Reconnecting with Catholicism

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SilverCamellia

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Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I have been away from Catholicism for about 9 months now and I’d like some advice on how best to get back. I was confirmed last Easter vigil, but in the summer I began going out with a guy who wasn’t particularly religious and in the end stopped going to church. I did break up with him in September, but since last summer I have basically been doing what many Catholics do: call themselves a Catholic in name but not in deed. I want to change this, I want to get involved again. Going back to church will be the easiest bit (though also a bit embarrassing).

One of my problems is that I struggle with reading the Bible. I have read the NT before but not much more than the Gospels. For some reason I’ve always struggled to understand it, even the Gospels, it’s like there is so much going on in a condensed version and I also don’t like how some of it are parables, I prefer to just be told what something is or is not rather than having to look for hidden meanings. I also find it hard to get ‘in contact’ with Jesus. I’ve been reading religious poetry recently and what struck me was how personal a relationship people had. I have never had that. I guess I should also start praying to my patron saint again and begin the rosary again? And dig out my little book of prayers.

Any other hints?

Thanks for any advice 🙂
 
SilverCamellia said:
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I have been away from Catholicism for about 9 months now and I’d like some advice on how best to get back. I was confirmed last Easter vigil, but in the summer I began going out with a guy who wasn’t particularly religious and in the end stopped going to church. I did break up with him in September, but since last summer I have basically been doing what many Catholics do: call themselves a Catholic in name but not in deed. I want to change this, I want to get involved again. Going back to church will be the easiest bit (though also a bit embarrassing).

One of my problems is that I struggle with reading the Bible. I have read the NT before but not much more than the Gospels. For some reason I’ve always struggled to understand it, even the Gospels, it’s like there is so much going on in a condensed version and I also don’t like how some of it are parables, I prefer to just be told what something is or is not rather than having to look for hidden meanings. I also find it hard to get ‘in contact’ with Jesus. I’ve been reading religious poetry recently and what struck me was how personal a relationship people had. I have never had that. I guess I should also start praying to my patron saint again and begin the rosary again? And dig out my little book of prayers.

Any other hints?

Thanks for any advice 🙂
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Go to Confession. With Lent coming up, this is a great time to “clean” our spiritual house.
And prayer. Not just the Rosary or your book of prayers. Prayer when you draw close to Christ.

Take a look at what your personal relationship with Christ is like. That is the whole reason for the Church. Christ.
 
Improving your prayer life is a good start!

Also, I’d recommend you do an Examination of Conscience and get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as you can. You should be attending Mass every Sunday (or Sat. evening Vigil, if available)–but remember not to receive the Eucharist until after you’ve made a good Confession/Reconciliation and are in a state of grace.

It might also help to get involved with one or more groups at your parish, such as Legion of Mary, the Altar Society, a Bible Study, or just volunteering for an upcoming event or fundraiser–whatever appeals to you that is available at your parish. Being involved usually helps give us a sense of belonging and a somewhat stronger sense of obligation to continue coming to Church regularly… not to mention it’s a good way to meet new people. 😉

When you pray to Mary, ask her to bring you closer to her Son. Don’t be afraid to speak to God throughout your day, as you would a friend. It might feel somewhat awkward at first, but it gets easier as you do it, and may help you have a closer relationship to Him.

I must admit, I’m not very good at reading the Bible, either. I get confused, especially with “hidden meanings” or when NT readings refer back to OT phrases, prophecies, and prayers. So I don’t read a lot of it on my own; I usually do pay special attention to the readings and homily at Mass, and that helps.

I also am taking an Apologetics class, and am surprised how much about Scripture I’ve learned there! I have scheduling issues with our parish’s Bible study group, so I haven’t been able to attend that yet, but I think generally, Bible studies are a good place to get more insight into the Scriptures, as well–so if your parish offers one, consider giving it a try. 👍
 
