Strong Desire to Attend Mass, But Not Catholic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Susan_Calvin
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Susan_Calvin said:
Thanks to all three of you… still not feeling good but just checking in quickly. My friend who became the Sister has emailed me back! 🙂 She wants to get together with me when I come back to the States. I’m really excited, we’ve been catching up a bit and its like no time has passed between us, we are still good friends it seems. My other friend (the atheist) I still have not heard from, in spite of emailing her a few days back. I’m sad about the situation but really not sure what else to do. I emailed her so the ball is in her court now…
Click to expand...
I wish you were feeling better so you could jump up and down!!! YEAH!!! This is great news!!! I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Just keep taking care of yourself! Your life is REALLY being directed right now isn’t it? WOW!!!

I have to say that it looks like God is putting the people in your life who can give you the direction He wants for you. All of these wonderful things are happening, and look who is enveloping you. It gives me the goose bumps!!! I want to cry for you. I am so happy for you.

In regards to your friend, give her all the time that she needs. E-mail her every once and a while to say hi, let her know what is going on, ask how she and the kids are doing. Be loving, forgiving and accepting with your tone. Remember though, that you don’t need her acceptance for living your life the way you choose to. Just keep letting Christ’s light shine through you. It may, at some point down the line, attract her to Christ. That is the most you can hope for. Keep her in your prayers, there is nothing else you can do, I guess. Jesus said, “Consider everyone in your life sent to you by Me, whether it be for a miniute, an hour, a day, a week or a lifetime.” Those aren’t the exact words, but I think of this quote often when considering friendships. Her time may be up. God certainly has put other people in your life to fulfil His will for you.

I am so happy for you, will keep praying for you too. Have a great day!!!
 
Thanks again everyone! I’m still feeling a bit sick, but getting a lot better. There’s a chance I may have had a mild variation of the H1N1 virus (swine flu). There have been several confirmed cases in my city, and one confirmed case is the child of someone I work with. He and his wife are now sick too, though not yet confirmed. So… I’m going to the doctor tomorrow to be examined. I am feeling better though, so no worries. I’m going more to make sure I am not inadvertantly spreading this flu if indeed I have it.

Once again I’m having trouble keeping up with this thread but I’m very grateful for the replies. I’m so happy to have the contact with the Sisters from my highschool. My former principal and I are continuing to have an email conversation. She’s been telling me about St. Angela Merici. She is an Ursuline Sister, and St. Angela was the foundress of her order. I’m really impressed with St. Angela, I even added a quote and picture of her to my profile signature. I found out also that she could be a patron saint for me, not only because of my attendance at the Ursuline school, but because she is the patron saint of people who have lost their parents, especially at a young age. I never knew my father, and my mother died when I was 10. St. Angela lost her parents as a child too. And, her mission was to help educate impoverished girls, which is my background. In any event, I feel a real connection to her, I’m excited to be learning about her. I feel I have 2 saints now, Mother Teresa and St. Angela.

Speaking of the Missionaries of Charity, I found out they have a convent, not in my city, but in a nearby city, about 2 hours away. I looked online at the website of the Archdiocese, and they list the names of all the women religious in this Archdiocese. The Sister Superior of the MCs at the convent 2 hours away… well… wow… the name is really familiar, I think I know her! :eek: I think she may have been one of the Sisters I knew in the States years ago. I’m not positive, but the name is unusual enough… anyhow so I am considering calling there, or taking a drive to that city for a visit. If its not her, its no big loss, I can the see the Sisters again either way. But if it IS her… wow. I’m not in the United States right now so it would be kind of amazing to “meet” her again in a different country, years later!

Still nothing from my other friend, but I am continuing to keep her in my thoughts and attempting to pray. Thanks all once more for your support.
 
It’s so great to hear the continued story of what’s happening in your life! Thanks for sharing with all of us who have responded and all of us who have just been sitting back enjoying “watching” God work in your life. I always look forward to your updates. 🙂
 
Thanks, I’m glad someone is reading and enjoying it. I am certainly enjoying what’s happening in my life right now! 🙂

I had these great intentions of catching up on posts and PMs with everyone tonight, but after 4 posts I am suddenly exhausted again. This flu is really weird and the exhaustion hits so quickly… blech. So I have to sign out now again but I hope I can reconnect again soon.
 
