Came Back to the Church and Now I am feeling Overwhelmed

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I have been away for the church for a while and now that I have come back to the church, I am trying to do research and learn as much as I possibly can about it. I do not remember a lot of the things that I used to know. I am doing a lot of research and I am becoming extremely overwhelmed with how much is out there. I am learning about medals, scapulars, appearances, devotions, and so many other things and I feel overwhelmed and confused. I know that theses things are supposed to enhance your relationship to Jesus, but I am wanting to learn the basics and travel this journey at a good pace, one thing at a time. Where do you recommend beginning? I want to keep Jesus at the center, but I also don’t want to forget about all the other things out there.

Thank you for your advice and help!
 
Many parishes encourage returning folks like yourself to attend the RCIA classes as a refresher course. That would give you a structure, and a place to ask questions. Don’t go overboard on every devotion and apparition and such yet - just focus on the basic tenets of the Faith and how to live them in your everyday life. Learn about the Sacraments, how to read Scripture as a Catholic, basic prayers, etc. 🙂
 
Welcome back 🙂

I had a similar story and I can tell you what worked for me. I listened to Catholic radio (still do) and that increased my knowledge ten fold pretty fast. EWTN radio, Catholic Answers, etc. helped me remember so much and taught me a lot. Listening allowed me to hear things over and over between the different shows that it stuck in my head.

I wouldn’t worry about all the devotions and sacramental for now, as someone else suggested. One day at a time. Pray for the grace to hear what you need to hear.

😃
 
Just stick with Sunday Mass and take on the rest as you’re ready for it. God can wait a lot longer than you realize.
 
Just focus on Jesus and our mother Mary. Say your rosary every day, go to confession and receive Holy Communion, and the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, and all the extras will fall into place some day, in time. Just focus on the Center of our faith for now, which is Jesus, and… Welcome home!!!
 
I would suggest first (and most importantly) to establish a good prayer life. Gaining knowledge is good, but the best way to get to know God is to spend time with Him, especially talking and listening (especially in prayer and Adoration). 👍

Then, I’d suggest reading a little of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and some corresponding or related Bible verses, each day. I tend to be a voracious reader, but I find that in learning about the faith, it helps to limit myself a bit, so I have time to really think about what I’ve read before moving on to the next thing.
 
Kjnw4831 said:
I have been away for the church for a while and now that I have come back to the church, I am trying to do research and learn as much as I possibly can about it. I do not remember a lot of the things that I used to know. I am doing a lot of research and I am becoming extremely overwhelmed with how much is out there. I am learning about medals, scapulars, appearances, devotions, and so many other things and I feel overwhelmed and confused. I know that theses things are supposed to enhance your relationship to Jesus, but I am wanting to learn the basics and travel this journey at a good pace, one thing at a time. Where do you recommend beginning? I want to keep Jesus at the center, but I also don’t want to forget about all the other things out there.

Thank you for your advice and help!
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It is overwhelming. 2000 years of history and devotionals.

I recommend starting with the basics. Sit with Jesus in adoration, attend daily Mass if you can, and meditate on the readings of the day. The Holy Spirit will lead you if you wait quietly and openly. It is His job to guide, not yours to figure everything out. Your job is just to obey.
 
The rosary helped me find my way back… as did fasting. I gave up my phone games and Facebook for a while and devoted my newly found spare time to prayer and reading the bible. Everything you do all day can be offered up as a prayer- cleaning your house- for example. Keep an open dialog with God aND you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll grow!

Welcome back!
 
Learn about Jesus for he is the alpha and the omega.

Study the Mass and know its beauty, goodness and power. So many good books and articles.

Study the Eucharist in a spiritual sense like “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood, lives in me and I in him.” Ponder this and other such things in your heart.

Study his life in the gospels by first reading all four gospels and underlining meaningful things that you find. Then ponder them in your heart.

Study the divine indwelling within you.

And get a picture of the face of Jesus and contemplate it for 5 minutes a day. St. Theresa of Avilla thought much of this idea.
 
Kjnw4831 said:
I have been away for the church for a while and now that I have come back to the church, I am trying to do research and learn as much as I possibly can about it. I do not remember a lot of the things that I used to know. I am doing a lot of research and I am becoming extremely overwhelmed with how much is out there. I am learning about medals, scapulars, appearances, devotions, and so many other things and I feel overwhelmed and confused. I know that theses things are supposed to enhance your relationship to Jesus, but I am wanting to learn the basics and travel this journey at a good pace, one thing at a time. Where do you recommend beginning? I want to keep Jesus at the center, but I also don’t want to forget about all the other things out there.

Thank you for your advice and help!
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A book to read is The Faith Explained by Leo Trese.

Also you can read the Baltimore Catechism No. 3, making some allowances for changes made in canon law, since 1891: baltimore-catechism.com/

And Catechism of the Catholic Church: vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/m.htm
 
on_the_hill said:
Just stick with Sunday Mass and take on the rest as you’re ready for it. God can wait a lot longer than you realize.
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I agree with this. Add things a little at a time. People that were brought up Catholic learned what they know over time, not all at once. There is no rush, no competition to keep up with. Enjoy going to mass and things will fall into place. Welcome back!
 
Welcome back. It has been the work of the Holy Spirit that you have come back to experience God’s mercy and great love for you.

Prayer and Adoration would be a good start. Even if you don’t know how to pray, ask the Holy Spirit to pray in you and He will lead you to places you would never have imagined. If you find a holy priest, he could recommend an RCIA course somewhere or read Fr. Leo Trese’s book as recommended.

Don’t be overwhelmed. God is patient with all of us. Just experience His love.
 
Last year was my 10th anniversary of coming home to the Church after being away for 20+ years–welcome home. What worked for me was praying the Rosary daily, attending Mass on Sunday (and daily Mass now and again, more frequently if possible), and reading and listening to devout Catholic apologists. As you may quickly find out, there are a dizzying array of opinions on many matters; reading the Catechism (a daunting task, and I haven’t read it cover to cover since I came back) may prove useful.
God bless you and yours.
 
I returned 20+ years ago, and I still feel like there is so much to learn!!! You can only do it one step at a time. As others have suggested, developing your prayer life, which includes meditation and spiritual reading, is the foundation. Just add in what you can as God readies you for it.
 
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