Searching for Some Much-Needed Advice

[blancbloom]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

 

[fred_conty]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

If you were baptized Catholic, then you are catholic. You may decide to experiment with other religions but we have all they have and more. It’s just that you are uninformed about the catholic faith.

I would suggest you try RCIA in you parish or in another parish. It will start you off with the information you need to make your catholic faith something to believe in and something to be really appreciated.

Another suggestion is to find a parish that has a library where you may browse for books that may be of real interest to you.

Here are websites that are interesting.
miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/approved_apparitions/lourdes/miracles1.html
overcomeproblems.com/incorruptibles.htm
catholicapologetics.info/library/gallery/incorrupt/incorrupt.htm
listverse.com/2008/07/14/top-10-astonishing-miracle/
St. Catherine and the miraculous medal-story
stcathek.org/stcath.htm
St. Catherine as she appears today, miraculously preserved.
traditioninaction.org/SOD/SODimages5/232_incorrupt_labourel.jpg

I would suggest getting a miraculous medal of Mary’s, have it blessed and wear it.
She promised great and aboundant graces if you ask for them and trust her to get them for you.
It is her gift to you and it would please her if you wore one.

Just some thoughts.

 

[St_Francis]

When you say: I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, what are you doing? Are you only reading the Bible and attending Mass, or are you doing other things as well?

 

[Sonic]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

You may want to read the life of Mother Theresa. She struggled with many of doubts you described. She remembered the verse in scripture where Our Blessed Lord said that whoever helps, feeds, and clothes the poor and helpless also did those things for Him. So, she went out and did just that in order to find Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you are called to a more active Catholic Faith that includes doing charitable work. A life that includes living the gospel: not in words but in deeds.

Saint Francis once said to preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.

Remember, God loves you.

 

[Augusta1990]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

You say you’re “not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church” and want to “be inspired by Catholicism”… maybe the issue is that you’re using emotions as the gauge of your faith. It might help to decide what you think about these things instead of how you feel.

 

[Lady_Love]

Start here.

The Mathematical Odds of Jesus Fulfilling Prophecy

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY

“The following probabilities are taken from Peter Stoner in Science Speaks (Moody Press, 1963) to show that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability. Stoner says that by using the modern science of probability in reference to eight prophecies, ‘we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 10 to the power of 17.” That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. In order to help us comprehend this staggering probability, Stoner illustrates it by supposing that “we take 10 to the power of 17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man.”

Stoner considers 48 prophecies and says, “we find the chance that any one man fulfilled all 48 prophecies to be 1 in 10 to the power of 157, or 1 in 10,00,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 000,000,000.”

(This information was taken from the book Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell.)

The estimated number of electrons in the universe is around 10 to the power of 79. It should be quite evident that Jesus did not fulfill the prophecies by accident. He was who He said He was: the only way (John 14:6)."

This should help you get started. The first thing needed is to know that Jesus is who He says He is. Once you know this you can start having a relationship with the person of Jesus.

 

[pwlj_christ87]

just try to understand the concept of good and evil… and if you want ot walk in the good which is the path to life eternal, not only for a better future but a better and easier walk here on earth, than just learn about christ. dont try to read to much but pray, pray to GOD the father… becaue he is truly alive and present… have a relationship with him like you would with a real father… and when you do this, scripture becomes easier and better to read… dont go the other way, the way that leads to wickness. for you will be emptier and never satisfied and can lead to destruction.

by the looks of it,you are an accepting person, an atribute of christ… you can be an inspiration for others, but you have to be aware of sin , you can love the person but hate the sin

i will pray for you

 

[sirach2v4]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

My suggestion is that you start the Christian walk, following Jesus. I’m sure we each approach Catholicism in different ways. But, for all of us, Christ demands submission. He says things in the form of a command: Repent and Believe.

It sounds like you are gravitating to some comfort zone that you don’t want to leave. In fact, you have to leave everything, give it all up, to follow Jesus.

Do you believe in “right and wrong.” Where does that come from? If you find the truth someplace, keep looking for more of the truth. What is true in your life?

Winston Churchill once said, “men stumble upon the truth,and then go on as if nothing had happened.” Is this you? Maybe you need to confront the truth, and search for the whole truth, which is Jesus Christ.

Protestants have a saying about the verse in Genesis, when God is apparently looking for Adam, who is hiding. God says, “Where are you?” It’s not because God is lost, Adam is lost. We are lost without God. We need to find God. Start looking and never give up.

How are we to love God? (Deut 6:4ff) Hear O Israel the Lord is God, the one and only. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Whew, what a challenge for us all, especially that last part. Judaism says that loving God with all our strength includes using all our resources (including money).

