Returning To Catholicism

[nanookadenord]

Just a little background. My soon-to-be ex-wife (divorcing in June) and I are both lapsed baptized Catholics. Both rebelled in our teens and left the church. Both attended other churches, was not married in a Catholic church nor by a Catholic priest.

Due to a schedule change at work, the only option for me it seems for church is to return to the Catholic church because of the Saturday evening mass. No other church in my area has a Saturday evening service.

Went to confession yesterday morning and talked with the priest regarding the issues that I mentioned here. I have been given forgiveness, given penance and am able to return to taking communion even with the impending divorce (that was a huge concern of mine before returning to the church).

The only thing he warned me against was that if I decide in the future to get involved with another woman to be sure that I have already done the lack of form. Otherwise, I will no longer be able to take communion until I do the lack of form.

 

[pdudgeon]

WELCOME BACK!

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Welcome home !

 

[Sword of the Lord]

So wait...

You actually told the priest that you're only returning out of convenience, and he said that you're good for communion? Not that you're returning because you want to because you realized that it's the true church, or because you realized the error of your ways for leaving, or because you were pulled back by Christ... But because they hold service at a convenient time for you... Sorry, but that sounds bad. You didn't take time to come to the conclusion that it was true and yet you plan to take the Eucharist.

 

[benedictaoo]

Yeah, seems fishy to me too.

 

[concretecamper]

God works in mysterious ways.

 

[nanookadenord]

So wait...

You actually told the priest that you're only returning out of convenience, and he said that you're good for communion? Not that you're returning because you want to because you realized that it's the true church, or because you realized the error of your ways for leaving, or because you were pulled back by Christ... But because they hold service at a convenient time for you... Sorry, but that sounds bad. You didn't take time to come to the conclusion that it was true and yet you plan to take the Eucharist.

I'm sorry that it sounds bad to you, but perhaps what concretecamper said is exactly what is happening. God working. The schedule change being His way of drawing me back to the church.

The priest did say that it seems God is drawing you back to the Catholic church and that I am in a for a wonderful journey. That I am clear to take communion because I made a good confession.

I attended mass this afternoon for the Sunday vigil and it felt like home. Felt like I was supposed to be there.

This fall I may attend RCIA just to learn about the Faith again. It's been a long time since my confirmation and CCD classes.

 

[benedictaoo]

Your first post sounded as if you told the priest you disbelieve Catholicism but was coming out of convinence. This sounds more like it.

 

[Rhamiel]

glad to see you back to attending Mass
how long were you away from the Church?

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Give him some credit will you?
He went to his priest and rightly so and may I suggest that said priest is in a better position to offer spiritual guidance than we are based on the information shared between the two of them.

I'm so happy you didn't just went for the eucharist as so many people would do, but instead went through the proper chanals.

If your priest said you may receive then do so.


Welcome back brother we're blessed to have you home with us.

 

[nanookadenord]

glad to see you back to attending Mass
how long were you away from the Church?

This may sound horrible, but about 30 years.

 

[Rhamiel]

This may sound horrible, but about 30 years.

it is what it is
no use being glum about the past

do you mind me asking, what kind of churches did you go to after you stopped attending the Catholic Church?

 

[nanookadenord]

it is what it is
no use being glum about the past

do you mind me asking, what kind of churches did you go to after you stopped attending the Catholic Church?

For a while. No where. Then mostly non-denominational and lastly Lutheran.

 

[pdudgeon]

God closes some doors and opens others.
and yes, RCIA would be a great idea.

 

[xTx]

God is Real-ly awesome