Videos to Aid Your RCIA Journey – to view just COPY & PASTE LINKS into your browser.
The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. RCIA is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens.
Here I share the links to the videos I studied as I went through the RCIA process. For some of them, I have also included the personal reflections or transcripts . Also there is a couple of lessons missing here.
British Spelling is used Here
3MC – Bonus Episode 1 – Why are atheists (not) wrong? (youtube.com)
3MC – Bonus Episode 2 – Does atheism lead to a better world? (youtube.com)
What is Papal Infallibility (and “Ex Cathedra”)? (youtube.com)
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LESSON ONE
The first video, although short, held a wealth of understanding. What I got from it was that contrary to evolutionist thought. We are different from animals, although we are intrinsically linked with them as part of God’s whole creation.
God gifted the Ad’am with free will and reason to exercise that will wisely. We are to direct our will using reason to seek, desire, and practice the knowledge and Truth of God and His kingdom. This way, through the blood of Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are saved from the power of sin and death and are invited into the eternal holy dance in the fellowship of the Holy Trinity.
God loves us, so he has given us all an ultimate purpose. To know (be one with) and love (agape) the One True God here on earth and to serve Him by sharing it with others.
We aim to attain heaven so we can enjoy and love God forever. We start that journey here on earth by the act of our reason and will and with a whole lot of God’s grace.
2. (358) 3MC – Episode 02 – What is the Soul? – YouTube
I have not heard this particular interpretation of the soul before. From a Calvinistic Protestant view, the soul is defined by ‘breath’ IE, God-breathed, and Adam becomes a living soul. To confuse the matter, some Protestants call the soul ‘spirit’, which has Greek influence. The soul is then regarded as the ‘sinful nature’, and the body is sinful as well. The conclusion is that the soul is God’s breath (life), which is true but can be subject to different subjective interpretations. I have always had my doubts about this interpretation. It has brought much confusion to me as there is no authoritative way of interpretation.
But the explanation of the soul in the video is more explanatory of the soul’s substance- its essence. It’s the principle of life and unity in a living being – it makes sense. I enjoy the Catholic explanation of theology as reason and will is implemented, which is lacking in Protestantism. Reason and will in Calvinistic Protestantism are counted as sinful and must be crushed. And living by ‘the spirit’ must be achieved.
However, I understand that reason and will in Catholicism are spiritual and part of the soul. The soul is good because it is created by and in God’s image. (I’m happy to be corrected).
3. (358) 3MC – Episode 03 – What is the difference between believing and knowing? – YouTube
Belief, Knowing, Opinion. We must regularly examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. We can be fooled t into thinking that ‘knowing’ about God will save us. Our opinion about God can be so strong we may mistake it for belief. I think that is one reason God tests us: to help us evaluate whether we have true faith or something else.
4. (358) CATHOLIC TEACHING – DON’T LIKE IT [Contraception] – YouTube
5. The Search for Happiness (shalomworld.org)
The idea of home is built into us as an internal compass is true. That is why my heart yearns for the court of the Lord – my heavenly home. True happiness is being blessed and loved by God and being in a relationship with Him.
This video presumes the viewer had a normal childhood – I certainly didn’t. It does not consider that many people’s childhood memories are unhappy, which may lead them to seek happiness in the Lord as adults.
To be mindful, still, meditative, and prayerful is to open the door to our hearts to God.
If our minds are stayed on God, we will have peace of heart and mind. This will not only offer spiritual refreshment but also mental health. One of the best times in my life was when I stayed in a silent convent for a week.
This video is stereotypical. The lady at the end said happiness comes when we connect with others. But some people, for whatever reason, have no one to connect with. Does that mean they can not be happy? I don’t think so. Happiness comes from within us through the Holy Spirit, regardless of circumstances. The Beatitudes bear that out. This video should also address those non-stereotype people because they are vulnerable.
6. The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching (youtube.com)
7. Abandonment to Divine Providence and Fr. Walter Ciszek (youtube.com)
8. The Veil Removed – Film (youtube.com)
Lesson Two
I understood this interpretation of ‘born again’ through study and prayer many years ago.
Sadly, many of my Protestant friends do not agree with me. Many Protestant evangelicals do not believe that Catholics have an understanding of’ born again’.
The Protestant view varies greatly. Many believe that baptism saves you, while others do not. In some quarters, baptism is an optional extra because being born again is all that matters.
Once baptised, God circumcises our hearts and transforms our human nature into the nature of Christ.
We must put off the old nature and allow the new nature to dominate as we come into the likeness of Christ.
We gladly do good works with holy hearts in response to our change of heart. We show our faith through our works,
Many Protestant evangelicals do not believe that Catholics have a concept of’ born again’.
The Protestant view of baptism varies greatly; it is a pick and mix. Many believe that baptism saves you, while others do not. In some quarters, baptism is an optional extra.
Many protestants make it up as they go along- as the ‘spirit moves them.’ I have seen this many times, even in theological academic circles.
2. (434) Steve Ray | By Faith Alone | Franciscan University – YouTube
Faith Alone. If one is saved by faith alone, one has to discard much of scripture. One’s works confirm one’s faith. If there are no works, there is no faith or salvation. The word faith is a verb. It is an ‘action’ word, not static, as many would presume. All OT covenants demand action from both parties for the covenant to be active. Abraham was ‘commanded’ and obeyed- therefore, his faith was credited to him as righteousness.
3. (434) Steve Ray: “Spreading the Gospel Back Then and All Over Again” – YouTube
Steve Ray is very entertaining and an excellent way to convey hard truths. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. God became incarnate in Jesus. Jesus took every sin of every human being, past, present, and future- Alpha Omega. God is not in time, so salvation is perceptual until Jesus returns to redeem all creation to himself.
