Ok, so I am thinking of going back to the Catholic Church--Update I actually followed through...

[~Boudicca~]

Still stumbling through the cosmos, trying to find a place to belong, and now I am thinking of visiting my friendly neighborhood Catholic Church.

So, I was born and raised Roman Catholic, my extended family is very devout, my parents not at all, and my siblings never received a Catholic education. I went to RC school until 4th grade, then we moved, I went to public school, and we pretty much became Christmas/Easter Catholics, then I never went back after my teen years except for the occasional funeral or wedding. I've dabbled in paganism and studied Judaism, wen to a UU church for a little while and then the gas $$ to get there was really killing me (it was an hour away). I have been pretty much agnostic for a long time.

Anyway, I think a big part of why I left was basic teenage rebellion, melancholy, and laziness. And maybe placing a lot of importance on logic and none on actual faith. But in the last few months I've gone through a lot of major changes in my life, and marriage, and general realizations about where I want to be in life, and I feel like I need a supportive community and...oh, I don't know, to feel like I have somewhere or someone to call on for help when I feel like I just don't know what to do. I remember when I was a kid and like a good little Catholic kid I prayed really hard when I felt lost or scared and it was really comforting, and so I've gone back to praying a few times a week, and you know what, it still works for me . Unfortunately trying to pray or meditate in my home is futile because my kids never ever leave me alone so I feel like I really need some peace and quiet of the church. I've been bouncing back and forth between the OT and NT (my grandmother gave me a GORGEOUS family bible just before she died in 2005) and there is a lot that resonates with me. There's a lot that doesn't resonate with me, but I don't think it has to be an all or nothing deal. And I think that is something that definitely held me back in the past.

So I never thought I'd say this, but I think I miss the RC church.

There is one about a mile away from me, and I am going to try to give one of the weekday morning masses (7:30 am oh my! a shot.

[Peppermint]

:

[Bluegoat]

Good for you! I think it always helps to remember that our religious life, like the rest of our life, is a journey - we can't expect to ever have the whole thing all at once. I hope you find the congregation supportive and kind!

[holyhelianthus]

I had a similar experience with Mormonism. Obviously I am not RC but : I know that feeling! I think it's great that you are willing to go with it. I fought it for soooo long.

Let us know how it goes

[Quickbeam]

I'll pray for you.

Also, keep in mind that there are other rites within the Catholic Church; the Roman rite is the biggest. My family is Byzantine Catholic- still in communion with the Pope, but very different in our Liturgy.

http://www.byzcath.org/

[DiannaK]

Welcome home!

[Mal85]

I went through a similar situation. I was raised Roman Catholic... did it all (except for Catholic school). I went through the teenage years resenting the fact that I felt forced to go to church since my mom is very devout. Two of my brothers converted to different churches after they got married. It devastated my mom so I felt responsible for keeping her happy.

After I got married, I knew it was totally my choice. DH was raised Baptist, but doesn't really attend. He had been attending Catholic church with me the whole time we dated and were engaged. We were married in the church. Then, I lost interest. Started a new path in life with DH. We've looked into Paganism slightly. We just sort of wandered away from the church for a while.

It was Lent of last year that I made a vow to start attending church more regularly again. Shortly after, I became pregnant with my first baby. I realized the church was a huge part of my childhood and growing up. It is more than just a faith and religion, it is my family. I want that for my own children. So, I've gone back to church. There are still certain parts of the church that I have a hard time with... confession being one of them. I have not gone to confession since coming back to the church. Instead, I have prayed and meditated frequently, confessing in that way. I've never felt comfortable having a middle man when it comes to confessing my sins.

I am not as devout as my mother and probably will not be heart broken if my daughter chooses a different path for herself in the future. But I always felt like being raised in the church gave me a strong foundation for my faith and I want her to have that. I've never felt lost or without a God even when I did wander. I think being brought up in the church has a lot to do with that. Plus, my family and the church are one and the same for me. And family is very important to me.

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by MommytoC

Oh my!

