I'm Thinking of leaving Catholic Church? Help!

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First I completely understand where you’re coming from. I get the hurt over actions of those in the church. I understand being intrigued by something new. You’ve got to search your own heart. Don’t let anyone “should” all over you. God will not be upset by genuinely seeking Him. Seek with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole mind and see where the road takes you. It may be the church you’re looking into, it may be a different one, it may even bring you back to the church of your youth. God bless you and your family.
 
Who has the Holy Eucharist? They just have grape juice and crackers is what I understand. But hey, if you now accept their interpretation of things and a theology started by one man named John Smythe in the 1600’s, by all means go for it.
 
ziapueblo said:
Again, I know some good contemporary Christian music and a good sermon can be attractive but is that real worship of God?
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Sure, why wouldn’t it be?? I have always had a hard time understanding of pointing fingers from Christians to Christians saying what they do isn’t real worship.

My wife (Catholic) enjoys the times we go to my church back home (non-denom), especially a sermon she (we) can walk away from with something to talk about.

Her church has had some real doozies where we (or I) just walk away upset, I’m sure YMMV.
 
The seven Sacraments of the Church are the greatest gifts ever left to mankind.

They are, BY FAR, greater than any homily that has ever been delivered.

They are more valuable than any miracle ever worked.

Do you want to live without these gifts that Jesus gave to you when He walked among us?
“Verily I say unto you, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life within you.” Do you want to drift through your life without Christ inside of you? Animating you? Informing you? Guiding you? Saving you?
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Don’t refuse to open the gifts our God died on the cross to give you,
Deacon Christopher
 
Worship is found in the Divine Liturgy were we are sanctified. I good homily is necessary, but that is not why I go to Liturgy. For a historical perspective on upcoming liturgies I will watch the Sunday Gospel Reflection at the Institute of Catholic Culture. Contemporary Christian music that has good theological foundation is fine, I listen to it at home, but again, that is not why I go to Liturgy.

Contemporary Christians today have the attitude that it does not matter where you worship, as long as you relationship with God in good. That, however, does not fly with what the early Fathers said.

ZP
 
Sorry if I misunderstand, but I don’t see how that means what they do isn’t worship…but I come from a background where I see all Christians as those doing their best to get to heaven whether Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc…
 
You’re right, I did present my opinion harshly! I have many family members outside of my immediate family that are non-Catholic/non-Orthodox Christians.

What I mean to say is that in the Liturgy is where we see the heavenly worship on earth. I’m Byzantine Catholic, and a really good Roman Catholic book on this perspective is one The Lambs Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Dr. Scott Hahn.

ZP
 
Living by faith makes one face the things they fear, then look back on an adventure they wouldn’t have premeditated, nor would trade for an easier faithless life later. Faith is that sense that goes directly to GOD and reality without intermediary links. If you aren’t living by faith, it makes what you simply hear about in the Church seem deceptively boring.

Until one gets past a certain level of first hurdles on a musical instrument, it can seem boring. Pursuing a higher level in playing it with patience makes its potential come alive in due time.
 
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BinTN said:
My cousin attends a southern baptist church with a non-denominational feel. The pastor’s speech was very good and he put it in a real life perspective
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May I suggest that you ponder seriously this verse from our first Pope, Peter, from his second epistle, chapter 2, verse 21.
“For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them.”

You have known your faith from a youngster, and I trust you believe it even now. Can you turn away from Christ’s Church to embrace a pastor who delivers a better homily? Our Lord commanded us to “Do this in memory of Me.” It was not a suggestion, but His desire to continue His holy sacrifice of the cross for the salvation of those for whom we offer the Mass, living or dead. There is nothing more perfect than His offering to which we join ourselves, “for our good and the good of all His holy Church.”

Think about the moment when the priest adds the few drops of water to the wine at the offertory. He says the prayer silently, but it goes like this:
“By the mingling of this water and wine, may we become partakers of the divinity of Christ Who humbled Himself to partake in our humanity.” Once the water is mingled with the wine, it can never be separated from it! When it is consecrated a few moments later, we are so united to Him as to be one Spirit with Him. A most perfect offering to God!

You may have your senses thrilled by another denomination’s pastor, but you can do bible study on your own to learn elements of truth that you feel is missing from a priest’s homily, which shouldn’t hinder you, for it is not the primary reason for worshipping at Mass. A homily is accidental to the liturgy, even though part of it.

And I trust you know that without the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Penance, you will stumble without the aid of sanctifying grace to keep you walking in God’s will.

I pray you will ask Our Lord to bless your efforts as you struggle with the external accidents of the liturgy, and ask Him to teach you a deeper esteem for the gift He has left to His Church.
 
Once when I was in complete doubt, I focused on one thing I know to be true. For me, the touchstone is the divine portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I visited the basilica where the tilma is displayed. There’s no way to refute its miraculous origin and effects. The mass conversions of indigenous Mexicans because Our Lady’s message and image were miraculous. So, I said, Mary, the mother of Jesus, left an indelible image and leads us back to son. It helped me so much to remember what the Blessed Mother said to the waiters at the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever he says.” So Blessed Mother led me back to her son.

Turn to her in prayer. Ask her to pray on your behalf to understand the truth of the Church. She’ll point you back to her Son.
 
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Two things can/will happen:

First: You will realize the Sacrament of the Apostle’s. The Blessed Sacrament which Christ conferred upon them. You know, His Holy Presence? You will thus stay with the Church.

Or,

Second: You leave the Church, join the Baptist church. Then, when you have issues with that church, will choose another. Your children will go through, with you, and your wife as well. A bunch of different denominations, and non-denominations, or even those mega churches. Until, like Saint Paul, who was knocked off a mule or horse. When Christ said, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?”

Your children are Baptized in the Body of Christ. If you choose to take them in Denominations and Protestant branches. Wherefore you may hear an unkind word about the Church. Even criticizing the Blessed Sacrament. You will have persecuted Christ through your child’s Baptism, and yours.

Then, once you realize it. You will come back to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Hence, Welcome home!
 
Sounds to me like you’ve made a choice. Why are you posting this? Do you feel guilty for leaving? Or do you want to be convinced to stay? Or do you just want to see how many replies you get?
 
prayerrider said:
Are you arguing that Catholics don’t think for themselves but only swallow doctrine and dogma without reason? Have you read Aquinas…Fides et Ratio…or even Scott Hahn?
It appears by your statements that you’ve never truly understood the Catholic faith.
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If you read my comment you’d see I didn’t argue that.

To answer your question, yes. Aquinas was actually a big reason I left. Imo, he’s great for people looking to justify their beliefs. But for people like the OP, not so much, especially given some of the specific concerns raised.
 
If I had a dime every time someone questioned my authenticity… Would you prefer a bubble?
 
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