Calling all converts!

[MaryTeresa2]

as i was reading your post… i began to wonder why it was that i hate it so much when i am called names… criticized… totally misunderstood (or do they understand better than they let on??? hmm… /god knows…). Its not that i desire to BE someone in their eyes… not even close… If it was that, i would readily admit it…

you may not understand this or… whatever… but what came to me w hen i asked myself that question was this: it depresses me that people don’t know Jesus as i do…(i coul kno Him better… but I know Him cuz i spend time @ the Blessed Sacrament… etc… etc)

it depresses me that they seem to have one foot in Hell… I’m not judging… I’m just saying what i honestly feel when dealing w/ some of these poeple… In other words, i often feel i am speaking to demons… and if you heard some of the stuff i have to hear sometimes… or read it… you would know what i mean… but i don’t care to repeat it…

Even so, i realize that i don’t HAVE to hear or read what they have to say… I know God wants me to distance myelf from nonChristians…

no, i do not care whether they respect me or not… I mean, i do but not because i think i am so great & deserv respect… no, its more because i sense they are serving the devil far mor than either one of us would care to think… I am sure you have been around people who made you feel this way?? its not fun…

Oh Dear Friend, I know and hear just what you are saying. I have so many family, my own children who do not know and follow Jesus. It’s a very hard pain to suffer. Not for ourselves we suffer, we suffer for their lack… what they could have and don’t… Just as Jesus suffers for every soul that does not come to Him.

So, what do we do? Perhaps it is not to distance ourselves… protect ourselves maybe… but perhaps we can still find ways to preach the Gospel to them… as St. Francis says, and if you have to, use words… but basically by living the Gospel, we preach it. The other piece is to pray for their salvation! Pray and pray!

And put the Litany of Humility up on your wall right by your bed and pray it day and night…
I will pray for you and your family/friends who are persecuting you and Jesus.
May you be protected and cared for by Our Blessed Mother and abundantly Blessed by Our Lord Jesus as you continue in faithful service.
Your’s in Christ,
Mary Teresa, OSSM

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

 

[distracted]

Oh Dear Friend, I know and hear just what you are saying. I have so many family, my own children who do not know and follow Jesus. It’s a very hard pain to suffer. Not for ourselves we suffer, we suffer for their lack… what they could have and don’t… Just as Jesus suffers for every soul that does not come to Him.

So, what do we do? Perhaps it is not to distance ourselves… protect ourselves maybe… but perhaps we can still find ways to preach the Gospel to them… as St. Francis says, and if you have to, use words… but basically by living the Gospel, we preach it. The other piece is to pray for their salvation! Pray and pray!

And put the Litany of Humility up on your wall right by your bed and pray it day and night…
I will pray for you and your family/friends who are persecuting you and Jesus.
May you be protected and cared for by Our Blessed Mother and abundantly Blessed by Our Lord Jesus as you continue in faithful service.
Your’s in Christ,
…

thanks…
i have prayed but i have to admit i could pray more…

You wouldn’t believe what i have to deal with… OK, maybe you would… cuz you are going throug a lot of the same stuff… but… its weird cuz i feel i should not have anything to do with certain people… yet thye sometimes write me and it seems very rude to not answer back and yet… i feel i have no choice. There is no real communication… it is just a bunch of abusive verbiage… (on their part. I try hard to be respectful & feel that i am doing so)

i just figure… they aren’t listening… i can spend my time better elsewhere… doing other things… makes no sense to just keep beating a dead horse…

Do you think it is extremely unChristian to refrain from writing back to someone??? i feel i am in a no-win situation… and that writing back is only feeding the fire… &… uh… kinda literally… the fires of Hel… i mean it seems that … like i said, like i am speaking to demons… and i believe i am… Demons even influence the most devout christians… In fact they probably mess with them 10 times more…

anyhow… not sure what to do…

 

[Dolores_IHS]