I came to this area of MDC, which I hadn't been to before, to post this very same thought. I was raised Roman Catholic. I went to church almost every Sunday as a child, went through CCD, took communion in second grade and was confirmed in 10th. But by 10th grade I had a lot of issues with what I had been taught and to this day I disagree with a lot of the social teachings of the Catholic church (I'm pro-birth control, pro-choice, and pro-gay marriage). That said, I think I miss the ritual, in some ways. I loved the hymns. I love the idea of a great and awesome love from a deity (though I don't believe that said deity is a man or even a woman --- I have no idea and don't presume to know).

We chose to have my son baptized. The ceremony was yesterday in the church I grew up in --- I was baptized there, I was confirmed there, I took penance there. It holds a lot of history for me and my family. It's a moderate Catholic church, too --- a few of the priests are good friends with the female rabbi at the conservative synagogue in town. I really liked being there again, but I'm not sure I would like a church that wasn't similar to the one I grew up in.

In any event, I'm thinking about maybe going back to church too, but I don't know how to start. Or how to talk to my husband about it --- he was baptized Catholic but never raised with the church and never went through any other sacraments.

I totally get the part I bolded above. That pretty much sums it up for me too. I don't know how exactly I'll fit in but I'm willing to give it a try. Be back later.

[RomanCarmelMom]

: This is a good starting place!

I can totally relate because I left the Church when I was 14. I returned 5 years ago. My experience this time around is completely different than the one I grew up with. I took time to really study what the Church teaches. I didn't just look up what is taught, but studied the theology behind those teachings. Once I learned why the Church teaches what she teaches, it made a lot more sense to me.

My advice is to take your time, find good Catholic sources to read online, as well as some good books. Jimmy Akin's blog is a good place to start with questions, as well as the books I Believe, and Why Do Catholics Do That. There are a lot of good books out there, but you have to be very careful because some authors and people will push their own opinions or interpretations as official Catholic teachings, so know that the official Catholic teachings are all in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Sign up for RCIA at a Catholic parish you feel comfortable in next year to further explore everything and to have a group of people who are considering the same journey to connect with. I found that knowing a good priest was essential to my journey back. Most importantly, pray to the Holy Spirit to open your heart to becoming Catholic if it's the right decision.

[ledzepplon]

Originally Posted by RomanCarmelMom

Most importantly, pray to the Holy Spirit to open your heart to becoming Catholic if it's the right decision.

Absolutely great advice!

I hope you find your local church supportive! You should be able to call the parish office and ask about their RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) program. This is a free program that provides the education necessary to become a fully initiated member of the church--i.e., baptism, reconciliation, communion, and confirmation. (I'm assuming that since you left before your teenage years you were not confirmed?)

You should know that not all parishes, unfortunately, have really good RCIA groups. When my dh was going through RCIA, we ended up switching churches because the first one had a program being taught by a woman who was more interest in teaching her opinion than the catechism. So if you are feeling called but you're not getting what you need from one parish, don't give up!

Also know that if you do enroll in an RCIA program, there is no obligation to receive the sacraments until and unless you are ready.

I hope you can find your home within the church, and welcome!

[miss_sonja]

There's a great book by Paul Willis called The Good Enough Catholic. I liked it a lot; if you look at the Amazon reviews, well, a lot of folks don't.

There are several other good books (imho of course) about coming back to the Catholic church: It's Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church by Mitch Finley. There are more, can't think of the titles.

The Studies section of this forum is a good place for more on the differences between Catholics.

Come to a mass and see how it feels! Get there early, give yourself time to re-acclimate and enjoy being at Christ's table.

[Ifluffedthree]

I hope you find what nurtures your spiritual walk. If that be the RC church, so be it.

Myself, I was born into, baptized, confirmed Byzantine Catholic. Raised in and until 35 Roman Catholic, in the church my parents were founding members of.

at 30 my walk really took root, as a Lutheran. For me it was a good fit.

[~Boudicca~]

Ok, I'm going to the 10:30 mass in the morning! Wish me luck!

[kittynurse]

What interesting timing. Funny how our paths seem to keep crossing in coincidental ways here on MDC.

