Going Solitary

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kaston56

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Greetings -
Fairly new catholic here.

My former beliefs were Pagan, within which, a great many are solitary. These were able to keep in touch with others of their Path via the internet and chat and worship on their own with great success. Many books written on the subject as well.

I find am unable to get to church for confession and services. The bus does not run on weekends, and as an amputee I cannot walk that far (3 miles) and certainly not that often without being profoundly blistered and crippled up. (Not to mention, I just turned 60!)

Always calling someone for a ride gets old, especially when they have better things to do like their own family stuff. So I save that favor for when someone is bleeding or dying.

So…Where is there an on-line confessional? I watch EWTN Mass. And not being able to
enjoy the eucharist is an issue as well. Is there a place I could buy blessed wine and bread? Where to study the bible with others on-line?? Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
You should call the local parish and let them know of your situation. They can arrange for someone to bring you the Eucharist at home, and the priest will likely be more than willing to make house calls for confession from time to time. Online confession is not permitted. As for online bible study, a google search should yield some options. Alternatively you could try to start a study group on this forum if one does not already exist.
 
I am a Roman Catholic who used to work for the pastoral offices of my diocese and went to Mass practically every day. I prayed each prescribed hour of the Divine Office, prayed the Rosary and chaplet of the Divine Mercy daily, went to confession once or twice a month, received the Eucharist regularly.

At 39 years of ago I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s and the further complication of narcolepsy with added cataplexy. Praying the Rosary became impossible. I had to cut back on what parts of the Liturgy of the Hours I could pray. Goodbye job serving the diocese, hello early retirement. Mass attendance went from daily to just a few times a year.

It’s been a hard adjustment, but guess what? I learned that my new vocation was learn to accept my new limitations and offer my sufferings in union with the suffering of Christ for the world’s redemption.

If you are not able bodied, have restrictions due to health or other such things that limit participation in Mass, prayer, etc., your living at peace with your situation becomes your Mass attendance, your prayer, sometimes your reception of the Sacraments in a spiritual sense.

Instead of attempting to get to Mass, learn to let your parish show its love for you by bringing you the Holy Eucharist and praying with you. Being put in a position where a televised Mass becomes your “tv parish” is an opportunity to serve that television ministry with your prayers for its success and your monetary gifts if we have them. Tap into Catholic Answers and the USCCB website for daily videos on the Mass, articles on the faith, and use your time you have to worship God within your means. Have you ever read the entire Bible? Have you studied it all? Maybe now is the time for that instead of trying to do things that are becoming less accessible to you.

Remember, if providence closes a door to you, then God is expecting you to use the window. In other words, if going to Mass regularly becomes less and less possible, God may be assigning you to be the subject for those involved in the home ministry. And your priest will always come to you to offer the Sacrament of Penance if you cannot get to the parish.

It is not easy to accept limiting circumstances, but that is what gives them merit in Christ when we who have them accept them as an assignment. If you can find a way to do as others do, then that is what God wants. But if the limitations are clearly there, learn to see God’s providence in them.
 
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut! I have gone to a tiny protestant church 4 doors down; (I have friends that go there) It’s not the same experience. Kinda like needing whisky and getting water. But I figured better than nothing! It’s Christian, yes? I have read the Bible. (KJV) The new books like Wisdom and Maccabees I haven’t read thru yet. But i enjoyed Tobit! I figured the home visits were for the very elderly and dying. I will call the church for sure and talk with someone.👍
 
kaston56 said:
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut! I have gone to a tiny protestant church 4 doors down; (I have friends that go there) It’s not the same experience. Kinda like needing whisky and getting water. But I figured better than nothing! It’s Christian, yes? I have read the Bible. (KJV) The new books like Wisdom and Maccabees I haven’t read thru yet. But i enjoyed Tobit! I figured the home visits were for the very elderly and dying. I will call the church for sure and talk with someone.👍
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Yes, call your parish and explain to your pastor what you explained to us.

God bless you!
 
CeelosDeznos said:
I am a Roman Catholic who used to work for the pastoral offices of my diocese and went to Mass practically every day. I prayed each prescribed hour of the Divine Office, prayed the Rosary and chaplet of the Divine Mercy daily, went to confession once or twice a month, received the Eucharist regularly.

At 39 years of ago I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s and the further complication of narcolepsy with added cataplexy. Praying the Rosary became impossible. I had to cut back on what parts of the Liturgy of the Hours I could pray. Goodbye job serving the diocese, hello early retirement. Mass attendance went from daily to just a few times a year.

It’s been a hard adjustment, but guess what? I learned that my new vocation was learn to accept my new limitations and offer my sufferings in union with the suffering of Christ for the world’s redemption.

If you are not able bodied, have restrictions due to health or other such things that limit participation in Mass, prayer, etc., your living at peace with your situation becomes your Mass attendance, your prayer, sometimes your reception of the Sacraments in a spiritual sense.