Satan is the author of sin (an action that is a rebellion that is rooted against God), which results in eternal death. Because Satan is not subject to time, so eternal death is perpetual. God weeps over lost souls and leaves the 99 to redeem the lost one.
Jesus ascended to the Father’s right hand, gave birth to the Church and gave her life by wind (His breath) and fire (purified, set apart). The Church is now infused with the Spirit (essence of God, light) of Christ and dynamic power. The Church (the body) obeys the head (Jesus).
In cooperation with Christ, the Church ‘must’ shine its light on the dark, sinful world for the salvation of souls by being evangelical. The Church is called to love lost souls in the same way as God Loves lost souls. We are ‘commanded’ (not an optional extra) to carry our cross while going to the world to preach the gospel (freedom from sin and death). The Church is called to live in holiness (in the freedom from the action of sin) so we can be saints.
To kill a tree, one must first kill the roots. So, satan and demonic influence kill the root of society, which is the family. Hence, disordered sexuality, abortion, drugs, domestic abuse, family engagement etc. etc., etc. Satan disorders true religion to humiliate and disgrace God and His Church, causing believers to fall away (if possible) and unbelievers to mock the church.
Our warfare is not carnal but spiritual 2 Cor 10:4. Jesus won the victory over sin – it is Finished! We need to appropriate it daily. Ephesians 6:10-17.
I was pregnant with my second child in 1981 when I contacted Rubella. The Doctor wanted me to have an abortion. I said I wouldn’t kill a human being; this child was a gift from God, and I witnessed to him about Christ.
I saw him again a month later. I was now five months pregnant. He ‘begged’ me to have an abortion as there was an 80% chance of a defective child. He said it would be secret, and my church would not have to know. I said God knows, I would pray for him and my child to be healed. At the birth, the same Doctor whisked my baby away and did all the tests. He put the baby into my arms and said he wouldn’t have to worry anymore- he’s normal. I said- I know- I was never worried, and I am glad I trusted God and didn’t kill my baby. The doctor said, ‘You would have if you weren’t a Christian’. We must evangelise in the example of our lives, or our words will mean nothing.
As a nurse in Australia and years later as a Chaplain in the UK, I’ve worked in post-abortion clinics and conducted funerals for murdered babies. The guilt of the mothers is heartbreaking to watch. But God can save the vilest sinner- glory to His name!
4. (434) Catholic Because of the Eucharist | Steve Ray – Atlanta Eucharistic Congress 2018 – YouTube
Like the speaker, I was taught that transubstantiation is the change from bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood, which is impossible and, therefore, heresy.
Over the last ten years, I have attended Mass on a Saturday night off and on and took the eucharist – no one asked me any questions. I would observe Mass through Pastor Jack on YouTube Springfield, St Thomas, during COVID-19 and until now. I thought it did not matter if I accepted that it was
Christ’s actual body and blood or not. But over time, this bothered me.
So, I began researching from the Catholic and Jewish points of view. I studied the Passover and Temple theology and realised they had to eat the sacrifice. Of course, I already knew that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb, but I did not connect it with ‘eating’. Now, John 6:53-58 made sense. I realised it’s not as metaphorical as I was taught.
Over time, I connected the dots and decided to attend your adoration. I asked God to confirm what I was coming to understand, and during adoration, I meditated upon what I had learned about the Eucharist. Then God touched my heart, and I saw in the host movement like it was alive. (a bit of a story).
I came out of there convinced the bread and wine were not just a memorial, but they became the substances of the body and blood of Jesus. That is when I knew I had to leave the protestant Church.
I agree with his view of the OT. Many protestants will not concur with our Jewish roots. Which has always amused me as it is super clear in the scripture. Anti-summit protestants don’t seem to like the fact that Jesus was a Jew. So, they depict me as a white European.
5. The Existence of God (shalomworld.org)
My dad told me God is not dead because there is no God, and all Christians are hypocrites. My mother told me that God is whoever you conceive him to be. But they Christened me in the CoE to please my grandparents.
I couldn’t accept my parents’ views because I observed that we are different from other animals. I sensed there was a world we could not see. I had questions that no one could answer. I had questions that no one could answer. My heart told me that there has to be life before we are born and after we die, and there has to be something more than we can see. So, I began to search for God at a very early age. When I told my parents this, they told me I had a vivid imagination.
My mother believed that all religions lead to God. At the age of 20 in 1976, I learned that this was not true. Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth, and Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. He is that gate, the door. I explain this in the two books I wrote.
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Lesson Three
In my research, I saw this some time ago and was very impressed. I listen to the same preachers as he did back in the day. how close we may be to?Jesus’s return It seems to me that Jesus is gathering and preparing His bride
2. Who is Jesus? (shalomworld.org)
Most people keep Jesus as a baby in the manger or just a good teacher or prophet. In that way, one does not have to acknowledge sin and the need for a saviour. Knowing about Jesus is different from knowing Him.
The Synoptic Gospels are not lovely stories but documents of historical events. God incarnate- conquered the power of sin, which is death- glory to His name.
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Lesson Four
In my research, I saw this some time ago and was very impressed. I listen to the same preachers as he did back in the day. how close we may be to? Jesus’s return It seems to me that Jesus is gathering and preparing His bride
2. Who is Jesus? (shalomworld.org)
Most people keep Jesus as a baby in the manger or just a good teacher or prophet. In that way, one does not have to acknowledge sin and the need for a Saviour. Knowing about Jesus is different from knowing Him.
The Synoptic Gospels are not lovely stories but documents of historical events. God incarnate- conquered the power of sin, which is death- glory to His name.
