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9/25/12 12:30 A

Oblaidon,

It is ironic, but it's also Biblical:

Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Hugs,

Valerie

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9/24/12 10:15 P

Like the other posters, I am not offended in the least.

I am sure that we all, at some point, question our faith, or become angry with God. It's okay - He can take it!

I remember hearing a priest after 9/11 talking bout people's reactions, and how many were angry with God. He explained that anger is "love disappointed", and I believe that. After surviving so much grief in such a short time, anger is an understandable emotion.

I am so pleased that you are coming back to the Church! When a "lost sheep" returns, we all rejoice! You were missed!

I pray for you as you continue your journey.

cj

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9/24/12 8:30 P

Hi Nancie, and welcome to the team

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9/24/12 5:15 P

Someone once told me to pray for faith. Kinda ironic to pray to God to help me believe in God. It seems to get me through some tough times though.

Welcome Home!

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9/23/12 12:32 P

Hi, Nancie!

Welcome back. I can't speak for anyone else, but you haven't offended me. I wouldn't worry about whether you feel more or less faith than someone else. Some of our "best examples" have gone through long, dry spells (e.g., Mother Teresa and Teresa of Avila). I do hope you continue attending Mass and, if you haven't already, take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While feeling the benefits of faith is wonderful, sometimes the best you can do is put in the time and let God do the rest.

Hugs,

Valerie

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9/22/12 11:00 P

I started going to Rights of Christian Initiation for adults when I started to go back to the Church. I ended up remembering what I loved about the church and sponsored a lady for her confirmation. I am still doing that ... This time I have a friend from another organization who asked me to sponsor her daughter. What an honor? And I get all the classes repeated which reaffirms my commitment to my faith.

See if your church has Catholics coming home....I have never participated in this process.
But the deaconate candidate and his wife are in charge of it at our parish.
Priests, back in the day, were sometimes holy men who seemed insensitive and money grubbing. I visit the sick at hospitals and half of the people who I visit got a very harsh version of the church... So Come back and know what we believe and how it is now.

Edited by: MIAJOEB at: 9/22/2012 (23:01)

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9/22/12 9:36 P

hello and welcome to the team and I went away from the church after my divorce and my annulment the priest blame me and then I got a sign and went back to Church

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9/22/12 7:48 P

I see nothing wrong with questioning your faith and even God. Two stories I want to share with you.

When I was growing up, we NEVER questioned anything. Upon entering college, the pastor at the local Catholic Church said in the very first sermon, "It is OK to question your faith and even question God. That is how you learn." I have never forgot that.

Second, we had a tragic death of one of our grandsons. He was 17 mo old. He would be 23 today. One of my favorite priests told me that in a situation like this ... "it's OK to bash God once in a while." ... Truly two very intelligent priests who spoke to the heart. In both cases, my faith became stronger, even though after losing our grandson, it was a more difficult path to follow, but we made it.

I have since learned to boldly question everything, do my own research and make up my own mind and dont be afraid to ask for God's guidance and have conversations with people whos philosophy is close to mine. Note that I said close. If it were identical, I would be listening to someone who is preaching to the choir.

Godspeep my friend. Prayer can conquer all.

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9/22/12 7:10 P

Extreme situations and extreme loss gives us many doubts, Nancie. You are searching for answers and they're not always 'there' when we want them. I wish you great joy in your return journey!

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9/22/12 7:01 P

You have not offended me, Nancie. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thinking of you, Janis

Edited by: ALLENJOSEPH at: 9/22/2012 (19:02)

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9/22/12 6:35 P

Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure where to begin this intro, but I guess you could call me a "lapsed Catholic"...I've always been one to question everything and have a hard time just accepting things on faith alone. Two years ago, I went through a very difficult time, losing both parents within 8 months of each other, and I was full of anger at God for having them suffer through dementia and a stroke and paralysis and ending up in the same nursing home. After both funerals were done, I could not bring myself to go to Mass, I felt cheated as praying had not helped their situation. All of my extended family is very Catholic, very religious, to the point where it became very uncomfortable to be in their presence as I harbored so much anger.

Anyway, I am again facing some struggles with my teenage daughter, things which are beyond my ability to fix. I've asked Mom and Dad to send me signs from Heaven that they are helping me - - and I have gotten those signs! Part of this sign involved going back to Church...and while I admit to still having some issues, I can honestly say that I felt an inner calmness and peace after the Mass. While I feel that faith is something one either has or doesn't have, I'm trying to find ways to increase mine, to make it stronger. I wish I could believe things as strongly as my cousins and in-laws do, but that is still a challenge.

So for what it is worth, I have joined this team in the hopes of increasing my knowledge about the Catholic faith as well as, hopefully, becoming more faithful myself. I hope I haven't offended anyone with my thoughts and actions from the past. Thanks for reading.

Nancie

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