Strong Desire to Attend Mass, But Not Catholic

[redrosetea]

I think your friend secretly might be jealous because you have discovered something she doesn’t have, and might covet

Catholics get used to people’s uncharitable behavior toward our religion…We know we have a treasure, and others can’t seem to let us enjoy it without trying to cast a shadow

 

[Susan_Calvin]

I think your friend secretly might be jealous because you have discovered something she doesn’t have, and might covet

You may have a point… she’s admitted to being jealous of me before, with regards to my education. She wants to attend graduate school herself, but had to quit when she had children. She’s also admitted in the past she’s jealous of the fact that I’m single and can therefore do what I want basically, and also that my job means I travel frequently, something she’s always wanted to do…

Funny though, I guess its true what they say about the grass being greener on the other side… because I have sometimes envied her in the sense that she has a lovely family. Really supportive parents, a husband and children… and I am alone. No relatives that I know of.

 

[redrosetea]

You may have a point… she’s admitted to being jealous of me before, with regards to my education. She wants to attend graduate school herself, but had to quit when she had children. She’s also admitted in the past she’s jealous of the fact that I’m single and can therefore do what I want basically, and also that my job means I travel frequently, something she’s always wanted to do…

Funny though, I guess its true what they say about the grass being greener on the other side… because I have sometimes envied her in the sense that she has a lovely family. Really supportive parents, a husband and children… and I am alone. No relatives that I know of.

You are never alone when you have God, and the saints, and the Blessed Mother…The Holy Family belongs to us all

 

[Susan_Calvin]

“Strong desire to attend mass, but not Catholic.” I had that problem about ten years ago. So I attended mass, and the rest is history.

Oh LOL I don’t know why your words above struck me as funny but they really did so thanks for the laugh!

 

[Susan_Calvin]

You are never alone when you have God, and the saints, and the Blessed Mother…The Holy Family belongs to us all

Its hard sometimes though. I feel lonely. Though, I do have Mother Teresa. I really do believe she’s with me, even before I had any inclination to go to mass or even believe in God, I thought she was with me. Especially since she said in her letters that she was praying for me, thought of me and hoped I was well. I feel extremely fortunate to have known her, when I think of her I usually stop feeling sorry for myself so thanks for the reminder!

 

[redrosetea]

Its hard sometimes though. I feel lonely. Though, I do have Mother Teresa. I really do believe she’s with me, even before I had any inclination to go to mass or even believe in God, I thought she was with me. Especially since she said in her letters that she was praying for me, thought of me and hoped I was well. I feel extremely fortunate to have known her, when I think of her I usually stop feeling sorry for myself so thanks for the reminder!

She is still looking out for you, she is leading you to God…You will meet so many wonderful people at church, some are alone too…However we all are there for each other, and I have made life long friends at church, who are very dear to me

 

[Tezza]

Dear Susan Calvin,

I just bumped into your thread. So very inspired by you and how God is working in your life! Thank you for sharing. It gives us all a renewed sense of God’s goodness when we see Him working in other’s lives so profoundly when sometimes He’s a bit quiet in our own.

It seems with your friends reaction, God is already allowing you a little challenge, like He’s saying, “What do you think? You still want to go with me on this one?” The strength you are showing is a great grace.

Also, I understand how daunting Catholicism can be. It has been around 2,000 years after all There is a book, Catholicism for Dummies (no judgment of your intellect) that breaks things down, if you’d like to know more of the ins and outs. Overall, though, my sense is that God is in no hurry to work in your head as much as He is to work on your heart.

The rosary is a beautiful prayer, for anyone. I imagine Mary, our Blessed Mother, will be the love for you that your mother was incapable of.

You are in my prayers, dear sister!

Peace in Christ,
Teri

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

You did not do anything wrong or offensive. If a friend of yours came to you and said she was going to become a Buddhist would you be personally offended? Would you end your friendship? Ever wonder why the newly discovered virtue of “tolerance” is a one way street?

Splendid point, well-put.

 

[Orchanian]

Susan,

What joy your heart must be feeling as God calls you! There are some great books that might help as you make this journey, especially ones that can help you answer the objections from your atheist friends. First is Yes or No, by Peter Kreeft. He is a philosophy professor at Boston College and prolific writer (I’m a glutton for his books). This book is written as a conversation between an atheist and a Christian and answers the common objections. The other is by Dinesh D’Souza - What’s So Great About Christianity. It takes a more scholarly approach to counter the atheist position.

You can add me to the (growing) list of those praying for you.
Colleen

 

[grandfather]

Its hard sometimes though. I feel lonely. Though, I do have Mother Teresa. I really do believe she’s with me, even before I had any inclination to go to mass or even believe in God, I thought she was with me. Especially since she said in her letters that she was praying for me, thought of me and hoped I was well. I feel extremely fortunate to have known her, when I think of her I usually stop feeling sorry for myself so thanks for the reminder!

I also met her. We met when my wife and I and children were delivering food to her convent in the Bronx.

You have already some Catholic sense of the Communion of Saints. Mother Theresa prays for you still, but there is one futher thing to be aware of. You can direct your own prayer intentions to her and she will join you in them. She will pray for your friend and her soul if you aske her. Maybe the reason things seem to be going so fast, like the floodgates are open, is your steps are being propelled by this holy saint in heaven. She is not the only one praying for you though. What the effect of this activity is, it makes you belong to them and they to you. You say you have no relatives, but I think you do. You are adopted already into a spiritual family. Your friend may be next.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I will keep this in mind, though I don’t feel terribly persecuted, more just baffled. Its just not like the person I know. It seemed so completely out of character. I am hurt though, if I’m honest.