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LESSON 5
God revealed himself through the history of His people. However, God’s actions were needed to save his people, so God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, who came to die so we might have life.
2. (120) 3MC – Episode 09 – How is Revelation passed on? – YouTube
That one thing that the protestant misses out on is the benefit of sacred tradition. I realise that they have thrown out the baby with the bath water.
3. 3MC – Episode 10 – What are the parts of the Bible? – YouTube
4. The Holy Spirit and the Church (shalomworld.org)
The Holy Spirit is the breath, the essence of God. What a privilege that we came into being and were given life by the Holy Spirit, but it also comes to live in us, making us His family, Church, body, and bride.
In faith, we must be active in the church – the body to be spiritually healthy. Within the Church are Signs, symbols and sacraments, which are a revelation of God and help us to connect, be transformed and participate with Christ
5. Dr. Scott Hahn on how the The holy Eucharist made him Catholic! – YouTube
God reveals himself in the breaking of the bread. I was taught that private interpretation is OK. But I needed clarification with so many interpretations of the same thing. Regarding the Eucharist, I discovered so many conflicting ideas of what it was and what was happening in its celebration
So I was led to ask- Who has the Holy Spirit who led us into all Truth? What is true?
I searched for years to find the answers – and then God introduced me to the Catholic Church. I learnt that Catholics interpret the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, under the guidance of the Church, following three specific guidelines according to the catechism. Understanding this gave me guidelines, spiritual safety, and boundaries, which I warmed toward.
I began to read scripture differently. By marrying the OT covenant practices with the NT covenant practices, transubstantiation makes more sense than merely a symbolic act.
God converted Dr. Hahn through what Scott he was familiar with and could relate to. God uses different means to bring us to conversion, as we all know and relate to different things. The wedding itself in canna and the water to wine is the sign of transubstantiation.
I didn’t know that the marriage supper of the lamb is also the Eucharist – awesome. It makes sense since the kingdom is not in time- may it be on earth as it is heaven. The sacrifice and the supper are perpetual till Jesus comes back.
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Lesson Six
1.
Who decided what belongs in the Bible?
One of the problems with some protestants is that they unwittily buy into Gnosticism because they are trying to be relevant to modern culture.
2.
Who is God?
For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods Psalm 97:9
3.
Is God All-powerful?
1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Isaiah 55:8-9
If we could completely understand God, we would not need faith
4. https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/the-bible
There is significantly more documentation for the books of the Bible than there are for other historically recognised authors and literature, including Plato and others.
Archaeological findings
Excavation sites and artefacts also provide evidence that many of the events, people, and places mentioned in the Bible existed, including the Hittite people and the city of Jericho.
Eyewitness accounts
The Gospels give multiple points of view and, in many cases, were written within the lifetimes of the people who witnessed the events recorded in the Bible. Writers focused on different aspects but had the same message: Jesus taught, healed, performed miracles, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
The Life of Jesus
The fact that Jesus was a natural, historical person is documented by Jewish manuscripts, even before the Apostle Paul and the writers of the Gospels provided their eyewitness accounts. Other ancient cultural documents also reference his existence. For example, the Roman leader and historian, Tacitus, wrote:
“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus…”
Redeemed lives
We see evidence of the Bible’s trustworthiness by the lives that have been changed and redeemed by it. A few examples include C.S. Lewis, a former atheist who became one of the world’s leading Christian apologists, and John Newton, a former slave-ship master who converted to Christianity and penned “Amazing Grace.” Romans 13:14
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[a]
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LESSON 8
Brilliant, it makes good sense
2. 3MC – Episode 15 – Is God a man with a long beard? *** (youtube.com)
I’ve always believed God is his Spirit and has no human gender. I didn’t know about the eminence and transcendence bit- interesting.
3. 3MC – Episode 16 – What does it mean that God is Triune? (youtube.com)
Most traditional protestants are trinitarian, although many explain their relationship and role differently.
4. 3MC – Episode 17 – How can we summarise belief in the Trinity? (youtube.com)
I hold the same view of God.
5. The Meaning of “Mass” in the Catholic Church (youtube.com)
I didn’t know that interpretation. I like that as it turns the Mass away from ourselves to evangelize to saving souls.
We come to receive Jesus and then take Him out into the world- Cool!
6. What are Sacramentals in the Catholic Church? (youtube.com)
I learned this a while ago on YouTube- although I did not know that a ‘person’ can be a sacramental, non-Catholics are missing out on a lot – I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
7. The Gift of Faith (shalomworld.org)
A lot of people think one can conjure up faith. On the contrary, faith is God’s grace, enabling us to believe that we choose to receive that grace or not.
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Lesson Nine
It’s a shame that people don’t teach this in their families. If they did, society would not be such a mess.
Faith, hope, and love are the same in Protestantism and the others are not called virtues but are wrapped up in 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5:16-24
2. The Meaning of the Pelican Symbol in Christianity (youtube.com)
I don’t recall seeing the symbol, but it’s Interesting
3. 3MC – Episode 19 – What pictures do we have of the Holy Trinity? (youtube.com)
John 2:16 has always been my favourite scripture.
I never heard before that the Father brings eternally forth the Son- it makes sense.
4. 3MC – Episode 20 – What does it mean that God is Love? (youtube.com)
It’s not what he only does but who he is. He loves only because he is Love itself. And if we are born of God, we will strive to become loved, too. Ro 5:5
5. 3MC – Episode 21 – What is Creation according to the Church? (youtube.com)
What a fantastic privilege to participate in God’s divine life- we must never take it for granted or misuse it.
