Volunteering and Confirmation

[RunDWL]

Hi, not sure if the right forum to post in, if not do apologize. I am on unemployment trying to find a job and thinking about the Church. I went to Catholic school and did all the Sacraments up to my Confirmation. However, after high school never really gave much thought to the Church until I graduated about a little over three years ago. I was a bit disoriented and confused in regard where my life was going. I thought of becoming a Priest due to wanting to help people. Never went through with it but did join a Church as a member enjoyed going to Masses and always wanted to do more.

Can’t say I have any religion I do follow. I believe in God and a higher power. I however, do not believe that God is in control of our lives and that we make our own choices. In addition, believe our strength and Faith come from within. I try to avoid calling on God for advice or direction. I would communicate with God as a way of seeking peace within self focusing and talking out my thoughts with God through mediation and prayer.

Recently been thinking of marriage and Confirmation. Randomly my mom was thinking similar things that day received a letter from my Church about interest in completing Confirmation, strange huh.

I don’t know why I feel drawn back to the Church wanting to complete Confirmation and Volunteer. Don’t know if I should or not. The Catholic Church’s ideas have similar ideas I agree with but some I disagree with. I don’t believe going to Church at least once a week is important. I rather do something that would carry out God’s will. Guess I am again confused and looking for advice from others I would appreciate it.

 

[Joe_5859]

Hi, not sure if the right forum to post in, if not do apologize. I am on unemployment trying to find a job and thinking about the Church. I went to Catholic school and did all the Sacraments up to my Confirmation. However, after high school never really gave much thought to the Church until I graduated about a little over three years ago. I was a bit disoriented and confused in regard where my life was going. I thought of becoming a Priest due to wanting to help people. Never went through with it but did join a Church as a member enjoyed going to Masses and always wanted to do more.

Can’t say I have any religion I do follow. I believe in God and a higher power. I however, do not believe that God is in control of our lives and that we make our own choices. In addition, believe our strength and Faith come from within. I try to avoid calling on God for advice or direction. I would communicate with God as a way of seeking peace within self focusing and talking out my thoughts with God through mediation and prayer.

Recently been thinking of marriage and Confirmation. Randomly my mom was thinking similar things that day received a letter from my Church about interest in completing Confirmation, strange huh.

I don’t know why I feel drawn back to the Church wanting to complete Confirmation and Volunteer. Don’t know if I should or not. The Catholic Church’s ideas have similar ideas I agree with but some I disagree with. I don’t believe going to Church at least once a week is important. I rather do something that would carry out God’s will. Guess I am again confused and looking for advice from others I would appreciate it.

Welcome!

Well, first, I’ll say that the Catholic Church 100% agrees with you that we make our own choices. That’s free will. God never forces Himself on us. But (and this is important, too) that does not mean that God doesn’t have a plan for our lives nor that we cannot turn to Him for assistance and guidance.

We call God “Father” and our earthly parental relationships are very much analogous to our relationship with God. Our parents (at least ideally) always love us and try to help us as best they can. They walk with us. But they also let us make our own decisions.

If you’re feeling the “pull” to come back (I would say that is the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit ), then by all means explore that possibility. Come to Mass. Talk to the priest. Even if there are things you don’t quite understand or agree with about Catholic teaching, come and ask and listen to the answers.

You might ask the priest about RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). If you have not yet been confirmed, oftentimes a parish will have you go through RCIA to receive that Sacrament. RCIA is a process, so there is no obligation from the beginning that you follow through. You simply show up to learn and see where God is leading you. At some point, you will make a decision, but it need not be right away. They will guide you through all that. Now is actually a good time because most parish RCIA gatherings begin in September. So I would encourage you to contact your local parish and inquire about it.

And, of course, you can ask lots of questions here on the forum.

God bless! I will pray for you. Pray for me, too!

 

[pianistclare]

Excellent advice from Joe. I agree.
However, many people volunteer in the church and nobody asks to see their “sacramental card” .
Many who volunteer are non-Catholics spouses, luke-warm Catholics if you will, and young people who have not yet been confirmed.
Don’t let this keep you from being the hands and feet of Christ.
But yeah. Study & learn. The Holy Spirit is calling you.

 

[808Catholic]

Hi, not sure if the right forum to post in, if not do apologize. I am on unemployment trying to find a job and thinking about the Church. I went to Catholic school and did all the Sacraments up to my Confirmation. However, after high school never really gave much thought to the Church until I graduated about a little over three years ago. I was a bit disoriented and confused in regard where my life was going. I thought of becoming a Priest due to wanting to help people. Never went through with it but did join a Church as a member enjoyed going to Masses and always wanted to do more.

Can’t say I have any religion I do follow. I believe in God and a higher power. I however, do not believe that God is in control of our lives and that we make our own choices. In addition, believe our strength and Faith come from within. I try to avoid calling on God for advice or direction. I would communicate with God as a way of seeking peace within self focusing and talking out my thoughts with God through mediation and prayer.

Recently been thinking of marriage and Confirmation. Randomly my mom was thinking similar things that day received a letter from my Church about interest in completing Confirmation, strange huh.

I don’t know why I feel drawn back to the Church wanting to complete Confirmation and Volunteer. Don’t know if I should or not. The Catholic Church’s ideas have similar ideas I agree with but some I disagree with. I don’t believe going to Church at least once a week is important. I rather do something that would carry out God’s will. Guess I am again confused and looking for advice from others I would appreciate it.

Please consult the pastor of your Catholic parish. Confirmation is not something you should take lightly; it’s not like joining a health club. Your priest will know more and can guide you better. God Bless you.

 

[1ke]

I don’t believe going to Church at least once a week is important. I rather do something that would carry out God’s will.

I am not sure why you believe these two things are mutually exclusive.

 

[sadpanda2]

I am not sure why you believe these two things are mutually exclusive.

Indeed. It is most assuredly God’s will that we attend Mass weekly on His day. Contrary to what some may say, Jesus’s teaching did not start and end with “be nice to one another.” We are to worship God, pray unceasingly, serve others, forgive others, provide correction to those in the wrong, among many other things.

 

[RunDWL]

That might be why I am confused. People can do both or one of the other. However, I have no intention in attending Mass on a regular basis, would possibly seek Mass if in need of community.

 

[Joe_5859]

That might be why I am confused. People can do both or one of the other. However, I have no intention in attending Mass on a regular basis, would possibly seek Mass if in need of community.

The Catholic faith is a very communal faith. For Catholics, it’s not a matter of “if” we need community but the simple fact that we are part of a community, like it or not.

That really strikes to the core of who we are as human beings. We are all part of one human family descended from one set of first parents. Those first parents sinned and that state of deprivation of grace is passed on to all of us as a result. However, since we are all part of one human family and Jesus (who is God) literally became part of that human family, we are all able to be reconciled with God. This is possible because we are all part of that one family.

So the obligation to attend Mass is not just an arbitrary rule the Church is putting out there in order to keep people coming through the door. It’s a recognition that we are all in this together and that our worship is a public thing, not just a private thing. It’s not just “me and Jesus.” We are all in this together. Again, like it or not.