Lonely Catholicism

[vince2paul]

Hi,

I knew this would happen when I left by community-oriented protestant church to become catholic. So, here it is, I am
lonely . I feel no support in this walk. My priest is jerk (not to mention a rebel). Most of the catholics I have met know very little about their faith. Except for my one friend, but she spends all her time telling me what to do, and how I am sinning, and well’s it’s annoying. I got a catholic roomate who turns out to be totally liberal and cafeteria-ish.

It occured to me as I was watching television show about this orthodox jewish family. I was so impressed by the level of accountability and community. This family’s life was so tightly organized around their faith, and I can only imagine how that helps. When I need motivation to go to daily mass, I have an alarm clock. Right now, I could really use someone to say a rosary with, but there’s no one to call. I feel all by myself.

Kendy

Well, remember Jesus is always be with you. Don’t forget that He was all alone carrying the cross to calvary. Let offer your suffering to Him.

Jesus supports you in this walk.
With all the angels and saints and everyone in this forum.

I know how you feel, because I feel it too most of the time. To make it worse, I am actually in the youth ministry, but then I still feel lonely. I just remember that I do this because I love Jesus and I want to do whatever please Him even though suffering will be part of the journey.

 

[Crumpy]

One of the overlooked aspects of a parish bible study program is the fellowship.

So many threads in these forums pose the question which is the best kind of bible study.

I’d say its one that affirms the dignity of each person, and brings them closer to the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

We certainly need a “Doctor” to help us when we are sick. And, that Doctor, that Savior, that Redeemer, that Rose of Sharon, that Anointed One, that Holy One, that Loving One, that Prince of Peace, that Only Begotten Son, that Rock of Ages, that Tree of Life, that Burning Bush, that Lamb of God is Jesus Christ.

Stop and think about it.

What if this was the day after the Ascension, Jesus had just departed, and now it was up to your parish to save the world.

How are they doing? Huh?

As others said above, get involved anyplace in your parish. Give it some time, and set a goal of where you want to be in a year or two. Get close to the parish council, where the priest might actually be sitting down with people and discussing his vision of the parish.

maybe that’s where you want to be, is there, helping to form and transform that vision. Maybe that is the work that the Lord has given to you. He doesn’t give that work so often to people who are strong and powerful leaders.

Maybe the Spirit is creating the Church where lay people emerge as more important players in the local parish. Maybe the Spirit is telling you and pointing you to the way.

 

[CRW]

Hi,

I knew this would happen when I left by community-oriented protestant church to become catholic. So, here it is, I am
lonely . I feel no support in this walk. My priest is jerk (not to mention a rebel). Most of the catholics I have met know very little about their faith. Except for my one friend, but she spends all her time telling me what to do, and how I am sinning, and well’s it’s annoying. I got a catholic roomate who turns out to be totally liberal and cafeteria-ish.

It occured to me as I was watching television show about this orthodox jewish family. I was so impressed by the level of accountability and community. This family’s life was so tightly organized around their faith, and I can only imagine how that helps. When I need motivation to go to daily mass, I have an alarm clock. Right now, I could really use someone to say a rosary with, but there’s no one to call. I feel all by myself.

Kendy

Ask your priest if you could start a Rosary before (30 minutes before the start) of the daily Mass, if this is not already done at your parish. If you receive permission, announce the start time for a few weeks in the Parish bulletin. Allow a new leader, each day, to start the Rosary. This is done daily at our Church.

Also join the Circle of Friends (if you have one), Altar Society, Rosary Makers or any other groups that might interest you. Start one if you have too. The Church is a family and your are part of that family so show your love. God Bless

img124.imageshack.us/img124/3130/cmaeronmaryjosephkl6.jpg

My grandson Cameron

 

[scapularkid8]

I’d say you’ve been chosen! Congradulations! Just like the Prophets of the Old Testament, you’ve been put by God where you are to spread The Word and shine the Love you recieve in the Eucharist to those around you so they have a change of heart. Do you pray the Liturgy of the Hours? If you don’t, I would reccomend it because I’m in a similar situation at school. I’m basically the only Catholic I know! But the Liturgy of the Hours helps me through because of the Psalms that are prayed.

In the Canticle of Zechariah it says: “…you will be called the Prophet of the Most High for you will go before the Lord to prepare His Way… In the tender compassion of our God the sawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death…”

 

[NotWorthy]

In the meantime, has anyone confronted this man and asked him to refrain from the four-letter words? Don’t forget Paul didn’t hesitate to confront Peter when he wasn’t living up to Christian principals.

A man such as that, no matter how vile he may be, still deserves our prayers. Matter of fact, if he’s that vile, he especially needs our prayers.

 

[Kendy]

I hope this hasn’t already been mentioned…but you may need to find yourself a new Parish. When you’re just learning your Faith, you need the support of your priest.

One way to learn your faith, meet people, and become very involved in your Parish is to teach Catechism to the children. Ask to teach the pre-schoolers or first grade class. Make sure that you find a nice new Parish that is faithful to the Catholic Faith first!

Maybe you could look into Opus Dei or Regnum Christi. They are lay apostolates that are quite orthodox. See if there are any groups in your area. They usually meet on a regular basis. Regnum Christi “encounter” meetings are once a week, and they do a nice Gospel reflection and relate every day living to the Gospel reading of the week.

You’ll be in my prayers…

I am thinking about Opus Dei. Never heard of this other one .

 

[Kendy]

another to fight lonliness - remember this one basic principal - people are bound together by a common interest. ask yourself what are you interested in?? If you are lonely it could be the sign of something that is dominating your life that is pushing out things that are ‘social’… maybe its work - over work that is. maybe its depression - there are lots of reasons why we stay by ourselves. I went through a period like that - and blamed the church for my own failure to reach out - ask yourself if you need to reach out - what you find, is that the extend you reach out, you will in fact reap many relationships in this life - it is a good idea to introduce yourself to folks after mass, ask if they need help with something - they always do?? I know someone who asked how she could help - and someone at the church said “ok let me get the list!!” . there are many ways to get involved and once you do - you will find connection and with that friendships and your life will be so full - you’ll want time alone every so often and lonliness will not be part of your life- in a protestant church folks are bound together by common interests - and there are groups all over the place to join - clubs if you will. its the same principle of common interest. in the catholic church - it is not the same thing - folks are not gathered by common interest - but rather it is a big melting pot of folks thrown together geographically - within it however are folks who think like you - age group matters - family status matters - if you are married and have little children - you will be drawn to other young couples who share the same trials and tribulations and concerns - if you are a young single person - you need outlets to find yourself - someplace to find a soul mate to marry, or perhaps discern a vocation to religious life - where there is much community again bound by common interest - there is a perfect example of community - tight community bound by common interest - and its very catholic - I think you get the point - pick something you enjoy - gosh it could be bowling, swimming, helping clean the church on monday mornings, or the other idea of forming a prayer group - that works very well - whatever it is - do it for your body, mind, and soul - but don’t let it subsitute for your relationship with God or interfere with it, especially at the expense of truth.

Thanks. I volunteer at a pro-life clinic and I am taking an intensive scripture class. Those things help.

 

[Kendy]

In the meantime, has anyone confronted this man and asked him to refrain from the four-letter words? Don’t forget Paul didn’t hesitate to confront Peter when he wasn’t living up to Christian principals.

A man such as that, no matter how vile he may be, still deserves our prayers. Matter of fact, if he’s that vile, he especially needs our prayers.

Well, I haven’t confronted him. I just stop going to mass there.

Kendy

 

[Kendy]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all your encouragment. It hepls

Kendy

 

[THutch04]

Hi Kendy-

I don’t have any real advice because I’m in the same situation myself. I don’t even have a parish to go back to when I leave school. I was in a parish, and then partially because of the fact that I never really felt welcomed (and that my recent ex-boyfriend said one of us had to leave) I chose not to go there anymore. So I ended up at a shrine an hour away from me specifically because so many people are visitors and being an outsider doesn’t make me stand out as much.

I guess the only thing I could really suggest is getting involved in the parish. That’s what I did at Duquesne (I’m VERY involved in the ministries at Duquesne) but because the most time I’m ever home is for 3 months during the summer, it’s hard to really get involved in anything when they want people who will be able to give actual committments (can’t say I blame them).

Most importantly, pray, and keep going to Mass.

 

[Sixtus]

I was very lonely because I was very shy. Then I prayed and asked God for help, I got involved in the parish, now I am known to everyone.

The SVP is a good starting point. They are always looking for volunteers. I have learned some amazing things about my faith through the SVP. In fact, most of the friends I have made,. my job when I was unemployed, and my home etc all came about through being in the SVP.

SVP did not find me a home, but through being there, I heard of opportunities being mentioned. Ditto my job. It is amazing, almost miraculous how my life has become so rich. Giving to the SVP it seems, I have become the princple beneficiary.

Please give it a try,. I promise you will never look back

 

[jmm08]

… Right now, I could really use someone to say a rosary with, but there’s no one to call. I feel all by myself.

Kendy

When you pray and when you pray the Rosary, you are not alone. I think Mary is devoted to each of us much more than we can ever be devoted to Mary. Even if we don’t see or sense Mary’s presence, I am convinced that she is always aware of when we devoutly pray the Rosary. And it pleases her so much.

It would seem to a casual worldly observer that I pray the Rosary in private and alone. However, it is not true. I am a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary (see pacifier.com/~rosarweb/nroscon.htm). And as a member, when I pray the Rosary my prayers are for and are always united with the many other members of the confraternity. And all the other members of the confraternity, their praying the Rosary is also for the confraternity and in turn benefits me as well.

If all you do is go to Mass and do not get involved with a small group of people in some way, then yes I think you may feel lonely. There are opportunities for involvement. And there are generally opportunities to help by being involved with the Mass. For me, I find myself in one of the choirs. Even though many people in the choir are different in some regard, it provides me with an opportunity (through singing and singing to Jesus) to be involved. Sometimes the words in the music we sing are greatly encouraging and speak to me a message of God’s love. And sometimes I suppose I don’t get the message (I can be thick-headed).

If you get involved in some way with a small group in helping others, I think you will be less lonely. And you will find that helping others benefits you more than you anticipate. Consider among the following opportunities (greeter, usher, choir member, St. Vincent de Paul, Rosary Alter Society, Legion of Mary, third order fill-in-the-blank or other small ministry group).