My Life As A Catholic

Catholicism: A Very Short Introduction written by Gerald O’Collins is a short read that gives an insight to the Catholic church without getting confusing to the reader. It touches on the basics of Catholicism such as the history, practices, and core beliefs. Through each chapter Gerald O’Collins a research professor in the field of Theology at St. Mary’s University College and Twickenham, as well as formally Dean in Gregorian University for the faculty of Theology, shares his knowledge on the Catholic religion one question at a time.

Beginning just before my senior year I went through a series of trials that continued through most of my senior year. I wanted to do something for myself, and was encouraged to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). I decide to go, and so in January I set off for Indianapolis. Once at the conference, I listened to music, met other catholic high schoolers, and participated in workshops. I learned a lot about my faith, and about different forms of worship. This was something that I had not previously been exposed to, as while I was a member of one of the largest parishes in Central Ohio, it is a very traditional parish that had not exposed me to much more than the basic teachings of the church, and also had not demonstrated

Ever since I was six years old, the year I was baptized, I have been on fire for the Lord. I attended a Christian school for eight years and have always been very involved at my church. My first experience outside of my “Christian bubble” was when I went to a public high school. For the first time in my life, I was out of my comfort zone. Being at a public school challenged my faith, strengthened my leadership skills, and forced me to branch out and meet people I would have never encountered otherwise. However, even though being at a public school helped strengthen my faith in ways I would have never guessed, I believe attending a Christian university—like Liberty—is the best choice to further my education. Going to college is new and exciting, but it can also be a demanding and intimidating experience. Being so far away from home, in a different environment,

In recent days I had the opportunity to go back to North Carolina for a few short days. There, with a heavy heart from a loss in the family, I had nothing else to look towards. I’ve always heard of individuals finding peace, faith, blessings, and love of Christ from attending church. I’ve never been a person who put their faith into a higher power. As I was growing up my parents never wanted to force me into any religion without me knowing everything about it and choosing which route to take on my own. As the years treaded on, I never bothered myself to learn about the many different religions and what each stands for. So I used this opportunity as mine to attend church for the very first time. I attended the Roman Catholic services held

One thing that really stood out to me this year was at senior retreat when Janna said “you don't have to be religious to be spiritual.” I thought that fit my situation almost perfectly. I believe in a higher power and that by being a good person will earn you a spot in whatever heaven is out there. However, I don't believe that by getting a divorce, or being gay, or eating meat on a Friday in Lent will send you to Hell. I believe the way you live your life and the way you treat other people will determine your future. From realizing that, my journey has come a long way. Because my family is so religious, I often feel lost because I don't believe everything they

Growing up as a non-denominational Christian and still consider myself one. Over the past few years I have no attended church as often as I should. I am hoping to get back into applying my Christianity to everyday life and I’m hoping that CCU will help me with that. My mother attended this school to receive her Bachelors degree and only had great things to say about it. We were speaking a few weeks back how I have been striving to get back to my religion and have not had motivation to do so. She suggested attending CCU so that I can start learning to apply my religion to nursing. So here I am, ready to learn. As a nurse I have an opportunity to have a huge influence on many lives. Not only medically, emotionally, but spiritually. My patients

There is an ample scope of debate as to whether Mormonism is Christianity or not. It is true that both are similar; however, Protestants and Catholics equally are against the acceptance of Mormons to be Christians. There are many doctrinal similarities between the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Both churches accept Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and teach that salvation comes through faith in Christ, repentance and baptism. The differences between the two churches revolve around priesthood authority, continuing revelation, the nature of God, the purpose of mortality and eternal marriage as well as methods of baptism. Beyond its shared nature

With the University of the Incarnate Word being a religious school with a strong religious background it was really no surprise to me that I would have to take two religious classes. Taking Religious Quest right after taking a Philosophy class has been quite mind altering to say the least. Thinking about all the different aspects of the universe, and trying to figure out the truth is something that I don’t think we as humanity will ever know the answer to. This is where religion fits in for me. It’s not our job to figure it all out, if we live by faith and treat others as we expect to be treated I believe it will all work its way out in the end. Like I mentioned in my autobiography in week one, I was raised Methodist. It was actually me that got my parents into religion at all. We used to go to church for the big events like Easter and Christmas. I ended up finding out when I was about seven years old that my mother felt badly for never getting me baptized as a child. When I overheard her talking about it one day I said to her “so why don’t we just do it know?” She started to tear up a little but said “okay.” Once I was baptized our family as a whole went to church almost every Sunday from that point on. There was a huge transformation in both my mother and father. It was amazing and I’ve never regretted it for a moment. This experience is very important to me, and really helped set the stage for what religion means to me.

