Need Help,Not judgement

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Patrick1540

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The reason I’m posting this on a non Catholic thread is, I have been away from the Catholic Faith for some time. I was raised by Catholic parents went all through Catholic school, all 12 years. I got caught in the vacuum between Vatican I and Vatican II. To Top it off my High school was greatly involved in the Charismatic Movement. This was not excepted by some parishes, while others embraced it. I went on to a Catholic College, my Mom thought I was going to be a Priest. I left the Church because I got hurt for teaching Bible study, according to the Churches Teaching. I had friends that were Apologist, but focused on negativity,and I got drawn in to that.My Mom and Dad died too, so I was left with a family of protestants, who would badger me into coming to their Churches. Having a Charismatic back ground and being rejected by so many Catholics, I went to non Catholic Churches. I never stopped being Catholic though, I would not participate in their communion. I have and will always believe in the Eucharist. One thing I found in all these different christian churches, was their Bible teaching was all different.Some say they believe in the Trinity,some only Jesus. It was so confused it made my head swim. I love the fact that the Catholic Church no matter were you go teach the same message. Parishes may be at different levels in spiritually,but the message is the same. I need help getting my wife and children back to the Catholic Faith, but I’m scared and don’t know how. You would think a person like me, being exposed to the Faith, would have never left. My hurt got in the way,then my pride after that. Can any Catholics give me some non judging advice. I have been confused for too long!:confused:
 
Hi Patrick.

Yours is a touching story for the things that you had gone through. While we are always accountable for our own action, I must say the church was also partly to be blamed.

Rather than trying to understand new phenomenon sometimes we are quick to judge and reject what does not conform to our expected norm. Perhaps that was what you experienced from the people who did not agree with the Charismatic Renewal then, and it was hard on you.

To miss the Eucharist is perhaps one of the most poignant moment in our life and it is no different in yours. I am glad that you never really lost it. It is truly by the grace of God that you decided to come back to the Church. I can see that you had never left - the longing for the Eucharist even unconsciously had prevented you from completely fallen from the edge into the darkness. Now that you want to return, probably you can consider the experience of the Prodigal Son as somewhat applies to yourself. And what a blessing it is.

There is nothing to be ashamed of to come back to the Church for it will not judge you. Forgive those who had misunderstood you before; it only shows how imperfect we are as church. I suggest for starter you could come for the mass, even bringing your family along. What a homecoming it will be. You will probably not be noticed much; that’s the peculiar characteristic of our people but perhaps that will make it easy for you to come back. Hopefully the rest should come naturally since you are a Catholic. The only barrier now can be solved through the Sacrament of Confession.

Welcome home. The Father is rejoicing and the feast that you have missed will be prepared for you as you receive Him once again in true Body and Blood.

God bless.
 
Welcome, Patrick. I am not sure what you mean by the vacuum between Vatican I and Vatican II. There was no 100 year long period of “nothingness” in the Church.
If I am reading the rest of your post correctly, you seem to be asking how to come back to full communion with the Church. If that is the case, I would suggest calling your local parish priest and telling him just that. I would ask about enrolling in classes to learn about the faith and prepare yourself for confession and Holy Communion.
Welcome back, and much success to you!
 
Welcome (back) Home, we missed you! The first thing is get your own spiritual house in order. Find and make an appointment with a wise and holy priest and make a good confession so you can start receiving the sacraments again, then pray, pray pray for your wife and children to join you soon. You can also inquire about attending RCIA in your parish, it will update you on the faith and hopefully your wife will go with you and learn more also. These things take time, but leave it to the Holy Spirit to guide you.
 
juno24 said:
Welcome, Patrick. I am not sure what you mean by the vacuum between Vatican I and Vatican II. There was no 100 year long period of “nothingness” in the Church.
If I am reading the rest of your post correctly, you seem to be asking how to come back to full communion with the Church. If that is the case, I would suggest calling your local parish priest and telling him just that. I would ask about enrolling in classes to learn about the faith and prepare yourself for confession and Holy Communion.
Welcome back, and much success to you!
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That are some of the things that he can go through but he is a Catholic. He was raised as one and even went to Catholic school. Like I said, Patrick, you just can drop in the mass. 🙂 You don’t have to wait and in the process, like have a word with the priest, perhaps followed by a personal confession, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, you can just get into the confessional line anytime for a good confession. I guess this you have known already. Probably the biggest step now is that step into the good old church. 🙂
 
Thank you all for your beautiful responses. I didn’t want to go into lengthy detail about Vatican II, but it was removal of alter railings,ect… which I was accustomed too. I always felt when I walked into Church it was Holy Ground. The changes I experience were not Sacred Tradition, but changes in the way things were done. I personally have an OCD about any change in my life.I’m working on that, My wife converted to the Faith and has received the Sacraments.It was more about hurt, pain and humiliation we suffered at the hands of some one that should have been better than that. I have tried hard to forgive and put it behind me. I grew up in a time when we looked to priest as having all the answers and nuns wore habits.This was unfair view of priest, I realize it now, that I too was judging.I would rather not go into more detail, I just want so bad to come home to the One,Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic Church. Everything else I want to put behind me. I don’t care what the rest of my family thinks,I only care what God thinks. You have made me feel welcome,please keep me in your prayers. There is a lot to forgive, but God forgave me.Pray I get over my OCD and still have charity towards non Catholics.
God Bless you all!
 