Instead of attempting to get to Mass, learn to let your parish show its love for you by bringing you the Holy Eucharist and praying with you. Being put in a position where a televised Mass becomes your “tv parish” is an opportunity to serve that television ministry with your prayers for its success and your monetary gifts if we have them. Tap into Catholic Answers and the USCCB website for daily videos on the Mass, articles on the faith, and use your time you have to worship God within your means. Have you ever read the entire Bible? Have you studied it all? Maybe now is the time for that instead of trying to do things that are becoming less accessible to you.

Remember, if providence closes a door to you, then God is expecting you to use the window. In other words, if going to Mass regularly becomes less and less possible, God may be assigning you to be the subject for those involved in the home ministry. And your priest will always come to you to offer the Sacrament of Penance if you cannot get to the parish.

It is not easy to accept limiting circumstances, but that is what gives them merit in Christ when we who have them accept them as an assignment. If you can find a way to do as others do, then that is what God wants. But if the limitations are clearly there, learn to see God’s providence in them.
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I appreciated reading your very helpful and eloquent post. You have the right attitude.
May God and Mary be with you.
You used to recite the Rosary daily.
Of course, fingering the beads is not necessary, only the meditation and prayers.
Could you please explain exactly how your afflictions make praying the Rosary impossible?

**Act of Spiritual Communion
** O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of God and Mediatrix of every grace: I believe that Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly, really, and substantially contained in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Him above all things and I long to receive Him into my heart. Since I cannot now receive Him sacramentally, be so good as to place Him spiritually in my soul. 
O my Jesus, I embrace Thee as One who has already come, and I unite myself entirely to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.
 
Googler said:
I appreciated reading your very helpful and eloquent post. You have the right attitude.
May God and Mary be with you.
You used to recite the Rosary daily.
Of course, fingering the beads is not necessary, only the meditation and prayers.
Could you please explain exactly how your afflictions make praying the Rosary impossible?

**Act of Spiritual Communion
** O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of God and Mediatrix of every grace: I believe that Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly, really, and substantially contained in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Him above all things and I long to receive Him into my heart. Since I cannot now receive Him sacramentally, be so good as to place Him spiritually in my soul. 
O my Jesus, I embrace Thee as One who has already come, and I unite myself entirely to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your comments.

My Parkinson’s disease has caused to me to develop Narcolepsy with cataplexy. Narcolepsy is a condition in which the body mistakes certain waking situations as signals for sleep and can even start REM sleep (the dreaming state) improperly, even while being awake.

When I do something repetitive, like pray the Rosary, the brain signals mistake the repetitive prayers as a signal for sleep. My body then immediately begins the sleep and dreaming cycle and cataplexy sets in. Cataplexy is when the muscles of the body go limp. This causes me to tumble where I often hit my head and physically injury myself.

Hypnotism works on a similar basis by introducing a subject to a repetition that can send a subject into this trance-like state, so praying the Rosary automatically triggers this each and every time now. Because of the physical dangers involved, repetitious prayers are off limits.
 
Hello. Glad you posted. As others have mentioned, your parish should be able to provide some help. When I was growing up, my family drove three people to Mass on Sundays that needed rides. They were elderly and no longer able to drive themselves; we were happy to provide a ride for them. I know your situation is a little different, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t someone at your parish wiling to work with you to find a solution (having the Eucharist brought to your home, scheduling a visit with a priest, or possibly arranging transportation). My current parish pays for door-to-door bus service for those that need transportation (mostly elderly). I don’t know that many parishes offer that specific service, but I do know many parishes have people willing to help provide rides (if that’s an option for your situation), or visit those unable to join the community at Mass on Sundays. I’ll say a prayer for you.
 
Hi from deep rural Ireland OP, so sorry for your problems…

I can only very very rarely get to mass now. As well as not having the strength, I have a seriously depleted immune system and need to avoid confined and busy places. Both from the same illness. An attendance at my landlord’s eldest’s beautiful First Communion saw me abed and very ill for several weeks. Just is not safe.
a long drive also …

TV mass is gratefully accepted. there for us who cannot attend.
 
Kaston56,

I hope this will bring a smile to your face; we used to have a horse, Mr. T., who had a similar problem. He contracted EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). This is a nerve related disease contracted by opossum droppings in his hay.

Anyway, poor Mr. T had a heck of a time walking about. Once he got started he was pretty good. As time went on he developed narcolepsey and would literally fall out of his stall.

When he finally passed he was 37 years old, which is pretty old for horses.

The advise given here has been pretty darn good. Call the pastor, I’m sure he can find you some assistance. If I lived near you I’d pick you up for Mass every Sunday but Idaho is a 8 hour drive away.

God Bless you.
 
kaston56 said:
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut! I have gone to a tiny protestant church 4 doors down; (I have friends that go there) It’s not the same experience. Kinda like needing whisky and getting water. But I figured better than nothing! It’s Christian, yes? I have read the Bible. (KJV) The new books like Wisdom and Maccabees I haven’t read thru yet. But i enjoyed Tobit! I figured the home visits were for the very elderly and dying. I will call the church for sure and talk with someone.👍
Click to expand...
Going to a church that teaches error is not “better than nothing.” I would avoid doing that regularly. Others have posted good advice - I’m sure your parish will be willing to assist.
 
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