Finding it really hard

[Eruvande]

I’m trying, I really am, praying every day, reading the catechism and the bible, and online sources. But I find it exceptionally difficult to get to mass - I’m not in the best of health and rely on my husband for transport.

He says he doesn’t mind me going to the 5pm mass on a Saturday occasionally, but doesn’t want me going all the time. I can’t do RCIA atm, as they meet on a day my husband does music practice with the church we attend together on a Sunday.

I don’t know whether to take communion in our current church given that my heart is already more than halfway to Rome. I don’t know what to do next. I’m finding it really hard and I sometimes cry about it. I’m really a very shy person, so the internet is a place I can get up the courage to ask questions like this, I know no Catholics in real life.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

My personal opinion, as nobody with particular insight into this and not knowing you from anyone else on the Internet (as you also don’t know me so what is my opinion worth hee hee), is to continue to participate fully where you are going to church.

Meanwhile keep coming here but do me a favor. Don’t become legalistic and argumentative about what Catholic do and don’t believe and how it’s superior to others, but follow those posters who are inspiring and tell you what you might want to do, rather than argue about what you “should” or “shouldn’t” do. Learn the unique features of our faith, but that doesn’t give us the right to look down our nose at anyone and IMO if we argue with others about our faith then that is a symbol it isn’t “working” in us anyway. We can make it our Full Time Job to argue even among each other about trifles. St. Paul spoke of these things so they aren’t new.

Unless going to Communion there is just too painful for you and all you can do while you’re there is wish you weren’t there or something. Catholics have a lot going for us, but frankly – regardless of what many Catholics and Protestants both seem to think – we are praising and working for the same Lord, and doing our best in our own ways to follow the example and teachings of Jesus the Christ. So I hope you don’t feel that you are “just not pleasing God enough” or something where you are. You please God simply because you are; your heart wants to give Him thanks.

In time your options may change and you may change with them. Meanwhile I think it’d be cool if you plunged right into some of the more mystical saints’ readings like Teresa of Avila or others. That’s because I have a certain agenda myself on what I’d like to do to help the Church, and for me that means exposing Catholics to a side of our faith (the “apophatic”) that I never even heard about as a cradle Catholic until I was old enough to be cynical about it.

Also I love to recommend a book on prayer. It takes you all the way from vocal prayer to contemplative prayer, and was used in a seminary for entry level prayer classes. You will want to learn about contemplative prayer, because for one the CCC says our prayer lives “should” progress to that form, and it invites true union with Jesus in the silence of our minds and hearts.

It’s not long and very readable style, with Catholic nihil obstat and imprimatur. Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Contact the RCIA. Possibly they can arrange transportation to class, or provide individual instruction.

 

[Eruvande]

Thank you for your suggestions, they are appreciated, also for noticing my post to begin with.

RCIA is on the day I my husband goes out to his music practice, we have children whose ages mean we cannot leave them alone

 

[brigid12]

RCIA is on the day I my husband goes out to his music practice, we have children whose ages mean we cannot leave them alone

Call the RCIA anyway, they may have childcare or someone may be able to come to your house. If you don’t get a positive answer call the pastor and he may have a workable solution.

 

[Eruvande]

I’ll be honest, my fear of man has well and truly kicked in this morning, seeing how my friends are reacting to Rick Warren speak warmly about Catholics. ‘Betraying the reformation’ said one and ‘not fit to be in a Christian pulpit’ said another. Pray for me, if you will, as I try to navigate these choppy waters.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I’ll be honest, my fear of man has well and truly kicked in this morning, seeing how my friends are reacting to Rick Warren speak warmly about Catholics. ‘Betraying the reformation’ said one and ‘not fit to be in a Christian pulpit’ said another. Pray for me, if you will, as I try to navigate these choppy waters.

I look at the Reformation as God’s diversity plan.

Really. I am completely sincere in telling you that I think the Catholic Church, and Christianity in general, are both in better shape than either would have been without the Reformation having taken place. :sad_yes:

That said, it cracks me up that Protestants take the Bible the Catholics actually put on paper and fought and died for centuries to maintain its content and integrity, then say, “oh by the way you don’t understand what this book says and you are evil because of that.”

Edit: or maybe “you don’t understand the book because you are evil.” Whichever works at exchanging who is in-group and who is out-group. :slapfight:

Because you know Jesus was all about justification by group identification.

