How do you live a Catholic life?

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So I am a Catholic, but have never really gone to church that often. I have had some health things get in the way and just started to stop going to church. As a high schooler, I believe I still have time to restart, but I am just nervous. What I mean is I hear things like a pastor. I never heard of that, like I never had a pastor at my church, I just remember a priest and a boring one. With pastors it sort of sounds a little more interesting. Also, I have heard of bible study class. Is that like CCD, because I never did that, I like dropped out have way through for certain reasons. I would like to regain knowledge and get back into the Catholic life. Can someone please help me?
 
A really wonderful question. The answer is simple on the surface, but often takes a lifetime to explore, because while Catholic teaching remains the same, we change over time so we end up having to go back to that question often during our lives.

The simple answer is to keep, obey, and eventually find delight in God’s commandments. To comfort his mother and ask her for comfort, and to love and support, in your own way, the teachings of her divine Son.
 
How I personally live a Catholic life?

I go to Confession, I go to Mass and I pray.

Past that: I immerse myself in books, the forum here, Catholic radio and just soldiering on through the hard slog home as I do my best to stay on the straight and narrow road Jesus laid out for us.
 
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The simplest thing to do in order to live a catholic life is to first and foremost attend mass every Sunday and also go for confession at least once every month.
Bible study is a good way to grow in your faith and at the same time make more catholic friends .
 
RedDecks said:
What I mean is I hear things like a pastor. I never heard of that, like I never had a pastor at my church, I just remember a priest and a boring one.
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Your Bishop assigns priest to fill various roles in your Diocese.

A parish may have a priest assigned as “Pastor” or as “Administrator”. These titles have defined descriptions under the laws of the Church. In some places, other colloquial terms are used in place of “Pastor”.

Your parish may also have priest(s) assigned as “Associate Pastors”.

Some priests who are pastors are “boring” and some are not. Boredom is overcome with love.
RedDecks said:
Also, I have heard of bible study class. Is that like CCD, because I never did that,
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There may be Bible Study groups, small fellowship groups, clubs, societies, etc at your parish. Grab a bulletin, look at their website or Facebook account, call the Parish Secretary or Director of Faith Formation to learn what is available.

First step, make an appointment with a priest at your Parish.

Welcome home.
 
RCIA classes are starting up this month. I suggest you contact your parish office to see when it meets and start going.
 
There is no difference between a pastor and a priest.

One thing you need to understand and accept right away is that Catholic Mass is not there to entertain you and sometimes you will probably find it boring. When you are bored, distracted, uncomfortable etc at Mass then that’s a perfect time for you to offer it up to God.

Of course if there is an opportunity for you to attend the Mass of a priest whose homilies or prayers you find more exciting then you can do that, but Mass is not going to be interesting or exciting all the time. Nothing in life including our jobs, our marriages, our family life is interesting or exciting all the time. We do them anyway out of duty and love, and that is also why you go to Mass. We don’t go there to get inspiration or have a good time, although those things sometimes happen also.

This probably isn’t what you want to hear but as someone who sat through a lot of “boring” Masses in my 20s, I feel it needs to be put directly on the table.
 
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Go to Mass, Confession and pray. Don’t just go to Mass once in a while, go every week! also love going to Adoration and saying the Rosary. Reading and studying the Bible will help a lot. I am a high school soon-to-be convert so i know your struggle. Scott Hahn’s books are excellent. They inspired me and helped me understand the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you want more Catholic friends join the Bible study, it is not like a CCD class. An RCIA class would help you learn more too. Finally, feel free to message me if you want to talk about anything else.
 
I live the best I can.
I try to give praise and glory to God in what I say and do.
I try to love and serve my brothers and sisters.
I am not perfect. I am not even close to being perfect.
That God for Confession, Absolution of my sins, Penance, and for Holy Communion.
Purgatory probably awaits me, because I am far from being a Saint.
I pray for all on the CAF forum and ask for your prayers for me. Thanks! 🙏🙏🙏
 
Catholicism is not so much a religion as it is a relationship. A relationship of love with the One Who is Love Itself. Consider: When you are in love, do you,
  1. Love that person from afar, keeping it to yourself?
  2. Draw near and express your love constantly.
Easy.

When you decide to love God, all else will (should) fall into place. Let love guide you. Let love define you. And, the one Who loves you infinitely and unconditionally will pour out graces upon you.

Keep it simple, as complication tends to divide us from God. And there is a fundamental difference between the richness of the faith and mere complexity.

My suggestion is to simply go and spend time with the One you love. Go to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Sit. Gaze. Contemplate. Pray. Lay out your fears, doubts, confusion.

Be as patient with Him as He has been with you. When you become aware that He is there, you will be changed.
 
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And I will add, that Sheed’s book “To Know Christ Jesus” is a good way to begin a relationship.
 
I think what was life changing for me was to find out that my ordinary duties of the day could be united with the suffering of Christ for the salvation of mankind. I could approach some mundane task like washing dishes and say, “Lord out of love for you I offer you these dishes for the salvation of souls.”

Ordinary tasks becoming a force for good. I am now that little boy in the gospel who offers Christ a few loaves and fish and he feeds the 5 thousand.

We can get plugged in and be a force for good in this world. This is what I wish for you! Welcome to the adventure!
 
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