Exploring Catholicism
Welcome
You may be just at the beginning of your journey into finding out more about the Church, what she teaches and what it is like to live as a Catholic.
You might be well travelled along this road and feel you would like to join the Church.
You might already be a Catholic and simply want to deepen your faith and knowledge.
Whatever your situation you are welcome to this website and always welcome at St Edmund’s Church.
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Going to Mass
A good starting point to finding out more about Catholicism is simply to go to a Mass. There you will see first hand the diverse nature of parishioners, from all walks of life and across the world.
It can seem a little bit daunting joining a community at worship for the first time, especially if you are new to church-going altogether. The reality is that every parish is a mixture of Catholics, non-Catholics, people discovering faith for the first time and people who have lived their faith their whole lives. You won’t stand out. Hopefully, you will feel welcome.
To help you follow the Mass, look out for an Order of Mass card or something similar on the way into the church, or download one here.
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Starting to Pray
When the Anglican convert to Catholicism, St John Henry Newman, was made a cardinal in 1879 he chose for his motto the phrase: ‘Heart speaks unto Heart’.
These words of another saint, St Francis de Sales, inspired Newman to encourage others to take seriously their lives of prayer and reflection.
In this heart to heart contact, God gently reveals to us his call that we become holy. Holiness in this life is expressed in some definite service, as Newman would say: in a practical way of living our lives with generosity and love.
If you’re not sure where to begin with prayer, why not try out some of these online resources.
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Discovering More
There are some great resources online which will tell you more about the Catholic Church. We’ve added some suggestions of what we think are worthwhile below.
It’s advisable always to use links from trusted websites to guide your research, as sadly there is also some less than honest and not always accurate content out there.
When you’re ready, you could join a Catholic Alpha course, Journey in Faith, or RCIA in your local parish.
Many parishes also offer bible study, days of recollection, and talks during Lent or Advent.
Click below to see what St Edmund’s is currently offering.
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Catechism in a Year
MIKE SCHMITZ
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a substantial and detailed book which draws together the core teaching of the Catholic Church. In these videos, Fr Mike Schmitz takes you through the entire text, bit by bit, over a year.
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Word on Fire
ROBERT BARRON
Bishop Robert Barron is a highly respected communicator of Catholic teaching. Although this website is pay-to-view, it has some excellent videos which are well worth watching.
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Sycamore
STEPHEN WANG
Started as a resource for university students who wished to find out more about basic Catholic teachings, Sycamore has grown into an excellent online resource.
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Busted Halo
PAULIST FATHERS
Busted Halo is a website which offers a creative way of exploring the Catholic Faith. It is slightly quirky and uses humour to help others understand what we believe.
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The Chosen
LIFE OF CHRIST
The Chosen is a brilliant video series depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It follows the Gospels closely but takes the liberty of filling in the back story of some of the apostles. A thoughtful and beautifully presented resource which is highly recommended.
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CTS
CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY
The CTS is a bookseller and publisher which produces a wide range of useful materials which can be purchased online. Booklets on different aspects of Catholic life and teaching are available.
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The Bible in a Year
MIKE SCHMITZ
Fr Mike Schmitz guides you through the Bible over the course of a year via his podcast. He offers thoughtful insights into the sacred texts which will help deepen your understanding of the Bible.
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RP Books
REDEMPTORIST PUBLICATIONS
RP Books has an extensive catalogue of Catholic resources which can be ordered online. They produce materials for all ages, for parishes and schools, as well as publish books which introduce the Catholic faith, support our spiritual lives, and help us deepen our understanding of the Bible.
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The Catechism
THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
For centuries the Church has produced summaries of her main teachings called catechisms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the most recent and can be accessed in full and for free via the Vatican’s own website. Alternatively you can buy this in book form from most religious bookshops.
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Ascension Press
FAITH FORMATION
Ascension Press is an American publisher and website which produces thoughtful resources to help us develop our understanding of Catholic teaching and the Bible. Most courses are subscription. Video content can be watched online.