 

[pwlj_christ87]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

christianity is a faith, based on historical proof of the man of jesus and his fulfillment of prophecy… he is either god in human form, who died, in accordance to the scriptures and prophets all historical events leading up to him… or he is a lunatic, or he is a liar…

pray to god and jesus and just invite him into your life, you just have to acknowledge that your not perfect but through him you can be…

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice. — THIS IS GREAT
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith. DOESNT MATTER, YOUR QUEST FOR GOD IS YOUR OWN
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are. DOESNT MATTER, WE ARE ALL SINNERS, WE LOVE THE PERSON WE HATE THE SIN
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker. DOESNT MATTER
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality. THIS IS A SIN AGAINST THE FIRST COMMANDMENT, YOU HAVE TO REPENT AND ASK JESUS FOR FORGIVENESS
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it. PRAY BEFORE YOU READ AND CHANGE INTERNALLY
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.GOD WILL BRING SOME INTO YOUR LIFE, YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH THEM FROM CHURCH
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore. I WILL PRAY, KEEP GOING DONT GIVE UP, YOUR PARTAKING IN SOMETHING ETERNAL WHEN AT CHURCH
My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

 

[BeeSweet]

Take what you’ve said here to the confessional and listen to what your advice your priest has for you.

Make a religious retreat at a Catholic retreat center.

Ask your parish secretary, and/or get in touch with your diocesan offices and ask for a listing of spiritual directors in your area. Find a spiritual director you can speak with.

Don’t expect divine inspiration, God speaks in a still, small voice in His time, not yours. Our expectations often drown out the authentic workings of the Spirit in our lives.

Our faith is rich in tradition, and our God is a living God. Nourish your faith.

Sometimes going to Mass is a chore. Do it anyway.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I second the suggestion of RCIA. Maybe you could find something similar, for people who are already Catholic but want to grow deeper in their faith and learn more. An Alpha Course could be something for you, but make sure it is in a Catholic church, so all the protestant stuff is weeded out. It is Christianity 101 and the aim is to teach the basics of our faith, and to deepen it for those already practicing (to whatever degree). I went a few years ago and it was great.

A Bible study could be a good way to get you interested in the faith. I don’t get much out of it when I read on my own. A good commentary is essential because the wider context is not always clear and there are so many layers to the texts.

Prayer is really essential to our spiritual growth. Without it there is a danger of Christianity being no more but an intellectual exercise, or a nice idea worth following if one has the time. The Divine Mercy chaplet is a wonderful devotion and it won’t take too much of your time. Maybe you could give that a try.

 

[blancbloom]

Wow. Thank you everyone. I am overwhelmed by the helpful and thoughtful responses you all gave me. I am just so incredibly touched by these posts to me, a mere stranger on this forum. I’m going to be bookmarking this Thread…

To the thoughts about the RCIA - I did attend CCD until I was confirmed. This sounds like it is the same thing except for adults. Wouldn’t it be weird if I attended these and I was already a Catholic? Won’t they be telling me the same things I heard years ago?

Fred- Thank you for all the great links! I have never heard of the incorruptibles.I simply love the Miraculous Medal idea. I actually have some that I got at a church flea market years ago. How do I go about asking the priest to bless them? I just moved half way across the country, so I don’t have a home parish…

St Francis - Yes. As I was raised, going to church and reading the Bible were BIG parts of being a Catholic…a well as trying my best to follow the Ten Commandments. What else should I be doing? I also volunteer in the community…

Sonic- Is this the book on Mother Teresa I should read?
amazon.com/Mother-Teresa-Revised-Authorized-Biography/dp/0062026143

Funny you mention doing charitable work and helping the homeless. I am currently unemployed and have been looking into volunteering opportunities in the area…

Augusta - You have a point. However, I don’t know what I believe. I really don’t. I just know that I was baptized and surrounded by Catholic family…but I want to make the decision for myself. I can’t tell if I have been Catholic because I believe or because it has been more convenient than telling my mother I am not.

pljw-You break it down so easily. The Wiccan thing is water under the bridge now. I have repented. The only reason I brought it up was because of how excited I was when I followed it. I wish I could have the same enthusiasm as a Catholic.

Sirach- I don’t feel as if I am in a comfort zone. I feel quite uneasy about the whole thing. Of course I believe in right and wrong. That’s a good place to start my quest.

BeeSweet-I have confessed everything to a priest and he told me that I needed to read the Bible every day. So, that’s what I have been trying to do. However, I just moved to a new area, so I’ll try reaching out to a spiritual director.

Contra- I have never heard of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I’ll look it up.

