New here, with a question

[ThereIsHope]

I was raised with a Catholic mom and a Jewish dad. I was baptized and considered Catholic. My mom’s side of the family is very religious, my grandma was always praying the rosary when I saw her, she was very devoted to her religion, and so was my mother. Growing up in a house with two made it difficult to go to church without offending the other side of the family who wanted me to be Jewish.

That being said, I am still Catholic, but not a religious person. I have been through many struggles and am depressed. I feel that God is a person I can talk to and who can help me find the strength to pull through, but I feel as though he will not listen because I never did this growing up. I feel awkward praying, because I don’t know how to pray. I pretty much just talk, but I don’t know what is acceptable and what is not. I feel like priority will always be to the people who are truly religious Catholic’s and not just a woman who needs that kind of aspect of her life filled.

Any opinions or suggestions?

 

[John_Higgins]

ThereIsHope,

You picked a good screen name. Be Not Afraid, when you are just talking, you are praying. Ask the Lord to help you. Go to Mass, find a place with Eucharistic Adoration. You don’t have to do any formula, you can stand, sit, or kneel and just adore or pray, or just be rechaged by the Eucharistic Christ. Keep talking to the Lord.

You’re doing fine.

And, welcome to the forums!

John

 

[InLight247]

Welcome to CAF.

Don’t worry. God always meet us at where we are. We are all work in process. God loves to hear from us. When we are lost, he loves us even more. He is our loving Father who wants to embrace us. He always listens.

Do not be afraid. Prayer is communication with God. Talk to him with your innermost feelings. Give him your anxiety, your fear, your anger, your frustration, your depression, as well as your love, your joy, your happiness, your thanksgiving and your praises. Express your thoughts to him. And listen to him.

Read his Word, the Bible. Attend Mass and go to Eucharist Adoration. Open yourself to God, be transparent in front of him. Invite him to enter your heart and cling to his unconditional mercy and love.

God bless!

 

[2livfree]

Hello, That is beautiful that you can just talk to God. God yearns for that relationship with all his children, I don’t really have any opinions as I am a cradle Catholic, and have no idea as to what your circumstances are. I do have good friends who are a Catholic Jewish family but the mother is Jewish. Their children were all raised Catholic with great reverance for Jewish Holy days and customs.
To me it sounds beautiful to have such a rich history with your Catholicism. As for praying there are many good reads. If you are a mother check out The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood. I was always taught that it is important to pray very often, constantly if possible, as if God was your best friend, your tender love. In addition or with this, contemplative prayer is very revealing. Your grandmother sounds as if she was a good example praying the Rosary. I find the Rosary the easiest way to get in the mode of prayer. It is perfect for meditation helping you to identify with Jesus and your personal feelings.
Joyful in Jesus

 

[blessedtoo]

Christ told St. Faustina this:

The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.

I find this enormously comforting and proved to be especially true in my case!

 

[YADA]

Hello ThereIsHope!

One of my scripture/theology professors said that it was important for us to consider and ask ourselves each day “Are we Jewish enough?” Our Lord Jesus was a devout Jew. It seems to e that you are doubly blessed in a Catholic faith and Jewish faith.

Perhaps it is time for you to explore the Catholic faith from an adult perspective, as you refer to yourself as “catholic”. You can do this by becoming an active participant at your parish [join one if you don’t have a reguar parish]. Were you Confirmed? If not participate in an adult Confirmation formation…some parishes do this in conjunction with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA], some parishes may have seperate formation for adlt conformandi.

If you are fully initiated, you can still attend RCIA formation to learn about the faith. You can offr to bring treats or help ooout in other ways while learning about the faith. Explore Jewish faith and practice. You might be surprised at how familiar the worship liturgies are. Look for the Jewish liturgical roots in the Mass. Read or listen to Rosilland Moss…

and most of all, embrace where you are and trust God to work in your life…read scripture…read in both the Hebrew Texts and the Chritian New Testament texts…

Shaloam, Pax Christi