Of course you are! Hurts every time it happens to me, and it’s happened more than once. I don’t like it, but I’ve learned to offer it up (and I’m still gaining an understanding of that process).

But you’ll be gaining a lot of ‘brothers.’ ‘sisters,’ and ‘faddas.’

Robotics? Teh kewl. harbors secret desire to be mecha pilot

Also your desire to dress nicely for Mass.

 

[Susan_Calvin]

I also met her. We met when my wife and I and children were delivering food to her convent in the Bronx.

Wow. I’m at work now so I can’t type much but I just wanted to say I am from the South Bronx! That’s where I grew up and knew the Sisters, well there and their convent in East Harlem, where they had a women’s shelter (not sure if they still do).

I write more later, need to get back to work.

 

[grandfather]

Wow. I’m at work now so I can’t type much but I just wanted to say I am from the South Bronx! That’s where I grew up and knew the Sisters, well there and their convent in East Harlem, where they had a women’s shelter (not sure if they still do).

I write more later, need to get back to work.

Did you know the superior, Sister Andrea? She was Austrian I think. She was about 45 and looked 25. We were there in the late 70s. We used to bring homegrown produce from our farm in NH. They were amazing women. I don’t imagine any of the nuns we met are still there. They are all heroes to me. I have no words for how much I admire them. The South Bronx was like a war zone back then. I can’t imagine how you could grow up there and end up with a PhD. Angels protected you. For a reason.

My brother in-law also has a similar story. He got a free education at Cardinal Hayes school for boys and ended up very wealthy. Today he is paying it back a thousand times over, supporting Salesian schools for girls and his alma mater. He will do just about anytihng to keep kids in Catholic schools.

 

[luminoushope]

This thread is really special for so many reasons. As a bare beginner I am thankful to be learning much about Catholicism from some of the posts. Susan, you were definitely put in the right place at the right time. All praise and thanks to God.

I also have been feeling things going really fast, though they have slowed down a bit since last November. As I wrote before, I feel as if my mind is being expanded. The feeling of hyper-speed I experienced I think has to do with the spiritual alienation I felt in my prior Protestant Church. Then all of a sudden this Catholic feast was set before me and I didn’t know where to begin! But it’s the heart that is most important. I think your journey has touched something deep and tender in all of us.

About dress, I live in a tiny town where people dress very casually. Some women wear jeans to Sunday Mass, and nobody looks or thinks twice about it. Personally I try to wear a dress or skirt to Sunday Mass, or at least nice trousers, but on the weekdays I may very well wear jeans. I did today. There was women’s club after mass and at least half the women were in jeans. I think a lot of variation is based on location, including country. If it weren’t for church and a few other occasions I would live in jeans 365. How boring! I’m glad you enjoyed purchasing and wearing a skirt.

Grace and peace to you!

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Highly recommended program on EWTN: The Journey Home (any of their episodes!).

We get to see them either Friday or Saturday nights—always makes us stay up too late.

 

[luminoushope]

Thanks! I love The Journey Home and watch it whenever I can. I have signed up with Coming Home Network International and they have been so kind to send me materials and introduce me to a helper with whom I can exchange emails. I highly recommend this to anyone who is finding their way into Catholicism.

One of the many things that drew me was when I started listening to Catholic Radio. I can only get it when I’m on the road as we don’t get radio reception in our house. It became a real treat and quite a contrast to other non-Catholic Christian stations. I would say the same about EWTN. What wonderful resources God has provided for us!

 

[grandfather]

Wow. I’m at work now so I can’t type much but I just wanted to say I am from the South Bronx! That’s where I grew up and knew the Sisters, well there and their convent in East Harlem, where they had a women’s shelter (not sure if they still do).

I write more later, need to get back to work.

I thought a bit more about this. I have never met anyone else who was there or knew them. You are the first person I have encountered who personally knew these women.

I revere them. Do you know how in American celebrity culture people put actors and actresses or sports figures or rock musicians on pedestals? I don’t get it. There is nothing admirable about any of them. Those nuns are my real life heroes. The bring the love of God directly into the lives of the most wounded and broken. I would do anything for them. Now I met someone on the net who also knew them and was touched by them and learn that God is enfolding you into His family. What will God do with you next? You are in for a big surprise.

 

[grandfather]

I have known many conversion stories. Yours does seem to be happening very fast. Some take years. Why are things going so fast for you? God must want it that way. Why? He has something for you to do for Him, soon. What might it be? If you are quiet and receptive and unafriad He will tell you.

 

[CSUNGerrie]

Its hard sometimes though. I feel lonely. Though, I do have Mother Teresa. I really do believe she’s with me, even before I had any inclination to go to mass or even believe in God, I thought she was with me. Especially since she said in her letters that she was praying for me, thought of me and hoped I was well. I feel extremely fortunate to have known her, when I think of her I usually stop feeling sorry for myself so thanks for the reminder!

Haha… your so Catholic

 

[luminoushope]

Haha… your so Catholic

Yup! This is what I mean by having “a Catholic heart.” I think I had one before I knew I wanted to be Catholic. Also, the communion of the saints is so beautiful and true. It makes such perfect sense. People who were vibrant Christians in this life, how could they be anything but more so in the next, when they are in God’s perfect presence? Way back in my Protestant years I read, somewhere, an account of J.B. Phillips, a famous Bible translator, becoming deeply depressed. At the worst of it he had a visitation of sorts by C.S. Lewis, who had already passed away. He was profoundly encouraged by Lewis and emerged from the depression to live, and do, for more years. The Scripture portion often cited by Protestants to support their idea of the unbreachable wall between the living and the dead, I don’t think is applied properly, because in that instance the unbreachable wall separates someone who is in hell, not heaven. I can hear my brain stretching again…creak…groan…