Susan_Calvin said:
Thanks, I’m glad someone is reading and enjoying it. I am certainly enjoying what’s happening in my life right now! 🙂

I had these great intentions of catching up on posts and PMs with everyone tonight, but after 4 posts I am suddenly exhausted again. This flu is really weird and the exhaustion hits so quickly… blech. So I have to sign out now again but I hope I can reconnect again soon.
Click to expand...
Take good care of yourself. A little Jewish medicine (hot home-made chicken soup) couldn’t hurt anything. 😉
 
Praying for your health, both physical and spiritual. Who would have imagined 146 posts and counting? The Lord has clearly chosen you. You are already blessed.
 
redrosetea said:
google Bro Bob Fishman…I think you might enjoy listening to him
Click to expand...
Susan-
I haven’t read every response so forgive me if these two comments are repeats of other posts.

Also EWTN radio is rebroadcasting “Reasons for Our Hope” Sat. 9am EDT, Tu. Fri 2:00pm EDT, Sat. 11:30pm EDT A Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke, by Rosalind Moss. ewtn.com/radio/schedule.htm

Like Bob Fishman, Rosalind, now Sister Rosalind, grew up Jewish and is now a wonderful Catholic apologist. She has recently started a new religious order of sisters, “Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel’s Hope”, who will be walking the streets of St. Louis to minister to those on the streets.

I’m sorry for the tensions with your friend. I’m reminded of a quote attributed to Bishop Fulton J. Sheen: “There are not over a 100 people in the U.S. that hate the Catholic Church, there are millions however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church – which is, of course, quite a different thing.” And, of course, tragically there are many who have been deeply wounded by members of the Church. May your friend come to see the love of God shining in your life.

Peace- Marylouise
 
Susan_Calvin said:
Thanks, I’m glad someone is reading and enjoying it. I am certainly enjoying what’s happening in my life right now! 🙂

I had these great intentions of catching up on posts and PMs with everyone tonight, but after 4 posts I am suddenly exhausted again. This flu is really weird and the exhaustion hits so quickly… blech. So I have to sign out now again but I hope I can reconnect again soon.
Click to expand...
JL: I think alot of people are and have been reading and enjoying it. I check in every few days to keep up although I don’t post. I am still praying for you and your friend.

P.S. Please don’t feel you need to reply, I just enjoy reading how God is working in your life. Also have all those good sister pray for your friend. Who knows maybe you will both be brought into the Church at the same time. Once converted atheist make excellent Christians.
 
jlhargus said:
Please don’t feel you need to reply, I just enjoy reading how God is working in your life. Also have all those good sister pray for your friend. Who knows maybe you will both be brought into the Church at the same time. Once converted atheist make excellent Christians.
Click to expand...
Hear, hear! Susan, Please rest in the Lord and take care of yourself with this tricky flu. This can be a wonderful time of prayer and contemplation if you give up to it and stop trying to “do” beyond what is absolutely necessary. Consider Mary and Martha. You know what to do. You can’t imagine what a shot in the arm this thread has been for all of us. Just reply as you can and when you comfortably can. Praying for your complete recovery…L.H.
 
Hi, Susan!

i’ve really enjoyed reading your story and seeing all the fun ways it unfolds. My spiritual director and I were talking about “little miracles” the other day, and I had the thought that if I were a being whose very nature was Love, and I had infinite resources and time and attention, I would absolutely be arranging all these sorts of things, because it would be so loving and so fun!

As a relatively new Catholic who is also educated and a thinker more than a feeler, I just wanted to let you know that if God and Church are touching you in a feeling place, and it seems strange, you’re not the only one! I read all the books and had all the intellectual discussions, and these were absolutely necessary, but when it came down to it, God grabbed my heart. I can tell you lots of textbook reasons why I am Catholic, but the deepest, real-est reasons the keep me in the Church are personal experiences with God.

