E
Elizabeth
Guest
George, God loves you - you are his son. He wants give you a fish not a snake. Keep at it mate. We’re praying for you we are!
- Status
S
Sparky
Guest
Hey, George, I had a thought when reading your post about your marriage situation…
Remember in scripture where it speaks about searching for a pearl of great price, or the woman who was looking for a coin? They didn’t give up…they kept looking until they found it. That tells us we must keep going in our search until we find him.
You know what’s happening right now? Satan is putting up road blocks to you. He doesn’t want you to find that pearl of great price. He’s putting an ugly face on it, making you turn away. He wants you to turn away.
I say, don’t give him the satisfaction. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and ask St. Michael the Archangel to protect you–then keep calling parishes. You’ll find one that works. It IS out there. Offer your pain to God and keep going.
You’ll get what you need. I’m sure of it.
–Ann
Remember in scripture where it speaks about searching for a pearl of great price, or the woman who was looking for a coin? They didn’t give up…they kept looking until they found it. That tells us we must keep going in our search until we find him.
You know what’s happening right now? Satan is putting up road blocks to you. He doesn’t want you to find that pearl of great price. He’s putting an ugly face on it, making you turn away. He wants you to turn away.
I say, don’t give him the satisfaction. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and ask St. Michael the Archangel to protect you–then keep calling parishes. You’ll find one that works. It IS out there. Offer your pain to God and keep going.
You’ll get what you need. I’m sure of it.
–Ann
S
space_ghost
Guest
tough love time,
george…
this is the kind of stuff that gives me the heebie jeebie’s …
you consider youself a catholic…
you practice you faith…“faithfully”…
some ding dong of a priest does his own thing and this gives reason for you to chucking all your years of being catholic into the dumper…
remember your confirmation man… put on your armor as a soldier of Christ and lets talk to the Priest or his superior and lets move Jesus and his cause forward…
don’t think of taking your toys somewhere else just because he doesn’t understand the rules…
Fight for your faith man…
oh…peace be with you!..
george…
this is the kind of stuff that gives me the heebie jeebie’s …
you consider youself a catholic…
you practice you faith…“faithfully”…
some ding dong of a priest does his own thing and this gives reason for you to chucking all your years of being catholic into the dumper…
remember your confirmation man… put on your armor as a soldier of Christ and lets talk to the Priest or his superior and lets move Jesus and his cause forward…
don’t think of taking your toys somewhere else just because he doesn’t understand the rules…
Fight for your faith man…
oh…peace be with you!..
I
itsjustdave1988
Guest
George,
Have you prayerfully contemplated whether or not your current suffering is what God wants of you right now? Just a thought.
We don’t get to choose our family, for the most part. Sometimes, there are members of our family that drive us bonkers, and we’d rather lock them up in the attick.
However, I’m of the opinion that God gives us the parish family that we are supposed to worship with. Your priest may be one of those you might want to lock away in an attick, but he is still the one who has been ordained by God to minister to you and others. I suggest you suffer through it. Practice the virtue of patience in attempting to get your marriage blessed… there IS a difference, as your wedding was valid, yet illicit (i.e., against canon law). Abstain from receiving Communion until such time that you can do so licitly. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Many of the saints prayed for a chance to suffer such that through their suffering they may be sanctified by the Lord. I for one, would rather suffer through a boring Mass or a lousy priest than to be eaten by lions. I count my blessings.
God bless,
Dave
Have you prayerfully contemplated whether or not your current suffering is what God wants of you right now? Just a thought.
We don’t get to choose our family, for the most part. Sometimes, there are members of our family that drive us bonkers, and we’d rather lock them up in the attick.
However, I’m of the opinion that God gives us the parish family that we are supposed to worship with. Your priest may be one of those you might want to lock away in an attick, but he is still the one who has been ordained by God to minister to you and others. I suggest you suffer through it. Practice the virtue of patience in attempting to get your marriage blessed… there IS a difference, as your wedding was valid, yet illicit (i.e., against canon law). Abstain from receiving Communion until such time that you can do so licitly. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Many of the saints prayed for a chance to suffer such that through their suffering they may be sanctified by the Lord. I for one, would rather suffer through a boring Mass or a lousy priest than to be eaten by lions. I count my blessings.