6. 3MC – Episode 22 – Is there a contradiction between Faith and Science? (youtube.com)
It is a pity that the RC church historically has had a turbulent relationship with science.
We can’t separate Science from God as he invented it. All understanding comes from God Proverbs 2:6-8. Science is a gift from God- it’s his insight into how nature and the universe work- pity we abuse it and even pervert it to destroy God’s creation.
LESSON 10
- HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION, part 1 – Catholic Precept #2 (youtube.com)
- TRANSCRIPT OF LESSON
To us to help us remember our sins. So that we are confessing probabilities, or I might have done. We confess the sins we committed, and we remember our sins. We are sorry for our sins. We know what our sins are. And then when we go to Confession to a priest, we are brainstorming there. We can make good use of the time in Confession to confess our sins and get that done. and then receive the benefits of the sacrament. So how does one prepare when engages in the examination of conscience, spending a few moments in prayer before entering the confessional itself? And that can be done in the car on the way to church. That can be done sitting in the church for maybe 5 to 10 minutes before going into the confessional. That can be done as you wait in line for the penitence before you to finish receiving the sacrament of Confession. But it’s a time in which we turn to God in the examination of conscience. And then receive the benefits of the sacrament. So how does one prepare when engages in the examination of conscience, spending a few moments in prayer before entering the confessional itself? And that can be done in the car on the way to church. That can be done sitting in the church for maybe 5 to 10 minutes before going into the confessional. That can be done as you wait in line for the penitence before you to finish receiving the sacrament of Confession. But it’s a time in which we turn to God in the examination of conscience.
And state how long it has been since your last Confession. So, say it has been six weeks since your last Confession. You begin, bless me, father, for I have sinned. It has been six weeks since my last Confession. And these are my sins. Now, that is helpful for the priest in various ways. Because, 1st of all, when the person comes face to face, they’re right there in front of the priest. The priest sees them. They’re looking at them. They say hello. And more often than not, the priest will begin in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
But when a person comes anonymously, sometimes the priest hears them arrive and kneels in the kneeler. But I can certainly save him the experience that there has been more than one occasion in which a person comes in so quietly that I’m not aware that they’re kneeling there. And I think the record I have is at least two minutes. The person sat there and said nothing, waiting for me to say something. And I didn’t know that they were there. And maybe they shifted on the kneeler. And I heard something Creek, and that gave me a signal. And so I would begin in the name of a father and of the son of the Holy Spirit. Hoping that the person will respond and let me know that they’re there. And so the. and so the best way to let the priest know that you’re there is. Yourself to begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Or to begin, bless me, father, for I have sinned. It has been so much time since my last Confession. As helpful to the priest who knew. Who needs to know that you’re there going anonymously and let us know that you’re present. But in terms of the liturgy of the sacrament is concerned, it is customary to begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and in addressing the priests saying, bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been this long since my last Confession. Well, the reason we tell a priest how long since our last Confession is because it does provide a frame of reference for both the penitent as well as the priest. For the penitent, confessing their sins, we don’t just go all the way back to our childhood every time we go to Confession. Nor do we reconfess sins that we had confessed previously, unless we’ve committed them again. But rather, we focus on that period since our last Confession, which we understand to have been a thorough confession, Yourself to begin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Or to begin, bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been so much time since my last Confession. As helpful to the priest who knew.
Each time we make this sacrament, each time we receive the sacrament, if we legitimately forget something, honestly forgot something. It’s unnecessary to reconfess or confess it if we have not committed it since our last Confession. If we deliberately held back and did not confess something we simply didn’t want to say to the priest, then we do need to confess it when we receive the sacrament of reconciliation the next time. So when it comes to telling the priest how long it has been since our last Confession, it also helps the priest. to get some idea as to the disposition of the penitent themselves.
Not to make a judgement on them, because our goal is to give them the forgiveness of sins in the name of Christ, in the name of the church. But as the obligation is to go once a year, when we have someone who comes to Confession and has been a year since their last Confession, it gives us an idea that this is a person who receives the sacrament regularly within the obligation that we are called as a people of faith to receive the sacrament. However, if a person says it’s been a year since my last Confession and confesses only 1 sin, then they might need a little help in an examination of conscience at that particular time, because a long time is a long time. And they’re even small since that we do need to confess, not just the serious sins, when we come to Confession. If a person says that they are last Confession was a month ago or six weeks ago, then that might indicate to the priest a habit that they have in coming and receiving the sacrament, a desire for ongoing conversion, a desire to know one sins and constantly improve ones life. If a person says that they are last Confession was a month ago or six weeks ago, then that might indicate to the priest a habit that they have in coming and receiving the sacrament, a desire for ongoing conversion, a desire to know one sins and constantly improve ones life. When a person says it’s been a week since my last Confession, it can mean a number of things. It can mean a particular devotion to the sacrament in which they want to focus on spiritual temptations or spiritual shortcomings that they have. But sometimes it might mean that they might be a little scrupulous so that there’s a sin that they. Confess on a regular basis. And as a priest and as a shepherd, I am moved to help discuss with the patent methods on how they might overcome that particular sin that they feel the need to come weekly to confess Confess on a regular basis. And as a priest and as a shepherd, I am moved to help discuss with the patent methods on how they might overcome that particular sin that they feel the need to come weekly to confess if in the very rare occasion a person says it’s been a day since my last Confession, then that might tell the priest that there’s either a very serious sin that they just confess that they really want to get off the conscience or the person might be particularly scrupulous, which is also something that should be addressed by the priest in Confession. Because if this isn’t a sacrament of scrupulosity, but a sacrament in which we know our sins, that we’re not paranoid about how sinful we are and have to go to Confession, any opportunity we have, but that we in a mature fashion, know our sins, know where we must grow. if, on the very rare occasion, a person says it’s been a day since my last Confession, then that might tell the priest that there’s either a very serious sin that they just confessed that they really want to get off the conscience or the person might be particularly scrupulous, which is also something that should be addressed by the priest in Confession. Because if this isn’t a sacrament of scrupulosity, but a sacrament in which we know our sins, that we’re not paranoid about how sinful we are and have to go to Confession, any opportunity we have, but that we in a mature fashion, know our sins, know where we must grow. know our areas of conversion, and we turn to God for forgiveness of our sins and the grace to overcome our sinfulness. And so it’s an important frame of reference for the penitent as well as for the priests to begin when they say, bless me, father, for I have sinned, to also say it has been a certain amount of time, how much time it has been since their last Confession. And that helps the priest to his guidance of the penitent, and it helps the penitent focus on a particular period since their last Confession, when they have. Live their lives where they might have fallen, where they might have given into temptation and what areas in their life are necessary for growth and grace to overcome their sins. Live their lives where they might have fallen, where they might have given into temptation and what areas in their life are necessary for growth and grace to overcome their sins.
2. WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT CONFESS? (How to go to Confession, part. 2) – Catholic Precept #2 (youtube.com)
2. WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT CONFESS? (How to go to Confession, part. 2) – Catholic Precept #2 (youtube.com)
I can see the necessity of Confession, but confessions to a person rather than God seem scary and strange. I confess my sins to God each evening, so once a year does not seem enough. I would worry till I got stuff off my mind. I think the stumbling block for me is understanding what the RC mean by sin that needs to be confessed- which appears different from protestants’ ideas.
It’s good the Lord has all the bases covered by providing private Confession and also before a priest.
I have thought a lot about this the last few months, and when I am catholic, I will confess personally each day as I have been doing and once a week in the confessional to ensure I live a holy life daily.
4. Making a Good Confession (youtube.com)
I understand divine amnesia as I have it because, for over 40 years, people have told me confidential things that I have trained my mind to forget.
Rebellion is a sin, and that’s what I have always suffered from, so to come under the authority of the RC church is a big thing. As I submit myself and come into obedience to the church -The body, then I am obedient to the Head – Christ. I am aware of this and strive after it.
5. Mortal vs. Venial Sin (youtube.com)
I was taught in seminary that sin is all alike- I never bought into this because the Hebrew scriptures point out there are different levels according to our intentions.
Collaborating with sin on a trim level weakens our conscience, so over time, we slowly engage in more sinful stuff that we would never have done in the past. Gen4:7
6. The Power of Prayer (shalomworld.org)
This video has a balanced outlook on prayer. Prayer is not manipulating God but joining our Spirit with His
We can not have a relationship with God without prayer.
We are not connected to the body of Christ without prayer with and for each other. Satan opposes prayer- so it can be a battle- so the desire to pray is a grace from God; we need to ask for it. James 5:16
LESSON 11
The high standards are one of the things that attracted me to the RC church. Humans need standards/precepts for spiritual and emotional safety, security, and well-being.
2. WHY DO CATHOLICS GO TO MASS ON SUNDAY? – Catholic Precept #1 (youtube.com)
There are many reasons why I go to Church, but I have been diligent in attending Church because of this scripture.
Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us
not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another,
especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
3. HOLY COMMUNION – WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? – Catholic Precept #3 (youtube.com)
I fail to understand how we can maintain a heart-felt relationship with God, only meeting with him in the Eucharist once or twice a year.
4. HOW NOT!!! TO RECEIVE COMMUNION – Catholic Precept #3 (youtube.com)
Funny video. I like the idea that we stand as we are resurrection people. I have researched this and thought and prayed about whether I would receive on the tongue or in the hand- I opt for the tongue as my hands are not consecrated as the priest is. Years ago, I received communion wine from a shared cup and contracted a virus that took many months to clear up. I have never opted for this method since then.
5. FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: What is the Practice? – Catholic Precept #4 (youtube.com)
Fasting and abstinence are good disciplines for our bodies, minds, and spirits, and they help us learn to be one with the Church. I agree we are more than our human instincts. Instincts rule animals because they lack reason—and we are not animals.
This, is my first Lent as an almost catholic, so I’ll observe the Ash Wednesday and Friday and go meatless.
6. TITHING: Providing for the Church’s Needs — Catholic Precept #5 (youtube.com)
My money is God’s anyway. Because there is no command about tithes in the NT, I have always used 2 Cor as a guide in my giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7-15 New International Version
7. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. Through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
7. Finding True Freedom (shalomworld.org)
That’s one thing I don’t enjoy in our society and that’s it there are no societal core moral standards.
Parent don’t teach their kids morals because they haven’t been taught them. Values are seen as rules that bind, instead of freedom. Having a Pope and Magisterium that engages in both faith and morals is comforting. And confronting having the Holy Spirit who leads us into all Truth
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LESSON 12
Our unceasing is finite; we are fools if we can presume to know how everything works. I always thought evolution is real and a continuation of creation, starting with God and not the monkeys.
2. 3MC – Episode 24 – What is Evil? (youtube.com)
I do not believe that God created evil- BUT where did the Tree of Good and Evil come from? If God did not create evil, who created the evil part of the tree? Did the tree grow because of the fall? Was there a tree only of good, but when the fall happened, it got tainted with evil?
God created the world and accepted it as ‘good’. Therefore, there was no evil at that time, but only ‘good’.
Then, Up pops the tree. So who is responsible for the knowledge of evil? To have knowledge of evil, evil must first exist. So if God does not create evil- who did? Was it Lucifer, the shining one? But he’s not a creative being. Hmm, interesting indeed.
