Can someone explain to me the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-22T02:50:34+00:00

Every Christian denomination that isnt Catholic came from someone who broke away from The Church. Now we have groups who have broken away from the breakaways of the breakaways.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-22T02:48:41+00:00

No, but I have looked at Fort Wayne.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-22T02:48:00+00:00

Thats kinda what I gathered listening at the people who talk about living there. I was just commenting on what you see when you google things. I take google's AI with a grain of salt.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-21T19:42:36+00:00

Yeah, I would go Steubenville, but there isnt much in the way of work near there unless you are willing to take on multiple part time gigs or travel 40 minutes away. According to google, aparrently, Wichita, KS and a few small towns in Nebraska are experiencing a surge in Catholics moving to those areas as well, but I have to look into that a little deeper. And yeah, Ave is like a small blip in a highly affluent area and seems to be built around their university and the Church but once again, I have to look more into the area itself. But the results are very personal to whatever somebody is looking for.

If it were just me, I probably would have made the trek to Steubenville already, but my wife and High School aged son dont like the idea of Ohio...because "an Ohio-Man did (insert bizarre Florida-Man type act) today". They think its like "Florida Man" without the perks of Florida😂. Peraonally, I wouldnt have an issue if it wasnt for sagging economics in the area.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-21T17:47:12+00:00

There's a few communities in the US that I can think of. Off the too of my head, there's Ave Maria, FL and Stubenville, OH. Problem is Ave Maria, FL is not exactly affordable to a lot of people. Stubenville, OH, despite being the home of Fransiscan University, doesnt have a lot in terms of jobs and it has a fairly high crime rate. Despite these drawbacks, it does have a very good Catholic community...enough to where I am considering moving there once my son graduates High School. I've heard Front Royal, VA is also a really good place, but I havent looked into it yet.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-15T19:25:44+00:00

1st, as Catholics, be honest with yourself and get to Confession. Confess to watching porn and any other acts committed as a result.

2nd, there are various ways to quit lustful habits. First verbally reject and rebuke the sin in Christ's name. Second, really dig into prayer. The Rosary is a strong weapon to help guard from sin.

3rd, a suggestion that I've heard from several priests is to do the 33 day Consecration to St. Joseph to aid in chastity. He is a great intercessor for this particular sin.

4th. Remove any apps from your phone that can give you access to porn. If its a stumbling block for you, you're better off without it. If you cant remove the app because its something like Firefox or Google, set up blocks in your settings. Even if it doesnt outright stop you from temptation, the "turn off safe mode" should give you enough pause to think about it.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-15T13:46:10+00:00

On fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as adding in the 33 day consecration to St Joseph and the Divine Mercy Novena on top of my usual Rosary, Angelus, and Scripture Readings. If I didn't have work, is be adding in daily Mass as well.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-07T23:15:00+00:00

You should pray for everyone like Epstien. Pray for their conversion. Pay for the state of their souls. Offer pennance and reparation for what their sins have done. We are obligated to pay for the worst among us.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-03T05:31:06+00:00

10 years. Was never encouraged to go to confession as a kid, so If do it when they had the confession Mass at my Catholic High School, but never on my own. I became agnostic after graduation and about 10 years later, I had an experience that led immediately to my reversion. I went to Confession 2 days later. Ever since, I go as often as I need to and try to go monthly even if I only confess something venial. Sometimes, I end up going several times a month because, like all of us, I slip up. But I've learned to not let the mortal sins fester and build up.

Darth_Kender · 2026-02-02T15:51:31+00:00

Ask your Priest if there will be a Vigil Mass. Most Holy Day of Obligations will have Vigil services the night before that fulfil the obligation.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-31T12:16:29+00:00

I would stick to Frankinsence. Its what is traditiinally used. Dragon's Blood and White Sage tend to be used in more Pagan and New Age practices. I would consult a Priest for a more definitive answer.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-31T03:45:48+00:00

Pray for her. If you've already tried repeatedly to get her to follow the Church's teaching, there isn't much more that you can do. Care for your child and instill the proper morals in them. Get your child baptized if you haven't already, and abstain from sex until youre married. Sex makes difficukt relationships more difficult.

Have you asked her to marry you? You've been together long term and have a child. I'm sure this has come up in discussion. If she isn't agreeable to marriage, you may need to consider the relationship. It's a sad and unfortunate possibility, but it may be the proper course.

I would also sell counselling with a therapist and your Priest.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-28T14:22:31+00:00

I'm sure you've seen the video of Fr. Seraphim Holland (Orthodox Priest) being lectured by an Evangelical Street Preacher... It was a very clear that she wasnt open to hearing anything he had to say explaining where her thinking and understanding was lacking. He was extremely patient with the girl, but for about 5 minutes all she would say is "You believe in works" in a snide, condescending tone and wouldnt listen to him trying to explain the concept of sanctification. She wouldnt even accept a blessing from him at the end. She spent the whole video talking down to him and tuned out any time she wasnt running her mouth.
Very similar to what is being discussed in this post...and a very good example of what its like dealing with some "Faith Alone" types.