All of the above but I would add to be very careful who you date after this and get to know them first BEFORE you date. Make up your mind about how you want to be treated, (Like a lady, I hope) and let them know how you expect to be treated, and stick with it no matter what. If he is a decent man he will appreciate you much more for your values. Sounds old fashioned but I believe we desperatly need some of those “old fasioned” values. God Bless, Memaw
 
hi,
i notice your term, 'Name only, not deed ’ catholic, ( i like that)which reminded me what an old priest politely told in his homily/ having catagories of catholics-not to judge-of course-his homily allowed the listener to decide in a prayerful way-this being conversion over a life time…of his/her catagory over a lifetime…

and hey. Bravo-that the the ‘boy friend’ is gone-they can be anchors-while Jesus, used a nautical term in a different way(anchor)…perhaps, there is no such thing as coincidence/ jus’ sayin’, that the boyfriend is gone, enter Jesus…given ‘they’,your soul to discover,are quite different, despite being males…The Holy Spirit will remind you-to tell God that you love Him…He is the counselor and lover of the heart…Upon return to the Church, as the other posts wisely advise the process-I add-that there is human love and Divine love/ with the many quandries of human love, including sometimes unrequited love (implying love that is not returned); while divine love is an exchange of heaven and earth. God loves first. And always will return your love.
therein the heart will not be in contest with the mind having doubts or embaresment…the visual presence of Jesus in body, blood, soul, divinity-will be visible in the mass…that is a comfort…

As I today, say a prayer for you, I entrust your heart to the heart of Jesus; and reflect upon what type of catholic who i have been…Yea, I have fit into many and all catagories…

Here is my version:

the herd catholic
he is like those african wilder beasts, he is a follower, living in society/ he follows the herd leader, across crokodile enfested waters-You could infer that the movement of the herd migrates in wild areas as if by a certain drum beat…

the gutter catholic-he esteems himself from the gutter-there in proof of societes’ ills, to which he relates to even the street’s gutters,the addictions like the dirty dark spotty snow, with condoms-drug syringes…pornography…

the snow man catholic-the opposite affect of the above-that the snow is remelted, filtered, melted, refrozen-with a spiritual purity/he esteems himself differently than the gutter catholic.

the sailor catholic-he climbs the mast of the sailing scooner-the church-the mast appears tall-like a cross, of that old fashioned sailing ship…he is ascending in the climb, is slightly punctured by a protruding nail-drops of blood flow on his fore arm-he still still climbs higher to complete the task / -he realizes that his blood does not heal the worlds sins-that instead that would require the sacrificial blood of Jesus-the sailor catholic looks down from his perch-to inquire- whom is the helmsman? and it is Mother Mary at the rudder.

the sailor catholic knows, the ship is the church/ and that even by the power of the rosary, that Mary is dependable in her guidance/ She does not abandon you on the storms of life/she always says,“Listen to Jesus” (to esteem yourself in Him) and to listen to the living heart of the risen Lord, Jesus…
I end-thanks for your post, and Sister!..
 
SilverCamellia said:
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I have been away from Catholicism for about 9 months now and I’d like some advice on how best to get back. I was confirmed last Easter vigil, but in the summer I began going out with a guy who wasn’t particularly religious and in the end stopped going to church. I did break up with him in September, but since last summer I have basically been doing what many Catholics do: call themselves a Catholic in name but not in deed. I want to change this, I want to get involved again. Going back to church will be the easiest bit (though also a bit embarrassing).

One of my problems is that I struggle with reading the Bible. I have read the NT before but not much more than the Gospels. For some reason I’ve always struggled to understand it, even the Gospels, it’s like there is so much going on in a condensed version and I also don’t like how some of it are parables, I prefer to just be told what something is or is not rather than having to look for hidden meanings. I also find it hard to get ‘in contact’ with Jesus. I’ve been reading religious poetry recently and what struck me was how personal a relationship people had. I have never had that. I guess I should also start praying to my patron saint again and begin the rosary again? And dig out my little book of prayers.

Any other hints?

Thanks for any advice 🙂
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Hi,
I understand your difficulty in this manner. I used to have problems understanding scripture and trying to relate it my life.
I actually found that asking the Holy Spirit to help me one of the best ways of solving that problem.
The popes as far back as the beginning of the 19th century have encouraged us to devote ourselves to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to bring us closer to Jesus and the Father and help us to understand His Word.
Since I started doing this my relationship with Jesus has deepened daily and I know Him as my best friend. Scripture has become literally a living thing for me, revelation and understanding of His Word far easier than before. Stuff just jumps out at me, and as I ponder on the things I have read connections to other scriptures and relating them to my life gel like never before.
I would also say to recommend yourself to Mary, Our Holy Mother, who will guide you and keep you on the right path as you read the scriptures.

