Fr. Josh answers questions about waiting to enter the Church as an RCIA candidate, whether Catholics should join college fraternities and sororities, and what to do if you are feeling alone in the faith and yearning for community.

Snippet from the Show

Before joining a fraternity or sorority examine its roots and fruits. If it was founded by the Freemasons and promotes Masonic rituals, and if they are encouraging sin, then it is not the right fit for a Catholic.

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Shownotes

Waiting to Enter the Church

Hey Fr. Josh,

I’m currently going through an RCIA program and look forward to joining the church this Easter.

With that said, I sometimes feel a lot of fear an anxiety about being unbaptized and not in communion with the church.

In a lot of the reading I’ve done about combating sin or striving for holiness, it seems like a lot of the advice is for people who are already Catholics (for instance, receiving the Eucharist more frequently, confessing more frequently, etc.).

What advice do you have for someone like me who already feels very convicted about the Catholic faith but is unable to fully participate due to being unbaptized and not a member of the church?

Thanks for everything you do.

-Caleb

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Fraternities and Sororities 

Are being members of sororities and fraternities considered idolatrous? I know most if not all are named with part of it relating to greek gods/goddesses… its called greek life and have heard of the pledging part being unusual and very secretive. Also, what about participation in Mardi Gras organizations? Considering that some of those organizations fall under greek names.

-Kristy

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Finding Community

Dear Fr. Josh,

I am a 37 year old cradle Catholic from the Netherlands and the proud mom of a wonderful baby boy.
Over the last ten years (yeah I know) I’ve been slowly finding my way back to the church. I am now attending mass regularly, have made prayer a part of my daily life and am working up the courage to go to confession for the first time in my life. The journey has brought me closer to God and I am experiencing a profound feeling of peace, because I know God is with me always.

But this is also a very lonely journey. It is extremely difficult to find a practicing Catholic amongst my peers, my family and partner are not religious and a lot of people are downright hostile when they find out about my beliefs, or just think there is something wrong with me. This is very common in my country.
On top of that my fellow churchgoers are all senior citizens and the fellowship I’ve been craving is nowhere to be found.

I listen to some podcasts and follow a couple of YouTube channels to fill that void, but it’s a poor substitute.
My only friends who do believe in God are protestants, as most of the Netherlands is Protestant. I have even thought about converting. Not because I think their way is is the true way to God, but just to not feel so alone in my faith. I just want to share my joy. I could do with some advice. Keep on singing, I love it!

-Anke

Resources

• Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
• Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.

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Meet Fr. Josh Johnson

While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.

Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.