 

[Eruvande]

I don’t want to be in the ‘in crowd’. That’s never been something that interests me. Right now, the biggest thing that draws me to Catholicism is not desire to be in the right group, but because I truly believe Jesus is present in the Eucharist in a way He is not present elsewhere.

I am content to remain on the sidelines if need be. I mean, it’s nice to have friends and all, and I’m posting largely because I have no actual Catholic acquaintances. But I don’t want to just make friends, I have friends already. They’re just anti-Catholic.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I don’t want to be in the ‘in crowd’. That’s never been something that interests me. Right now, the biggest thing that draws me to Catholicism is not desire to be in the right group, but because I truly believe Jesus is present in the Eucharist in a way He is not present elsewhere.

I am content to remain on the sidelines if need be. I mean, it’s nice to have friends and all, and I’m posting largely because I have no actual Catholic acquaintances. But I don’t want to just make friends, I have friends already. They’re just anti-Catholic.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Definitely contact a few parishes and see if a catechist can come to your home for instruction if nothing else can work. I’m sure they will find a way to help you, and also to help you get to mass on Sunday. People who teach RCIA care about the converts. Don’t be afraid.

Also, St. Vincent de Paul society does this kind of thing: helping people get to mass. I used to be involved back when I lived in the UK and a number of people were regularly taken every Sunday by our volunteers. See if they are active where you live and don’t hesitate to contact them. They will be happy to help you.

I don’t think you should take communion in your protestant church if you are serious about converting. Taking it there basically means you accept their doctrine. Singing and praying is fine.

Put your trust in God, hand this situation over to Him and He will take care of it, one way or another.

 

[fred_conty]

By receiving communion in your church you are receiving kitchen bread which you can eat in your own kitchen.

Tho you can’t receive the real body and blood of Jesus in the catholic church, you can make a spiritual communion while other catholics are going to communion. Just tell Jesus since you want him so bad, but can’t receive him right now as he desired, then ask him to give you his special presence in your heart to be with you at that moment. This reception of him in your heart is very effective if done with love.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[CatholicRaven]

I would say that if you are not “in communion” with your current church, it’s probably best not to take communion there. However, not knowing all the details, I may be wrong, and would strongly suggest you call the Catholic priest and ask him for advice on the situation.

Please make an appointment to speak with him (even if you can’t meet with him in person, at least over the phone). He will likely have advice, and possibly solutions and workarounds, that are specific to you and the parish.

Will pray for you!

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I would say that if you are not “in communion” with your current church, it’s probably best not to take communion there. However, not knowing all the details, I may be wrong, and would strongly suggest you call the Catholic priest and ask him for advice on the situation.

Please make an appointment to speak with him (even if you can’t meet with him in person, at least over the phone). He will likely have advice, and possibly solutions and workarounds, that are specific to you and the parish.

Will pray for you!

That’s a good idea. The only Protestant churches I knew had “open communion” so it was OK for anyone to receive it, according to them. But if her mind is already in the Catholic Church, that could make the decision more interesting.

 

[Eruvande]

Thanks all for your continued (name removed by moderator)ut. Didn’t make mass today, it was a family celebration day that ran way past 5pm. Won’t make it tomorrow as it just isn’t an option on a Sunday, my husband plays guitar in the worship team.

I shall think about phoning the church and asking to speak to the priest, but I’m not really sure what I’d say “I’m interested in learning more about Catholicism, but my husband is wary about it, as a protestant. I am disabled and can’t easily get out of the house by myself”

just seems such a ridiculous request.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

…
I shall think about phoning the church and asking to speak to the priest, but I’m not really sure what I’d say “I’m interested in learning more about Catholicism, but my husband is wary about it, as a protestant. I am disabled and can’t easily get out of the house by myself”

just seems such a ridiculous request.

That sounds like a good approach to me.

With my prayers - Joe K.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I shall think about phoning the church and asking to speak to the priest, but I’m not really sure what I’d say “I’m interested in learning more about Catholicism, but my husband is wary about it, as a protestant. I am disabled and can’t easily get out of the house by myself”

just seems such a ridiculous request.

Yes, say exactly that. Please don’t be afraid to talk to them, and if one parish doesn’t know how to help you, phone another one. And as I suggested above, ask if they have a St. Vincent de Paul society or something similar. I understand all of this sounds daunting but I’m sure that after you take that first step you will see that there is nothing to worry about. People will want to help you.