…
i sometimes feel uncomfortable with some of my family members who know my past… i feel uncomfortable cuz they (i feel) tend to think i am the same person or somewhat the same as i once was… (& probably WISH I was the same…) although they also have to admit tht i am different. None of them (that i know of) is into the Church like i am … .so i tend to think they think i am a fanatic… I dont keep in touch so really don’t KNOW for sure, but i know them… I can-and often do- imagine various scenarios… …talking about me at the dinner table… etc… (Most of my siblings are not living around “home” but some visit the parents fairly often and they talk about such things… and can be very critical/unloving… or at least were in the past…) but oh well…

also, this is another thing i hate: when people think that you have no right to speak on such and such sin cuz you once did that sin… (& in a big way)… The way i look at it, i have more reason to speak on it than thos who did not commit that particular sin… cuz i know the consequneces thereof…

…

I think that when, through Christ, a sinner has overcome a sinning habit, it makes them a minister of God’s grace and healing. They are a walking testimony to true freedom. So you have no reason to feel bad at all. I think that your family may be uncomfortable, because you perhaps remind them of their need to still overcome. It is not bad to be a religious fanatic (I am too! ) as long as we don’t put pressure on others, but act natural. If religion is such an integral and natural part of one’s life, it will look appealing to others anyway, because it will not be a conscious thing, but part of the fibre of our life. The Holy Spirit is contagious to those seeking the Truth.

I sometimes worry like crazy about some loved ones in my family; about their lifestyle, their purity – and even their souls. But I can’t prevent them from doing wrong; I can only pray for them. And, God forbid, if they do happen to fall – as all of us humans do in some way or another – there is still hope, because they can still learn from their mistakes, no matter how long it takes. And the most comforting thing to me is that when they overcome sin, they will be able to minister to others – in an even better way than those who didn’t sin in the way they did. This is where those who overcame sin have a greater advantage, because they better understand the weaknesses which brought them to sin.

I wrote to a friend of mine that innocence is not only for children or those kept from harm; it is for everyone who looks through the eyes of Jesus. All we need in order to be innocent is to reclaim the heart of awe and wonder to see God in everything around us… Purity is the same – we may mess up, but if we get up, are truly sorry for our sin, repent, and try to please God the best we can, that is what matters most – look at the sinners who became Saints! :getholy:

God bless
Dolores

 

[Dolores_IHS]

…Then I did some interesting research: I was born at a Catholic Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital, and almost died, with nuns doing some of the delivery --according to my mom…on the the 400yr-something anniversary of the 1st vision of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary, culminating in the full vision of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also the Feast Day of St. John the Divine, who was in the vision (b/c it was his Feast Day), resting his head on Jesus’ chest. I also, unknowingly and very un-Catholic at the time, had my 2 sons baptized on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. There are other coincidences that stunned me along the way, showing me God’s hand on me into the Catholic Church…

I also had some wonderful co-incidental dates in my life. I was born the evening before Our Lady of Fatima’s feast day, on a Saturday, in May – all Marian times! And I was baptised in the Anglican Church on what I found out later, was Divine Mercy Sunday.

Then there is the amusing phenomenon of the 23’s:
I was received into the Catholic Church a few months before I turned 24. So I was still technically 23 when I became Catholic – this on the 23rd March 2008, which was 23 months after I was baptised – on the 23rd April 2006!

(I’m serious! )

 

[Dolores_IHS]

thanks…
i have prayed but i have to admit i could pray more…

You wouldn’t believe what i have to deal with… OK, maybe you would… cuz you are going throug a lot of the same stuff… but… its weird cuz i feel i should not have anything to do with certain people… yet thye sometimes write me and it seems very rude to not answer back and yet… i feel i have no choice. There is no real communication… it is just a bunch of abusive verbiage… (on their part. I try hard to be respectful & feel that i am doing so)

i just figure… they aren’t listening… i can spend my time better elsewhere… doing other things… makes no sense to just keep beating a dead horse…

Do you think it is extremely unChristian to refrain from writing back to someone??? i feel i am in a no-win situation… and that writing back is only feeding the fire… &… uh… kinda literally… the fires of Hel… i mean it seems that … like i said, like i am speaking to demons… and i believe i am… Demons even influence the most devout christians… In fact they probably mess with them 10 times more…

anyhow… not sure what to do…

I believe the best thing to do if non-Christians don’t want to listen, as you said, is follow what Jesus says in Matt 10:11-16 (about going to a town and if they don’t welcome you, shake the dust off your feet and move on to another town). If they don’t listen, it will be in vain to keep on speaking/writing to someone. All one could do then is to pray for them and continue to be a good example to them. So if these people writing to you are abusive, I don’t see the point in continuing to let them abuse you. End the contact if it is not charitable.