Welcome home, Patrick! I’m so happy you’ve decided to return to your Mother; she’s missed you. But then again, who can resist the siren call of our Eucharistic Lord? I couldn’t. I will be praying for you and your family!

Remember, “Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) What you lack, our Lord is ready and willing to give in the Great Sacrament, and a little one on one time in Adoration with him can’t hurt either!
 
Reuben_J said:
That are some of the things that he can go through but he is a Catholic. He was raised as one and even went to Catholic school. Like I said, Patrick, you just can drop in the mass. 🙂 You don’t have to wait and in the process, like have a word with the priest, perhaps followed by a personal confession, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, you can just get into the confessional line anytime for a good confession. I guess this you have known already. Probably the biggest step now is that step into the good old church. 🙂
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Yes, of course, if he has a good understanding of the faith and the Sacraments, he certainly can simply schedule a time for confession and then resume receiving Holy Communion. I didn’t mention RCIA; I suggested classes to delve into the faith and what the Church teaches. I know not all parishes offer such, but if it can be found in his diocese, it is so worthwhile. I know in my own diocese, with the Year of Faith in progress, many parishes are offering “refresher” courses (for lack of a better term) for the members to relearn (or learn for the first time) the faith and teachings of the Catholic Church.
I know when I came back after being away from the Church for decades, I benefited greatly from re-learning things I had forgotten, and I was better prepared for Confession and Holy Communion.
 
Welcome back! Remember, as long as Jesus is in the tabernacle, regardless of altar railings, etc. it still is holy ground. Jesus is still really present in the sanctuary and that makes it holy ground.

Personally, if Vatican II had not happened, probably none of my family would be Catholic today. We were all Protestants from a long line of Protestants, but today my brother, my parents, and finally stubborn ol’ me, my husband and son are all Catholics. We needed things like the Mass in English and RCIA and the Catechism so we could…see the error of our ways;)!

I’m so glad you and your family have come home.
Kris
 
Hello Patrick,

I am also a Catholic that has strayed from the Church. I have used almost every intellectual argument available to me, including the changes in the church, to avoid what might prove to be a ‘disappointment’ if I returned and didn’t find the sense of communion with God that I felt that I had as a boy.
My oldest children are on their own and live far from me. My ‘second’ set of children are preteens that I have allowed to follow their mother to her Baptist Church, as I felt, by default, it was at least a christian training. My 12 year old, and only son spent his first two years of schooling at my parish/parochial school. He is not interested in attending the Baptist Church, but has on a number of occasions let me know that he’d be interested in getting Baptized, and getting his 1st Holy Communion , Confirmation and in short, becoming Catholic.
The only way that its going to happen is if I put aside my excuses (and negative attitudes) and lead the way by going to confession, becoming an active member of my Church…perfect or not (after all…I’m certainly not),and lead first my son and by God’s grace the rest of my family into the Church.
I pray for you and ask that you might pray for me and for yourself as well.
 
Patrick1540 said:
I just want so bad to come home to the One,Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic Church. Everything else I want to put behind me.
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Patrick, I think with that statement alone you just did what you wanted.
Welcome home! You’ve been missed!
 
As for judging, I will: I ADMIRE YOU PATRICK !

You have fought the good fight and you are winning. Most people would give up and fade away. You have kept your heart and mind open to the Holy Spirit and feel God’s call to come home.

Recall the story of the prodigal son. Recall the story of how the Good Shepard searched for the ONE lost sheep. In both stories recall how happy the father was for the return. There was NO recrimination, just joy.

What to do next? Simply make a heartfelt Confession. Either as one in the Saturday line or by appointment with a Priest you like. God’s forgivness and mercy is immense. A simple “I’m sorry. I want to do better.” within the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all that is needed to be fully Catholic again in the State of Grace, worthy of receiving Christ in Holy Communion.

In time you can study up and regain greater understanding of our Faith. But Confession is the FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT Step. Do not delay. You will be surprised how easy it will be.

I also recommend you look up “Divine Mercy” and say that Chaplet. Meanwhile keep repeating,

"JESUS I TRUST IN YOU."
 
