Returning to the Sacraments

[InsanePreschool]

After 18 months out of the Church, I am planning on returning Saturday afternoon with the sacrament of penance. I spoke with the associate pastor at my old parish today and he assured me that I am welcomed back.

Has anyone else experienced this? I was a convert but then left to attend several other churches, none of them Catholic, and even questioned the validity of Christian claims of Jesus’ divinity sometimes. I am eager to receive Eucharist again, and to enroll my children in religious education in the fall.

If you left the church and came back, what were some obstacles you found? How long did it take you to feel comfortable again? Were you ashamed? Did you return to a former parish or go to a new one?

I thought about just finding a new parish, but my husband (not Catholic) reminded me how much I loved my old parish. I felt kind of embarrassed about what happened but the priest explained to me that it didn’t matter…and that it was nobody’s business anyway.

Looking for thoughts/advice/experiences on this. Thanks!

 

[DianJo]

I was not an adult convert but was brought into the faith at age 7 when my mother joined in the early 60’s. My father was Catholic. I don’t remember my Baptism but I do remember my First Communion. I can see myself now in that huge cathedral with all the other children in my white dress with my prayer book and rosary! How wonderful! I understood, even then, how important this event was! Amazing! Anyway, I digress…

After high school (Catholic high school, no less!), I fell away and stayed away, not because of any dispute I had but because sleeping in on Sunday morning after partying all night was more important. Therefore, I just fell away from all of it! I stayed away for many years. I married a Baptist and even took on his frame of mind and beliefs about the church - for a while! Ugh!

Through a series of events surrounding my Cursillo and a dear priest who taught me in high school, I was told that I could begin receiving Communion again - after soooooo many years! I was coming back home!

I felt eternally grateful, humbled, overjoyed, scared - all of it! We had moved to another city, so I had to enter another parish so there was no history there - I just showed up one day for Mass, absolutely in tears the entire time! My pastor must’ve wondered what was wrong with me! I really felt as though I had come home. My heart was so full of love for Jesus and my church and all that that meant. I felt perfectly comfortable. Even if I had been in my old parish where I had a history and people knew me and my family, I would not have hesitated! Your priest is right - it’s none of their business HOW you are able to come back - just that you are back!

Be happy, grateful, humble, overjoyed! Let your emotions come through. Let them see how you love the Lord, let them know how happy you are to be back! Get involved in your parish. Be a lector, be on the assorted committees, get involved in a bible study, let everyone know you’re around! Your faith will deepen even further!

Jump in with both feet, like I did! The water is great!

 

[jpjd]

I haven’t been in your situation, but I am puzzled as to why you feel there will be obstacles. I would think parishoners would be happy to see one of their own return to the fold, and in fact they should be happy to see ANY new face, and welcoming to all.

Do not feel embarassed or ashamed! Everyone is on a spiritual journey, which inevitably includes doubts and setbacks. You are not the only one to experience that!

DianJo gave you great advice: let your emotions show, show your happiness at being back, jump in with both feet!

 

[pm1853]

I spent a very long time out of the church (cradle catholic though). The ony shame I felt actually was when I realized what I had really been missing. My life had been a complete dissarray before I returned, and looking back on it, I could see the mistakes that I had made (and still make). That was the only shame. Think of the prodigal son story…his father celebrated when he returned. I don’t think anyone’s going to kill a fatted calf for you (though I could be wrong ) but you should celebrate in your return. Be happy, its a good day.

 

[Fizendell]

For me, it was 18 years… give or take… I was raised - bare basics - in the Church. Somewhere between beginning high school and my parents separation and divorce that year, I stopped attending Mass and had no interest in the Church.

For several years now, God has been gently guiding me back. It’s wonderful - and I encourage you if you know what circumstances drew you back - to write them down. I did yesterday, and as it turns out, it has not been a few months or almost a year - it’s been several years of hints, tugs, pokes and borderline shoves back in the right direction.

As a child, I remember approaching confession as if it were impending doom. I didn’t understand what I was supposed to say, I wondered how a child could commit mortal sin and I ended up saying the same thing every time I went to confession.

To come back and make confession for essentially my whole adult life, was - at the very least - the biggest knot in my entire being I have ever experienced. But it made the release of forgiveness all the better.

I too searched, joined and attended many Protestant churches during my early adult years. All the while looking for the right answers.

Obstacles I encountered:
The many teachings from the Protestant churches about why the Catholic Church was wrong. I’ve spent many hours reading and researching - trying to find out who was right.

The many teachings of the Catholic Church and where it stands on issues - feeling like the Church is “behind the times” and wondering if I could join knowing I wouldn’t agree.

Anyone who has read my posts here knows that one of the BIGGEST obstacles I encountered was - what was Mass going to be like now? Why all the changes? And remember - I’m not even old enough to be Pre-Vatican II - so what changes am I talking about?

And finally - my biggest obstacle is getting over my selfish self - my judgemental self, my self that says I’m fine - I’m a good person, I won’t go to hell… only to sit and confess and realize how endangered I am!

Obstacles mean we’re human. Take them to God, His Son and Holy Spirit. He wants to work in you.

Welcome Home.

=)
Fiz