God bless,
Dave
B
badebop
Guest
C
Catholicforlife
Guest
I hope you feel the love and concern for you and your family George. There isn’t much I can add that hasn’t already been said. I will touch on one thing, the Lutheran minister is not a part of the apostolic succession, that is the difference.
I am so very sorry for the difficult time you are having. I pray that you will get an answer to your prayers very soon. Keep the faith my friend. Let God lead you where you need to be.
Blessings
I am so very sorry for the difficult time you are having. I pray that you will get an answer to your prayers very soon. Keep the faith my friend. Let God lead you where you need to be.
Blessings
G
George_M
Guest
I just called the diocease and they said I had to get my marriage blessed in Alabama even if I want to go to a church in Florida. I live right on the line. So now I have to find another priest and maybe get this thing resolved . Thanks again everybody. George
M
Maggie
Guest
We’re all praying for you and pulling for you George. I’m glad you’re going through with it even though it is a struggle and there are roadblocks. Keep at it and we’ll keep at the prayers!! 
M
Michael_C
Guest
No offense George but I think you have to change your attitude a bit. Go to the Church closest to you and get involved. Be the last one to leave after mass and set up and appointment with the priest face to face. If there are things that you don’t think seem right, voice your opinion. You can’t help things by leaving. As others have stated on this thread if it gets bad enough call the Bishop. Keep going to Mass no matter what. Walking away solves nothing.
C
CathAnFanatical
Guest
George!
This is definitly a test. Lets us help you brother. What is the parishs you have been trying with no success?
PM me if you wish, or email me. As another poster said earlier, its definitly time to call and mail the Bishops of these places.
Priests, no matter how crabby, need to be snapped out of this.
Please dont leave the Church George, you have our prayers with you. Persevere my friend and you will find the Parish to go to.
Remember, one, two, three or even Twelve parishs dont make the Church. Leaving the Church is leaving the Teachings, History and most importantly the Sacraments that Christ gave us. You cannot have these outside the Church, no matter what people say.
You will be in my prayers. I would like to email the parishs though or even the Bishop about this. If they are doing this to you, they are doing this to others as well that probably dont have support to keep them faithful.
This is definitly a test. Lets us help you brother. What is the parishs you have been trying with no success?
PM me if you wish, or email me. As another poster said earlier, its definitly time to call and mail the Bishops of these places.
Priests, no matter how crabby, need to be snapped out of this.
Please dont leave the Church George, you have our prayers with you. Persevere my friend and you will find the Parish to go to.
Remember, one, two, three or even Twelve parishs dont make the Church. Leaving the Church is leaving the Teachings, History and most importantly the Sacraments that Christ gave us. You cannot have these outside the Church, no matter what people say.
You will be in my prayers. I would like to email the parishs though or even the Bishop about this. If they are doing this to you, they are doing this to others as well that probably dont have support to keep them faithful.
God Bless
G
George_M
Guest
I called the diocease Thursday and asked what was going on. I told them the same story all of you been hearing. They didn’t know what to say. they told me I should good to the Mobiles diocease and talk to them. I didn’t think it made a difference being so close to the line. The priest from Florida and Alabama are always swapping back and forth, probably because of the shortage. If the priest that I’ve been trying to get ahold of in Florida knew that why didn’t he at least return the many phone calls I made. I went back to priest number one, he’s the one that said Jesus died for MOST of our sins, and he was on retreat. I decided to drive to a town about ten miles west of here and met a lady at another church and told her what was going on. She knew all about the priest I just mentioned and she said to come back here Monday because there priest was on the same retreat. Anyhow it sounds like I may be in luck. Before the last post of going to church and waiting them out, I did just that but everybody was on retreat. Not that I have a problem with that the problem is I should have taken care of this up North before I moved down here. I wasn’t told I had to get my marriage blessed. Oh well live and learn. I did talk to another lady I the diocease and she said they meaning the priest can get away with what there doing because of the shortage. I told her if they didn’t want to do there job they should find another profession. Any how hopefully everything will be taken care of Monday. Thanks again for all the support and God bless. George
S
SwissGuard
Guest
I think we’ve all experienced the rude, grumpy, or arrogant priest…but for each one of those, there are TEN priests who could be wonderful spiritual leaders if you gave them the chance. Keep looking, man…but don’t ever stop being Catholic. You’d be the one missing out in the end.