As we were driving by our church this evening, I said to DH "I think we should go to church tomorrow". We have been away since DS1 was a toddler (except for a few weeks around DS2's baptism). It just got way too hard to manage him. I'm nervous about how it's going to go but we'll never know unless we try right?

Interestingly, only DH and the boys are Catholic. I'm Anglican and yet I feel the most compelled to attend. Life has been really tough for us lately and it seems to me that life always seem to go better when we make the time for regular church attendance.

We will be at 11 o'clock mass so say a prayer for us and I will say a prayer for you!

Martha

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by kittynurse

What interesting timing. Funny how our paths seem to keep crossing in coincidental ways here on MDC.

As we were driving by our church this evening, I said to DH "I think we should go to church tomorrow". We have been away since DS1 was a toddler (except for a few weeks around DS2's baptism). It just got way too hard to manage him. I'm nervous about how it's going to go but we'll never know unless we try right?

Interestingly, only DH and the boys are Catholic. I'm Anglican and yet I feel the most compelled to attend. Life has been really tough for us lately and it seems to me that life always seem to go better when we make the time for regular church attendance.

We will be at 11 o'clock mass so say a prayer for us and I will say a prayer for you!

Martha

Ok, I will! How cool! And it is weird how we are so similar in the stuff we have had going on since we met on MDC.

[freestylemama]

I had that same feeling after DD was born. I went a few time and then had a huge moment of clarity and realized I couldn't raise her Catholic. We go to a wonderful UCC church now and are really happy.

[kittynurse]

How did it go? We went and as soon as I was inside I felt instantly better. I said my prayer for you. DS1 was extremely difficult (DS2 who is only 2 was an angel!) but I'm hoping that each week it will improve.

I have to admit I did contemplate not going but I remembered my promise and got us all out the door on time.

Martha

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by kittynurse

How did it go? We went and as soon as I was inside I felt instantly better. I said my prayer for you. DS1 was extremely difficult (DS2 who is only 2 was an angel!) but I'm hoping that each week it will improve.

I have to admit I did contemplate not going but I remembered my promise and got us all out the door on time.

Martha

Hey Martha I did remember to think of you yesterday at mass! I'm so glad you made it too!

So I must say it felt so good to be back!

I have never been to this church before and it was much prettier than I imagined it to be. I sat on the side in front of a really beautiful little alcove dedicated to Mary (I have always loved her even when I didn't consider myself Catholic) and it was really peaceful and lovely. The choir was practicing too and they were AWESOME! I have heard some really atrocious church choirs before (and I used to sing as well so I feel it pretty keenly when someone is off) but this was not the case here. Just wonderful.

I got there early to say the rosary, and can I just tell you how amazing it was to do this without having a child wake up for a glass of milk or to nurse while I'm in the middle of it? To actually pray and feel was just...amazing. I remembered all of the responses and prayers with no problems, even the Apostles Creed came easily (that surprised me). Unfortunately the priest had a very thick accent and I found it hard to understand him and because of that I felt like I missed the real message of what he was talking about, aside from the Liturgy. Oh well

I felt completely comfortable :, like I was supposed to be there, and it was really nice. It surprised because even as recently as a couple years ago I felt like a fish out of water whenever I entered a church, it was really uncomfortable and I know now that I was deliberately looking for things I didn't like and really closing my mind to the experience because I couldn't reconcile faith and logic. It felt good to be back.

It really set the tone for my whole day, I felt so chill and happy all the way until I went to bed. I just felt peaceful and that was something I have not had in a very, very long time. I wish I could go every day but I am pretty sure that is not going to happen so next Sunday it is

ALSO. I am really really curious about checking out eastern Orthodox Catholicism and there is a Greek Orthodox church about 15 minutes away from me. My maternal grandmother's family was Orthodox but she converted to RC when she and my grandfather married and I would like to experience that side of things, I can't wait to tell her. I feel really compelled to check it out, I am kind of intrigued by the differences between RC and OC so I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Thanks everyone for the support and info!

[Peppermint]

[Anna06]

: