Feeling Lost...

[Benedicta00]

Well I'm trying to work up to something like that, but it doesn't really work for me right now, although I have been wondering about it.

Joe,

Whenever I am at adoration it is the only place on earth where I know that I have left the world outside the doors. I have so much peace and clarity; it is where I go when I am truly needing to know what God's will for me is.

You do not have to do a thing but just sit in his presence, I promises if you commit yourself to just sitting with him doing nothing, he will reveal himself to you in this sacrament.

 

[MariaRegina]

Well I'm not talking about joining another church. I'm just talking about doing some of the stuff that they do.

My dearest humblejoe: Christ is in our midst!

Why not talk to the priest? Tell him that you'd like to start a bible discussion group.

When I was a teenager, we had great potluck dinners every First Friday evening after the Mass. Usually good old Spaghetti without the meatballs but piled high with sauce and cheese. Lots of fresh salads with garlic bread. And then some good apple pies and tunafish casseroles. One of the old grandpas played a mean accordian, so we danced the polka and did an Irish jig or two. Everyone of every age enjoyed it. What about suggesting that?

Another parish had a movie night. We'd bring our favorite VHS or DVDs and sit and discuss the movie afterward with the priest and popcorn.

Another parish had walks for the overweight folks.

Then there was the christmas caroling from door to door.

Arts and Crafts on Saturdays are great for the kids and you really get to meet people because usually the young adults are in charge.

Just some suggestions. See if the priest will let you help start something.

YSIC

Elizabeth

 

[Caedmon]

Just some suggestions. See if the priest will let you help start something.

Those are some really good ideas. Unfortunately, we don't have a resident priest. But we do have a minister. But I would like to see if I could do some of those things. I bet they would be fun. Although I'm not really a Catholic yet, do you think it's ok that I do stuff like that? Would I be welcome to suggest things like that, you think? Ugh, I know that sounds silly, but I'm an anxious person about these sorts of things.

 

[MariaRegina]

Those are some really good ideas. Unfortunately, we don't have a resident priest. But we do have a minister. But I would like to see if I could do some of those things. I bet they would be fun. Although I'm not really a Catholic yet, do you think it's ok that I do stuff like that? Would I be welcome to suggest things like that, you think? Ugh, I know that sounds silly, but I'm an anxious person about these sorts of things.

My dearest Humblejoe:

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him Forever!

Did you know that it is the converts who are the real life of the Church? The converts have great zeal because of their newfound faith. They have had to endure criticism and sometimes persecution from their old buddies and relatives who chide them for being Papists, so they find themselves like you are - "lonely". But once they are received into the church, they realize the treasure they have found and get involved.

Some converts help revitalize the church during their catechesis with the permission of the priest and parish council. In fact, in some RCIA programs active participation in the life of the church is a requirement.

In my church it is the converts who request and help lead Bible Studies, Pizza Nights, SongFests, SportsNights, My Big Fat Spaghetti Night, BibleBowls, Q&A about saints, Studies in Church History, Singles Clubs, Widow/Widower's Clubs, Chant classes, Diaconate classes, Young Adult programs, College Age programs, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Boy Clubs, Young Family program, Marriage Encounter, etc.


Go for it!

YSIC,
Elizabeth

 

[MariaRegina]

delete this please

 

[Theresa]

I'm thinking of you humble, humblejoe. Lonliness most assuredly rears it's head when it's beautiful outside and people are going on trips and such.

Perhaps you could thank God for your lonliness. Tonight say to God, thank You for this suffering of lonliness. You mean me to endure it, and so I will, and I will give this suffering back to you as a gift from the bottom of my heart. And I trust, that when I give it to you, you will fill my soul and I will never again think that I am lonely, or alone, for doing your Will is the greatest Adventure, and You, You alone are the greatest companion.

 

[Metanoia02]

Those are some really good ideas. Unfortunately, we don't have a resident priest. But we do have a minister. But I would like to see if I could do some of those things. I bet they would be fun. Although I'm not really a Catholic yet, do you think it's ok that I do stuff like that? Would I be welcome to suggest things like that, you think? Ugh, I know that sounds silly, but I'm an anxious person about these sorts of things.

What part of the world do you live in? I live in groung zero for the Southern Baptist here in TN. It sounds like you live in rural parish here in the south. It can be difficult for those who are wanting certain thing that people in large cities take for granted.