All you need do, on top of the other great suggestions others have given on this thread, is pray the following, regularly;

“Dear Holy Spirit, I ask that you help me. I ask that you fill me and draw me closer to Jesus and the Father. Open my heart to a closer relationship with them and to Word of God. Reveal to me the Words of the Bible, as Jesus promised when He said the Father would send You to us to teach us everything. Holy Spirit I trust in You, and I ask this in Jesus Name, Amen”

I will keep you in my prayers, too 🙂 God Bless
B.
 
Thanks for everyone’s suggestions so far!

Hembergb, thanks for the prayer to the Holy Spirit, I wrote it down 🙂

David Patrick, thanks for offering a prayer for me, and thanks for your own classification of Catholics … interesting to read.

Memaw … good point!

CatholicRaven, I am going to go to Mass tomorrow (Sunday) and hopefully go to confession on Monday if I have the chance. I am in mortal sin but for some reason this does not concern me :confused:. My church doesn’t have any “extra-curricular”, so to speak, classes. I was a member of the choir though and I can pick that up again.

Marie5890, not going to church has been preying on my conscience for months and it was only the other day I thought about Lent and found out I had become aware of it in time 🙂 You said “Take a look at what your personal relationship with Christ is like”. To be honest I don’t have one :o For some reason I feel more connection to my patron saint (St Michael) than to Jesus (hope that’s not blasphemy 😦 ) possibly because of the powerful, stirring prayer to him I have as my sig :confused:
 
I have just got back from church 🙂

I went down to my usual place with the choir, and everyone smiled and waved and I felt very welcome! So I soon lost my embarrassment over coming back.

My sponsor, also a choir member, sat next to me like she always used to. She treated me like I’d never left: ‘Move up so I can get in’ was the first thing she said to me! 😃 When we did the sign of peace, she said, ‘Welcome back’ :).

I have arranged to go to choir practice on Thursday.

Just having gone back I feel much easier in my conscience, I feel ‘hugged’ if that makes sense! Feeling very happy now. I will go to the weekday Mass tomorrow to make my confession and to take Communion and begin my path with Christ once again! 😃 👍
 
SilverCamellia said:
Just having gone back I feel much easier in my conscience, I feel ‘hugged’ if that makes sense! Feeling very happy now. I will go to the weekday Mass tomorrow to make my confession and to take Communion and begin my path with Christ once again! 😃 👍
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Wonderful!
Well done for going to Mass today. I think you will feel much better after confession. These things can see quite scary when we imagine what it will be like to face people after our absence, but in reality it is not as bad.

I hope I’m not being rude by saying this, but I think that perhaps you should not date men who are not practicing Christians. I know there are lovely guys out there who are not Christians and it is easy to think that their lack of faith does not really matter. But so many people leave their faith or become lukewarm when they are with a non-religious person. It is tragic. You need someone who will help you come closer to God, not pull you away from Him.
 
Reconnecting with Catholicism definitely describes my life the past year or so.

The only advice I can offer is this: do whatever makes you feel most connected to God; if you have no idea about what that is, maybe you could just be open to the idea that God’ll guide you in this process. I find going to Mass helps because I can see Christ’s community and I feel at home there.

All the best,
Tim
 
SilverCamillia,
So happy for you! :heaven:

Keep working at it. Relationships–even a relationship with God–do tend to take some time and effort. But that’s one relationship that is SO worth it! Also, as you live your faith more and more, you will probably discover that keeping the faith (and not allowing others to pull you away from it) actually helps you to be a better friend, neighbor, etc., and will also help you to be a better spouse in the future. 👍

I think it’s great that you’re in the choir again, and so glad you were welcomed back with open arms!
 
Contramundum, you are probably right about dating. But most of the men in my parish are either twice or three times my age and already married, lol. I get the impression that, at least in the UK, the only young(ish) people who will be involved in church life are most likely to be Evangelical Protestants 😦

Ichthystim and CatholicRaven, thank you for your comments 🙂
 
SilverCamellia said:
I get the impression that, at least in the UK, the only young(ish) people who will be involved in church life are most likely to be Evangelical Protestants 😦
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I know, you are right. It is not easy to meet available Catholic men there. Do you have a university where you live? Their chaplaincies tend to be well frequented, and not just by students. They also have a variety of activities.
 
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