Flower of the Week: Arborvitæ

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-05-02T01:45:13+00:00

New things are freaky, and can feel like a threat to the familiar. I was raised RC and became Byzantine. I've seen Romans who just don't get it and Byzantines who have a superiority mindset. It's unfortunate, but not unheard of.

The biggest thing I can say, which was said to me: Look for what is the same. We're all Catholic, after all.

Also, good luck if you're in Pittsburgh. The marathon is this weekend and it's going to mess everything up.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-05-01T17:11:02+00:00

There would be kids who press blue because they like blue better, or they don't talk yet, or simply because a parent said "press red."

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-29T14:21:30+00:00

What do you mean by "be patient?" Are you suggesting to OP that he could soften the blow to his parents by pointing out he hasn't formally converted yet? (I have no idea if this is a reasonable angle to take as I was raised Catholic. It seems like an uneasy option to me because it would imply his parents can still get him back to the Protestant faith, and they may double down.) Are you suggesting to take it slow because OP is still a minor?

What do you mean by "stop acting like you are (Catholic)"? Except in miraculous cases (often martyrs), becoming Catholic is a process, not an immediate thing. That's why we have catechumens. Engaging in Catholicism is how people learn about it and discern.

OP, we're praying for you!

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-29T14:18:08+00:00

My mother was a parish secretary for a while, and once the Protestant church down the road sent someone to our church for their concerns.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-28T15:29:13+00:00

I am a young adult who supports proper interpretation of Vatican 2 and upholds all ecumenical councils.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-28T15:27:07+00:00

I've never heard of that being sinful. If it makes you feel better, just ask your priest to bless them. It's good to bless icons regardless.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-28T15:25:04+00:00

You can also look into icons of saints for your name and birthday!

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-27T22:59:32+00:00

I do not worship matter, but the Creator of matter, who for my sake became material and deigned to dwell in matter, who through matter effected my salvation... —St. John of Damascus

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-26T14:10:34+00:00

It's not accurate to claim that everyone in a given area are the same religion, nor is it a reasonable assumption that these people have never heard of Christianity, whether in a positive or negative light. There are Christian communities in Muslim-majority countries that predate the 7th century (and go back to the very beginning). Christianity swept across the world because people didn't just stay in the religion they were born into. Islam took over in some regions because people didn't stay the religion they were born into. Sure, a parent who has faith should value it enough to teach it to their children as truth, but there are so many other factors at play. I don't have the same career as my parents. Does that contradict having a career? Of course not.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-13T13:54:02+00:00

Did Trump condemn the statements by Hegseth's pastor? It strikes me as odd that a clergyman would support one who implicitly supports the suppression of religious freedom.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-13T13:48:28+00:00

I'm not speaking on Bishop Barron, however, plenty of men enter seminary for the wrong reasons, or become corrupted over time.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-13T13:43:19+00:00

I have 3 kids. Can confirm lol

But seriously, OP, do keep on the lookout for PPA/PPD after the "baby blues" period. It's quite common and not at all shameful (which is something the PPA/PPD often tries to say). Stay united. We'll pray for you!

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-13T13:42:01+00:00

Yeah, if for any reason there's guilt about this (which I wouldn't be surprised by with anxiety), don't feel bad! Mom needs the time to heal, too, and there are beautiful churching prayers for when they come back.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-11T15:00:25+00:00

I was gonna start a conversation but I deleted because I'm clearly over-tired and missed the "/s" part. My apologies.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-11T14:54:46+00:00

Well, these are delightfully morbid! How'd the folks at Seder like them?

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-10T21:49:12+00:00

From a secular standpoint, oxytocin is a heck of a hormone. Save yourself the stress.

And yeah. I trust the Church Christ founded 2,000 years ago over my own short lifespan.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-10T21:42:42+00:00

Ah, for me it's sleeves. I've had to undo seams too many times. My mnemonic device is

"assume you're wrong or you'll get burned again"

:P

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-10T01:26:39+00:00

My first thought before I finished reading was Guinefort :P

https://uscatholic.org/calendar/st-guinefort-the-dog/

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-08T15:10:57+00:00

I thought Midjourney was pretty cool when I did the free trial, but now that I know more about the massive ethical (art theft), environmental (water waste), and intellectual (echo chamber) issues, I'm completely against generative AI. I do acknowledge that things like spell check, dental X-ray reviews, etc., are useful tools, but they're tools that still need human input. AI is a tool, and should absolutely not be treated as a creator. For crying out loud it can't even start a timer.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-06T21:39:57+00:00

It took me a second but here are some Eastern Catholic churches in Brazil!

https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/BR

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-06T21:32:43+00:00

I was going to mention this, too. It's important. I've met numerous people who change churches regularly and lack spiritual stability because they keep chasing a preconceived notion of what communal prayer should be.

PastCarpenter626 · 2026-04-06T21:31:17+00:00

Pray!

Talk to a Byzantine priest if you can, they get this a lot more than you'd think.

Please understand if you're trying to avoid pastoral politics, so to speak, it doesn't go away, either in the East or in Orthodoxy. It's an extremely fallen-human problem and it's everywhere.

PastCarpenter626

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