I've fallen away and need your prayers

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Dan_Harkess

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I don’t know if this is the right place for this, but - I used to be a weekly Mass-attending Catholic with a firm Catholic world-view. But somewhere along the line I lost it all, perhaps being influenced by all of the evolution books I was reading (e.g., Richard Dawkins), listening to my brother who is vehemently anti-Christian, and a bad experience with a parish of non-sinners where I was the only sinner. The other parishioners never sinned, I guess. But now, I want to return to the Church, but I can’t seem to return to the belief in God that I had. If you would please pray that my eyes would be opened and I may find the Lord I would appreciate it.
 
Dan_Harkess said:
I don’t know if this is the right place for this, but - I used to be a weekly Mass-attending Catholic with a firm Catholic world-view. But somewhere along the line I lost it all, perhaps being influenced by all of the evolution books I was reading (e.g., Richard Dawkins), listening to my brother who is vehemently anti-Christian, and a bad experience with a parish of non-sinners where I was the only sinner. The other parishioners never sinned, I guess. But now, I want to return to the Church, but I can’t seem to return to the belief in God that I had. If you would please pray that my eyes would be opened and I may find the Lord I would appreciate it.
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Dan,
I will keep you in my prayers, keep coming back to CAF, so many here will help you along, they got your back, so to speak. If our Pope goes to confession once a week and confesses his sins then I guess those who never sinned in your old parish should have been the Pope.😉
 
Dan_Harkess said:
I don’t know if this is the right place for this, but - I used to be a weekly Mass-attending Catholic with a firm Catholic world-view. But somewhere along the line I lost it all, perhaps being influenced by all of the evolution books I was reading (e.g., Richard Dawkins), listening to my brother who is vehemently anti-Christian, and a bad experience with a parish of non-sinners where I was the only sinner. The other parishioners never sinned, I guess. But now, I want to return to the Church, but I can’t seem to return to the belief in God that I had. If you would please pray that my eyes would be opened and I may find the Lord I would appreciate it.
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Praying for your intention, dear brother. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. You will be in my rosary intentions, I will pray for God to give you the gifts of faith and hope. God bless.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
 
We turn to you for protection
Holy Mother of God.

Listen to our prayers,
and help us in our needs.

Save us from every danger,
Glorious and blessed Virgin.

Amen.
 
Do not be afraid of what you have lost, realize that this is a perfect moment for a total surrender to God, put off any distractions and let your mind dwell in the hand of our God in complete Trust. I will pray for you, and ask for the saints to intercede on your behalf. Surround yourself in Catholic art and media and let your mind resume daily meditation which, if God is willing, will renew your love at every beat of the heart.
 
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Remember oh most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly unto thee oh Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou oh prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
 
" a bad experience with a parish of non-sinners where I was the only sinner. The other parishioners never sinned, I guess."

You have my prayers, fellow sinner. I don’t know where you get the idea that you are the only sinner in your parish. Remember, Jesus came for those people who needed him to heal them because they were sinners: Mary Magdelan who had 7 demons, Peter who denied him, Thomas who doubted his resurrection, the woman found in adultery, the Samaritan woman who had lived with all sorts of men, James and John who had anger issues, Matthew was tax collector and extorted money from fellow Jews, and the list goes on and on of those who were close to Christ yet were sinners. All of us are sinners of one kind or another. I sin even though I am an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, take Holy Communion to shut ins, go to Sunday mass, pray and read the Bible and other spiritual readings daily. But I still sin and I still need to go to confession to confess and ask for forgiveness for my big sins and my little sins and all the other sins we all are prone to and when I confess and ask for forgiveness and make a firm commitment to be a better person I know that my Lord and my God will forgive me.

Groucho Marx once said he would never belong to an organization that had him as a member but I’m glad to be a Catholic and belong to the Catholic church because though I am a sinner I have somewhere to go to be forgiven because we have a loving and FORGIVING Lord and Savior, who though we are sinner is willing for forgive us our sins.
 
Loving God, we are all sinners, and according to the last three Popes, evolution is not incompatible with the Catholic faith but part of Your means of creation, and if we immerse ourselves in anti-Christian books and conversation, naturally there may be some damage.
Please assist Dan with grace as he now immerses himself in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
and returns to the Sacraments, beginning with Confession, for by such means You will begin his restoration and growth as a Sacramental and informed Catholic.

As he takes these steps, not expecting all things immediately, as even a cut finger takes time to heal, but the beginning must be made and it must be trusted that it will in fact heal, as will his spiritual life as he returns in faithfulness and love, through Your grace and nurture.

From the bible: “As by your will you first strayed away from God, so now turn back and search for Him ten times as hard…so will He rescue you and give you eternal joy.” [Baruch 4:21, 4:28]

Welcome back, Dan! 🙂
 
I will include you in my rosary. I know from reading the saint’s lives that sometimes it seems like we (they) dry up in faith. I do have a few recommendations that helped me a lot. One is Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s series. You can watch some on Youtube and listen to others on his website… Fultonsheen.com. Second, read The Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis. It is very short. You may recognize your struggles. It is an easy read but gets you thinking. Finally, go to mass anyway and Pray “Lord help my unbelief!”

Christ’s Peace
 
Dan_Harkess said:
I don’t know if this is the right place for this, but - I used to be a weekly Mass-attending Catholic with a firm Catholic world-view. But somewhere along the line I lost it all, perhaps being influenced by all of the evolution books I was reading (e.g., Richard Dawkins), listening to my brother who is vehemently anti-Christian, and a bad experience with a parish of non-sinners where I was the only sinner. The other parishioners never sinned, I guess. But now, I want to return to the Church, but I can’t seem to return to the belief in God that I had. If you would please pray that my eyes would be opened and I may find the Lord I would appreciate it.
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Gracious and Holy Father,
Please give Your son:
intellect to understand You,
reason to discern You,
diligence to seek You,
wisdom to find You,
a spirit to know You,
a heart to meditate upon You,
ears to hear You,
eyes to to see You,
a tongue to proclaim You,
a way of life pleasing to You,
patience to wait for You
and perseverance to look for You.

Grant him a perfect end,
Your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection
and life everlasting.
Amen.
 
Dan - I’m beginning studies to be a priest & I’m a terrible sinner - No such thing as a non sinner 🙂

I will keep you in my prayer intentions & pray to the Blessed Virgin for you to gain trust and faith in the Lord again.

Adam Peter

God bless

👍
 
God bless you. I will be praying for you.

*Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.*
 
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