Why I Write Posts on A Catholic Citizen in America

I've quoted this blog's description in a post three times: "following Catholic beliefs and practices in America: one man's experience." Maybe more: but that's how many I know about at the moment. Which gets me into how we know what we know, and that's another topic.

For a blog that's about "one man's experience," there isn't as much of the sort of ranting that might be expected from a 'religious' blog.

And there is quite a lot about what the Catholic Church teaches. With citations and links. I write with the full authority of "some guy with a blog," and want to make a clear distinction between my opinions and thoughts, and what the Catholic Church says.

Besides, I trust what the successors of Peter have been teaching for about two millennia now, more than the educated guesses I've made during the last half-century.

So, is this blog really about "one man's experience" of being a practicing Catholic in America? In my opinion, yes:

"...Even posts that aren't quite so opinionated show, I think, what it's like for me to be a practicing Catholic in America. Celebrating Mass is an important - central - part of my faith. But so is learning about what the Catholic Church teaches, and why it teaches what it teaches.

"It's more than just the joy of learning - although that's part of my experience, too.

"If I'm going to live as a Catholic in America - or anywhere else - I need to know what's in Scripture and Tradition, as taught by the Magisterium. And, being the sort of person I am, it's a lot easier to accept instruction, if I know why the Church teaches what it does about, say, liturgical dance or how God relates to His creation...."
(December 9, 2010)

I've been over this sort of thing before:

• "Facts, Frustration, and Fear"
  (January 28, 2011)
• "Questions, Answers, and Being Catholic"
  (December 9, 2010)
• "40 Days for Life"
  (September 21, 2008)

So, why re-hash the 'why I write these posts' topic?

I think writing about the purpose of this blog may help me understand my motives better: and might be of interest to you, too.

That quote from December tells a big part of the story. I love learning: and as a convert to Catholicism, I've felt that I have a lot of 'catching up' to do. My experience as a practicing Catholic will never be that of a 'cradle Catholic:' someone born into a family that followed Catholic practices. Or at least went to Mass once in a while.

That's okay. We're expected to be unique individuals. (August 26, 2010)

Writing posts for this blog has been a way of making sure that I keep focused on Catholic beliefs and practices. My mind tends to wander. Something like an overactive puppy let off the leash. That's not surprising, since I'm ADHD-inattentive. (November 30, 2010, November 11, 2010)

Since I've noticed that I also tend to focus on particular aspects of Catholic beliefs, I'll be making an effort to broaden my horizons a bit. There's acreage in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that I haven't gone over all that carefully: and a few documents that I 'really ought to' read.

That's what I intend to do, at least. What actually happens remains to be seen.

Not-completely-unrelated posts:

• "A Bishop, the Governor of Illinois, a Culture of Life, and Me"
  (March 4, 2011)
• "A Little Soap, A Little Prayer"
  (March 1, 2011)
• "Demons: The Other Angels"
  (February 20, 2011)
• "Life on Other Worlds, and the Catholic Church"
  (January 11, 2011)
• "Aerobic Worship"
  (December 17, 2010)