T
toutestgrace
Guest
George,
As everyone has said, don’t give up! Satan and his band of demons just love this type of situation (read C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters). In between your attempts at contacting the parishes by phone, try attending daily Mass. It’s your best defense against discouragement.
While you’re praying, pray for that ‘shy’ priest.
As everyone has said, don’t give up! Satan and his band of demons just love this type of situation (read C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters). In between your attempts at contacting the parishes by phone, try attending daily Mass. It’s your best defense against discouragement.
While you’re praying, pray for that ‘shy’ priest.
S
Sirach14
Guest
Hi George:
In a sense your priest was correct. No where in the Bible can you find the phrase “Jesus Paid the Full Penalty for my Sins.”
Remember that two results of sin are sickness and death-and both are still with us today.
Many non-Catholics believe that Jesus paid for our future sins. If this were so, Our Lord would have to open the gates of heaven for everyone, and close the gates of hell.
In a sense your priest was correct. No where in the Bible can you find the phrase “Jesus Paid the Full Penalty for my Sins.”
Remember that two results of sin are sickness and death-and both are still with us today.
Many non-Catholics believe that Jesus paid for our future sins. If this were so, Our Lord would have to open the gates of heaven for everyone, and close the gates of hell.
G
George_M
Guest
I start beating the pavement again today and I’m going to get my marriage blessed Tuesday at 11 Am. I hope it happens and it sounds like it should but I have a bitter taste in my mouth from this experence. I know that’s not the christian way but there way wasn’t either. Thanks again and God bless George
M
Maggie
Guest
Oh George that is wonderful news!! God Bless you! The bitter taste will be washed away with the Body and Blood. I pray the priest treats you charitably and that you and your wife have a wonderful experience on Tuesday. Our prayers will be with you.
M
Malachi4U
Guest
George,
I actually feel your pain and have suffered somewhat similar events though not that bad. I endured and now rejoice with all my heart and soul. Praise God!
Pray for those priests. Priests are human and as such, sinners like you and me, and we have good ones and bad ones.
I left the Catholic Church and Christ’s body back in 1979. I fell into the trap of Protestantism and felt good, very good as a matter of fact. I did get tired of the consistent bigotry from the pulpit by Baptist preachers towards any other religions (mostly Catholics) but overlooked it. I could do anything I wanted because I new I was ‘saved’ and ‘once saved always saved’. As a result of that faulty belief, I sinned often and watched others in my church sin on a routine basis all the while smiling and walking around with our heads stuck in some hole blind to Gods Word.
Fortunately I read the Bible and when the preacher contradicted the associate preacher and both preachers also contradicted the Scriptures. I don’t know why, but after 27 years I finally had a Baptist preacher take on the Book of James. What a mistake he made, not just the mere thought of referring to it, but actually trying to teach from it. No Baptist should ever even acknowledge the Book of James exists if they want to keep members. In 27 years I never recalled one sermon from the Book of James in those churches. When I discovered one error I actually began to find more with their theology. I studied the history of the Church, early writings, and theological beliefs. I began to learn “CONTEXT” and found much of what I thought true was only true if taken out of context. The Bible I believed in needed 1 verse at minimum and a complete one would have been fine with 1 book of about 30 chapters. I’m a bit embarrassed I fell for it all now that I look back.
