These are the things that are drawing me to the CC.
This is why it is so important for Catholics to remain faithful and true to God.
It is very important that our Priests stay faithful and reverant.
I think it is also important that the newer Catholic Churches that are being built remain “Catholic” in the sense of statues, candles, stained glass windows, the Tabernacle in the middle of the altar… etc. I also think it is important that no liturgical abuses happen during the Mass.
I also wish that we could go back to only having altar boys instead of girls now up in the Sacristy during Mass. I also miss the altar rail. I only know of one Catholic Parish that still has and uses the altar rail. I know there are other Parishes out there that still have the rail, I just haven’t been to all the churches. LOL This Parish also still has only altar boys and they still wear the original “altar boy vestments,” not sure if that’s what they’re called. I still hear the bells during the consecration too.
All those things are very important. Those visible things in a Catholic Church along with the teachings are very important. It is what sets us apart from any other church or religion.
BabyDoll4:
The sacrament of Confession is something that my heart has been desiring. I am not a member of the CC yet, so I am not sure if a preist would hear me.
I’m not sure if this could be done or not. But I would imagine that it could be. It’s not one of the Sacraments of initiation so I don’t see why you couldn’t go to a priest. If not for the actual Sacrament of Confession, at least to talk to him.
But I’m sure this is a case where Jesus does forgive anyway because your sorrow comes from your heart. As long as you repent out of true love for God and not so much out of fear of punishment or hell, then Jesus will grant you forgiveness.
What is nice is that you actually talk to another person, the Priest, just as Jesus intended us to do. That Priest in turn hears your voice.
There are so many compassionate priests out there and it’s nice to hear his compassionate voice consoling you. It does make a difference knowing that another human being is hearing and listening to you. But what is more awesome than that is that the priest is actually Jesus but is just hiding behind the flesh. We call that the Priest standing in the person of Christ or “In Persona Christi.”
10 Whomever you forgive anything, so
do I. For indeed what I have forgiven,
if I have forgiven anything, has been for
you
in the presence of Christ
2 Cor 2:10
Here Jesus is only talking to the Apostles. That is very important to know so that we know that only the Catholic Priest can give absolution for the forgiveness of sins. God intended us to be heard by another human being and of course that human being is the Priest.
21 (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace
be with you.
As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.”
22 And when he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them,
“
Receive the holy Spirit.
23
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven
them, and whose sins you retain are
retained.”
Jn 20:21-23
