L
Lux_et_veritas
Guest
I’ve got a relative who was a Catholic who fell away from the Church for some years, At one point she became agnostic, if not atheist for several years so I don’t know if lapsed is really the term. She is a good person and always seems to be yearning for truth, but unable to find it. She is an intellectual and does best with lots of information rather than sketchy information and like me, she was the product of shallow catechesis. Her problem always seems to center around one of the many “blanks” that were never filled in.
We got into a deep discussion last night and I was showing her a side of the Catholic Church she hasn’t yet seen - orthodox. Apparently, I struck a nerve with her because she’s going with me to Assumption Grotto in Detroit, (an orthodox parish in full communion with the Holy See) on Sunday and then out for dinner. I explained the experience I had there suggesting the priests and people there are highly God-Centered in their worship. I told her that what she may perceive as “cold” or “dry” is only surface appearance and that there was a dynamic lying deeper under that surface.
We discussed some things and I expressed how I felt, that Catholics who doubt or even outright dissent from certain teachings are better accepted than those who are of orthodox or traditional values. I told her that there is a rich heritage of traditions - meaningful ones - and teachings that have been begging for preservation and that it can be found best among the more orthodox community (and I did explain that there is dissent on both ends of the spectrum and neither is right).
I got her interested enough to want to read two books - one is Fr. John Hardon’s, Catholic Catechism. It was a book that helped me to fill in the blanks many years ago. I don’t know if anyone knows of a better book for her, but I’m willing to entertain the thoughts. Fr. Hardon had a wonderful way of addressing so many things. The actual “Catechism of the Catholic Church” is something I would give her later if she wants it, but that seems too dry at this time.
The other book is Theology of the Body. She has a PhD in Sociology and has study sexuality and doesn’t grasp much of what the Catholic Church says about it. I suggested this book as it is a popular read and maybe it will give her a different take altogether on human sexuality in the context of spirituality.
I’ve told her that she can come with me, but asked her to please not disrepect the Blessed Sacrament by presenting herself for Holy Communion after having been away for so long. I suggested that we would be there early and she could take advantage of confession, but that confession at that time is short and quick as many are trying to get out some stuff before heading into Mass.
I’m thinking that if she wants deeper discussion I may call that Parish (I’m only visiting, but will become a parishioner soon), and ask if she can have a more lengthy discussion with someone there if she feels the need to have a confession heard since she has been away so long.
If she did go to confession Sunday before mass, would she be able to receive communion. She is married, but it was not blessed by the Catholic Church - it was more civil. Her husband is an agnostic, but he too sometimes seems could be swayed with the right stuff. I know the Church would tell her “no sex” until the marriage is blessed, if she chose to do this. Is it likely a priest would refuse absolution if she doesn’t know that she can commit to that at this time? I can almost picture him asking if she is married and where the marriage took place if she explains that she had gone agnostic and gotten married in the meantime.
Help me out here - I’m trying to lure this lamb back. :bowdown2:
We got into a deep discussion last night and I was showing her a side of the Catholic Church she hasn’t yet seen - orthodox. Apparently, I struck a nerve with her because she’s going with me to Assumption Grotto in Detroit, (an orthodox parish in full communion with the Holy See) on Sunday and then out for dinner. I explained the experience I had there suggesting the priests and people there are highly God-Centered in their worship. I told her that what she may perceive as “cold” or “dry” is only surface appearance and that there was a dynamic lying deeper under that surface.
We discussed some things and I expressed how I felt, that Catholics who doubt or even outright dissent from certain teachings are better accepted than those who are of orthodox or traditional values. I told her that there is a rich heritage of traditions - meaningful ones - and teachings that have been begging for preservation and that it can be found best among the more orthodox community (and I did explain that there is dissent on both ends of the spectrum and neither is right).
I got her interested enough to want to read two books - one is Fr. John Hardon’s, Catholic Catechism. It was a book that helped me to fill in the blanks many years ago. I don’t know if anyone knows of a better book for her, but I’m willing to entertain the thoughts. Fr. Hardon had a wonderful way of addressing so many things. The actual “Catechism of the Catholic Church” is something I would give her later if she wants it, but that seems too dry at this time.
The other book is Theology of the Body. She has a PhD in Sociology and has study sexuality and doesn’t grasp much of what the Catholic Church says about it. I suggested this book as it is a popular read and maybe it will give her a different take altogether on human sexuality in the context of spirituality.
I’ve told her that she can come with me, but asked her to please not disrepect the Blessed Sacrament by presenting herself for Holy Communion after having been away for so long. I suggested that we would be there early and she could take advantage of confession, but that confession at that time is short and quick as many are trying to get out some stuff before heading into Mass.
I’m thinking that if she wants deeper discussion I may call that Parish (I’m only visiting, but will become a parishioner soon), and ask if she can have a more lengthy discussion with someone there if she feels the need to have a confession heard since she has been away so long.
If she did go to confession Sunday before mass, would she be able to receive communion. She is married, but it was not blessed by the Catholic Church - it was more civil. Her husband is an agnostic, but he too sometimes seems could be swayed with the right stuff. I know the Church would tell her “no sex” until the marriage is blessed, if she chose to do this. Is it likely a priest would refuse absolution if she doesn’t know that she can commit to that at this time? I can almost picture him asking if she is married and where the marriage took place if she explains that she had gone agnostic and gotten married in the meantime.
Help me out here - I’m trying to lure this lamb back. :bowdown2: