Lonely Catholic

[catholicanne]

My husband is not Catholic and absolutely refuses to attend church with me. I have no children I can share my faith with. I am the only Catholic in my family (my side and my husband’s side). I feel lonely, even when I try to get involved with groups at church. A lot of these groups meet on the weekends or weeknights and my husband likes me home when he is. If you’re the only Catholic in your family, how do you cope?

 

[subject97]

I try to remember that no matter where i am, I still have the holy family and the entire communion of saints to talk to. I use that loneliness to fuel my my prayer life, and who knows, maybe if you increase your prayer life at home, then you could get your husband interested in the faith. (or at least have it show that Catholicism is an important aspect of your life and might get him going to church with you.)

 

[Delaine75]

As the only Catholic in my family, I can certainly sympathize! Sometimes it’s a little lonely making the drive to Mass and then going in alone and all of that, but I do often invite people to attend with me (most of the time they don’t, however). I know it’s tough sometimes, but spending that time with the Lord is so worth it even if you have to do it alone! (HUGS)

 

[iamcatholic100]

My personal experience,while nothing like the poster, is somewhat similar. My parents, brother and I all go to mass each Sunday and on holy days of obligation. However, when it comes to other days of the week, most of us,with the exception of me, kind of don’t want to reach the next level of our spiritual life, such as praying more, learning more aboutvour faith through means that don’t just include Sunday readings and father’s homily. i’m doing the best i can in taking my faith to next, but my family doesn’t provide much encouragement in this area. And while the campus ministry at my college provides decent help, I still feel kinda of lonely since my college is a secular college and since very few of my friends in high school and grade school actually took the faith seriously. So, important kind of in the same boat as the poster

 

[Xantippe]

“A lot of these groups meet on the weekends or weeknights and my husband likes me home when he is.”

Once night a week wouldn’t be a problem, would it? When would your husband expect you to take a class or meet friends, if not on the weekend or weeknights?

 

[Diana_Catherine]

My husband is not Catholic and absolutely refuses to attend church with me. I have no children I can share my faith with. I am the only Catholic in my family (my side and my husband’s side). I feel lonely, even when I try to get involved with groups at church. A lot of these groups meet on the weekends or weeknights and my husband likes me home when he is. If you’re the only Catholic in your family, how do you cope?

I sympathize. I have only a few in my family who are Catholic. I try not to go out at night or on weekends either, when my husband and son are home. It is rare when I do. I try to watch for happenings during the week, during the day, that work best for me and doesn’t interrupt being with my family.

If you are home during the week,during the day and that works for you and your own parish doesn’t offer anything during the day you might look at surrounding parishes.

Also, if your husband doesn’t want to go to church, maybe he will go to events sponsored by the parish that are not “church”, such as potlucks or carnivals. That might cause him, after meeting other, to take a second look at going to church.

 

[HolyRosaryChild]

Hi Anne, I have re-commenced attending Mass on my own and had done through a 17 year marriage on my own (despite my side of the family being Catholic), in all probability, the fact I prefer to concentrate praying before the Mass begins and concentrate on all of the Readings, what scriptures Father delivers and wishing fellow Parishioners around me the Sign of Peace. Not judging, however I do notice that some people when in company do not appear to listen or concentrate as much on Jesus scriptures as much as some people on their own anyway.

However, having said this, I love seeing families (particularly young families with their children) when they walk in and settle down instilling attendance at Mass and Jesus scriptures in their children as a family unit. That is something I had growing up with Mum, Dad and my Siblings and treasured to this day.

I count my blessings and thank God, The Holy Spirit, Jesus and Our Lady Mary for those blessings experienced growing up when I temporarily felt sad as a married mother that my ex-husband would not attend Mass of a Sunday with the children and myself.

I looked at the blessings God gave me in my Family growing up.

I know exactly how you are feeling and a little suggestion would be for you to offer to become an active member of your Church and do some Readings, put flowers in the Church, offer to take up the Offertory Procession Gifts from time to time, clean the Church on Roster or hand out the Mass sheets every 3rd Mass, to meet some of the other Church members on Roster.

My sister has done this in her Parish for many years despite working long hours and through her low key involvement, has met so many regular beautiful Parishioners of whom she is still friends with today.

Love and best wishes Anne

 

[TinyButterfly]

I am also the only Catholic in my family.

My husband will go with me to Mass once in awhile, but not very often. When he does go, he mildly complains about how boring it is and how he could never become Catholic.

I have joined a Bible study class that meets one day a week in the morning. I also go to a class that meets on Monday evenings. When I hear about something interesting going on in other parishes, I go. Also I have volunteered to help do a couple of small things at my parish ( greet and help at the food pantry.) These things help me feel connected to my Catholic family and parish.

I do feel lonely driving to church by myself 99% of the time and wish that dh and I could go together to Mass and meet with friends afterward for dinner or breakfast. That would be fun.

I know there are lots of women who attend alone. Either they are widows, single or their husbands do not attend. Look around, they are there. Maybe you can sit by one or two, be friendly and eventually drive together to Mass or at least go out to eat after Mass. It’s a small thing, but might make you feel less alone.

:hug1: