My calling in the Church?

[TheTrinitySaves]

Hello,
I recently joined the forum as a way of learning about the church and teachings that I was not sure about, however their is something else that troubles me in my journey. Being atheist for most of my young life was certainly degrading to my spiritual health and my own confidence. Now that I am in the church I feel afraid that I do not bring anything to the church. I attend church, but I have never been close to being in a relationship and I do not believe their is a calling for me to become a priest. So my 2 questions are: Is it a sin to be in the church if were not actively looking to fulfill a vocation such as marriage or priesthood? And secondly is their a vocation for those who will probably never be in a relationship and are not called to be a priest?

 

[His_helpmeet]

Hello,
I recently joined the forum as a way of learning about the church and teachings that I was not sure about, however their is something else that troubles me in my journey. Being atheist for most of my young life was certainly degrading to my spiritual health and my own confidence. Now that I am in the church I feel afraid that I do not bring anything to the church. I attend church, but I have never been close to being in a relationship and I do not believe their is a calling for me to become a priest. So my 2 questions are: Is it a sin to be in the church if were not actively looking to fulfill a vocation such as marriage or priesthood? And secondly is their a vocation for those who will probably never be in a relationship and are not called to be a priest?

The Church recognizes a number of different vocations, not just marriage and religious life. There is also single life and consecrated life. (Consecrated life is considered to be a sort of “bridge” between single and religious life; it has aspects of both.) While single life is often a “transitional” vocation (i.e. one may eventually be called to married or religious life) it can be a permanent vocation for some people, and indeed there is a role for single people within the Church. It’s not a sin at all for you to be in the Church as a single person. One of my great-aunts never married and worked as a nurse for many years. That was her vocation.

 

[Catholic1954]

It is no sin to be single, after all Jesus and some of the apostles were not married. St. Paul even said it was better to be single so one would not have the distraction of a wife.

 

[Dorothy]

If one is interested, there are also various Third Orders, such as the Third Order Franciscans, Third Order Carmelites, and many, many more. Those who would like to may visit at their meetings and find out when a more detailed “Information Day” is planned.

One can be married or single and belong to these religious orders. Most meet once a month, and have much spiritual direction and studying to do about the spirituality of the order they are a member of.

Peace,

Dorothy, Third Order Lay Carmelite

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I don’t think you need to be concerned. You’re here - that’s gift enough. You’re not expected to bring more than yourself. Consider the story of the widow’s mites. Some have a lot to give, some give all they’ve got. I have a feeling if you’re truly called to give something more, with prayer, it will find you.

“and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.”
-‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:2‬‬