You wrote in a previous post:
“i began to wonder why it was that i hate it so much when i am called names… criticized… totally misunderstood
”it depresses me that people don’t know Jesus as i do
”I know God wants me to distance myelf from nonChristians…”

We all don’t like being called names and criticised. Although we are blessed when we are persecuted for Jesus’ Name, we still have the human need to be loved. It is very normal to hate being persecuted.
It depresses me too, like it should all Christians, that these people who are still lost don’t yet know Jesus. When we have found a treasure, we want to proclaim it from the rooftops to everyone. Of course, God has His own timing in working in these broken souls.
God only wants us to distance ourselves from non-Christians when their behaviour is harmful to ours, but if they are receptive to us we can reach out to them.

God bless – and I pray you will find peace and strength!
Dolores

 

[distracted]

I think that when, through Christ, a sinner has overcome a sinning habit, it makes them a minister of God’s grace and healing. They are a walking testimony to true freedom. So you have no reason to feel bad at all. I think that your family may be uncomfortable, because you perhaps remind them of their need to still overcome. It is not bad to be a religious fanatic (I am too! ) as long as we don’t put pressure on others, but act natural. If religion is such an integral and natural part of one’s life, it will look appealing to others anyway, because it will not be a conscious thing, but part of the fibre of our life. The Holy Spirit is contagious to those seeking the Truth.

I sometimes worry like crazy about some loved ones in my family; about their lifestyle, their purity – and even their souls. But I can’t prevent them from doing wrong; I can only pray for them. And, God forbid, if they do happen to fall – as all of us humans do in some way or another – there is still hope, because they can still learn from their mistakes, no matter how long it takes. And the most comforting thing to me is that when they overcome sin, they will be able to minister to others – in an even better way than those who didn’t sin in the way they did. This is where those who overcame sin have a greater advantage, because they better understand the weaknesses which brought them to sin.

I wrote to a friend of mine that innocence is not only for children or those kept from harm; it is for everyone who looks through the eyes of Jesus. All we need in order to be innocent is to reclaim the heart of awe and wonder to see God in everything around us… Purity is the same – we may mess up, but if we get up, are truly sorry for our sin, repent, and try to please God the best we can, that is what matters most – look at the sinners who became Saints! :getholy:

God bless
Dolores

i agree… but i would add this: No one can be pure through his own efforts… I know you probably know this… but i am thinking of the Real Presence… & how it is so much easier to be purified when we are there… than when we stay away… and try to be pure without That…

i just wonder why so few catholics spend much time There… can’t u/stand that…

 

[Dolores_IHS]

i agree… but i would add this: No one can be pure through his own efforts… I know you probably know this… but i am thinking of the Real Presence… & how it is so much easier to be purified when we are there… than when we stay away… and try to be pure without That…

i just wonder why so few catholics spend much time There… can’t u/stand that…

Yes, I know what you mean. It is really a case of God helps us, and then we in turn must help others. And if they don’t listen to us, we place them in God’s hands.

Lord have mercy on us…

 

[ZDHayden]