 

[Bill_Martin]

Hi Everyone,

This is only my second post here. I’ll do my best to sum this up as to not make a book. I’m 28 years old and am currently thinking about leaving the church. Please share your wisdom. I’m open to any ideas…

My Problem:
-I am not sure I believe in Christianity. I am not inspired by reading the Bible or going to church.

Background Info:
-Born and raised Catholic. My parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family still practice.
-My husband is a non-practicing muslim, who has his own questions/doubts about his faith.
-I am an artist and have many friends who are gay, and accept them for who they are.
-I took that quiz on belief.net and was told I am 100% Liberal Quaker.
-When I was a teenager, I was a practicing Wiccan. Although I would not turn back to that religion now, what I received from that was this excitement and interest in my spirituality.
-I try reading the Bible regularly, but am never moved. I never feel anything when I read it.
-I tried going to a Unitarian church with my husband last year, and we decided that definitely was not for us. (That’s a whole other post.)
-I have no practicing Catholic friends.
-I am trying VERY hard to be a Catholic, but I feel like it is mostly because the rest of my family (minus my husband) is one, and to me, that seems like the wrong reason to do it. Going to church seems like a chore.

My Question:
What can I do to be inspired by Catholicism? How can I get myself to truly believe in Christ?..and to love him?

It sounds like you are basing this lack of belief on a lack of “feeling”. You say that you are not moved by the Bible, don’t feel anything when you read it, and don’t feel inspired by Mass or by the Bible.

Feelings come and go. I find Mass boring. I attend it regularly, but I don’t feel anything and most of the time get distracted. Same with reading the Bible, or praying the Rosary, or doing all kinds of things. Belief in God though, and belief in what he has revealed to us, should not be based on feeling inspired when thinking about it. If I think calmly, rationally, and deeply about it, I cannot come to any other conclusion than that Christianity is correct.

 

[Sonic]

Sonic- Is this the book on Mother Teresa I should read?
amazon.com/Mother-Teresa-Revised-Authorized-Biography/dp/0062026143

Funny you mention doing charitable work and helping the homeless. I am currently unemployed and have been looking into volunteering opportunities in the area…

That looks like a good book. These are also good books. There are several that were written by Mother Teresa herself. Like these:

ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/TOTAL+SURRENDER±+MOTHER+TERESA/shop.axd/ProductDetails?x=0&y=0&keywords=mother+teresa&page_no=5&edp_no=4106

ignatius.com/Products/MTCL-P/mother-teresa.aspx

These are by people who knew her:

ignatius.com/Products/MOTHT-H/mother-teresa-of-calcutta.aspx

ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/MOTHER+TERESA+S+LESSONS+OF+LOVE/shop.axd/ProductDetails?x=0&y=0&keywords=mother+teresa&page_no=4&edp_no=4175

Good luck and God bless you!

 

[pwlj_christ87]

hey first of all i just want to say thanks for your responses im glad i helped even though my points were very to the point. but we are taught to act in prudence and reject everything wrong. i can talk about christianity forever but to me it sounds like you are simply an “infant” inthe faith, meaning your relationhship with god or christ isnt as mature, and i just ant to let you know that there are thousands probably hundreds of thousands, including myself, that started off (meaning away from the church and lost) and coming back…

all i want to share with you is that we should rejoice in the fact that GOD actually came to the world… isnt that amazing??? i mean how can you not be at least somewhat excited or amazed at that, and when you think god, think what he is, LOVE and GOODNESS , a father who wants nothing but the best.

so how can we prove that god came to earth, everything revolves around the man of jesus… who was foretold hundreds of years before he actually came… and he fulfilled every last prophecy…an entire nation waited for god and he came just like he said he would… and hes the same now as he is yesterday, perhaps the time we live in today are just as bad…

for me sometimes when i first read the bible was, like ya ok everything is “bad”, but its true… a christian shouldnt be dancing immorally, groping, listening to music about drugs and ****…we all know this is wrong so why does eveyrone do it,

so whats his death mean? its an atonement, he replaces us, in that since we all fall short of god. and we know this, how can anyone argue against the ten commandments? how can anyone who is sane watch someone brutally stab someone to death, or sleep around liek its ok, how can someone that lies decieves steals feel it is ok, well deep down we all know its not, but god made it the law meaning official at mt. sinai, in real history, in real time…

anwyas, i have been on a journey too, and at first i found it hard to come back to the church, i found everything “strict”, but that “strict” was just an illusion to me… it wasnt the truth… goign to church once a week isnt a chore… it shouldnt be, we should want to go to it like we would a best friends birthday party… i am excited every sunday to go, i am blessed in that my godo friend goes with me now, we went from being very “dark” ourselves, to almost awaiting for mass everyweek, being in communion with god since the bread becomes his flesh