As I gazed around the church I was able to see love and an abundance of warmth generating from the elder parents to the young within the chapel. The service although I was unable to understand it, promoted an overwhelming feeling of acceptance and respect from those around me as we engaged in the reading of the scriptures, songs being sung and the blessings being given to all those asking. The parishioners beamed with an elation of learning the word of Christ, and did not make me feel as if I were an outcast; those seated around me apologized for their children, and guided me to receive the message from the priest. The emotional response I have for the people of the church was an elated since of hospitality and acceptance, which I thought would not be give; a preconceived idea. From the moment I arrived I was able to feel as if I belonged in the church family, the feelings of inadequacy faded. I found that being engaged within this experience has challenged me as an individual to become more open to those I am the most uncomfortable, have little knowledge, or preconceived images of, in other words judge from the inside not from the outside, take a leap and learn whole heartedly about those I know nothing about. The challenges I faced where to put aside whatever misconceptions and prejudices I have from my personal beliefs, values and experiences and be

My journey to CCU started close to 40 years ago. I was five, and was invited by my friend one Sunday morning to attend church with her family. My memory of this event differs from my mothers, and both accounts are important and pertinent to the end result of this pivotal event. Ultimately, it brought my family to the saving grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. My memory, one of only a five year old child, still serves me with my innocent smile, a heart full of joyful happiness, and an excitement for life. I recall walking, maybe even jumping with excitement, into the house asking my mother if I could go to church with my friend. I heard my mother say; “yes,” I then grabbed her Bible and went to church for the first time. Now, my mothers

In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit. This phrase, I learned is commonly used within the Catholic faith. Catholocisim is one of the major world religions that has a huge presence in European and Latin American countries. Its members such as Pope Francis, has a powerful religious and political impact on many countries throughout the world who have a large Catholic presence. Throughout this experience, I learned a lot in terms of the Catholic faith. This paper will highlight some of the many things I learned about the Catholic faith, my experience, and how this religion is incorporated into the everyday lives of its members in terms of holidays and the message they are encouraged to live by.

I feel blessed for the opportunity to study Bible history and theology at Northeastern Seminary. Since seminary was never in my plans, I know God orchestrated this opportunity. As I reflect, my preparation for seminary begin in 2005 when I had a desire to become a Christian Counselor for women and children. As a result, I enrolled in a Christian Counseling program offered by the American Association of Christians Counselors. When I completed the program, I discovered that in order to become certified I needed a Master’s degree. Unfortunately, I did not have a college degree so I thought my dream to become a Christian Counselor was just dream. Additionally, I had health issues and I could not attend classes. However, seven years later I obtained a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in the spring of 2012. As a result, in the fall, I begin searching for a graduate program. My plan was to enroll in an online graduate program at Roberts. However, God had a different plan. While researching the different online programs, I received a flyer from Northeastern Seminary. Thankfully, I was accepted at NES for the 2013 spring semester. Although I could have obtained a counseling certification with any Master’s degree, I believe true Christian Counseling would be more effective with the proper Christian foundation. Gratefully, I am working God’s plan for my life and God knew that I needed a program where I could obtain a solid Christian

Growing up in a Christian Orthodox religion I went to church every sunday and attended sunday school as well as all church related festivals. Going to college and working became an excuse on why I stopped attending church regularly. When college came along I absolutely hated the idea of taking a religion class as a required course. I was so close minded and complained relentlessly about taking this course. As time went on in class I told myself, “there is no way this professor is going to turn me into a Lutheran.” Little did I know my professor was trying to open the doors of knowledge and expand my views in both science and religion. I came into theology one hundred and one believing I knew everything there was to be known about God. I was arrogant and foolish. My perspectives were so narrow, like my mind. I did not allow my professor to enlighten me with his knowledge. I believed that since I passed my tenth grade Sunday School exam there was no more to learn, or no mind great

Before going to Mishawaka Marian, my local Catholic high school, church and God seemed more like a chore than anything. But through those four years, I know that by going through Marian I’ve gained a much deeper knowledge of Christ and how to see him working in my life daily. I’ve had several deep and personal encounters with God and it is through those encounters that I was brought closer to Him and the Christian faith. The most important event that solidified my faith happened first semester of my junior year, when my family got a call from our local hospital saying my grandma was struck by a car and on her way to the emergency room. My whole family’s life was turned upside down by one phone call and things are forever different because of it. Several broken ribs, a broken hip, a major concussion, endless doctors’ appointments and hospital visits later, my grandma was finally back home. We slowly and thankfully began to put the event behind us, but the effect it left on my family will never be able to be put away. Throughout this seemingly endless incident, I learned how important family truly is. I learned great responsibility, how to give and receive help, and not to take a single thing for granted because it could all be gone in just one second. I also felt myself grow nearer to God through this stressful and tragic experience. When you feel like you are alone and have no one to turn to, turn to God. Through Him I am courageously finding my path because I know and trust that God will never leave my side. Through all of these life experiences and memories along the way, I’ve learned so much about myself, how the world works, how God works in my life and where I can begin to see myself fitting into it. It is important to realize that it is through the bad times that we learn the most and

The world has more than one billion Catholics and with the ever growing population, it will only get larger in number. To be a Catholic means to have complete faith in God and his divine grace. Having God's divine grace means to obey it and keep it holy as it was created by God and given to his people. The religion itself is based on this and the people take it very seriously. Catholics believe that all people are of good nature but when one commits a sin it not only hurts that one person but the people and the Church.