Hmm well, I was raised Southern Baptist (My mother was raised Catholic, but converted to Southern Baptist when she married my father, now she refuses to go into a sanctuary) and then had a great falling out from it. I experimented with the United Methodist (my mom’s best friend and my third grade teacher – same person – was one), pentecostal (a friend of mine was a pastor’s kid at a pentecostal church). After that, I fell out of Christianity altogether, and experimented with Hellenistic paganism, the Baha’i faith, Buddhism, and finally, various forms of atheism. My final form of atheism was more of an agnosticism leaning to atheism. I have had mixed feelings toward God: fear, confusion, hope (please let this be true sort of hope), denial, more confusion, hatred (I remember walking down the sidewalk from the library once mentally yelling at God), and then I just didn’t care.
Oddly, it was my mom who pressured me to go to a Catholic church, and there was one that was near my school (that was in high school, the parish in question is a Newman parish, and I’m going to the university it serves, so its still my home parish). I reluctantly went, and was amazed. That first Sunday my faith in God was restored – but now it was desire, a hunger. One Fr. John was the pastor of the parish and we had meetings frequently to discuss the faith. The more we met and the more I attended Mass, the more I believed. My belief was absolute by that Lent, a season which I fell in absolute love with above the other seasons of the year. If I remember right, it was very early on that I began to desire the Eucharist, a desire that is still strong so much that when I fall into mortal sin, I take a Mass to watch the communion and recognize: this is what I deny myself because of my sin. Not partaking of this most blessed sacrament hurts, and that hurt began even back then. In my meetings with Fr. John, he provided the historical and biblical support needed for me to decide that I would submit absolutely to Rome. Its odd, the incidences of rebellion against Rome were few after that first Mass: when I learned what Rome taught, I gave up my own formed opinion and clung to Pope Benedict XVI’s statement. Those few times of refusal to do so because of a lack of understanding, I have since understood and have accepted.
In short, I think it was the Eucharist that brought me, a show-me-the-proof agnostic home.

 

[distracted]

Hmm well, I was raised Southern Baptist (My mother was raised Catholic, but converted to Southern Baptist when she married my father, now she refuses to go into a sanctuary) and then had a great falling out from it. I experimented with the United Methodist (my mom’s best friend and my third grade teacher – same person – was one), pentecostal (a friend of mine was a pastor’s kid at a pentecostal church). After that, I fell out of Christianity altogether, and experimented with Hellenistic paganism, the Baha’i faith, Buddhism, and finally, various forms of atheism. My final form of atheism was more of an agnosticism leaning to atheism. I have had mixed feelings toward God: fear, confusion, hope (please let this be true sort of hope), denial, more confusion, hatred (I remember walking down the sidewalk from the library once mentally yelling at God), and then I just didn’t care.
Oddly, it was my mom who pressured me to go to a Catholic church, and there was one that was near my school (that was in high school, the parish in question is a Newman parish, and I’m going to the university it serves, so its still my home parish). I reluctantly went, and was amazed. That first Sunday my faith in God was restored – but now it was desire, a hunger. One Fr. John was the pastor of the parish and we had meetings frequently to discuss the faith. The more we met and the more I attended Mass, the more I believed. My belief was absolute by that Lent, a season which I fell in absolute love with above the other seasons of the year. If I remember right, it was very early on that I began to desire the Eucharist, a desire that is still strong so much that when I fall into mortal sin, I take a Mass to watch the communion and recognize: this is what I deny myself because of my sin. Not partaking of this most blessed sacrament hurts, and that hurt began even back then. In my meetings with Fr. John, he provided the historical and biblical support needed for me to decide that I would submit absolutely to Rome. Its odd, the incidences of rebellion against Rome were few after that first Mass: when I learned what Rome taught, I gave up my own formed opinion and clung to Pope Benedict XVI’s statement. Those few times of refusal to do so because of a lack of understanding, I have since understood and have accepted.
In short, I think it was the Eucharist that brought me, a show-me-the-proof agnostic home.

very interesting… wonder why your seemingly antiCatholic mother referred you to the RCC? hmmm…

someone once said Once a Catholic Always a Catholic…

have you ever spent much time in the Real Presence in total silence? that is so awesome to me.

 

[ZDHayden]

very interesting… wonder why your seemingly antiCatholic mother referred you to the RCC? hmmm…

someone once said Once a Catholic Always a Catholic…

have you ever spent much time in the Real Presence in total silence? that is so awesome to me.

I guess, from what she said, she dislikes the structure of the Mass, but has no problem with the Church.

But yes, when I and my mother were kicked out of our house (because the individual had suspicions that my mother was doing something immoral, even though my mother explained in detail what she had done – going to a barbeque with friends and my brother), I went to church after about five days. We had a house then, but I had an emotional breakdown when we went back to the old house to try and pack stuff. My girlfriend took me to church in the early afternoon, and I stayed in the chapel for a long time, because, after a short talk with the pastor, it was night by the time I left church. My time in the chapel, grant it, was not exactly silent as I was praying the Rosary for a good chunk of the time. Due to school, I may not be in the habit of praying the Rosary regularly, but it is the first thing I turn to if anything goes wrong.

