Returning to church after many years

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I was raised in a Catholic home and married in the church. I left for many years and occasionally felt a pull back and would go to mass. My children have all gone through CCD and received the sacraments but I am embarrassed to say we did not set any example for them. We did go to mass when they were little but it was just going through the motions, we went to mass but did not live the faith. Last year I was driving by a different Catholic church in town and decided to go to mass. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of peace I had after mass. My husband has no interest in church now but more and more I feel the pull back. I know that I need to start by going to confession for the first time in 35 years and I am terrified. I just do not know where to begin. I read about a church in Chicago (St.Peter) that is run by monks. They have masses all day on weekdays and hear confessions all day. Their website says that they offer spiritual direction, no need to call, just ask in the office. I found information someone printed off of the website and dropped in the park while I was taking a a walk and feel that that was another sign for me that I should go there. I want to go this week but I have the feeling I will talk myself out of it. I am very shy and the thought of going in makes me feel like my stomach is in knots. I need encouragement!
 
Welcome home, tate66! Go! You’ve been missed so much. :sad_yes:

Asia
 
I know people who have prayed for decades for people just like you to come back to the sacraments! How wonderful. 😃

The priest hearing your confession will be so pleased to welcome you home. You will feel light as air when you come out!
 
I have encountered a few cases of those who have been away from the church for a long time - the record was a 100 year old woman in a board and care home who had married outside the church 60 years before. I tell them to just tell the priest how long it has been since your last confession - approximately is fine - and ask him what do I do now. Let him guide you from there. They all did fine and felt great afterward.

With my prayers - Joe K.
 
So awesome to hear Tate. As someone who did the same thing 4 years ago after fifteen years away from the faith. I can tell you, it is intimidating. And for your signs… I was driving in Toledo… just moved there for my job. Lost, although I was only a half mile from my house. But did not know the area enough to know where I was. I pulled into Church. There were two cars in the lot. There was a lady praying in the pew. I saw a light on in the confessional. I walked in and explained to the Priest that it just felt “right” told him how long it had been since my last confession. It was so wonderful. I felt a fool because I did not know the act of contrition. He handed me a paper with it on it. He said, its common to forget and smiled.

Long story short. I went back to Church, so did my wife. One of my sons just had his first communion last year. The other son next year. I teach CCD go to daily Mass and I have never felt better about life, really.
Welcome home Tate, welcome home. Just go, go to confession. Know it will seem uncomfortable. But know the grace God gives will totally surround you.
 
tate66 said:
I was raised in a Catholic home and married in the church. I left for many years and occasionally felt a pull back and would go to mass. My children have all gone through CCD and received the sacraments but I am embarrassed to say we did not set any example for them. We did go to mass when they were little but it was just going through the motions, we went to mass but did not live the faith. Last year I was driving by a different Catholic church in town and decided to go to mass. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of peace I had after mass. My husband has no interest in church now but more and more I feel the pull back. I know that I need to start by going to confession for the first time in 35 years and I am terrified. I just do not know where to begin. I read about a church in Chicago (St.Peter) that is run by monks. They have masses all day on weekdays and hear confessions all day. Their website says that they offer spiritual direction, no need to call, just ask in the office. I found information someone printed off of the website and dropped in the park while I was taking a a walk and feel that that was another sign for me that I should go there. I want to go this week but I have the feeling I will talk myself out of it. I am very shy and the thought of going in makes me feel like my stomach is in knots. I need encouragement!
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Ask our Blessed Mother to take you by the hand. She will!

How nice to know that there is a church in Chicago in which the monks offer spiritual direction, and confessions when needed. What a gift! What a great sign to go there!
 
Welcome Home.
just go to confession and return to Mass and communion, yes it is really that simple
this will be an occasion of immense grace not only for you but for your husband and family. Expect great things, not on your schedule and not necessarily as you hope, but when you open the window for the Holy Spirit he takes full advantage.
 
tate66 said:
I was raised in a Catholic home and married in the church. I left for many years and occasionally felt a pull back and would go to mass. My children have all gone through CCD and received the sacraments but I am embarrassed to say we did not set any example for them. We did go to mass when they were little but it was just going through the motions, we went to mass but did not live the faith. Last year I was driving by a different Catholic church in town and decided to go to mass. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of peace I had after mass. My husband has no interest in church now but more and more I feel the pull back. I know that I need to start by going to confession for the first time in 35 years and I am terrified. I just do not know where to begin. I read about a church in Chicago (St.Peter) that is run by monks. They have masses all day on weekdays and hear confessions all day. Their website says that they offer spiritual direction, no need to call, just ask in the office. I found information someone printed off of the website and dropped in the park while I was taking a a walk and feel that that was another sign for me that I should go there. I want to go this week but I have the feeling I will talk myself out of it. I am very shy and the thought of going in makes me feel like my stomach is in knots. I need encouragement!
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Welcome home, we are SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK!!
 
Welcome back,
Reading your story has given me a smile 🙂

God bless
 
tate66 said:
I was raised in a Catholic home and married in the church. I left for many years and occasionally felt a pull back and would go to mass. My children have all gone through CCD and received the sacraments but I am embarrassed to say we did not set any example for them. We did go to mass when they were little but it was just going through the motions, we went to mass but did not live the faith. Last year I was driving by a different Catholic church in town and decided to go to mass. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of peace I had after mass. My husband has no interest in church now but more and more I feel the pull back. I know that I need to start by going to confession for the first time in 35 years and I am terrified. I just do not know where to begin. I read about a church in Chicago (St.Peter) that is run by monks. They have masses all day on weekdays and hear confessions all day. Their website says that they offer spiritual direction, no need to call, just ask in the office. I found information someone printed off of the website and dropped in the park while I was taking a a walk and feel that that was another sign for me that I should go there. I want to go this week but I have the feeling I will talk myself out of it. I am very shy and the thought of going in makes me feel like my stomach is in knots. I need encouragement!
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It appears you are heeding the age old call of "Repentance:
As for your husband, Don’t nag. Lead by example! Pray for him!
God Bless!
 
It seems that God is calling you, now you have to do something. Like the Prodigal Son, you will be welcomed back and find forgiveness and peace

I walked away from the church for just over thirty years, strangely enough it was a man from the Baptist Church nearby, who gave me the reason to return. He said if you are looking for God you have to do SOMETHING.

At the time it felt frustrating, because he did not tell me what the something is that I should do.

Every blessing

Eric
 
Dorothy said:
Ask our Blessed Mother to take you by the hand. She will!
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By all means! I had been away for 50 years (!). I had made an appointment to talk with a priest about returning, beforehand. Then I made an appointment for him to hear my confession - and I was scared silly, almost petrified, couldn’t hardly open the door to the car. So I took a deep breath, told Our Holy Mother I put it in her hands, and that was that. I always seem to have more courage/do better when I let her do the worrying for me, and gently push me on my way. She’s a Great Mom… 🙂
 
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