Struggling to have faith

[Azz]

Sounds like a plan if you wanted to be nearly invisible, I would suggest sitting at the back of the church.

Being a newbie myself I usually sit at the back of the church, simply because I’m still not entirely 100% sure on when to sit, kneel or stand. I have to go with the crowd on that one

 

[T432]

Brilliant! Sounds like a top tip. I’ll make sure I do that tomorrow

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Hello,
I’m so sorry for what you have been through. But as someone else said, you’re exactly the type of person who God wants. I remember an old play with one of those “wise nun” characters and she tells a young girl, who had just made a fool of herself over a married man, that God uses our dented helmets to make crowns.

I think many if not most of us have had a time of feeling really ashamed and broken and not wanting to present ourselves before the Lord. But God is there to heal us.

Speaking to a priest would be good, and the Rosary is also a great first step. I would also recommend that you go and spend some time with the Lord in Adoration if that’s available. In Adoration, the Lord is present in the Holy Eucharist, and you can just sit in his presence and silently talk to him, or pray, or even just sit and look at him. It works wonders.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[T432]

Thank you so much for your reply. I feel truly humbled by everyone’s replies today. It’s given me a sense that I might just be worthy enough for God to except me in his church.

 

[Dan_Defender]

The answer is prayer. St Teresa of Avila said: ‘prayer is the greatest of all gifts, the channel through which God grants us favors, the beginning of all virtue.’

 

[CoffeeCatholic]

Broken and tainted is EXACTLY who Jesus himself wanted to speak to and call…

Reading your post I was picturing ‘the woman at the well’ that Jesus spoke to.
I don’t know if a link works here or not for me but I’ll try; watch this awesome scene or look it up if the link doesn’t work here. I hope it brings hope to your heart… The Chosen: The Woman at the Well

Your faith will grow - you need to heal that brokenness. The hurt from your relationship. Church is perfect place to start the healing. Your faith will grow, don’t be scared. Broken and tainted is just who Jesus is calling.

 

[T432]

Thank you @CoffeeCatholic so much for your comment and sharing that story. I hadn’t until then of that story.

 

[T432]

Just wanted to update to say thank you to everyone who posted and prayed for me. I made it to mass today.

 

[Azz]

Aww this is amazing news and so glad you went!

How did you find a Mass in person?

 

[T432]

@Azz if I’m honest I felt a little uncomfortable when I first went into the church. I felt less uncomfortable as the service went on and I left with a sense of peace.

I have a small op tomorrow so won’t be able to make mass tomorrow but I’m going to go to church anyways for half an hour as the church is open before I need to be at the hospital.

By the way, thanks again for the tip of sitting at the back. It would have looked quite comical if I was at the front as I would of had no idea when to have done anything .

 

[Azz]

I think everything that you felt is completely normal - the first time I took my leap of faith and went into my local catholic church, I didn’t really have a clue what to do so I completely understand that! I am so happy in reading though that as the service went on you left more relaxed and left feeling at peace!

I pray all goes well tomorrow for your operation and that you find continued peace on your Catholic journey!

You’re more than welcome - to be honest, I am still the same now when it comes to sitting at the back and I’ve been going for a couple of months

 

[T432]

Thank you @Azz I’m not expecting the operation to be anything too major.

Just curious ( but obviously you don’t have to answer) are you doing RCIA online from the UK? And if so how are you finding it?

 

[Azz]

I am from the UK how about you?

I haven’t officially started the RCIA course just yet, as given everything with lockdowns and covid it isn’t running in person, so my Priest advised me that there is a online RCIA course which I can join and I can use this course towards my official confirmation (as I have already been baptised as a baby) - it starts this Sunday via zoom and runs every Sunday all the way up until East Sunday 7pm-8pm (UK Time) - very excited to start

If this is of interest, I can share the Zoom link with you too?

 

[T432]

@Azz yes, I’m in the UK too!

That would be perfect if you could send me the zoom link. Like you I’m also baptized, so this sounds great.

 

[Azz]

@T432 aww brilliant - always nice to meet a fellow UK’er!

Here’s the link to the course registration: Meeting Registration - Zoom

It is free and when you sign up, you’ll receive an email confirming everything that will be discussed on the course - you even get a certificate to prove completion if you wanted to be confirmed by Easter 2021 you may need to contact your Priest to advise them on what you are planning to do - I’m sure they will be OK with it, especially if no in-person courses are happening.

The Priest who is running it has also made a Youtube channel as well to give a quick (5-8 minute) insight into an array of topics: DIVINITAS - YouTube

Hopefully, “see” you on the Zoom call

 

[T432]

@Azz Thank you so much for all your help, I’ve just registered on zoom for Sunday.

 

[Azz]

@T432 You are more than welcome