3. 3MC – Episode 25 – What is Original Sin? (youtube.com)
this world is in such a mess as man always puts himself at the centre
4. 3MC – Episode 26 – Does the Devil exist? (youtube.com)
The letters of Jude and 2 Peter give us clues. Jude 6 says, “The angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.” And 2 Peter 2:4 says, “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.”
5. 3MC – Episode 27 – Who was Jesus? (youtube.com)
funny video. So many people have different views of Jesus today. it’s no different than it was in Jesus’ time; that’s why he asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’
There are a lot of protestant view on the nature of Jesus- glad the RC church has it sorted,
6. 3MC – Episode 28 – Why did God become Man? (youtube.com)
God becoming man shows us how much we e loved
7. The Meaning of Love (shalomworld.org)
It’s always a lovely setting in the Shalom videos.
Love seeks union. The Lord spoke to me many years ago when I incurred hurt from the church. I wanted to leave and never go back. God said, ‘If you love me, you will love my church. If you do not love my church, you do not love me. I realized the bridegroom can’t separated from the bride. The body will not survive without the head. So, I returned to Church and served people the best I could. Life does grow when we give it way. St Teresa was a beautiful example of a humble child of God.
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LESSON 13
That’s an interesting question; I have often pondered this Great perspective- it makes sense. It has something to do with creating the modern world so the gospel can be spread to all nations before the end.
2. 3MC – Episode 30 – How did Jesus live? (youtube.com)
Do Catholics believe that when Jesus ascended, he entered the heavenly holy of holies and, sprinkled his blood on the mercy seat and then sat down at God’s right hand?
3. 3MC – Episode 31 – How is Jesus different from the founders of other religions? (youtube.com)
In my experience of Protestantism, which is cross-denominational, we are not encouraged to ask questions, just be passive, because If we do, we’ll find our way to the Catholic Church. Good video gets people to ask questions- no matter how old in the faith, every Christian should watch these 3 min vids. Very refreshing and informative.
4. 3MC – Episode 32 – How did Jesus save us on the Cross? (youtube.com)
clear explanation- sin is a lack of something
i agree with the teaching on how redemption works
5. 3MC – Episode 33 – How does the grace of salvation come to us? (youtube.com)
Praise God that love is more significant than sin, and God has prived the seven sacraments for us. I have the same view in Baptism.
6. 3MC – Episode 34 – What is Grace? (youtube.com)
I like the popeye spinach metaphor
7. The Light of Christ (shalomworld.org)
God provided so much for our salvation and relationship with him; I also loved both the Nicene and Apostle Creed. Some Protestants recognise the Creed, and it’s in the worship books. But these days, it’s rarely read during worship. I have a vast canvas of Rublves trinity hanging in my home. It reminds me that God is loving unity, and we are invited into that unity to sit with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at His table.
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LESSON 14
good explanations
2. 3MC – Episode 36 – What is Baptism? (youtube.com)
I am looking forward to being baptised into the Catholic Church
3. 3MC – Episode 37 – What is Confirmation? (youtube.com)
So does each person baptised- even as an adult- need to be confirmed later?
4. 3MC – Episode 38 – What is the Eucharist? (youtube.com)
good analogy. Apparently, 86% of American Catholics have no clue what the Eucharist is- if this is true, it shows people are willing to follow something without putting their brains into gear – thats is why many intelligent folk get caught up in dangerous cults
5. 3MC – Episode 39 – What is Holy Mass? (youtube.com)
Makes sense
a lot of protestants think that Catholics believe Jesus is sacrificed over and over at every Mass- but it is a re-presentation that the video makes clear.
6. 3MC – Episode 40 – What are the parts of the Mass? (youtube.com)
I like the explanation of purification, illumination, and
union with God- makes coming to Mass necessary for our spiritual wellbeing
7. Creation, Fall, Salvation (shalomworld.org)
Beautiful pictures & scenery. There is not much to say- just a lovely video with beautiful truths.
8. The Mass of the Roman Rite (A Sneak Peek Into Our New Series, “The Mass Explained”) (youtube.com)
I’ve watched many Dr. Pitre videos in the past couple of years. He has a way of explaining complicated things simply.
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LESSON 15
I was told that sin is falling short of GLORY- which doesn’t mean MUCH.
The RC church defines it so we can recognise it in ourselves.
2. 3MC – Episode 42 – What are the 10 Commandments? (youtube.com)
we need these values in our society today. Without boundaries, chaos ensues.
3. 3MC – Episode 43 – What are the 7 Capital Sins? (youtube.com)
It’s pretty clever how they are linked together like this- I never considered it in that light before- it makes sense.
4. 3MC – Episode 44 – What is Confession? (youtube.com)
As Protestants, we don’t practice Confession to someone, only to God. Nor practice penance. But when I was first saved in 1976, it took me six months to start going to Church or reading the bible. But during those six months, The Lord told me to apologise to everyone I had hurt- the list was long. So, over a few months, I apologised to people face to face. I understood it then as obeying God. Now, I understand it to be penance and restitution. That shows me the Catholic way of things is the right way.
5. 3MC – Episode 45 – What is Anointing of the Sick? (youtube.com)
Funny how the protestant tradition turns sacred things on its head. I was taught that the anointing of the sick with oil is to heal the body to get well- not for the dying. Shows how the eternal soul comes second to bodily health.
6. 3MC – Episode 46 – What is a Catholic Priest? (youtube.com)
It’s clear why women can’t be priests- in persona Christi.
Anyway, I would not want to be one- a huge responsibility.
The more I learn about the RC church, the more I realize I don’t know – it’s humbling, and I shouldn’t be preaching.
