Discouraged

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Jenny35

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I have become quite discouraged in my attempt to return to the Church. Honestly, my first discouragement came here at CAF because I apparently don’t quite “get” the many nuances of this forum. That being said, this post is probably all wrong as well.

I’ve gone to Confession and attended Mass, but the Mass has changed quite a bit and I find myself standing there like a spectator as opposed to a participant. I tried researching the changes in the Mass today, to find something that would say “this is what we used to say, this is what we say now” and why. Well, the link I followed to CAF has been deleted or moved. My next choices were articles at such places as the Huffington Post. Probably not my best place for Catholic instruction.

Reading general posts here at CAF today I came across Adoration Do’s and Don’ts. Apparently my scheduled Adoration is also - wrong.

If I can’t do anything right, maybe it’s the coming back that’s wrong?

Can someone please lead me to a documented source of how the Mass has changed?

My apologies if I violated a rule in the asking.
 
For the changes implemented last Advent, there should still be a card in the pews with the new responses. If there isn’t, ask at the parish office.

For an explanation of the changes, find out if your diocese put out a pamphlet or video. Our bishop made a video in which he explained the reasons for the changes.
 
Have you thought about taking a refresher RICA class? That way it would be starting from ground zero.
 
Namwalker said:
Have you thought about taking a refresher RICA class? That way it would be starting from ground zero.
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If I hadn’t heard anything but horrendous things about RCIA and how liberal and watered down it has become, then yes, I would.

I guess I’ll just keep trying. Thank you.
 
Dear Discouraged…Don’t be…The Lord wants you and it seems there is a ‘battle’ going on to keep you from HIM…Searching for answers tells me you are being led by the Holy Spirit to find the ‘truth’ and know more about your faith. Welcome home and be patient. YOU are truly being called to a closer relationship with the Lord and HIS Church. Keep asking, searching and above all, Pray. It is through prayer you will find your true answers and feel the Lord’s love surrounding you. Many blessings and know you are now on my daily prayer list. Read scriptures daily, attend holy Mass as often as you can during the week in addition to Sunday and say the Holy Rosary daily. Your faith and strength will grow so much and YOU will become an expert in the Mass. God love you!👍
 
Jenny35 said:
If I hadn’t heard anything but horrendous things about RCIA and how liberal and watered down it has become, then yes, I would.

I guess I’ll just keep trying. Thank you.
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Do keep trying! Every RCIA is different - some are good, some aren’t. Give the RCIA team at your parish a go - if you don’t like it, you don’t have to go back. See if your parish or a nearby parish has adult education classes. Those also vary in quality.

Also see if your parish has a library. If it’s extensive enough (& organized) you might find some good books, audio tapes, & dvds. My parish has no library, so I borrow tapes from the parish our Franciscan fraternity meets at. They don’t seem to mind. 🙂

Edward suggested Lighthouse Catholic Media - I second them - they’ve got some interesting, instructive, low-cost cds.

Don’t worry about not fitting in right away. We all have to get used to each other before we get comfy.
 
I must say, that I know, that even if I don’t right now, that you have chosen to be one of the faithful. I know that God, even in His very Spirit, is overwhelmed with joy for the love He has for you in accepting Him. I hope that you, and all the faithful, will come to know the love that God has for all of you. And that love, the love that is God, that through His Spirit, will transform the entire world.
 
Jenny Welcome Home and may God bless you !!!

Some things have changed BUT the essentials are all still the same. It’s Satan who wants to keep you away from the Church. Keep going to mass and Holy Communion. Your faith will grow stronger. Get involved with some discussion groups like these forums. Folks are very kind and friendly here.

It may take a little while to catch up with things but it will all come back to you or you will become more familiar with the changes.
 
Is there more than one “right” way to do certain things? While browsing the forums today I read a post where someone said that we are to pray to St. Michael after every decade of the rosary. I have never done that and upon reading the post I burst into tears. No I am not usually a crier, but I am overwhelmed. I have no support at all whatsoever. None of my friends are Catholic. My family is non-practicing and my best friend recently said “I don’t think you are stupid for being Catholic” … yet until that was said, I never would have thought that person may have felt that way.

Between the lack of fellow faithful Catholics, snide comments from “friends” and feeling like no matter what I pray, do or say in regards to being Catholic, I have somehow missed the mark - I’m discouraged.

I really appreciate everything that everyone has offered. Thank you.
 
Jenny35 said:
While browsing the forums today I read a post where someone said that we are to pray to St. Michael after every decade of the rosary./QUOTE]

Some people think their private devotions are mandated by the Church. I have a friend who falls for every apparition of the week - Catholic or not. :eek:

If you don’t have a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, get one. Then you can read up on what the Church really does teach. The edition of the CCC we have has a lousy index - hopefully they improved that in later editions. If not, you’ll get in some extra reading trying to find the appropriate section for your qestions.

The CCC can be bought on-line, in any bookstore, or (I hope) borrowed from your parish library.

I don’t think you have missed the mark at all - you’re in the Catholic Church! :grouphug:
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Jenny35 said:
Is there more than one “right” way to do certain things? While browsing the forums today I read a post where someone said that we are to pray to St. Michael after every decade of the rosary. I have never done that and upon reading the post I burst into tears. No I am not usually a crier, but I am overwhelmed. I have no support at all whatsoever. None of my friends are Catholic. My family is non-practicing and my best friend recently said “I don’t think you are stupid for being Catholic” … yet until that was said, I never would have thought that person may have felt that way.

Between the lack of fellow faithful Catholics, snide comments from “friends” and feeling like no matter what I pray, do or say in regards to being Catholic, I have somehow missed the mark - I’m discouraged.

I really appreciate everything that everyone has offered. Thank you.
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There are so many different and approved ways of doing things. Did you know that the Church has 21 different ways to celebrate the Mass? I just heard this on Catholic radio yesterday from a Byzantine Catholic priest. I think it makes sense. God doesn’t create ONE kind of tree, rather he has hundreds of different types of trees, all fulfilling the function of cleansing the air and giving us oxygen for survival. WHAT A WONDERFUL DIVERSE GOD WE HAVE! LETS CELEBRATE!
 
Jenny35 said:
Is there more than one “right” way to do certain things? While browsing the forums today I read a post where someone said that we are to pray to St. Michael after every decade of the rosary. I have never done that and upon reading the post I burst into tears. No I am not usually a crier, but I am overwhelmed. I have no support at all whatsoever. None of my friends are Catholic. My family is non-practicing and my best friend recently said “I don’t think you are stupid for being Catholic” … yet until that was said, I never would have thought that person may have felt that way.

Between the lack of fellow faithful Catholics, snide comments from “friends” and feeling like no matter what I pray, do or say in regards to being Catholic, I have somehow missed the mark - I’m discouraged.

I really appreciate everything that everyone has offered. Thank you.
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Oh Jenny, please don’t worry that you don’t know how to do things “right”. We are all children in God’s eyes. Children make mistakes all the time and it is adorable. God is so happy that you are turning your heart to him. That fills him with joy and is all that matters. The rest will come. Don’t despair. Try to get involved in RCIA or some other things at your parish so you can get to know people who will be supportive of what you are doing. God bless you!

P.S. I have never heard of praying to St. Michael in the rosary!
 
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