everyone talks about the church controlling us this and that but how is that true? the church was formed by christhimself and he said to hsi disciples “eat my flesh and you wont die” ever… were partaking in something divine…

for me, i find great joy in god… i have a rock underneath me… i dont have to worry as much in life, i believe the father takes care of me, and sometimes a few months later i look back on my life and say , wow that is the way it was because thats how god wanted it and tit is SO much better…

the fact of the matter is , god loved you way before you were born… he knows you now he knows exactly where your at in life… you can talk tohim anytime, you can say prayers from the church and ask saints to help you… and as you grow in the faith, youll notice yourself change more for the better, and youll notice people noticing you, and youll notice changes in them. and youll find joy in that…

aanwyays, all i want to say is, god does the work for you, HE changes you internally, if you let him, and ask him, and talk to him, and pray.as the days go by, youll see him changing you and youll want to just grow even better…

be salt my friend, be the person god wanted you to be, dont let your “salt” become tasteless…

 

[St_Francis]

Hi BlancaBloom,
Hmmm, would you say someone who studied science for 25 hours a year in high school was knowledgeable about science? Probably not.

A good RCIA program would help because it would be on an adult level, so the knowledge imparted would be deeper and more thorough, and the people are there because they want to learn about the Faith, so the students tend to bring more in. So that is a good starting point.

This is what I did when I returned to the Church–I had two little children and my husband was working out of town so I couldn’t go to RCIA–I read a lot! First Home Sweet Rome by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. I like it because it explains several difficult points in an easily understood way, describes the personal difficulties of the authors (possibly irrelevant in your case, and they were already serious Protestants), it’s easy to read, and they have a real, shining love for Christ. It may not be dor you, bit i think it would be worth checking out.

Then I read the first three Baltimore Catechisms. A lot of people recommend the Catechism of the Catholoc Church, but I found it difficult to understand and it seems a lot of people who understand it also understand more mystical writings than I do. So, check those out and see what you like. And afterwards I read Radio Replies, which really expands on the BCs, and i have to put a plug in for those books because I also feel like they sharpen up my mind: it’s like exercise to think theough what they are saying All these are available online, let me know if you want links.

But the most important thing of all After the sacraments is to pray. Pray the Rosary; you may have to work up to praying 5 decades a day, bit it is very worth it. Pray morning and evenings prayers and offer up things. Pray the Rosary! It is hard, and there are lots of helps for that–just ask if you need help finding those. Learn about the saints and pray to them too, asking for their intercession, the way you’d talk with a friend and ask for prayer. Get to know the saints. And pray the Rosary–very important!!

The thing is, the material world hits our senses so intensely that we have to really work at establishing and maintaining our connections with the spiritual world. It’s like when you can’t see the stars because the sun is out, even tho the stars are much bigger than the Sun. Practicing, the way you’d practice playing the violin by playing it, so llaying and practicing are pretty much the same thing, is very important and that is why prayer, formal and informal, are so very important, and you will get better at them the more you practice.

As you learn more about the sacraments, you will appreciate them more and bring more to them, which will allow you to get more out of them. Partake of all the sacraments frequently–oh, gee, not marriage! But Confession and Mass, yes.

And don’t forget to pray the Rosary! After the sacraments, many, many people have had little more than the Rosary, and some of them became great saints.

(While this may sound intimidating, it won’t be. A little reading, a little praying, attending Mass and Confession whenever you can… )

 

[system]

Hello I hope you can find some answers here helpful. I am also 28 and was interested in learning more about God and the Catholic faith and how much of a blessing it is to many. I was raised Baptist, which I have no regrets but now am in the process of becoming a Catholic through the RCIA process. I love it and would highly recommend this to you. You are not required to attend every class and there are even people in my class that were raised Catholic that just want to expand their knowlege of the Catholic faith. I think this class could be very helpful for you as it explains the what’s, why’s and how’s of the Catholic faith at an adult level which may answer you questions better than the classes you took in your youth. Find a parish where the Priest touches your heart. I had my first confession about a month ago and was nervous about saying the truth about my wrongs. I went again about a week ago and put it all on the table and prayed about my sins with the Priest. It felt so nice to say my sins out loud to God with the help of a Priest, I felt like doing this really opened my heart to God and makes it easier to understand the Gospel and truly feel in my heart what you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask your Priest for help, that is what he is there for. Please just give your Faith another full hearted chance, I’m pretty sure you will get the results your looking for, Faith. I am not even a full member of the Church yet but allowing myself to truly open my heart has brought a peace in my life I cannot describe and I really feel you will have the same results if you just put your full Faith in God.

Good luck and God Bless,

Eric