12 October 2007

Hot off the press

I just received a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church last Friday. I'm a bit behind the power curve considering this is my first Catechism and I am now striding into middle age.

Last year, during Jeff Cavins' bible study, we were supposed to get a copy of the Catechism for a reference and use it to answer our study questions. But the weekly study questions that we would discuss in our small group typically only had one question where you needed the Catechism, so I would just use the internet (since you can get the Catechism online at various sites.) This year, however, the bible study I am taking requires the Catechism to answer at least five of the ten questions. Initially, in my short-sighted way, I found this irritating because I figured the questions should come from the section of the bible we were studying, not the Catechism.

Then the light went on and I realized that these bible study authors were pretty smart fellas. One of the admirable strengths of some Protestants is their ability to quote from scripture, whereas Catholics haven't been instructed in this manner. Having the Catechism is one of the best, if not the BEST, ways to learn our Faith and see how biblical it is.

How I managed to get this far in life and not have a copy is amazing and almost scandalous. Now I use the Catechism all the time. For someone who's not such a great apologist and a poorly catechised cradle Catholic, the Catechism is a great apologist tool. Every paragraph spells out what the Church believes on a particular subject AND cites the scripture that underlies it. But, you knew that already. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get on board.

In Local News
And, another thing I just received from Ray is this picture of Terry Nelson and his evil twin, Terry Nelson.


I'm not sure if that is Terry on the right or left, and Ray didn't clarify. It's hard to tell from the picture.

16 comments:

Vincenzo said...

"I just received a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church last Friday. I'm a bit behind the power curve considering this is my first Catechism and I am now striding into middle age."

I have the compendium but I should get the complete catechism too. Right now I'm reading My Catholic Faith: A Catechism in Pictures, which
I love.

"And, another thing I just received from Ray is this picture of Terry Nelson and his evil twin, Terry Nelson."

click here ;)

swissmiss said...

Thanks Vincenzo!!

This was my feeble attempt to get back at Terry for that Swiss Miss post he did of me on Abbey Roads.

Did you manage to find some clothes for me to wear?

Vincenzo said...

"Did you manage to find some clothes for me to wear?"

Yes :) click

Mairin :o) said...

I'm scared!

Unknown said...

SwissMiss:

Are you going to be able to wear that gorgeous outfit that Vincenzo provided for you around the house while you're minding the home school, the chores and the recess periods?

Cathy said...

Whatev.
I got my first catechism only like 2 years ago.
It's great.
I love having a reference.
:)

swissmiss said...

Vincenzo:
Ah, that is much, much better. I can actually go out in public now :)

:o)
Have you seen what I WAS wearing over on Abbey Roads 2? That is scary. This outfit is mucho better!!

Ray:
If the ladies of yesteryear could do it, I think I can give it a whirl. I haven't owned a dress in years, so this is a nice addition to the wardrobe.

Ma:
I don't know how I lived as long as I did without a Catechism.

gemoftheocean said...

You mentioned apologetics in passing. If you don't already have one, you might want to pick up a copy of Karl Keating's "Catholicism and Fundamentalism." Although it concentrates on doing apologetics work more with fundamentalist Christians more than others, it's an excellent book to have over all to understand where a lot of protestants are coming from. This might help you with your protestant relatives, whether they are fundamentalist or not.

swissmiss said...

Karen:
Now you are gettin' me Irish up. My Protestant relations are fundamentally big on the protesting. My MIL is hugely pro-choice, but try to have a conversation with her and it's just emotion and anger. My in-law's beliefs are so scattered and nebulous that they don't even really know what they believe so it is impossible to have any type of discussion when there is no Point A to start from. It's all just emotion, simulataneously maintaining conflicting ideas and not having any rhyme or reason for anything.

Vincenzo said...

"Have you seen what I WAS wearing.."

Yeah. It seems that the whole entry disappeared! :-O

Michele said...

swissmiss, please contact me at Divine Mercy for your free relic medals!

Cathy_of_Alex said...

swissmiss: When I actually sat down to read a Catachism it was really a big moment in my reversion process. Every Catholic should have one. I'm glad you do!

swissmiss said...

Cathy:
Kind of makes me feel like a dork about some of the questions I posed on my blog since the answers are right in the Catechism!! D'oh!

Anonymous said...

My son's fiancee and I play a Question and Answer game with the Catechism. We both learn a lot doing it that way. Her RCIA teachers told me that she asks VERY good questions in class!(sign me one proud MIL-to-be!)

Anonymous said...

Oh! And LMAO at the Terry/Terry photo!

Terry Nelson said...

ROFLMAO! I finally checked back! Thanks Vincenzo!