Friendship

[ubcgirl]

To anyone who hasn’t come across my threads in the other areas… a little recap:

I’ve recently returned to the Catholic church (and at what a great time too, during Lent!). Last summer after a particularly difficult breakup with my boyfriend, I realized that living the way I was living wasn’t working for me, so I started going more often to my friend’s Protestant church. I distanced myself from many of my friends who were not Christian, as they were into New Age type things and lived lives I was uncomfortable with (lots of sleeping around, pornography, things like that). My Protestant friends lovingly took me under their wing. Due to some circumstances in my life the last couple of months (family tragedy), I realized how wrong I was going to a Protestant church, and eventually found my way back to the Catholic church, after finally gathering up the nerve to go to Confession.

I have lots of friends from previous places I’ve lived in (friends I’ve built up over the years), but now I am back to having pretty much no local friends, and I have lived in this town for 3 years now for school. Most of my classmates are younger than me and atheists (I’m 30). I know I can meet people through church with time and determination, but I’m just not clear why I am going through this - obviously if I had to choose between my Protestant friends or the Catholic church, I’d choose my Catholic faith. But it comes at a steep price.

I guess because of my age, I’d imagined myself having a good group of friends by this age! Plus, even if I were to meet a wonderful Catholic guy to date, I’d be embarrassed when I explained to him that I don’t have many close friends near by.

Maybe what I am looking for is prayers that God will provide the right friends for me, people who help me grow in my faith.

 

[InLight247]

Is there a young adult group in your Catholic Church, or any Catholic Church around?
If so, you may want to join such a group. Protestants are very good at fellowship, Catholics are not. Catholics usually make friends in a small group, such as young adult, Bible Study, Small Church Community, etc. If you are interested in learning about Catholic faith, you can also join RCIA to help, and you will get to know some people. Ideally if there is a young adult group, you can mingle with people in more similar age. There is nothing to be embarrassed for having few friends. God bless!

 

[willofgods]

I had a similar life change that led me into depression at first, but then I went on a road trip and miraculously (pretty much one day to the next…after going to a much needed confession) I had no more depression symptoms.

Back to the point, that road trip was when I changed locations (from the midwest to California). In California, I made no friends (ok maybe some acquaintance level friends, about double my age) for months and months. But I think it was because God wanted me to make Him truly my Friend. I had to learn to rely on Him to not be alone, which in the end of the day, is the only way to really not be alone.

Maybe He is calling you to first learn to be with Him. I read Catholic books, began reading the Bible, strengthened my prayer life, etc. I’ve started to get friends now though, so don’t worry; friends will come.

I want to get my hands on a book by St. Aelred, Spiritual Friendship, about how friends can bring you closer to God. Maybe you can get it, and tell me how it is!

Anyway, you can call us here at CAF your friends

 

[ubcgirl]

I had a similar life change that led me into depression at first, but then I went on a road trip and miraculously (pretty much one day to the next…after going to a much needed confession) I had no more depression symptoms.

Back to the point, that road trip was when I changed locations (from the midwest to California). In California, I made no friends (ok maybe some acquaintance level friends, about double my age) for months and months. But I think it was because God wanted me to make Him truly my Friend. I had to learn to rely on Him to not be alone, which in the end of the day, is the only way to really not be alone.

Maybe He is calling you to first learn to be with Him. I read Catholic books, began reading the Bible, strengthened my prayer life, etc. I’ve started to get friends now though, so don’t worry; friends will come.

I want to get my hands on a book by St. Aelred, Spiritual Friendship, about how friends can bring you closer to God. Maybe you can get it, and tell me how it is!

Anyway, you can call us here at CAF your friends

Thanks! And to the previous poster for the comments about youth group - I plan to get involved once I figure out which church I’ll be attending (one is more traditional, one is more modern).

That is what I was thinking too, perhaps God wants me to strengthen my relationship with Him first. I will see if I can find that book as well, it sounds like a good read!