Patrick1540 said:
The reason I’m posting this on a non Catholic thread is, I have been away from the Catholic Faith for some time. I was raised by Catholic parents went all through Catholic school, all 12 years. I got caught in the vacuum between Vatican I and Vatican II. To Top it off my High school was greatly involved in the Charismatic Movement. This was not excepted by some parishes, while others embraced it. I went on to a Catholic College, my Mom thought I was going to be a Priest. I left the Church because I got hurt for teaching Bible study, according to the Churches Teaching. I had friends that were Apologist, but focused on negativity,and I got drawn in to that.My Mom and Dad died too, so I was left with a family of protestants, who would badger me into coming to their Churches. Having a Charismatic back ground and being rejected by so many Catholics, I went to non Catholic Churches. I never stopped being Catholic though, I would not participate in their communion. I have and will always believe in the Eucharist. One thing I found in all these different christian churches, was their Bible teaching was all different.Some say they believe in the Trinity,some only Jesus. It was so confused it made my head swim. I love the fact that the Catholic Church no matter were you go teach the same message. Parishes may be at different levels in spiritually,but the message is the same. I need help getting my wife and children back to the Catholic Faith, but I’m scared and don’t know how. You would think a person like me, being exposed to the Faith, would have never left. My hurt got in the way,then my pride after that. Can any Catholics give me some non judging advice. I have been confused for too long!:confused:
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The process would be, to ensure that you and your wife have a Sacramental marriage (this will involve meetings with a priest), and having your children baptized. You and your wife will want to go to Confession, as well, and you will want to enroll your children in Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

After that it is simply a matter of taking up the habits of Sunday Mass and regular Confession, and living the Catholic life at home in whatever way makes the most sense for your family.

Welcome back! 🙂
 
Welcome Back!!! The angels are rejoicing in heaven. Fear not! I am so excited for you. No one is judging you. Find a Priest. He will be rejoicing with us.

I will be praying for you and your family.
 
Patrick1540 said:
Thank you all for your beautiful responses. I didn’t want to go into lengthy detail about Vatican II, but it was removal of alter railings,ect… which I was accustomed too. I always felt when I walked into Church it was Holy Ground. The changes I experience were not Sacred Tradition, but changes in the way things were done. I personally have an OCD about any change in my life.I’m working on that, My wife converted to the Faith and has received the Sacraments.It was more about hurt, pain and humiliation we suffered at the hands of some one that should have been better than that. I have tried hard to forgive and put it behind me. I grew up in a time when we looked to priest as having all the answers and nuns wore habits.This was unfair view of priest, I realize it now, that I too was judging.I would rather not go into more detail, I just want so bad to come home to the One,Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic Church. Everything else I want to put behind me. I don’t care what the rest of my family thinks,I only care what God thinks. You have made me feel welcome,please keep me in your prayers. There is a lot to forgive, but God forgave me.Pray I get over my OCD and still have charity towards non Catholics.
God Bless you all!
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Have you looked to see if there are any parishes in your area that celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass? Going to an EF Mass may make your homecoming easier since it is closer to what you knew in the past.
 
Patrick1540 said:
The reason I’m posting this on a non Catholic thread is, I have been away from the Catholic Faith for some time. I was raised by Catholic parents went all through Catholic school, all 12 years. I got caught in the vacuum between Vatican I and Vatican II. To Top it off my High school was greatly involved in the Charismatic Movement. This was not excepted by some parishes, while others embraced it. I went on to a Catholic College, my Mom thought I was going to be a Priest. I left the Church because I got hurt for teaching Bible study, according to the Churches Teaching. I had friends that were Apologist, but focused on negativity,and I got drawn in to that.My Mom and Dad died too, so I was left with a family of protestants, who would badger me into coming to their Churches. Having a Charismatic back ground and being rejected by so many Catholics, I went to non Catholic Churches. I never stopped being Catholic though, I would not participate in their communion. I have and will always believe in the Eucharist. One thing I found in all these different christian churches, was their Bible teaching was all different.Some say they believe in the Trinity,some only Jesus. It was so confused it made my head swim. I love the fact that the Catholic Church no matter were you go teach the same message. Parishes may be at different levels in spiritually,but the message is the same. I need help getting my wife and children back to the Catholic Faith, but I’m scared and don’t know how. You would think a person like me, being exposed to the Faith, would have never left. My hurt got in the way,then my pride after that. Can any Catholics give me some non judging advice. I have been confused for too long!:confused:
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Welcome to CAF Patrick. Many of us wandered away from the faith because we got hurt by one thing or another. I got hurt because the priest told mom that she should go home and submit to her husband when he was drunk and beating her. God can heal all these hurts, and will restore you to the faith into which you were baptized.
 
Reuben_J said:
Hi Patrick.

Yours is a touching story for the things that you had gone through. While we are always accountable for our own action, I must say the church was also partly to be blamed.

