I’m meeting with the Monsignor of my local diocese Thursday to discuss my joining the OCIA program. I’ve been attending mass regularly for the last couple months and have been reading and trying to learn a lot on my own. Does anyone have any tips for this first meeting or ways in which I can prepare? TIA!
After a lot of thought, meditation, and prayer, I’ve decided I do indeed want to at least start OCIA this year. I’m meeting with the Monsignor of my local Diocese this Thursday. I’m very, very excited.
Just a little background— I was born and raised Baptist in the rural South. Catholicism has spoken to me since I was 13. I was going into school with a copy of the catechism and defending Catholicism back in the day and have always had a rosary. Around the same time I was coming to terms with my sexuality and what that meant for my faith. For me, it wasn’t as much of a struggle as I know it can be for others but I fell away from Christianity and focused more on what is essentially new age spirituality. I’ve researched and dabbled in numerous religions ranging from Buddhism and Hinduism to Kabbalah and Judaism but again, I’ve always been drawn to the Catholic Church. The customs, the traditions, the culture, the mystical elements. Back in June I decided to go to Mass one Sunday and have been regularly attending ever since!
In that time I’ve done a lot of soul searching and research, specifically regarding my sexuality. Honestly more than I’ve done since I first came to terms with it back as a teen. I still, firmly believe in my soul and spirit that I was born this way and it is not an error. Tbh, this is more affirmation that I need to join Catholicism even more. Coming from a background where I was told that I would burn in hell for even existing or having same-sex attraction. That being said I do have personal struggles with the call to celibacy that I still need to work through but at the same time, I feel like I am heading in the right direction. The Catholic Church feels like home. I could write paragraphs about why but I suppose I don’t need to preach to the choirs y’all already know!
Thanks for listening. Sorry for rambling but I just wanted to share! This reddit page has been a lot of help over the last few months. Just hearing and seeing real people who are gay and feel the same way about Catholicism has been a great solace.
Thanks!
Does anyone know when basketball season tickets go on sale? I should be high enough donor rank to purchase according to my ticket rep but I haven’t heard back from him… TIA