 

[Jez1519]

After the initial awakening to the feeling that God was reaching out to me after some rather bizarre occurrences i think the thing that convinced me to seek out Christ in the Catholic faith was after praying to God and asking him to show me which church he could be found in.
That night i had the oddest dream, in which it was made explicit that i should continue in my search for Jesus within the Catholic church. Apologies if i sound a little vague in the details but some of it would sound pretty weird.
A year on, since the strange stuff started occurring, i’ve never been happier.

 

[The_Reginator]

After the initial awakening to the feeling that God was reaching out to me after some rather bizarre occurrences i think the thing that convinced me to seek out Christ in the Catholic faith was after praying to God and asking him to show me which church he could be found in.
That night i had the oddest dream, in which it was made explicit that i should continue in my search for Jesus within the Catholic church. Apologies if i sound a little vague in the details but some of it would sound pretty weird.
A year on, since the strange stuff started occurring, i’ve never been happier.

That’s fascinating, Jez!!!
Dominus vobiscum.

 

[distracted]

After the initial awakening to the feeling that God was reaching out to me after some rather bizarre occurrences i think the thing that convinced me to seek out Christ in the Catholic faith was after praying to God and asking him to show me which church he could be found in.
That night i had the oddest dream, in which it was made explicit that i should continue in my search for Jesus within the Catholic church. Apologies if i sound a little vague in the details but some of it would sound pretty weird.
A year on, since the strange stuff started occurring, i’ve never been happier.

so its time to change your personal CAF info from Christian to Catholic Christian…

 

[distracted]

I think that when, through Christ, a sinner has overcome a sinning habit, it makes them a minister of God’s grace and healing. They are a walking testimony to true freedom. So you have no reason to feel bad at all. I think that your family may be uncomfortable, because you perhaps remind them of their need to still overcome. It is not bad to be a religious fanatic (I am too! ) as long as we don’t put pressure on others, but act natural. If religion is such an integral and natural part of one’s life, it will look appealing to others anyway, because it will not be a conscious thing, but part of the fibre of our life. The Holy Spirit is contagious to those seeking the Truth.

Dolores

i think a lot of times Christians are too worried about “attracting” people to Christianity by their actions… I mean if our actions are contingent on waht we “look like” to others… & we are always trying to get them to see the good stuff about our faith… we will always be trying to act & look like evrything is sweetness & light with us now that we are Christians (or have been for some time) when life, as you know, can be anything BUT that… We can’t follow Jesus because He makes everything in this life perfect becaus He does NOT… (except within of course… and when you have a sense of Heaven within, it can be great misery to live in this ungodly world… )

 

[Dolores_IHS]

i think a lot of times Christians are too worried about “attracting” people to Christianity by their actions… I mean if our actions are contingent on waht we “look like” to others… & we are always trying to get them to see the good stuff about our faith… we will always be trying to act & look like evrything is sweetness & light with us now that we are Christians (or have been for some time) when life, as you know, can be anything BUT that… We can’t follow Jesus because He makes everything in this life perfect becaus He does NOT… (except within of course… and when you have a sense of Heaven within, it can be great misery to live in this ungodly world… )

It is a big priority to attract people to our faith through our living example, as our biggest sermon to them will be a silent one. However to do this we first have to attend to our own souls. After that, we won’t need to worry about attracting others, as it is an integral part of us. As an HIV/Aids prevention campaign advert on our TV in SA once said: “It begins with You.”

That desire to leave this world, the sorrow at the worldliness around, and the longing for Heaven was felt keenly by St. Paul – and I believe it is the deepest sorrow we can feel along with the sorrow at knowing our wretchedness. But what a blessed sorrow!

St. Paul was always talking of joy, and in his sufferings he was joyful, too. Joy and happiness are two different things – happiness is dependant on outer things, but joy is an interior peace and confidence even in the midst of sorrow. Life, as you said, is never always a happy affair; it is filled with deep sorrow, but as Christians we have the chance to be the most joyful people on earth. This is why we follow Jesus – so He can change our sorrow into interior joy, even in the midst of trials. With Him we have hope to face suffering in the best way we possibly can.

