tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31376723.post6889422760149148492..comments2007-10-25T19:29:59.739-04:00phatcatholichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06723028878747648927phatcatholicapologetics@gmail.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31376723.post-85758811086879054232007-10-25T19:29:00.000-04:002007-10-25T19:29:00.000-04:00Hi Nicholas,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your further explanations. It is refreshing to encounter such erudition on this topic. Clearly, you think and read much on the matter of praying to the saints. I applaud your logic and your personal convictions. <BR/>Let me outline my position here. I am not an outsider, a Protestant gazing into the Catholic world, blinded by mis-information and ignorance.<BR/>I was a Catholic for some forty years. I was taught by Marist Brothers and was in the Legion of Mary for 15 years. Two of my aunts were nuns, two uncles Marists and my oldest sister is a Daughter of Charity of St Vincet de Paul. My brother is a daily communicant, and daily Rosary man and a devout Catholic. You see, I come from a very Catholic background. <BR/>I am anxious therefore, not to say anything that may offend you as a devout Catholic. My prayer is you walk true in your Catholic faith. I have no desire to 'convert' you to become an Evangelical as I am. (I am a member of the Pioneer group of churches.)<BR/>Neither am I anti-Catholic. I am a big supporter of the Catholic charismatic group, Flame Ministries (www.flameministries.org) All the literature produced by Flame carries an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. I also support Cor et Lumen Christi, a similar charismatic group based in England with a devotion to the Eucharist.<BR/>It was through the charismatic groups that I discovered a real relationship with Jesus. In forty years as a Catholic, I honestly never knew Him. He wasn't taught in Catholic school. A good Catholic friend of mine who is a member of charismatic renewal in Scotland and at least 20 years older than me ( I am 48), told me when she was at school the Holy Spirit was 'an unknown name tagged on at the end of the sign of the cross."<BR/>In the many Catholic parishes I attended, there was never any Bible study. It simply was not encouraged, yet we know faith comes through hearing the Word of God. (an Sunday Mass readings are not enough) <BR/>There were plenty of devotions to saints and Mary, such as the Legion of Mary. But I was never taught about the Holy Spirit either. I knew more about authors like Louis de Montfort, than I did about Paul. I read more on the story of Fatima than anything about the Holy Spirit. <BR/>I knew nothing of the promises won for me by the life, death and ressurection of Jesus. I knew nothing of our covenant rights dating back to Abraham. I learned all of this and more through the charismatic movement.<BR/>I believed healing was restricted to Lourdes and suffering was not only the norm, but something to be saught. Then I heard Fr Bob deGrandis say: "The Catholic church has a huge theology on suffering, but not on healing."<BR/>Now, I see people healed - in every sense of that word - all the time. I could tell you of numerous healing I have received.<BR/>Recently, a Catholic friend who (by the power of the Holy Spirit, not his own authority) has raised the dead, cured cancer, depression, lack and every spiritual ailment, told me: "Why is it most Catholics believe they have to wait until a good Catholic like Pope John Paul dies before they can expect a miracle?"<BR/>Nicholas, often Catholics tell me to 'open my heart' or 'come back to the true Faith' when they discover I am an ex-Catholic. <BR/>I honestly believe my eyes are open like never before and my faith so very true in the church of which I am a member.<BR/>I have enjoyed our debate. I thank you for allowing me so much space on your blog.<BR/>I will pull out now and allow you to get on with your work. Let me end with something that may surprise you.<BR/>As an Evangelical, I believe John Paul and Mother Teresa are in heaven. You may do so too, but officially you cannot state that until the Vatican declares them saints.<BR/>You see, as an Evangelical, I do believe Catholics will get to heaven but you will be the last denomination there. That is because you Catholics prefer the long road - suffering, devotion, suffering, Rosaries, suffering, veneration and some more mortification.<BR/>We Evangelicals will see you coming in the distance and we'll get the coffee ready. We won't ask you 'what kept you' because we will know. But by then it won't matter, because we will all be at the Great Feast with Him alone.<BR/><BR/>Blessings<BR/><BR/>Jamesjames hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00447929797019147894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31376723.post-14937490093324209572007-10-25T18:36:00.000-04:002007-10-25T18:36:00.000-04:00Kewl! Thanks<BR/>Hugs bunches,<BR/>EbethEbethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090396741792229132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31376723.post-30179401913164232592007-10-25T00:45:00.000-04:002007-10-25T00:45:00.000-04:00Yea, that's him. I saw his comment on your blog. It looks like this is his pet issue. Don't worry about it. I'll respond to him over there for you.phatcatholichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06723028878747648927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31376723.post-62052016272162387622007-10-24T21:31:00.000-04:002007-10-24T21:31:00.000-04:00Is that James Hastings?? He's over at the pillars too. I was coming over here for some help..... <BR/><BR/>Too bad he misses the point entirely and refuses to open his heart.<BR/><BR/>EbethEbethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090396741792229132noreply@blogger.com