Rather than trying to understand new phenomenon sometimes we are quick to judge and reject what does not conform to our expected norm. Perhaps that was what you experienced from the people who did not agree with the Charismatic Renewal then, and it was hard on you.

To miss the Eucharist is perhaps one of the most poignant moment in our life and it is no different in yours. I am glad that you never really lost it. It is truly by the grace of God that you decided to come back to the Church. I can see that you had never left - the longing for the Eucharist even unconsciously had prevented you from completely fallen from the edge into the darkness. Now that you want to return, probably you can consider the experience of the Prodigal Son as somewhat applies to yourself. And what a blessing it is.

There is nothing to be ashamed of to come back to the Church for it will not judge you. Forgive those who had misunderstood you before; it only shows how imperfect we are as church. I suggest for starter you could come for the mass, even bringing your family along. What a homecoming it will be. You will probably not be noticed much; that’s the peculiar characteristic of our people but perhaps that will make it easy for you to come back. Hopefully the rest should come naturally since you are a Catholic. The only barrier now can be solved through the Sacrament of Confession.

Welcome home. The Father is rejoicing and the feast that you have missed will be prepared for you as you receive Him once again in true Body and Blood.

God bless.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Reuben, for your beautiful insight. I’m sad though to say the prejudice against the Charisms of the Holy Spirit seem to still be around. I just say it on another thread. I don’t understand, because it i a part of the Catholic Faith. I even found it in my old CCC #2004. I’m not trying to say everyone should have the Gifts or it be done in Mass. I just don’t get the prejudice of something that is in Church teaching. I’m I all wet? is there something I don’t understand? The charism are so beautiful it has always been a part of me, like the Eucharist. To reject the Gifts of the Holy Spirit for me is me rejecting the Spirit of God. I just don’t get why people are so resistant to something that is in the CCC. I was anointed by Catholic priest when I was a teenager at a Catholic prayer group, in the Catholic Church. This is my one that hurts the most. I love the Catholic Faith, but this by people I do not get. This I need a lot of help and prayer, I can’t reject what is a part of me,unless I am I’ll wet about Catholic Church teaching on the CCC #2004 ?:confused:
 
Patrick1540 said:
Thank you all for your beautiful responses. I didn’t want to go into lengthy detail about Vatican II, but it was removal of alter railings,ect… which I was accustomed too. I always felt when I walked into Church it was Holy Ground. The changes I experience were not Sacred Tradition, but changes in the way things were done. I personally have an OCD about any change in my life.I’m working on that, My wife converted to the Faith and has received the Sacraments.It was more about hurt, pain and humiliation we suffered at the hands of some one that should have been better than that. I have tried hard to forgive and put it behind me. I grew up in a time when we looked to priest as having all the answers and nuns wore habits.This was unfair view of priest, I realize it now, that I too was judging.I would rather not go into more detail, I just want so bad to come home to the One,Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic Church. Everything else I want to put behind me. I don’t care what the rest of my family thinks,I only care what God thinks. You have made me feel welcome,please keep me in your prayers. There is a lot to forgive, but God forgave me.Pray I get over my OCD and still have charity towards non Catholics.
God Bless you all!
Click to expand...
It is likely that God will use this experience to bless you and those around you. REmember that He only allows such pain so that he can bring greater glory through it. He allowed HIs own Son to be crucified, so that greater good could come out of it. So you now participate in His sufferings, which God will use your suffering for the good of the Kingdom. There are probably a great many people who have suffered similar hurt that you will be able to understand and help.

We have lost a great many people to Protestantism through the Charismatic Renewal. I used to frequent a prayer group in my area and the leadership and everyone in it abandoned their Catholic faith. You might be instrumental in leading a bible study now! Times have changed a lot.
 
guanophore said:
It is likely that God will use this experience to bless you and those around you. REmember that He only allows such pain so that he can bring greater glory through it. He allowed HIs own Son to be crucified, so that greater good could come out of it. So you now participate in His sufferings, which God will use your suffering for the good of the Kingdom. There are probably a great many people who have suffered similar hurt that you will be able to understand and help.

We have lost a great many people to Protestantism through the Charismatic Renewal. I used to frequent a prayer group in my area and the leadership and everyone in it abandoned their Catholic faith. You might be instrumental in leading a bible study now! Times have changed a lot.
Click to expand...
Thank You guanophore for your wisdom.One thing I think a lot of people make a mistake with Charismatic Renewal is it is all to Glorify the Catholic Church. If it doesn’t it is a false prophet. People I think left the Church because of a lot of confusion on the matter,abuse,and misunderstanding.The Gift of Healing is a true gift,I have seen priest with these gifts and the healing of memories. When the Charisms of the Holy Spirit are in there proper context, it edifies the Catholic Church and does not bring it down or tear it down.Thank you once again for your beautiful words of wisdom.God Bless
 
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