I am going to be open and honest. I hope my words don't seem silly or offensive. I never properly introduced myself so this will let you know a bit about me. My family and I live in an area where Orthodoxy isn't very accessible, in more ways than one. It takes two hours by car to reach the nearest parish and the priest and laity seem to care less whether we stay or go. I am lucky if I can get the priest to talk to me for 5 minutes every few months. Note that this is in spite of the fact that we have been parishioners for a couple years now.
Before becoming Orthodox I spent 5+ years discerning between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. During that time I must admit I always felt more spiritually/ emotionally pulled towards Catholicism. I loved the art, architecture, and and Western liturgical style (when it is done properly, mind you). In fact, unlike most converts to Orthodoxy I have spoken to, I prefer Western rite to Eastern rite liturgy. However, I was ultimately won over by the theology and historical case presented by Orthodoxy. It is funny, usually it is Roman Catholics who speak of intellectual conversions and Orthodox Christians who speak of more spiritual or experiential conversions
Well, I feel I have finally reached my breaking point and am tempted to switch over to the local Catholic parish. The priest doesn't mess around. He does the Mass properly and enforces Catholic moral teachings. It is also nice that I could walk to the parish in 15 minutes if I wanted. He has expressed interest in my family and I and the parish has been warm and accepting. Another factor is that my wife desperately wants to return to the Catholic faith. She doesn't like Eastern liturgy, doesn't care for the impersonal nature of the parish, and doesn't like having to sit in a car 4 hours just to go to liturgy for two hours when the nearest Catholic parish is in walking distance. Western Rite might be a good compromise, but there aren't any WR parishes in our area.
I ask for both your prayers and your advice during this trying time.
Before becoming Orthodox I spent 5+ years discerning between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. During that time I must admit I always felt more spiritually/ emotionally pulled towards Catholicism. I loved the art, architecture, and and Western liturgical style (when it is done properly, mind you). In fact, unlike most converts to Orthodoxy I have spoken to, I prefer Western rite to Eastern rite liturgy. However, I was ultimately won over by the theology and historical case presented by Orthodoxy. It is funny, usually it is Roman Catholics who speak of intellectual conversions and Orthodox Christians who speak of more spiritual or experiential conversions
Well, I feel I have finally reached my breaking point and am tempted to switch over to the local Catholic parish. The priest doesn't mess around. He does the Mass properly and enforces Catholic moral teachings. It is also nice that I could walk to the parish in 15 minutes if I wanted. He has expressed interest in my family and I and the parish has been warm and accepting. Another factor is that my wife desperately wants to return to the Catholic faith. She doesn't like Eastern liturgy, doesn't care for the impersonal nature of the parish, and doesn't like having to sit in a car 4 hours just to go to liturgy for two hours when the nearest Catholic parish is in walking distance. Western Rite might be a good compromise, but there aren't any WR parishes in our area.
I ask for both your prayers and your advice during this trying time.