A Crucifix Necklace

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Music is important but to be blunt, the Catholic Church has the Real Presence in the Eucharist, literally Jesus. No Protestant Church or non-denominational Church has literal Jesus. Are you saying music is better then Jesus?

I say this because you have good answers of this forum and it would be a shame to have you leave the Church
 
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Yes!! Buy a notebook and write down stuff during the homilies and record the homilies on your phone, I do this. Have you listened to Fr. Mike Schmitz on YouTube? He also does Poscast versions of his homilies every week. They are relatable, especially the YouTube videos. Also, check out Bishop Robert Barron who also podcasts his homilies every week and they are relatable. These Priests having the laying on of hands, they are more qualified then some non-denominational person. Not saying every priest is good, we sure know that’s not true. But they have more objectively measured gifts from the Holy Spirit. Don’t misinterpret me, I mean truly objectively not realistically, for realism we need to see each Priest but most are very good homilists

I suggest every Monday you read the readings for the upcoming Sunday and reflect on them during the week so that on Sunday you aren’t surprised at the readings, but have already meditated on them. I do this also.

Try other Catholic Churches, I don’t really have one “home parish”, I go to a lot of different Catholic Churches because I know a lot of Priests and enjoy each of their masses differently. But at the end of the day, the mass is about Jesus in the Eucharist, not anything else.

As for music, if there is no other church with good music and you want good music, listen to Church hymns and songs on YouTube, they have great renditions, sung by their original writer and creators. I listen to these every day, it’s really all the music I listen to is Catholic hymns and songs on YouTube. If you need any further advice just PM me!
 
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I mean, fair, but I assume you understand that this is going to be a minority position on a Catholic board.
 
In the end, isn’t that a sad belief for you? That we live and do what we do and none of it matters because we die and are forgotten. Having faith, even if it’s unrealistic to you is a much happier belief. In my life I have had multiple miracles, specifically medical ones that no doctor could explain. So for me I have all the proof I need and Jesus does say “blessed are those who believe without seeing”
 
Many atheists admit and most historians that Jesus was a real person who lived around 3BC-30AD. It’s just a matter if you believe He is the Son of God and divine or not. But to claim He didn’t even exist? That’s not even logical to be blunt
 
That’s quite a change. I vaguely remember you being Orthodox, right?

You should start a thread on what changed your mind.
 
your post used to be so meaning full ,i think BoomBoomMancini made a good suggestion to start a thread on what changed your mind .
 
What Catholic traditions are worth having an attachment to if the central message of Christianity is a hoax?
 
Hope1960 said:
how can I have a more personal relationship with Jesus (not including the Eucharist)
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Growing up, my dad taught us that communication is the key to a relationship. He also taught us that prayer is our communication with God. I grew up with prayer as a normal part of my life. An internal dialogue in my head during the day that is talking to God about what I am doing, etc.

As a Catholic, my prayer life is much richer, I started with a book by Fr Dubay called “The Prayer Primer” followed by his “Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer”. My spiritual director suggested Fr Jaques Phillipe to me and I have read his books many times.

While I went through a time when I prayed many Rosaries each day, I have found that praying the Divine Office is my favorite form of prayer - well, that and the same extemporaneous prayer that I prayed as a child, that never ended. I work in a parish office, people call or come by and ask for prayer every day. Often there is no priest in the office. My coworkers are cradle Catholics, they are uncomfortable with extemporaneous prayer, so, they bring the call or person to me. I pray with people. One lady, cradle Catholic, was a little angry that I could not “send me the prayer that you prayed for me” because I just prayed it from my heart.

Lectio Divina is a form of prayer that you might explore.

Understanding that prayer is not about how I feel, it is about the relationship.

Next, read about Jesus. Frank Sheed’s “To Know Christ Jesus” I wish I could buy for everyone.

Go on one retreat each year. From a women’s retreat to a Charismatic retreat to an Ignatian silent retreat. Try different retreats. Go away and spend a couple of days apart from your life. There are scholarships and things to help pay for retreats.
Hope1960 said:
how can I enjoy the music more
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First, remember, music in mass is specific. Its purpose is to pray and give glory to God. It lifts our hearts to the Lord.

Expand your music style palate. If all one ever eats is cheesburgers, fried chicken and pizza, other foods won’t taste good until they have been eaten a few times. If someone only listens to pop music, jazz or blues or classical or metal will not be enjoyable. Listen to hymns when you are at home, focus on the lyrics.

part 1
 
In Mass, you will hear at the most 4 hymns. There is no reason you have to love them all (if I never hear “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Here I Am, Lord” or “Be Not Afraid” again in my life, I will be happy!) There are other hymns from Mass like “O Sacred Head” or “How Great Thou Art” or “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” or “Soul of my Saviour” that I can barely sing because the emotion is so great that I choke up.

Borrow a hymnal, take it home and read the lyrics. Listen to “Abide With Me”. Study some of the hymns, did you know that “It Is Well With My Soul” was written by a man who had just lost his wife and his children to death? That he could compose the words "Whatever the cost, thou hast taught me to say ‘it is well, it is well, with my soul’? I am starting to cry right now!

We are now in Christmas season when the BEST hymns are sung.

Even if your parish has dismal music, as soon as you get in the car you can turn on John Michael Talbot and Rich Mullens and sing along. You can go to concerts, heck, join your church choir and be part of the music.
"Hope1960 said:
how can I relate to the homily
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Some priests are bad homilists. Period. If you do not have a great homilist, just give him the 5 minutes out of respect, take a finger rosary and pray for him in your mind.

On your own time, Listen to podcasts and YouTube videos, watch Fulton Sheen or Pope John Paul II for some amazing homilies. Read great homilies.

I know Msgr Gaston, his homilies are amazing

https://www.amazon.com/Faux-Bishops-Gems-Gaston-Hebert/dp/1448686148

My Bishop publishes his homilies online, they are always good. Other bishops do the same. Read some of Bishop Flores (Brownsville TX). That man can flat out preach.

Bishop Sartain of Seattle’s is the best homilist I have ever had the pleasure to know:

http://www.nwcatholic.org/voices/ar...prayer-of-repentance-and-healing-service.html

"Hope1960 said:
When they do say something relatable, can I jot down notes on paper or my phone?
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Of course you can take notes in the Homily, during the readings. We give our Confirmation prep students "Mass notebooks" and encourage this as a lifelong habit.

Oh, reading the readings prior to Mass helps. Do you have Formed.org? They have a great video every week about the readings. USCCB also offers both audio and video about the readings to help prepare for Mass:


Prepare your heart for Mass. Read the readings ahead of time so when they are proclaimed you can shut your eyes and listen to the words.
 
At my college we have a ministry program where every Monday night at 9pm about 6-10 of us meet in the head Priest’s office with him and we read the Gospel reading for the following Sunday and reflect and pray on it. Then we read it again and reflect. Then we share our thoughts about it. Then we read it a third time. It really helps me be prepared for the Gospel readings on Sundays
 
I agree, and to say there is no other personal relationship with Jesus other than the Eucharist borders on blasphemy because it is totally untrue.
 
It teaches that churches without Apostolic succession don’t have the Eucharist, but the Orthodox church has Apostolic succession without being in communion with Rome.
 
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