Catholics in family leaving Catholic Church for other Christian Church?

[bmaj]

I will open myself up and say that I am in the same position right now. I was raised Catholic but am finding little meaning in going to mass, they are few Mom/Young Married Life groups to get involved it at my parish, and there’s an overall feeling of going to mass to check off that item from my weekly to do list. Last year I started attending a non-denominational (although their beliefs fall under the general protestant beliefs) women’s bible study/devotional and am finding the community of believers I’ve been looking for. I find myself excited to learn more about God, interested in reading the various devotional books we’ve been studying, and having an interest in attending church there.

So I find myself at a cross-road. Continue attending the Catholic church where I don’t really look forward to going, not believing all the things that the Church believes or do I start attending the non-denominational church where I am finding my spirit bucket being filled but I also don’t necessarily believe everything they believe.

It’s almost come down to what’s more important…attending Catholic mass but not having an intimate relationship with God, or having the relationship but that relationship not being Catholic? I honestly don’t know the answer just yet…

I guess my point of this post is to not give up praying for the people in your lives who have left the Catholic Church. Like so many others it could be that your prayers help to guide them through their faith journey.

Note to Takers: I pray you will possibly find a different Catholic Church in your area that meets your needs better. There are lots of others out there. (Seems to be one in every town where I live anyway!) And there’s always the thought that you might want to start your own Mom or Young Marrieds group in your current Catholic Church. I bet there are others like you wishing someone would! You could be a great blessing to so many others just like yourself - and you would benefit as well.

Please try not to give up on the Catholic Church, though. I know the Holy Spirit will help guide you through this real well if you keep Our Lord and Our Dear Blessed Mother close by praying for loving guidance. It will come, trust me! I’ve had a few doubts myself through the years, but God always showed me the awesome way through the beautiful Catholic Church - unmatched by any other. Sometimes it meant attending a different Catholic Church until the original Catholic Church we attended changed a bit - either in age of most of the congregants or the Priest. Prayers and God’s loving blessings to you and your family!

 

[takers]

Note to Takers: I pray you will possibly find a different Catholic Church in your area that meets your needs better. There are lots of others out there. (Seems to be one in every town where I live anyway!) And there’s always the thought that you might want to start your own Mom or Young Marrieds group in your current Catholic Church. I bet there are others like you wishing someone would! You could be a great blessing to so many others just like yourself - and you would benefit as well.

Please try not to give up on the Catholic Church, though. I know the Holy Spirit will help guide you through this real well if you keep Our Lord and Our Dear Blessed Mother close by praying for loving guidance. It will come, trust me! I’ve had a few doubts myself through the years, but God always showed me the awesome way through the beautiful Catholic Church - unmatched by any other. Sometimes it meant attending a different Catholic Church until the original Catholic Church we attended changed a bit - either in age of most of the congregants or the Priest. Prayers and God’s loving blessings to you and your family!

Where’s the “like” button? Thank you for your prayers. I truly appreciate them.

 

[bmaj]

I to find myself sometimes taking going to mass less than an exciting prospect but once there I am always I happy I came. I think it’s more the scheduling and the preparation to go that I find less than exciting. But in spite of this I know why I go and that is to receive the real presence of my Lord in the Eucharist. I have to remind myself that I don’t go to Mass to be entertained but to worship God who created me and holds me in existance by an act of His positive will and love and to received the graces he wants to give me.

Very true, Polycarp1! The graces sure are immeasurable that He gives through His Holy Eucharist. Thanks for sharing, and God bless.

 

[bmaj]

Keep praying. It’s The Year of Faith and God has many graces waiting for us!

When I pray for such people, I pray that their hearts be open just a little bit, because that’s all God needs.

Good point, KCT. I will keep praying - every day! Thanks for the reminder about the wonderful mercies and graces of Our Lord.

 

[bmaj]

hi bmaj, had same experience with a cousin who eventually left for another religion of his wife. they are very good indeed and i heard he is learning to become a pastor, well good for him but I honestly believe he did not fully grasp the teachings of our religion.

Sad but interesting perception, visitor. Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry for your cousin, too, but pray he will one day return to the Catholic Church as I pray my relative will also. It hurts to see them leave the Church, but yet I do see the good they are doing in the other. God bless.

 

[msaved56]

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experiences re: adult family members who are Catholic (and married in the Catholic Church) but end up switching to a non-Catholic Christian Church (ie non-denominational, Protestant,or similar). This particular relative was only a “luke-warm” Catholic after becoming an adult but now has become very involved in their non-Catholic spouse’s Christian Church.
I guess my question is, I wonder if it’s better to be a very good, practicing (non-Catholic) Christian than a very luke-warm cafeteria Catholic - even if you were born and raised with all the Catholic Sacraments?
I continue to pray earnestly for their return to the Catholic Church, but I also see the many good things they are doing for others as a result of their active participation in the non-Catholic Church, so it leaves me with such conflicted feelings and thoughts as to what to say to them to try to encourage them to return to the Catholic Church (where they were not very active).

 

[msaved56]

I love Catholics - I was brought up an Irish Catholic. I received my 1st communion in the 1st grade went to St. Frances De Chantel Catholic School. I was married in the Roman Catholic Church at St. William the Abbott in Seaford Long Island in 1980 the same place I received my communion. 10 years ago I left the Roman Catholic Church for good and I’m never going back. You would ask why ? You see all Roman Catholics believe the “Church” to be the only and original Christian Church. Sorry folks it’s not. I found out by reading the Bible. yes you can interpret the Bible if you have the Holy Spirit in you and no I’m not talking about tongues. As a Fundamentalist we don’t believe in that. However we do believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Why the Pope gives you 22 points just for reading it! So as a Catholic you can benefit by that. Well without trying to get you guys upset. I don’t want that. You asked for an understanding of why we leave and don’t come back. Well that was it. We find that the Roman Catholic Church’s Doctrine is not correct and more closely aligned with Babylon then the Apostles. Once you get into the word of God you can see the traditions of men that the Bible tells us to beware of. The Roman Catholic Church is also a Religion of “works”. You have to do this and that like Jesus didn’t do enough on the Cross. Christians are Saved by Grace by Faith in the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ. I can go into it deeper but not right now. Just figured I’d let you know why your relatives are probably never coming back. I pray they don’t. Now watch I’ll get a 1000 e mails LOL My facebook page is Rick Graham

 

[Marie5890]

msave hello and welcome to CAF!

This is an old thread you have posted on and the moderators at CAF ask us not to resurrect them.

I would suggest you start another thread if there is something you want to discuss.
Also, it would be prudent to read the forum rules of both CAF in general the any specific forum you go to as well!!

Welcome