My point is this. All religions have good and bad clergy in them. Christ never promised being a Christian would be easy and often said it would be difficult. Regardless of a few bad clergy you must look at the Church and the Gospel Jesus taught and that is found only in the Catholic Church. The Bible based religions all base their entire belief on a single tool of the Catholic Church. Do not rely on the tool, put you Faith in Jesus and the Church He founded to guide us. Follow the Faith He teaches from within it. Imagine if in 1,517 years people stopped going to the mechanic and said all we need to fix our car is a wrench. A wrench is good but it is not a mechanic and cannot do what a mechanic can do. In the Bible it says:
Mk 9:43-48 "43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire…45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”
Stay in the Church. Go back and try to see if maybe you just got a hold of a priest that just had his sister or mother die. If he is a jerk then try to find a parish with a good priest. Don’t pick a church simply because it makes you feel good or you’ll end up a Mormon, JW, etc… Pick a religion because Jesus founded it in 33 A.D. Do not pick one invented by a man like Luther in 1517 (Lutheran and basically all protestants from there), or John Smyth in 1607 (Baptists), Joseph Smith in 1823 (LDS). Your soul is more important then just liking a priest, you must have Faith, Hope and Love. You must ‘endure’ to the end. Most protestants do not have Faith, they have ‘faith alone’. They do not have Hope, they have assurance. Some claim they have Love, but do not show it to all people (especially Catholics).
I would rather cut off my legs so I could not go to a false church and endure a true one with a poor priest then to tell Jesus at my judgment that I just took the easy way out knowing I was insulting Him and turning my back on His truth. I would rather enter paradise with no legs and a cleaner soul and suffer through life with a jerk priest. Someday the priest will move one and another will replace him. Your soul is too important to risk to any ‘vile whim or fancy’ of self-interpretation.
What would have happened if the first Catholics/Christians said I’d rather worship graven images of gods then get fed to the lions? They suffered and died to preserve the Tradition and verbal Gospel of Christ for you and me. There was no Bible in those days. Do not dishonor them, Christ or your own soul by leaving His body.
A prisoner of Christ
PS, try to look for an Eastern Right Church too.
I actually feel your pain and have suffered somewhat similar events though not that bad. I endured and now rejoice with all my heart and soul. Praise God!
Pray for those priests. Priests are human and as such, sinners like you and me, and we have good ones and bad ones.
I left the Catholic Church and Christ’s body back in 1979. I fell into the trap of Protestantism and felt good, very good as a matter of fact. I did get tired of the consistent bigotry from the pulpit by Baptist preachers towards any other religions (mostly Catholics) but overlooked it. I could do anything I wanted because I new I was ‘saved’ and ‘once saved always saved’. As a result of that faulty belief, I sinned often and watched others in my church sin on a routine basis all the while smiling and walking around with our heads stuck in some hole blind to Gods Word.
Fortunately I read the Bible and when the preacher contradicted the associate preacher and both preachers also contradicted the Scriptures. I don’t know why, but after 27 years I finally had a Baptist preacher take on the Book of James. What a mistake he made, not just the mere thought of referring to it, but actually trying to teach from it. No Baptist should ever even acknowledge the Book of James exists if they want to keep members. In 27 years I never recalled one sermon from the Book of James in those churches. When I discovered one error I actually began to find more with their theology. I studied the history of the Church, early writings, and theological beliefs. I began to learn “CONTEXT” and found much of what I thought true was only true if taken out of context. The Bible I believed in needed 1 verse at minimum and a complete one would have been fine with 1 book of about 30 chapters. I’m a bit embarrassed I fell for it all now that I look back.