God bless
Dolores
+

 

[distracted]

It is a big priority to attract people to our faith through our living example, as our biggest sermon to them will be a silent one. Dolores
+

well, people are not all that attracted to me and i am more in love with Jesus than most people, i dare say… The reason they’re not “attracted” is because i am “radical”… but I’m really not radical… I am only radical in comparison with worldlings… I wish i was more radical than i am… meaning i wish i was a better Christain but I’m working on that…

anyhow… I would never “advertize” Christianity as a feel-good thing… its far from it. Since i got devout w/ Jesus… i have lost virtually All family members… many friends… but then i guess they weren’t friends to begin with… (sigh)…

no great loss… but still, it kinda bites being alone & misunderstood all the time… altho 4 he most part, I’m used to it…

Yes, Jesus is worth all that and more… but i don’t go around expressing unadulterated JOY all the time… My joy is quiet… and not many people notice it and sometimes when people do, they seem to rebel against it, if anything… but tht’s just cuz… well, whatever…

all i know is i am not going to go around being phony happy just to attract others to Christianity … 4 one thing, once they find out what its relly about they will call me a liar… and well they should…

 

[Dolores_IHS]

well, people are not all that attracted to me and i am more in love with Jesus than most people, i dare say… The reason they’re not “attracted” is because i am “radical”… but I’m really not radical… I am only radical in comparison with worldlings… I wish i was more radical than i am… meaning i wish i was a better Christain but I’m working on that…

anyhow… I would never “advertize” Christianity as a feel-good thing… its far from it. Since i got devout w/ Jesus… i have lost virtually All family members… many friends… but then i guess they weren’t friends to begin with… (sigh)…

no great loss… but still, it kinda bites being alone & misunderstood all the time… altho 4 he most part, I’m used to it…

Yes, Jesus is worth all that and more… but i don’t go around expressing unadulterated JOY all the time… My joy is quiet… and not many people notice it and sometimes when people do, they seem to rebel against it, if anything… but tht’s just cuz… well, whatever…

all i know is i am not going to go around being phony happy just to attract others to Christianity … 4 one thing, once they find out what its relly about they will call me a liar… and well they should…

Is there a group of Christians you belong to, or friends in your parish? Maybe it would help you not feel so lonely, and with them you could relax and grow together. It is part of a Christian’s life to have people misunderstand you, but not everyone would; I mean Christian friends would accept and love you. I don’t have many friends, as I don’t make them easily, but I do have some good friends in my parish and of course, some email group friends I made. It is so lovely to grow with them.

Another thing that will help you – find some work in the Church you are passionate about. Because when you are doing some ministry/work in the Church and for the Church, you will be working from your heart. When you do so, you cannot help but be genuinely attractive to others; your spirit will be contagious. If you work in a ministry you don’t feel called to, it would lead to burnout and frustration. And to work in a field you are passionate about, you won’t worry about feeling lonely. I know how awful it is to be lonely, but when I am writing or doing sacristy work (my two biggest passions) I forget time and space, and people tell me (or sense that) I look peaceful and happy. I forget my loneliness when I immerse myself in something useful for God.

God bless you and give you peace
Dolores
+

 

[distracted]

Is there a group of Christians you belong to, or friends in your parish? Maybe it would help you not feel so lonely, and with them you could relax and grow together. It is part of a Christian’s life to have people misunderstand you, but not everyone would; I mean Christian friends would accept and love you. I don’t have many friends, as I don’t make them easily, but I do have some good friends in my parish and of course, some email group friends I made. It is so lovely to grow with them.

Another thing that will help you – find some work in the Church you are passionate about. Because when you are doing some ministry/work in the Church and for the Church, you will be working from your heart. When you do so, you cannot help but be genuinely attractive to others; your spirit will be contagious. If you work in a ministry you don’t feel called to, it would lead to burnout and frustration. And to work in a field you are passionate about, you won’t worry about feeling lonely. I know how awful it is to be lonely, but when I am writing or doing sacristy work (my two biggest passions) I forget time and space, and people tell me (or sense that) I look peaceful and happy. I forget my loneliness when I immerse myself in something useful for God.

