Coming Back

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Joseph1974

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Hello everyone,

I have made the decision to come back to the church after being away for around 20 years. I’m scared to death but I’ll be walking in the doors of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville this Friday for their 12:30 mass. I have many issues so I won’t be receiving the Eucharist but I’m still going.

I’m terrified because I have been gone so long, have gone through a divorce, and now I am living with a wonderful woman who saved me in many ways. I know this is against the churches teachings but I have been following Pope Francis since he became Pope and he seems to believe someone like me might be welcomed back. I hope the people at the Cathedral feel the same.

The divorce was not my fault. After the wife’s 3rd affair she filed for divorce. Being away in the first place and the cohabitation are my fault.

I’m sorry this is kinda rambling and I guess I’m posting because I could use a prayer to keep my courage up.
 
Hi Jo, it can be a little daunting going back to church. Let us know how you get on this Friday. Cheers
 
Joseph1974 said:
Hello everyone,

I have made the decision to come back to the church after being away for around 20 years. I’m scared to death but I’ll be walking in the doors of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville this Friday for their 12:30 mass. I have many issues so I won’t be receiving the Eucharist but I’m still going.

I’m terrified because I have been gone so long, have gone through a divorce, and now I am living with a wonderful woman who saved me in many ways. I know this is against the churches teachings but I have been following Pope Francis since he became Pope and he seems to believe someone like me might be welcomed back. I hope the people at the Cathedral feel the same.

The divorce was not my fault. After the wife’s 3rd affair she filed for divorce. Being away in the first place and the cohabitation are my fault.

I’m sorry this is kinda rambling and I guess I’m posting because I could use a prayer to keep my courage up.
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God’s always pleased to see a prodigal son starting the journey home. Christ told a parable about it, pointing out there was more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than a hundred righteous souls who did not need to repent.

But you’re not there yet. Your heart’s in the right place, but you’ll still have a few things to put right. I’d suggest you see a priest when you can, and go on from there. Fronting up to him will be the difficult, embarassing part, especially the first time.

But then bit by bit, you’ll be able to move towards full reconciliation with God.
 
Welcome back Joe…👍

My own journey sounds somewhat similar to yours - away for 35 years, married, divorced and in my case remarried. Also - like you - my second wife truly did “save me” in many ways.

Let me just say - “be not afraid”. You are doing right.
I’m impressed with your honor and humility in recognizing that you should not receive communion. God has blessed you with a great grace here.

I hope that you will soon be able to get your marriage issues resolved so that you can return to the sacraments. And in that vein…If you’d like to discuss anything more privately (like the possibilities of an annulment) please feel free to PM me. I’m no expert…but like I say - I’ve been through this myself.

Peace
James
 
Joseph1974 said:
I have made the decision to come back to the church after being away for around 20 years.
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Awesome!

I was away from the church for about 20 years, as well. Just came back this past April. These past few months have been more spiritually fulfilling than all those previous 20 years put together have ever been. You are making the right move!

I was scared and timid to come back. I didn’t think I would be walking into the most welcoming community, based on my misconceived notions about the church. Boy was I wrong.

I’m a man with hair almost down to my waste and a full beard down to my collar bone. I didn’t think I would fit in, and expected the worst. I did get some awkward looks at first, but I get that everywhere, so that never bothers me. But when I engaged people in conversation, I never met with any ill feelings at all. From young kids, to young adults, to middle aged couples, and senior citizens, everyone I have interacted with has been absolutely wonderful. The response to me saying I had returned after a 20 year separation has been one of the highlights of the entire experience for me. The response was always a heartfelt “Welcome home!” most often accompanied with a hug usually reserved for close relatives. There were even a few cases of tears welling up in their eyes at the mere mention of my return. The experience has simply been amazing.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but don’t sweat it too much. Just don’t be too timid to let people know you are returning to the church after such a long time away. And don’t worry about that first confession after coming back. I did, but I found it way easier and less awkward than I thought it would be. Just remember that the priest has heard it all, so what’s a wild ordeal for you is a walk in the park for him. He’ll help you through it. I would suggest scheduling an appointment for confession, rather than showing up for the weekly one, though. Just for that first one back. You priest might actually give you a bunch of information on confession to have you go over first, as mine did (I hadn’t made a confession since my first confession, lol), and have you come back on another day for the actual confession.

Anyways, awesome news, welcome home, and good luck! You won’t regret it! 😃
 
Joseph1974 said:
Hello everyone,

I have made the decision to come back to the church after being away for around 20 years. I’m scared to death but I’ll be walking in the doors of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville this Friday for their 12:30 mass. I have many issues so I won’t be receiving the Eucharist but I’m still going.

I’m terrified because I have been gone so long, have gone through a divorce, and now I am living with a wonderful woman who saved me in many ways. I know this is against the churches teachings but I have been following Pope Francis since he became Pope and he seems to believe someone like me might be welcomed back. I hope the people at the Cathedral feel the same.

The divorce was not my fault. After the wife’s 3rd affair she filed for divorce. Being away in the first place and the cohabitation are my fault.

I’m sorry this is kinda rambling and I guess I’m posting because I could use a prayer to keep my courage up.
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Welcome home.

Center yourself in Christ and he’ll guide you through the process.

Pope Francis is an example of Christ love and mercy, so watch him and follow his teachings.

God Bless
Jim
 
Welcome home, know that I will pray for you to find peace in your heart when you head back to the Church. Take your time and do not be hard on yourself, God called you and you are answering His call. Congratulations. Please let us know how journey is going, it would be a joy to follow you along the way and support you with prayer.
 
I too spent time away from the church. I think about 28/29 years. In that time away I think I did everything I was not suppose to do. My first,middle and last name was sin 😛
I was welcomed back with open arms and hearts. Now I cannot imagine EVER being away from the church. I am home!
Welcome Home too 🙂
 
My husband was away for 20 years and I was raised Protestant and am converting. DH went back around Easter and I decided to go to my first Mass at Pentecost. I, too, was married and divorced. I was also very nervous about meeting with the priest and trying to come fully into the Church. My experience so far has been wonderful. My meeting with the priest was full of compassion and I felt so much better afterward. Don’t be afraid. Just go. Enjoy Mass and then schedule an appointment with your priest to discuss annulment so that you can receive the Sacraments again in the future.
 
Joseph1974 said:
Hello everyone,

I have made the decision to come back to the church after being away for around 20 years. I’m scared to death but I’ll be walking in the doors of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville this Friday for their 12:30 mass. I have many issues so I won’t be receiving the Eucharist but I’m still going.

I’m terrified because I have been gone so long, have gone through a divorce, and now I am living with a wonderful woman who saved me in many ways. I know this is against the churches teachings but I have been following Pope Francis since he became Pope and he seems to believe someone like me might be welcomed back. I hope the people at the Cathedral feel the same.

The divorce was not my fault. After the wife’s 3rd affair she filed for divorce. Being away in the first place and the cohabitation are my fault.

I’m sorry this is kinda rambling and I guess I’m posting because I could use a prayer to keep my courage up.
Click to expand...
Double welcome is in order, is it not?

And a party! Stay strong.
 
Welcome back! I will pray for you, for sure 🙂 Do let us know how it goes! 😃
 
Thank you all so much… I can’t describe how the comments of support here have made me feel. I really needed that. I will post here my experience on Friday… Again thank you all.
 
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