My point is this. All religions have good and bad clergy in them. Christ never promised being a Christian would be easy and often said it would be difficult. Regardless of a few bad clergy you must look at the Church and the Gospel Jesus taught and that is found only in the Catholic Church. The Bible based religions all base their entire belief on a single tool of the Catholic Church. Do not rely on the tool, put you Faith in Jesus and the Church He founded to guide us. Follow the Faith He teaches from within it. Imagine if in 1,517 years people stopped going to the mechanic and said all we need to fix our car is a wrench. A wrench is good but it is not a mechanic and cannot do what a mechanic can do. In the Bible it says:
Mk 9:43-48 "43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire…45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”
Stay in the Church. Go back and try to see if maybe you just got a hold of a priest that just had his sister or mother die. If he is a jerk then try to find a parish with a good priest. Don’t pick a church simply because it makes you feel good or you’ll end up a Mormon, JW, etc… Pick a religion because Jesus founded it in 33 A.D. Do not pick one invented by a man like Luther in 1517 (Lutheran and basically all protestants from there), or John Smyth in 1607 (Baptists), Joseph Smith in 1823 (LDS). Your soul is more important then just liking a priest, you must have Faith, Hope and Love. You must ‘endure’ to the end. Most protestants do not have Faith, they have ‘faith alone’. They do not have Hope, they have assurance. Some claim they have Love, but do not show it to all people (especially Catholics).
I would rather cut off my legs so I could not go to a false church and endure a true one with a poor priest then to tell Jesus at my judgment that I just took the easy way out knowing I was insulting Him and turning my back on His truth. I would rather enter paradise with no legs and a cleaner soul and suffer through life with a jerk priest. Someday the priest will move one and another will replace him. Your soul is too important to risk to any ‘vile whim or fancy’ of self-interpretation.
What would have happened if the first Catholics/Christians said I’d rather worship graven images of gods then get fed to the lions? They suffered and died to preserve the Tradition and verbal Gospel of Christ for you and me. There was no Bible in those days. Do not dishonor them, Christ or your own soul by leaving His body.
A prisoner of Christ
PS, try to look for an Eastern Right Church too.
M
Malachi4U
Guest
George M:
George,
One word, “LOVE”. In “EVERYTHING” we do.
Jesus said to turn the other cheek.
Mt 6:12 ““12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;”
Forgive that priest regardless. Go to his parish if needed. He is at fault not you.
Show that priest how to be a better Catholic/Christian. Make that you quest, your mission from God. Vow to help the priest never to do that to anyone else.
Have thought, that just maybe, just by chance, perhaps God has sent you to this parish, this priest? God sometimes works in mysterious ways and never tells us to do something we can not do.
I’ say a prayer for you and our troubled priest. Hopefully others will too right now.
A prisoner of Christ
1 Cor 10:32-33 “Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.”
Gods peace be with you Theophilus,
George,
One word, “LOVE”. In “EVERYTHING” we do.
Jesus said to turn the other cheek.
Mt 6:12 ““12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;”
Forgive that priest regardless. Go to his parish if needed. He is at fault not you.
Show that priest how to be a better Catholic/Christian. Make that you quest, your mission from God. Vow to help the priest never to do that to anyone else.
Have thought, that just maybe, just by chance, perhaps God has sent you to this parish, this priest? God sometimes works in mysterious ways and never tells us to do something we can not do.
I’ say a prayer for you and our troubled priest. Hopefully others will too right now.
A prisoner of Christ
1 Cor 10:32-33 “Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.”
C
CathAnFanatical
Guest
Thats awesome George, im so glad you didnt give up. You will be in my prayers and im sure your bitter taste will go away.
Dont hesitate to let us know how it went. I have no problem getting myself and about 200 other people contacting the Priests and Bishops at these places. Somebodies got to get their duffs moving sometimes.
God Bless you George.
Dont hesitate to let us know how it went. I have no problem getting myself and about 200 other people contacting the Priests and Bishops at these places. Somebodies got to get their duffs moving sometimes.
God Bless you George.
P
pauljmaxmi
Guest
I am going to echo what some other people have said. It does, most decidedly, sound like a test to me. Stand up to it to glorify God. If you continue to encounter bad Churches, however, I encourage you to write a letter to the bishop of that diocese.
- Status