Struggling to Step back into the Church

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MamaJewel

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To make this short and sweet, I have hunted God down and can say that I believe in God again.
But I still don’t know the Christ anymore.
Jesus is foreign to me, like a firewall is still between us.

On top of that, in my journey from healing of severe childhood trauma, I have come to the place where I can’t trust the hierarchy to do right by children.
Please understand the very priest who gave me my first sacraments (6 of the 7 within a month of becoming Catholic), turned out to have ra…
Needless to say, I knew it (there) was something very, very, very wrong in his past between him and a woman when he gave me extreme unction. It took all of my human strength to tell him, “It’s going to be ok, Father” when he freaked out over my pregnant belly. I knew a female had been involved, but I didn’t think she was a minor.

But now, it’s not ok.
It’s not ok.

And it’s the other junk too.
Like the priest yelling at me and telling me to get a tubal when my then husband cheated on me the first time.
And the deacon being angry at me for telling him my then husband was cheating (2nd time) and that’s why he had to leave the house. it took the deacon realizing I wasn’t lying to get over his anger at me.
On top of that, I had begged my priest at that time (different from the first one that yelled at me), to at least sit down with me and my husband, for wise counsel and so I could at least get some questions answered.
The priest refused and gave me 8 minutes of his time about the situation, telling me that he had spoken to my husband over an hour about it.
A few months later, during a very brief chat about my marriage, and the priest ended up laughing at me as he told me, "Oh, he was using you then (referring to my husband’s relationship toward me).

I have worked so hard to overcome adversity. I have learned to stay away from people and circumstances that are toxic and unhealthy. And when I look at the Church I converted into, I can’t help but recognize how toxic and unhealthy it is, because of its leadership.

My marriage produced over 1/2 a dozen children and only one is left a Christian and Catholic (Baby Catholic). This is the youngest of the family, who is under 10. He wants to learn his Catholic Faith and wants me to pray with him. I’m struggling so much and he sees it. He gets angry at his father for cheating and leaving (he was a toddler) and wants me to go get a boyfriend. I told him that I have so many children that I don’t get to spend enough time with, and the grandbabies, too, that I don’t want or need a boyfriend. I am happy with family and want more time with them.

IDK, it’s too much. especially with lent coming. Baby Catholic wants to do Lent and is looking forward to learning and participating in it. I know his dad isn’t going to be there to guide him and I don’t know if I can do it.
 
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I am sorry about all of these inappropriate and abusive things that happened to you. I had something happen to me that was minor compared to what you’ve dealt with and it was still enough to disrupt my faith life for a time. I know that God can heal your faith life and allow you to rebuild a friendship with Jesus and even with the Church, in spite of its sinfulness.

Look for real life people who can counsel and guide you, and perhaps even more importantly, people who can encourage you. Encouragement is one of the most important ministries a person can do and there are people out there who will encourage you. 🙂 ❤️

Peace.
 
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had so much trouble with priests! And, it seems, you had no one to discuss your experiences with!

Have you done much Bible reading? I ask, because you say you are having trouble with believing in Jesus. His story is told in the Gospels…the first four books of the New Testament. I’d suggest beginning with Luke or John.

Please, don’t think I’m talking down to you. I’ve had plenty of problems, myself. I’m just concerned that you’re trying to see the Son of God thru some very flawed men.

Whatever you decide to do in your spiritual walk, God Bless!
 
I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, MamaJewel, and so sorry you were confronted with priests who were so inadequate.
I have hunted God down and can say that I believe in God again.
I think this is a starting point. Build on that little by little, step by step, as you would in a human relationship where hurt occurred and trust takes time to reestablish. It isn’t going to go back to “normal” (whatever that means) all of a sudden, and that’s ok.
Jesus is foreign to me, like a firewall is still between us.
Who is Jesus for you ? I see Him so much in your story – in these vulnerable children who were abused, in your own suffering. This is the God I believe in, the God who suffers when we suffer, the God who became man and shared our vulnerability and our suffering until death (“Ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb before its shearers he never opened his mouth”, as Isaiah says), so we could in turn share in His life, stronger than death and evil.
Baby Catholic wants to do Lent and is looking forward to learning and participating in it. I know his dad isn’t going to be there to guide him and I don’t know if I can do it.
Take it slowly. Maybe explain Baby Catholic that you are still struggling with all this, and that this Lent will be about something simple – something which does you good, and helps you reconnect with your faith and learn again how to be closer to God ?

You will be in my prayers ❤️
 
I too was treated badly by priests, when I was in RCIA of all things. My advice is to go to another parish. I can’t advise on the kid situation as I don’t have any kids. But go to another parish, ask to speak with a priest there. If that doesn’t work try another parish and keep trying til you find one that works for you. Never feel obligated to stay in a toxic environment, especially a parish that should be a home and a safe place. And please follow TheLittleLady’s advice.
 
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Don’t go by how you feel. You don’t need to “feel” close to Jesus. Feelings can be very tricky.

Shortly before coming back I prayed to the Blessed Virgin to obtain for me faith, and the ability to assent to all Catholic teaching so that I could make a good confession and get right with God. I didn’t believe certain things anymore, but She heard my prayer and answered it. It didn’t make it so that I didn’t have involuntary doubts, or make it so that I “felt” close to Jesus. But I put my trust in Christ and in his Church, and I believe all that the Catholic Church teaches now, no matter how I feel about it or whatever intrusive thoughts occur that would tempt me to entertain doubts about the Faith.
 
