M
mnm99
Guest
Hi Carmel,
I know how you feel - I am probably the most “religious” person in my Catholic family, and felt the same self-consciousness that you did when I was younger. But it’s definitely worth it to push through it - you never know, your family may embrace their faith more as a result of seeing what it does in your life! I know you may feel weird about it, but you are a strong woman, you can face telling your family you’re going to Mass
Even if they make you feel like this is “weird”, I’m sure that there are things about them that you think are “weird”, but you love 'em just the same, right? So def. start going to Mass and Confession - if you find the right confessor, it is like free Catholic therapy - you will feel great walking out of there!
As far as the Bible goes, I have a really hard time understanding it too, and I’m a lot older than you What has helped me is to get a good study bible, which breaks down and explains what different things mean. Personally, I have a The Catholic Bible Personal Study Edition published by Oxford University Press. (New American Bible translation). Start with the Gospels.
I would also like to recommend three books that really helped me - they are written in a way that is very accessible and easy to understand (which I need, believe me
I will leave you with this - the journey to faith is a long one, so don’t get discouraged if you have many ups and downs, or feel like if you don’t transform into a Super Catholic immediately, you are a failure. Just keep picking yourself up and plugging along. The main thing you have to do is keep opening yourself up to God - and He will do most of the heavy lifting! I have seen it in my own life - I have gone from someone who was angry, envious and resentful a LOT of the time to someone who is so much at peace as a result of finally “letting go and letting God”.
I am praying for you!
I know how you feel - I am probably the most “religious” person in my Catholic family, and felt the same self-consciousness that you did when I was younger. But it’s definitely worth it to push through it - you never know, your family may embrace their faith more as a result of seeing what it does in your life! I know you may feel weird about it, but you are a strong woman, you can face telling your family you’re going to Mass
Even if they make you feel like this is “weird”, I’m sure that there are things about them that you think are “weird”, but you love 'em just the same, right? So def. start going to Mass and Confession - if you find the right confessor, it is like free Catholic therapy - you will feel great walking out of there!As far as the Bible goes, I have a really hard time understanding it too, and I’m a lot older than you
What has helped me is to get a good study bible, which breaks down and explains what different things mean. Personally, I have a The Catholic Bible Personal Study Edition published by Oxford University Press. (New American Bible translation). Start with the Gospels.I would also like to recommend three books that really helped me - they are written in a way that is very accessible and easy to understand (which I need, believe me
- Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality by Mother Angelica (A good one to start with - Mother Angelica tells it like it is, is really funny, and really inspiring, all at the same time!)
- The Rosary: A Path Into Prayer by Liz Kelly
- The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer by Lawrence G. Lovasik
- The Hidden Power of Kindness by Lawrence G. Lovasik
I will leave you with this - the journey to faith is a long one, so don’t get discouraged if you have many ups and downs, or feel like if you don’t transform into a Super Catholic immediately, you are a failure. Just keep picking yourself up and plugging along. The main thing you have to do is keep opening yourself up to God - and He will do most of the heavy lifting! I have seen it in my own life - I have gone from someone who was angry, envious and resentful a LOT of the time to someone who is so much at peace as a result of finally “letting go and letting God”.
I am praying for you!