it's called a Tabernacle.

Your family sounds wonderful...got warm fuzzies just hearing about them!

LL