I see that mine is the first post in a couple of days, so I hope you’re well on the way to recovery!
 
EvelynEVF said:
As a relatively new Catholic who is also educated and a thinker more than a feeler, I just wanted to let you know that if God and Church are touching you in a feeling place, and it seems strange, you’re not the only one! I read all the books and had all the intellectual discussions, and these were absolutely necessary, but when it came down to it, God grabbed my heart. I can tell you lots of textbook reasons why I am Catholic, but the deepest, real-est reasons the keep me in the Church are personal experiences with God.
Click to expand...
What a great post, Evelyn! What a blessed thread! Truly Christianity is a matter of the heart. I am thankful that God gave me a brain and have enjoyed using it for 59 years, but as I always like to say, the goad that propelled me into the Catholic Church was the Holy Spirit, not the Holy Intellect. This distinction was important for me because my last Protestant church has a very studious personality, and I always had the feeling that these sweet, earnest people were taking care of smaller things while leaving larger things untended, as Our Lord once pointed out.

Last night I saw a Swedish state church pastor turned Catholic priest on “The Journey Home.” This gentleman was obviously very bright and learned, though he didn’t flaunt it. He spoke at length of the history of churches in Scandinavia as well as his own journey. Yet when he was asked what finally propelled him into the Catholic Church, he said something like “I visited Fatima, and then I knew that I was no longer a Protestant.” I think he may have been near tears. Thanks be to God. In my own little way I had a similar experience. After 15 years of circling the Catholic Church, in ever smaller circles, last December I bought a little book entitled “Jesus Is My All In All”, by Mother Teresa. I highly recommend this book. While small and simple, it contains beautiful concepts that were totally unknown to me as a Protestant. That was it. Life’s problems are still what they are but I am so happy to be attending the Catholic Church and look forward to being received therein.

Grace and peace to all.

Luminous Hope
 
I certainly hope you get well Susan. Your story thus far is incredible, interesting, and inspiring. Just know that I’m rooting for you (one among many) to find your way home. 😃

You say you’re a scientist so I’d like to reassure you on the fact that science and faith have no qualms. :cool: Despite what popular culture says about Catholics being ignorant, on the contrary “a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith”.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (also abbreviated as CCC):
159 Faith and science: “Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth.” “Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. the humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are.”
Click to expand...
 
EvelynEVF said:
Hi, Susan!

i’ve really enjoyed reading your story and seeing all the fun ways it unfolds. My spiritual director and I were talking about “little miracles” the other day, and I had the thought that if I were a being whose very nature was Love, and I had infinite resources and time and attention, I would absolutely be arranging all these sorts of things, because it would be so loving and so fun!

As a relatively new Catholic who is also educated and a thinker more than a feeler, I just wanted to let you know that if God and Church are touching you in a feeling place, and it seems strange, you’re not the only one! I read all the books and had all the intellectual discussions, and these were absolutely necessary, but when it came down to it, God grabbed my heart. I can tell you lots of textbook reasons why I am Catholic, but the deepest, real-est reasons the keep me in the Church are personal experiences with God.

I see that mine is the first post in a couple of days, so I hope you’re well on the way to recovery!
Click to expand...
Amen! Prayers continuing for your return to health, and the completion of your spiritual journey.
 
EvelynEVF said:
As a relatively new Catholic who is also educated and a thinker more than a feeler, I just wanted to let you know that if God and Church are touching you in a feeling place, and it seems strange, you’re not the only one! I read all the books and had all the intellectual discussions, and these were absolutely necessary, but when it came down to it, God grabbed my heart. I can tell you lots of textbook reasons why I am Catholic, but the deepest, real-est reasons the keep me in the Church are personal experiences with God.
Click to expand...
Thanks Evelyn, I really relate to what you’re saying. I am definitely more a thinker than a feeler. Feelings are difficult for me, partly because of my difficult childhood and many hurts, but also I believe I am just naturally a logical, systematic and analytic thinker. My Meyers-Briggs personality is INTJ (Rational Mastermind). I also have a really interesting and apparently uncommon DISC profile, but I won’t get off topic too much here! 😃

I really appreciate your words, something really clicked for me when you said you felt strange when God and Church are touching you in a feeling place. I realized suddenly where a lot of my “fear” is coming from. I am used to being very analytical about things and tend to place my feelings on the back burner. Though, I am getting more used to the feelings now, and actually feel excited for new experiences, especially as I keep having them! I figured they might let up at some point but that hasn’t happened yet. In any event I’m grateful for your post as its definitely helped me to make a bit more sense of things.
 