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I know his dad isn’t going to be there to guide him and I don’t know if I can do it.
Just a practical piece of advice: What about your son’s godparents? Could you all work together to get your son through lent?

As to the rest of what you write, all I can say is pray and take your time. Healing will come by God’s grace.
 
[Edited for space.]
To make this short and sweet, I have hunted God down and can say that I believe in God again.
But I still don’t know the Christ anymore.
Jesus is foreign to me, like a firewall is still between us.

But now, it’s not ok.
It’s not ok.

I have worked so hard to overcome adversity.

…only one is left a Christian and Catholic (Baby Catholic). This is the youngest of the family, who is under 10. He wants to learn his Catholic Faith and wants me to pray with him. I’m struggling so much

IDK,
I don’t know if I can do it.
Life is so very difficult, and unfair, MamaJewel, but YOU CAN DO IT! Precisely because you’ve already overcome so very much, you can overcome this! You are special to God or you wouldn’t have gone through these trials—your rewards will be all the more joyful and more cherished when you triumph over these very real obstacles. Many of us can attest to that!

The feeling side of you is hurting and recoiling, but the intellectual side of you is urging you to hang in there, understanding that Christ’s teachings will prevail, no matter how lousy or repulsive some “Catholic” individuals—including priests—may actually be. Your posting your thoughts here now is proof of that.

Keep in mind that we all are sinners; Christ and His Mother are the only sinless entities who have lived as humans on earth, and NONE of the rest of us can come close to their holiness. Our Catholic Church has been recognized as a Hospital for Sinners for centuries. Your determination and devotion are a prime target for Satan; kick his fanny!

I suggest that you borrow from the techniques of method acting: say the things you think inside your heart of hearts that you should say; do the things that, down deep inside you, you think that you should do. Say and do those things because you know that Christ’s teachings will prevail. Say and do with emotional oomph, even though you’re not feeling it. Your ten-year-old son needs that strength and confidence from you. Whatever else may happen, still, in theater terminology, “The show must go on!”

After awhile, you will heal. Your enthusiasm will no longer be feigned, but genuine, and coming from the depths of your being, and you may even shed tears of joy as you rejoice in your restoration. You’ll be thinking, “Thank you, Jesus, for making me hang in there!”

I’ve added you and your family members who are so precious to you to my private daily prayers. Hang in there! Persevere! Peace WILL be yours!
 
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I am so sorry for the troubles you have had with the priests/deacon in your life … the human Church on earth is comprised of human beings trying to bring us to the real Church … the Spiritual Church of God our Father, Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit … try not to let the human Church get between you and the Spiritual Church … God the Father is a loving Father, and Jesus is very patient … He is waiting patiently for you to come to Him … pray as you can for the Spiritual gift of faith … I will be praying for you.
 
Who is Jesus for you ?
Jesus used to be my end all and be all, He was my everything… now, I just don’t know
You will be in my prayers
Thank you.
Have you contacted your Diocese office of Safe Environment?
They have counselors available to anyone who has been a victim, please, reach out to your local Diocese.
You know, I didn’t because I didn’t really think too much of it until I went through intensive trauma counseling two years ago. Besides, it’s done. The priest who gave me my first sacraments has been dead for many years now. The other two priests are old and frail and their demons have come to haunt them, so all they can do is really pray, and I assume that they do. Nothing to do but pray. We can’t go back in time and undo it, so in the truest sense of the word, it is finished.

I do appreciate your recommendation. I have a counselor that I see, and recently left a message for her, so I’ll run a quick emdr session soon.
Never feel obligated to stay in a toxic environment, especially a parish that should be a home and a safe place.
So true and excellent advice. There are new priests who are Carmelites at my former parish (which is also my child’s parish). I will probably sneak in this Saturday for morning Mass. If it feels right, then I know everything will be ok. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel protected me when I made my journey into the Church as a convert, and during that terrible car crash shortly after I became Catholic. Maybe she is waiting in the wings nearby to help me back into the Faith.
Just a practical piece of advice: What about your son’s godparents? Could you all work together to get your son through lent?
His Godfather passed away when he was little and I believe his Godmother is no longer a practicing catholic.
Say and do those things because you know that Christ’s teachings will prevail…
I’ve added you and your family members who are so precious to you to my private daily prayers.
I need this. Thank you for your prayers.
 
God the Father is a loving Father…
pray as you can for the Spiritual gift of faith … I will be praying for you.
God as a" loving Father" is my hope and strength through this.
I have a prayer for Faith in a prayer book…I think I will take this on for Lent.
Thanks for your prayers.

This was not my Catholic experience. Not even the Bishop cared, which turned my older children away from the Church. Although I did have 2 priests that truly cared in the 20 years I had been Catholic and one of those priests has an auntie that was sainted about 12 years ago.

I guess I didn’t give up. I hunted down God, literally. I quote scripture to Him (and not in any way mockingly… but with true reverence for His position as The All Being… and with true love and demands of the Father’s attention as daughter).

I just feel alienated from Christ…

Btw, thank you for your kind response.
 
You want to know Christ. Bypass the crowd and go directly to Him. Call your local parish and find out when they offer adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, also known as “holy hour.” Then, just go and sit in peace. Contemplate His sacramental presence. In mental prayer, lay out your hurts, your worries, your anger - all of it. He knows of it already but wants to hear it directly from you.

Then, be as patient with Him as He has been with you. He knows suffering. He knows injustice. He knows abandonment. He knows death - but He also knows rising from death. He offers that to you for placing your trust in Him.

Go, and find healing and the peace which surpasses all understanding.
 
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