Returning Catholic... So many questions

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’m a 38 year old mother of one, married for seven years and have had a VERY bumpy go of it the last several years.

First off I was “raised catholic” by two people struggling with addiction which eventually led to my father dying, and my mother signing her rights away to me when I was 13. Long story short I’ve “made it”.

In 2007 while pregnant with my daughter I was diagnosed with cancer, decided against treatment until my daughter was delivered and healthy; which of course has caused many health issues. I’m currently battling bone cancer.

During 7 years of marriage we’ve battled cancer for 6.5 years, he lost his job, we lost our home, moved across country twice and we finally settled 1500 miles away from home I’m Houston.

About 6 months ago I just broke. My life felt broken, pointless and too much to bear. I tried to determine what was missing, why I was struggling and what I could do. Well, it took until today for me to walk in to mass.

I feel amazing after having gone but I feel so lost as far as the church is concerned and how to find the “right” place. The mass we went to was amazing but of course felt very established. Which is understandable. I’m just curious as to how you start make it all come together?

By no means do I want to take short cuts; I’m prepared to put the work in. I’m more concerned with where to start.

Your first concern should be with yourself spiritually. Others have given advice on this. Speak to your priest. Get confirmed. But also, practice your faith even while all of this is being sorted out. Pray, read, study.

On another note. Your story has the beginning of a powerful testimony and I would not be surprised if after you come home to the faith you feel a strong calling to help others and share your story.

A new apologist could be in the making here…

 

[ccmcmg]

Welcome, welcome home! So exciting!! I just returned a year ago myself, and oh what a year it’s been!

I want to echo what many others have said: the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). It has been such a great consolation to me, and has brought me even closer to Christ than I could have imagined. Take advantage of it. One of my most moving confessions was after I had prayed in the afternoon, and felt I had received an answer to my sin I was struggling with. That night, I went to Confession; the priest gave me almost the exact words I had ‘heard’ that afternoon. That showed me once again how truly Jesus Christ is in the Confessional, that the priest is truly ‘in persona Christi’.

If you feel so inclined and have talents to share, get involved with sharing them: being a cantor, a member of the choir, a lector, welcome ministry…

Again, welcome Home! God is so good to us!