I wanted to know more, so I viewed the Catechism in One Year on YouTube, paragraphs 1546 to 1553, the sacraments of service. I’m quite impressed with it, so I’ve bought the ascension version with the Notebook to study the Catechism in One Year on YouTube, which will help me understand how things work and why. Jesus appeared to me in April 1976, just after Easter- I came to Our Lady of Margam on Divine Mercy Sunday in April. So, I’ll start the study journey in April.
7. The Community of the Church (shalomworld.org)
wonderful testimony from the priest.
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LESSON 16
3MC – Episode 47 – What are the degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders? (youtube.com)
the same system that is in the Bible
2. 3MC – Episode 48 – What is marriage? (youtube.com)
True, this is what I believe
3. 3MC – Episode 49 – What is sex? *** (youtube.com)
when protestants dropped the sacramental part of marriage, families fell apart; then society fell apart.
4. 3MC – Episode 50 – What does the Church teach about sexual morality? (youtube.com)
the dignity of the human person is important because we are made in God’s image
5. 3MC – Episode 51 – Who is the Holy Spirit? (youtube.com)
I can’t do without the precious Holy Spirit. I remember too well what it was like before he dwelled in me.
6. 3MC – Episode 52 – What is the Church? (youtube.com)
I realize now that the ‘body’ is the Catholic Church. Thank God for His grace for those who are outside but think they are in- like me
7. Shalom World | Experience a New Media Culture
I see that a different view of the sacraments of faith- they change you from the inside. A work of the Holy Spirit – I need all the help I can get to be holy. In Protestantism, sacraments are mere signs. – terrible.
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LESSON 17
That makes sense; I agree with this.
2. 3MC – Episode 54 – Why does the Church even exist? (youtube.com)
generally, protestants believe that the gospel, not the church, is the means of salvation, as salvation can come outside the church. But they do not see themselves as part of the mystical body. As there are so many breakaways. I can see now that the church is the Catholic one and not the thousands of do-your-own thing breakaways.
3. 3MC – Episode 55 – What is the structure of the Church? (youtube.com)
Jesus called disciples to come and sit down close to him as he revealed the true nature of “evangelical primacy.”
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”
Jesus had confidence in the disciples despite their fragility and fears. He called them to follow him and to share his mission to serve everyone as he does us.
The fact that the Pope is the ‘servus servorum Dei,’ is a great model for us. Protestants have no idea about the Pope’s actual role.
4. 3MC – Episode 56 – What are monks, nuns and religious orders? (youtube.com)
for many years, I have been fascinated by the desert fathers and mothers. I love the book ‘The Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way’. Most people don’t realise that the monastics are primarily responsible for Western culture.
5. 3MC – Episode 57 – What and how many? (youtube.com)
The number of Catholics is growing quicker than the world population – thats is impressive. That revival standards.
6. 3MC – Episode 58 – Criticism of the Church *** (youtube.com)
There are heaps of videos on YouTube that damn the Pope and the Magisterium. Sadly and worryingly- most of them claim to be practicing Catholics. There are channels ‘dedicated’ to the theme of sedevacantists.
I have read that the Pope’s approach is to ‘leave them alone; they will fizzle out’, but before that happens, these people are setting themselves up as experts and drawing many away from the Truth. Wolves are ravishing the sheep. This is a passive persecution, indicative of our age- Lord have mercy.
7. The Holy Eucharist (shalomworld.org)
the Mass is why I MUST become Catholic.
And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Therefore, one thing I do is forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead,
………To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears……
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LESSON 18
3MC – Episode 59 – Why do Catholics call on the Saints? (youtube.com)
Protestants call this idolatry. I wonder at what point they came to that idea and why.
2. 3MC – Episode 60 – Who is Mary? (youtube.com)
When I taught Mary in my churches, the people’s reaction was quite significant, especially since she is the work of the Covenant. The feedback I got is that people have a deeper appreciation for Mary.
3. 3MC – Episode 61 – What happens at the end of our lives? (youtube.com)
so true
4. 3MC – Episode 62 – What will we do in Heaven? (youtube.com)
I’ve always believed that eternal life begins in this life, and heaven is a continuation of our choices and the way of life we lead; thats is why we need to choose Christ and live for Him. Can’t wait for the marriage supper of the Lamb
5. 3MC – Episode 63 – What is purgatory? (youtube.com)
That makes sense; I love the washing machine illustration
6. 3MC – Episode 64 – What is Hell? (youtube.com)
do not want to go there because God is not there.
7. Session 16 – Forgiveness, Healing and Mission – Sycamore
James 5:16. I have never confessed my sins to another person- only God. So this is a big mind and cultural shift. But I understand it as a practice that God has ordained. We all want a happy death. John Pritchard’s testimony is compelling; we are all missionary disciples.
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LESSON 19
3MC – Episode 65 – What is man in light of the faith? (youtube.com)
true. We must regard everyone as precious as well.
2. 3MC – Episode 66 – Is everyone called to holiness? (youtube.com)
1 Peter 1:16 Lev. 11:44, 45; 19:2. I have found that most people need clarification about what Holiness is. Many don’t equate it with love.
3. 3MC – Episode 67 – What are virtues? *** (youtube.com)
We have had a lesson about virtues before. Does the Church consider virtues also to be the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5)? Faith love hope 1 Cor 13.
4. 3MC – Episode 68 – What is prayer? (youtube.com)
That is true- we should turn our hearts to God, which takes discipline and a will to pray and be mindful of God’s presence throughout the day.