I do think you should see about starting up some type of group in your parish. I am sure you are not the only one that feels the way you do. Don't be to concerned about being "Catholic' yet. If your heart is with the Church, your just as Catholic as anyone in your parish, maybe more.

I pray you find the peace you are looking for in Jesus Christ!

Peace

 

[Caedmon]

BTW, I just wanted to let you guys know something. In no way, shape, or form, will I ever be returning to the Baptist faith. I have left that church's membership for good, out to eternity. I am now working on becoming a Catholic, just to clear up any doubts, but it is very difficult. I don't know when it'll happen, because I am an extremely detailed and hard-headed person , but I am trying hard to understand this stuff and move closer to the Church.

 

[Caedmon]

What part of the world do you live in? I live in groung zero for the Southern Baptist here in TN. It sounds like you live in rural parish here in the south. It can be difficult for those who are wanting certain thing that people in large cities take for granted.

I do think you should see about starting up some type of group in your parish. I am sure you are not the only one that feels the way you do. Don't be to concerned about being "Catholic' yet. If your heart is with the Church, your just as Catholic as anyone in your parish, maybe more.

I pray you find the peace you are looking for in Jesus Christ!

Peace

Thanks Metanoia. And yes, I am in the south, farther south than you, in fact. And it is very difficult to have an active parish, especially in the country setting I live in, with as few Catholics and as small a church as we have, and us having no resident priest. But I will still try to start some stuff in our parish. I really hope people don't get snide with me though. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm a paranoid person, so I guess you could understand. Oh well, I'll get with my RCIA teachers and the spiritual director, and the non-resident priest, and such, and see what I can do.

 

[MariaRegina]

Thanks Metanoia. And yes, I am in the south, farther south than you, in fact. And it is very difficult to have an active parish, especially in the country setting I live in, with as few Catholics and as small a church as we have, and us having no resident priest. But I will still try to start some stuff in our parish. I really hope people don't get snide with me though. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm a paranoid person, so I guess you could understand. Oh well, I'll get with my RCIA teachers and the spiritual director, and the non-resident priest, and such, and see what I can do.

Dearest Humblejoe:

Christ is in our midst!

If you trust in the Lord and openly share your feelings with those who are teaching you, then they will work with you. Keep up your prayer life so that you will have more confidence. Be sure you read the Scriptures daily so that God's word can lift your burdens. Don't be afraid. Just ask them if you can do something for the parish under their supervision. I bet they will be delighted. Work with them.

I will pray for you Brother Joe.

Your sister in Christ,

Elizabeth

 

[Caedmon]

Dearest Humblejoe:

Christ is in our midst!

If you trust in the Lord and openly share your feelings with those who are teaching you, then they will work with you. Keep up your prayer life so that you will have more confidence. Be sure you read the Scriptures daily so that God's word can lift your burdens. Don't be afraid. Just ask them if you can do something for the parish under their supervision. I bet they will be delighted. Work with them.

I will pray for you Brother Joe.

Your sister in Christ,

Elizabeth

Awww, thank you sister Elizabeth...

Sometimes I forget that I have people hear that love me and support me with this stuff. I get so used to having so very few here that understand and support me, that I can get very discouraged. It's so hard sometimes. But I'm off work in time for mass tomorrow, so I am happy about that. At least I get to talk to my Catholic friends again. I think I just need more support and some TLC.

 

[MariaRegina]

Awww, thank you sister Elizabeth...

Sometimes I forget that I have people hear that love me and support me with this stuff. I get so used to having so very few here that understand and support me, that I can get very discouraged. It's so hard sometimes. But I'm off work in time for mass tomorrow, so I am happy about that. At least I get to talk to my Catholic friends again. I think I just need more support and some TLC.

My Dearest Humblejoe:

Christ is in our midst!

Say a prayer for me and I will pray for you.

Hope you had a good July 4th.

Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth

 

[Theresa]

If it is of any help, humble humblejoe, I would love to go camping with you and all of you. I watched a video where when Pope John Paul II was young, he would take the youth groups on camping trips and they had to call him Uncle instead of Father because it was illegal to celebrate mass at that time, I think, German occupation or something. But he loved the land, he drank it in and the kids loved it to. He would celebrate Mass on an upturned boat with the paddles in the shape of a cross.

Oh, how I wish we could do such a thing!

Get this, hopefully we all get to celebrate perpetual Mass in heaven together, where the beauty we drink in from nature will be ever more beautiful. We wouldn't be in the water, we would/do have the life-giving water forever within us!

Oh, Happy Day!