Thank you again everyone, I’ve so appreciated the responses. I never did mention the outcome of my trip to the doctor but I do have a confirmed case of H1N1(swine flu). Its mild though. I will be perfectly fine, though its taking quite a while to recover. I do have another update for you though.

To quote myself from a previous post:
Speaking of the Missionaries of Charity, I found out they have a convent, not in my city, but in a nearby city, about 2 hours away. I looked online at the website of the Archdiocese, and they list the names of all the women religious in this Archdiocese. The Sister Superior of the MCs at the convent 2 hours away… well… wow… the name is really familiar, I think I know her! I think she may have been one of the Sisters I knew in the States years ago. I’m not positive, but the name is unusual enough… anyhow so I am considering calling there, or taking a drive to that city for a visit. If its not her, its no big loss, I can the see the Sisters again either way. But if it IS her… wow. I’m not in the United States right now so it would be kind of amazing to “meet” her again in a different country, years later!
Click to expand...
Well, yesterday curiosity got the better of me and I telephoned the Sisters. She IS the same Sister that I knew as a child, and when I asked her if she remembered me, she said, “OF COURSE I remember little Judith! I have often thought of you and wondered where you have disappeared to on the face of this earth!” Then I told her where I was (2 hours away from her) and I think she was a bit taken aback, I think she assumed I was telephoning long distance from home. She recovered quickly though and it was my turn to be surprised because she said, “So when are you coming to help us? We need volunteers.” I suddenly remembered she was quite forward and bossy lol. I said, umm, I’m working, I could come on holidays but I don’t know anyone in your city to stay with, and hotels are expensive. To which she replied, you will stay with us, we will give you a bed and put you to work! To make a long story short, she “manipulated” me into spending my next holiday period with them! When I hung up the phone I was like, what just happened??? 😛 But I am very excited to be going there and seeing them again, very excited!!
 
Liraco said:
You say you’re a scientist so I’d like to reassure you on the fact that science and faith have no qualms. :cool: Despite what popular culture says about Catholics being ignorant, on the contrary “a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith”.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (also abbreviated as CCC):
Click to expand...
Wow thank you for that quote, very helpful and very comforting to me also.
 
What a fun holiday you will have with the sisters! And you’ll be steeped in Catholicism shoulder to shoulder with exactly the people who can answer all the questions that will pop up 🙂

I am totally jealous 😃
 
speaking of faith and science, the founder of this organization was on al kresta a few times last week. biologos.org/
might be a good site to visit.
 
Dear Susan,

I’m afraid I haven’t been reading all the posts thus far in the thread and don’t know if you have been able to attend Mass yet. Have you? I’m so happy and excited that you are looking into Catholicism!

Yours in Christ,
ready
 
Yes thanks I have attended mass! Probably over a dozen times now. The first time was April 29th, and I’ve been trying to go every day, though I got the flu so there was a period of close to 2 weeks where I wasn’t going. I’m practically a regular now though! 😉 I’m also speaking with the parish priest, I’ve seen him at his office twice and we’ve also met at the local cafe. He lives 2 blocks from me! The church is also extremely close, as are the Sisters who attend the early morning mass I go to… their convent is 2 blocks in the opposite direction. Its kind of amazing, as I only moved to this neighbourhood a very short time ago, and the only reason for being in this particular part of the city at all is because of the near zero vacancy rate - I took this place out of desperation. Normally I would have chosen a location much closer to my work. It seems though it was meant to be!

Oh, and for a further update, the priest is now suggesting I attend some catechism classes, weekly. No pressure he says, but I have been invited. So I may do that soon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top