Hi TwinMommy! You and I are neighbors (SE Mass) - wicked cool, huh?
I don’t know about parishes in Rhode Island unfortunately. The furthest south I have been is NewBedford - there is a Marian Franciscan Monastery there called “Our Ladys Chapel” that has a traditional Latin Mass at certain times during the week. Good, holy, and very traditional priests and brothers there. They also have a gift shop that is very affordable, and I doubt they would turn down a purchase if you couldn’t afford the full price. I belong to Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, MA. I love my parish - it has a LOT of life and the priest is young and very traditional and holy. There a quite a few parishes in Taunton, but they are all very different. Several have closed and merged with other parishes the past few years, but there are still quite a few. I think a couple more might be on their way out as they don’t seem to have much life. I’m thankful I live in an area with many choices - and our parish happens to be the closest to our home, so we’re blessed - but many people come from other areas just b/c it is such a blessed parish.
You have already been given so many great resources. Here are a couple more - not to overwhelm you, but I think you’ll really appreciate these:
The first is a link to a website that has online, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. That is, Jesus is exposed in the Eucharist in a beautiful vessel called a Monstrance and it is video-displayed on the internet all day and night for our benefit - to worship, to just sit in His presence, to talk casually to, to pray before (rosary, divine mercy, whatever…). It has been a real blessing to me.
savior.org/devotions.htm
The second is a link to a website that has the “Divine Office” or “Liturgy of the Hours” which, since you have an appreciation for prayer periods throughout the day, I think you will really love. (from the site): “From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.”
divineoffice.org/
My story is a lengthy one. I was raised a nominal Catholic (non-practicing), then had a power conversion that led me to fall in love with the Catholic Church. I was going to make my promises to enter the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites when my faith began to waver. Long story short - I eventually left the CC and joined a nearly-Amish Mennonite community for about 6 years. In the midst of that I went into a spell of hardcore Atheism before the Lord really grabbed hold of me and again and gently led me back to the CC.
It has been really hard to discuss any of my Catholicity to the Mennonites - they believe the CC is the Whore of Babylon
and I have gotten a few letters in the mail and phone messages that are a bit condemning in nature, so I don’t see what good pursuing a conversation with them would be since there is no open-mindedness. And I know I am not strong enough in my Catholicity right now anyway - I don’t need the arguments to try to sway me; to lead myself into a temptation to go back. It is like losing my family b/c they were a very big part of my life and my childrens lives (we have 5). But what a friend we have in Jesus
- daily Mass has filled this void MORE than I could have expected
About confession - the Bible says we should confess our sins to one another. I seldom see that in Protesant circles. In Catholicism we do both at once: confess to one another and confess directly to God. Confession need not take the place of confession directly to God either - we can and ought to turn to God immediately when we sin - but when it is possible at the next opportunity we should bring it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we can restore the grace that is lost. It is a very great blessing to receive this Sacrament. I go weekly when possible.
Catholic music: There are a couple of nice playlists on YouTube. Look up Catholic Music Playlist and scroll down a ways. There’s one that has very traditional songs and chants in it and there are several songs on that playlist - I can listen for hours before it runs out. And John Michael Talbot… not only has the voice of an angel and has a real gift for evangelizing through his music, but he’s a very holy and loving person too. He interacts with people on his Facebook page - very down-to-earth and loving. YouTube “God Is Enough” - he has a very short and beautiful message before he begins the song that I think you will enjoy.
Anyway, I’ve enjoyed reading these posts - I am overjoyed to winess how the Spirit leads people to His Church. Maybe one day you and I will run into each other! Have a wicked awesome night!
Bless you~
Went yesterday. Father O’Brian blessed my rosary. I had planned on going this morning after I took my boys to school but they did not go. I hope to make it at least one morning this week.