5. 3MC – Episode 69 – What is the role of the body in prayer? (youtube.com)
I can’t fully kneel because of my knee replacement. I wish I could, but God knows my heart. I sometimes raise my hands in worship in my protestant Churches because I appreciate the Lord, and He is worthy to be praised and honoured, but I know I can’t do that when I become Catholic.
6. 3MC – Episode 70 – What is the Our Father? (youtube.com)
Agree wholeheartedly
7. The Christian Vocations (shalomworld.org)
In 1976, I was told, “Go around the world and tell people Jesus loved them and is coming soon” I hope I have been and will be faithful to that.
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LESSON 20
If God was ‘part’ of the world, we would all be in trouble. Satan is the prince of the power of the air Eph 2:2. In this life, the atheist has an easy life with no spiritual challenges. They do what they want when they want- unlike the disciples of Jesus. However, it all catches up with them in the next life. God has mercy on them for the rest of their souls.
2. 3MC – Bonus Episode 2 – Does atheism lead to a better world? (youtube.com)
My parents justified their atheism by saying that God is the problem with the wars and hate in the world. Now they are dead- I do not know where they are, but I hope they are in purgatory and not in hell, as that is a one-way, dead-end street. I don’t know what happened at the time of death- they may have responded to God’s call- I pray for the repose of their souls.
3. What makes us human is God. www. What is Papal Infallibility (and “Ex Cathedra”)? (youtube.com)
This is interesting, as I have heard a few different versions of this question on YouTube. But Micheal Lofton and Fr. Chris Alar point out the same thing in this video, using Catholic documents to back it up. We protestants get so wrong what the Pope can and can not do.
4. The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching (youtube.com)
I didn’t know this- interesting. Protestants have no such principles – it’s up to the individual to have their own opinion. In other words, it’s a humanly fabricated religion. 2 Timothy 4:3 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths = Protestantism.
Feelings deceive us- God’s will does not. So Glad God woke me up to the truth before I die. I also watched this on- Social Teaching | Catholic Central- what a fun video
5. Abandonment to Divine Providence and Fr. Walter Ciszek (youtube.com)
When I was first a Christian, I believed in God’s providence and active and permissive will. I was told this was wrong- so I needed clarification. I am glad that it has all straightened out.
6. The Veil Removed – Film (youtube.com)
WOW, WOW, what a powerful film. It had me in tears of the reality of what was happening. No wonder the devil invented Protestantism to move the world away from transubstantiation. Most charismatics/evangelicals, especially in the USA, don’t observe Holy Communion at all. The gospel has lost its power to save.
Satan moved folk away from the Eucharist because it is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, which he instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his return in glory. May God deliver his people from error.
I suggest you put this link into the newsletter every quarter; it may increase regular attendance.
I will link this into my almostcatholic.blog if thats OK.
People must see this as it may draw them to salvation.
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Historically, the Catholic church did not purposely build community. The growth was organic as people met as generations of families met at Catholic schools, social clubs and the local pub and then culminated at Church.
Generations followed this pattern, and people generally did what their parents did. With the advent of the secular narcissistic society, things changed. Children no longer follow their parents but move away from their parents and grandparents’ faith. That’s why- (I think) the 2nd Vatican Council is concentrated on Evangelism.
However, due to the cultural shift, evangelism looks very different from what it once did today. It takes local community surveys and other things to understand how the community thinks about reaching them.
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LESSON 24
Before doing RCIA, I had no idea that the protestants altered the canon. I was told it was Catholics that ‘added’ to the original cannon, so I never bothered to investigate it – unfortunate. So weird about Pope Formosos. I have some of the Suma that could be easier to read.
It is so interesting how the RC has influenced science and society.
I think it weird that dead bodies are venerated and called relics- I know many miracles have happened in the presence of relics- but it’s still weird.
I didn’t know Lords of the Rings had a few Catholic underpinnings. At least the RC is more relatable on social media than many Protestants.
2. Answering Islam’s Common Objections to Christianity by Sam Shamoun (youtube.com)
Great video. It’s so good to hear someone speak the truth and sense about Islam, but not many of them are around today because people are scared of repercussions.
I now stay away from sharing the gospel with Muslims; it can be a very dangerous ministry. Over many years of speaking with many Muslims in various parts of the world and seeing the conversion and baptism of three – other than them- I have always met with threats and hostility. I know thousands of Muslims and Imams are converted to Christ through supernatural means.
To be a witness to anyone of any culture, one needs to ‘fully’ understand how that religion and culture works to minister to it. One can’t come in cold expecting to convert people.
The problem is that the modern Quaran dumbs the violence down, making it seem like a religion of peace – fooling many people into converting to it.
I understand that, statically, Islam converts people to it more than any religion in the world. It’s good that the RC equal council was uncaring Catholics to evangelise all people.
Alla is CLEARLY not the God of Abraham and Iaasac – Satan comes as the angel of light- although many Christians believe it is the same God- It’s satanic deception- we need to guard our souls.
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LESSON 26
Interesting Video
2. Why We Love Natural Family Planning (youtube.com)
seems like a high percentage of success
3. Why We Don’t Use Contraception in Our Marriage (youtube.com)
makes sense
4. Why We Hate Natural Family Planning (youtube.com)
It’s a good point that being married doesn’t mean you’re entitled to sex with your spouse because one of the fruits of the spirit is self-control.
5. The Real Harms and Dangers of Hormonal Contraception (Clergy Series Video 2) (youtube.com)
This is true. My theory is that the pill effeminates in men and masculinity in women ‘could’ be caused by the pill and mini pill by altering the baby’s hormone production through breast milk.
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LESSON 27
The Sunday Obligation Explained | Dr. Brant Pitre (youtube.com)
almostcatholic.blog 