God bless you and give you peace
Dolores
+

wow - what a shocker…

a post that sounds compassionate…

seroiusly though… most posts are either hostile, downright hateful… or at least neutral sounding…

but anyhow… thanks… and i would love to take this advice… the only prob is that i live in a small town and the priest hates me… Ok… i guess i dont know that for sure but if actions say antyhing…

i used to hate him also… but i went on a … uh… “retreat” (tht’s what i call it) and that did the trick… (i think :hypno.
anyhow… yes… about friends… could you please define that word for me???

i think it needs to be defined… these days everything’s so weird…

 

[Dolores_IHS]

wow - what a shocker…

a post that sounds compassionate…

seroiusly though… most posts are either hostile, downright hateful… or at least neutral sounding…

but anyhow… thanks… and i would love to take this advice… the only prob is that i live in a small town and the priest hates me… Ok… i guess i dont know that for sure but if actions say antyhing…

i used to hate him also… but i went on a … uh… “retreat” (tht’s what i call it) and that did the trick… (i think :hypno.
anyhow… yes… about friends… could you please define that word for me???

i think it needs to be defined… these days everything’s so weird…

I have been in my parish for three-and-a-half years now. The first priest who was there (and received me into the Church) retired almost two years later. We never had a chance to chat a lot, but we got on SO well; he was my “spiritual daddy”. Then my present parish priest came, and it was a different story. We are VERY opposite in personality and I was tempted to dislike him and get mad at him a lot (though hate is much too strong a word; I just got irritated). But then I realised it would be of no use to make enemies with someone who would be my pastor and give me the Eucharist – and just because he is different! So I was determined to look on the positive side at the things I liked about him – and there were some great things to like about him! As a sacristan in my parish, I interact with him a lot, and despite having disagreements, we actually get on fine. With relationships it helps to have people who test you, so you can grow more like Jesus.

Friends are people who you can be yourself around, who accept and love you as you are. To have friends, you also have a part in accepting and loving others as they are. It is really about helping each other up the “ladder” to heaven, if you know what I mean…

It also is necessary to accept yourself as you are. I have been prone to self-contempt and when I went through a period of this, it had a damaging effect on my relationships with others, because I then tended to be suspicious and alienate myself from others; closing myself off from them. When I did this it seemed as if people were not accepting of me and disliked me. It was only when I accepted myself again that others seemed friendlier.

Dolores
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[Pitcharan]

I have been in my parish for three-and-a-half years now. The first priest who was there (and received me into the Church) retired almost two years later. We never had a chance to chat a lot, but we got on SO well; he was my “spiritual daddy”. Then my present parish priest came, and it was a different story. We are VERY opposite in personality and I was tempted to dislike him and get mad at him a lot (though hate is much too strong a word; I just got irritated). But then I realised it would be of no use to make enemies with someone who would be my pastor and give me the Eucharist – and just because he is different! So I was determined to look on the positive side at the things I liked about him – and there were some great things to like about him! As a sacristan in my parish, I interact with him a lot, and despite having disagreements, we actually get on fine. With relationships it helps to have people who test you, so you can grow more like Jesus.

Friends are people who you can be yourself around, who accept and love you as you are. To have friends, you also have a part in accepting and loving others as they are. It is really about helping each other up the “ladder” to heaven, if you know what I mean…

It also is necessary to accept yourself as you are. I have been prone to self-contempt and when I went through a period of this, it had a damaging effect on my relationships with others, because I then tended to be suspicious and alienate myself from others; closing myself off from them. When I did this it seemed as if people were not accepting of me and disliked me. It was only when I accepted myself again that others seemed friendlier.

Dolores
+

Dear Dolores and Distracted,
I take this opportunity to share a relevant excerpt from the SINNER’S GUIDE by Louis of Granada.
It is no great thing to associate with the good and gentle, for such association is naturally pleasing. Everyone enjoys a peaceful life and prefers persons of congenial habits. But to be able to live at peace with harsh and perverse men, or with the undisciplined and those who irritate us, is a great grace, a praiseworthy and manly thing. Now, all our peace in this miserable life is found in humbly enduring suffering rather than in being free from it. He who knows best how to suffer will enjoy the greater peace, because he is the conqueror of himself, the master of the world, a friend of Christ, and an heir of heaven.