Will my experience as a family of one help others at forum?

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

I am still single so far, in later middle age with Asperger’s Syndrome and some etc’s. I was in employment for some time until after effects of an infectious ailment caught up with me.

Of my four grandparents (none of whom I knew) only one was born Catholic. My dad had hardly any Catholic schooling and my Mum’s (which was cut short) was abroad. I had none.

People who for those days appear to have been good Protestants were influential in our neighbourhood and at my (non-denominational) schools.

After I reached sixth form age and subsequently - including after I left home - there were two parallel strands to my church belonging. One has almost fizzled out and one has continued in as big a way as before.

Certain Catholic families took me under their wing socially - had me to their meal table, took me on walks, had me to their prayer meetings and bible studies (which mostly weren’t in the church bulletin). These things no longer happen but I have one single Catholic man to my place from time to time and from time to time he has me to his - these contacts are for coffees.

Meantime certain “Evangelical” individuals and couples entertain me, involve me in their churches (except for sacraments of course) and visit me. This is continuing.

I think my experience has been a fabulous gift which I never cease thanking God for.

I have noticed many forum members have churches (Catholic) of a kind I am not unfamiliar with where “community” and “relationship” (non-nuclear) are not values.

Please may I recommend to them to try out Protestant fellowships in case there are some who are happy to include them (whilst respecting the specific issue of sacraments of course) as I have been included. I cannot stress enough that it is essential that they respect that we are not ex-Catholics and are not looking to replace the Catholic Church, just supplement it.

 

[Catholic1954]

The Catholic Church has the fullness of truth and cannot be supplemented. I am glad that you have had positive experiences with people from different protestant churches, but you need to spend more time with Catholics and attending Catholic liturgies in a Catholic church.

 

[franklinstower]

I am still single so far, in later middle age with Asperger’s Syndrome and some etc’s. I was in employment for some time until after effects of an infectious ailment caught up with me.

Of my four grandparents (none of whom I knew) only one was born Catholic. My dad had hardly any Catholic schooling and my Mum’s (which was cut short) was abroad. I had none.

People who for those days appear to have been good Protestants were influential in our neighbourhood and at my (non-denominational) schools.

After I reached sixth form age and subsequently - including after I left home - there were two parallel strands to my church belonging. One has almost fizzled out and one has continued in as big a way as before.

Certain Catholic families took me under their wing socially - had me to their meal table, took me on walks, had me to their prayer meetings and bible studies (which mostly weren’t in the church bulletin). These things no longer happen but I have one single Catholic man to my place from time to time and from time to time he has me to his - these contacts are for coffees.

Meantime certain “Evangelical” individuals and couples entertain me, involve me in their churches (except for sacraments of course) and visit me. This is continuing.

I think my experience has been a fabulous gift which I never cease thanking God for.

I have noticed many forum members have churches (Catholic) of a kind I am not unfamiliar with where “community” and “relationship” (non-nuclear) are not values.

Please may I recommend to them to try out Protestant fellowships in case there are some who are happy to include them (whilst respecting the specific issue of sacraments of course) as I have been included. I cannot stress enough that it is essential that they respect that we are not ex-Catholics and are not looking to replace the Catholic Church, just supplement it.

I am really glad you are finding community that is supportive for you. It can be difficult with Aspergers to find people you can connect with. Get it wherever you can. I have a long term friendship with a man who has Aspergers Syndrom. He has benefited greatly from spending a lot of time in prayer and eventually entering into contemplative prayer. It has helped him immensely-- maybe it could help you also? There are lots of people who are qualified to discuss this with you in the spirituality section of this forum.

 

[808Catholic]

I am still single so far, in later middle age with Asperger’s Syndrome and some etc’s. I was in employment for some time until after effects of an infectious ailment caught up with me.

Of my four grandparents (none of whom I knew) only one was born Catholic. My dad had hardly any Catholic schooling and my Mum’s (which was cut short) was abroad. I had none.

People who for those days appear to have been good Protestants were influential in our neighbourhood and at my (non-denominational) schools.

After I reached sixth form age and subsequently - including after I left home - there were two parallel strands to my church belonging. One has almost fizzled out and one has continued in as big a way as before.

Certain Catholic families took me under their wing socially - had me to their meal table, took me on walks, had me to their prayer meetings and bible studies (which mostly weren’t in the church bulletin). These things no longer happen but I have one single Catholic man to my place from time to time and from time to time he has me to his - these contacts are for coffees.

Meantime certain “Evangelical” individuals and couples entertain me, involve me in their churches (except for sacraments of course) and visit me. This is continuing.

I think my experience has been a fabulous gift which I never cease thanking God for.

I have noticed many forum members have churches (Catholic) of a kind I am not unfamiliar with where “community” and “relationship” (non-nuclear) are not values.

Please may I recommend to them to try out Protestant fellowships in case there are some who are happy to include them (whilst respecting the specific issue of sacraments of course) as I have been included. I cannot stress enough that it is essential that they respect that we are not ex-Catholics and are not looking to replace the Catholic Church, just supplement it.

I’m glad you have many great experiences with your Protestant friends and still value the sacraments. Anyone’s who’s active in their church, regardless of their religion, usually have these and probably are respectful of the differences between their respective religions. It’s very possible to value friendship without believing another’s religion. What’s important is to not skip the sacraments FOR friendship. I would never miss Mass or receiving the Eucharist to meet with a Protestant friend.

God Bless you.