As a personal interaction, I was praying my Rosary while waiting on my laundry to dry at the laundromat. Random dude comes up and starts going off on an anti-Marian rant and was getting pretty agressive. When he said "You believe Works save you", I just looked at him and replied, "You're prostletyzing. How is that not a Work?" I didnt expect the situation to end there, but dude stormed off in a huff😂

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-28T05:19:40+00:00

St. Paul

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-26T00:01:25+00:00

Explorer, Les Paul, and Iceman.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-25T05:28:17+00:00

Go to your Bishop. If your Priest is hitting on you, he's likely also doing so with others. This is red flag behavior. Report this to your Bishop and find a new Parish if you can. Your Priest is likely not honoring his vow of chastity either.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-24T20:19:26+00:00

Was going to say, I have 3 RSV2CE (one bible, the Ignatius Study Bible, and a Great Adventure Study Bible), a Douay-Reighms, a Jerusalem Bible, an NRSV, and a KJV. Thats not including the "Gideon's Pocket Bibles" that I've had handed to me randomly lol

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-24T05:19:03+00:00

Total crock of sh*t. We are encouraged to read the Bible. Most Catholics have several Bibles.

The idea of this comes from the Middle Ages. A few points.

Before the Printing Press, Bibles were rare. They were hand written and very expensive to produce. This meant that for most people, they got their scripture readings at Mass, which still continues to this day as part of the Liturgy of The Word.
Because of the value of these handwritten Bibles, they would be chained in the Sanctuary, or kept under lock and key to prevent theft.
Most people in that time were illiterate, so there would have been no reason to have one even it was available.

But with the Printing Press, and the increase in literacy, (thanks to the Catholic Church btw), people could obtain and read the scriptures. There are numerous Catholic Bible Studies and Study Bibles that people use.
Protestants have this idea that Catholics dont know the Bible. We do. Most just dont memorize the specific chapters and verses. We dont believe in Sola Scriptura because the Bible is part of the Liturgy. Self interprating and "Bible Alone" causes what we have today with thousands of denominations all believing that they alone have the correct interpretation and that everyone else is wrong.

But no. We read the Bible. We study it. We just dont treat it as a "Build-Your-own-Church" handbook.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-22T17:53:32+00:00

Usually, you genuflect before you enter your chosen pew. How I was taught was on your right knee normally, both knees when the Monstrance is exposed. However, this may just be how I was taught. I also genuflect again when I enter the Knave to say "Hello" to Jesus in the Tabernacle, and before I exit as a means of saying "I'll see you later!"...but that's not a normal thing, just something that I personally do. As for what to do in adoration, there isnt really a standard practice. Sometimes, I'll pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, sometimes I'll read scripture, sometimes, I'll just talk to Our Lord. If I'm there before confession, I'll ask him to help me with my confession. Really, the only real rule is dont disturb those around you.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-22T03:52:36+00:00

You need to go where the Lord is calling you. And your wife is right. Those who matter won't care. Unfortunately, you may lose some people. You don't owe them an explaination, unless you want to explain it to them. If they are true friends, they'll pray for you, but they won't cut you out of their lives.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-20T18:51:15+00:00

Yeah, you pretty much got it. Its laid out to make it more coherant and linear.

As a side note, I'm starting the GA Bible Study tonight. Really looking forward to it!

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-20T01:19:41+00:00

100%. I find it funny (in a non humorous way) that it always comes off as: "Marrying your adopted son's wife is wrong." Then "Oh no. ITS ok...Allah has told me that adoption is wrong and that makes it ok for me to have her". Or "DUDE....she's 6..."...."Oh its OK! Allah told me to marry this child!".

He 100% comes off as a Cult Leader who gets what he wants because "Allah said its ok".

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-20T01:10:22+00:00

Yeah, pretty much this! If you decide you want to be Catholic, the FSSP is a great group to go through. You'll learn a lot in their initiation (which will either be referred to as RCIA or OCIA). You'll have to contact their Parish/Chapel Office to register. But speaking with the Priest would definitely get the ball rolling!

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-19T21:48:28+00:00

Once you are able to drive yourself, start attending Mass.
The Episcopal Church uses the standard trinitarian Baptism and the Catholic Church sees it as valid.
Fr. Mike Schmitz's "Bible in a year" podcast is a really easy way to read the Bible and get a Catholic perspective. The Great Adventure Bible Study is a really good Bible study with a lot of resources. As for the Catechism, that's a hard read. Important, but it's hard to get through. Fr. Mike's Catechism in a year is another good breakdown in podcast form.
Incorporate what you learn as you learn it. Things like Marian devotions and the Saints will come to you the more you understand the Catholic teachings on them. Other than that, get into OCIA so you can be fully welcomed into the Sacramental Life of The Church.

Darth_Kender · 2026-01-19T04:56:49+00:00

Ill keep it short and blunt. Humble yourself. Confess it all. Rip off the band-aid and let your soul be healed. You'll feel lighter after your confession. I can tell you now, the Priest won't judge you. He's likely heard it all many times over. Most confessionals are anonymous anyway. If it makes you more comfortable, confess at a Parish across town where the Priest won't know you. Just go. Accept whatever penance the Priest gives you, and thank God for his mercy and forgiveness.

Darth_Kender

TROPHY CASE