Trying to revert back home

[holyorders]

Hi everyone,


I was on here for some time. Not sure if people remember me. I caused some fireworks back in the day .

For a little over a year I had left the Church. I don't know why really. I started missing Mass, started to get worldly. I'm finding (again) that being worldly isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I want to come back but I'm a little scared and nervous at the prospect. One reason why I left was the fact that I tried to hard to be a perfectionist in my faith. It left me frazzled really. I'm afraid I'll get that bad habit again. I know I need to trust Jesus and let things go but it's hard. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone left the Church and came back?

I'm actually planning on going to confession this Saturday and Mass on Sunday.

 

[saved24]

Praying for you. No one can be perfect, we can only do our best. When we come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness, He forgives and forgets. He sees us clothed in righteousness, He does not look at us and see a sinner. May the Lord help you as you come back to Him as you obviously have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and the world is not all that good afterall. God bless.

 

[Memento Mori]

Praise God. Welcome back. My answer to your question: strive to be perfect, and don't be surprised when you're not. If you are overly dismayed when you commit little faults, that is the sign that your desire for perfection comes from vanity and not from love of God. Stamp out faults when you see them and carry on. Love and humility, love and humility, we must always pray for love and humility.

 

[WarriorAngel]

I remember you...and sure that you remember me.
I left the Church back in the day - for 7 years. It was awful. I admit it now.
I was also too worldly.

Advice, just attend Mass [after confession] and enjoy - just BE.
Welcome back home.

 

[Foundthelight]

You are in my prayers.

 

[AMDG]

Welcome home. Advice? Besides frequent Confession? A Catholic Chaplain recommended the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. And remember to be gentle with yourself. Remember who you are. Noblesse oblige.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The Lord loves prodigals and rejoices at your return. Just go to confession, come out with a big smile on your face, bask in the mercy of the Risen Savior, and get back on that wagon going to Mass. Best of luck to you, OP!

 

[Chrystal-J]

With me, I was raised in a very liberal Catholic church. So, I didn't understand much of church teachings or doctrine. As I got older, I tried different churches. But, found a traditional Catholic church that helped me grow a lot as a Christian.
As far as grappling with perfection in faith--I look at the Stations of the Cross and see that Jesus stumbled twice and also had help at one point carrying His cross. To me, that shows that we all fall and need help. Even priests grapple with issues and need our support. So, I wouldn't be too hard on myself. Just keep trying to grow closer to the Lord. Fight the good fight, as they say.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The Stations of the Cross are powerful for me as well. As I have debated becoming Eastern Orthodox, frankly, the Stations of the Cross are the devotion I will miss most. I adore them and relate to them in a deep way. I named my daughter "Veronica" after station 6, in fact!

With me, I was raised in a very liberal Catholic church. So, I didn't understand much of church teachings or doctrine. As I got older, I tried different churches. But, found a traditional Catholic church that helped me grow a lot as a Christian.
As far as grappling with perfection in faith--I look at the Stations of the Cross and see that Jesus stumbled twice and also had help at one point carrying His cross. To me, that shows that we all fall and need help. Even priests grapple with issues and need our support. So, I wouldn't be too hard on myself. Just keep trying to grow closer to the Lord. Fight the good fight, as they say.

 

[brinny]

Hi everyone,


I was on here for some time. Not sure if people remember me. I caused some fireworks back in the day .

For a little over a year I had left the Church. I don't know why really. I started missing Mass, started to get worldly. I'm finding (again) that being worldly isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I want to come back but I'm a little scared and nervous at the prospect. One reason why I left was the fact that I tried to hard to be a perfectionist in my faith. It left me frazzled really. I'm afraid I'll get that bad habit again. I know I need to trust Jesus and let things go but it's hard. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone left the Church and came back?

I'm actually planning on going to confession this Saturday and Mass on Sunday.

I remember you! It's good seeing you again!!

 

[Chrystal-J]

I named my daughter "Veronica" after station 6, in fact!

I like that name too!

holyorders,
Being Catholic is hard. I always remind myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint. So, take your time and let God do His work in you through the Holy Spirit. Pray often and read the bible as much as possible. I attend Mass 3-4 days a week most of the time. It helps a lot to bring me closer to the Lord though the Holy Eucharist.
God Bless,
C J

 

[Gwendolyn]

Story of my life.

No advice. I live in a hole. But you're not alone.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Yea; like Gwen said, 'We're all Hobbits here.'
Welcome home.


The Light's on, the tea's out, and the table's open. C'mon in and enjoy the comp'ny.








(Right, Gwen?! )

 

[Colin]

It's seems like you were trying to live out your Christian life in your own power . Anyone who tries to do so will eventually fall flat on their face . It can't be done .

The power we need to be Christians comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells within us . We are totally dependent on Him .

God bless you , and may I suggest that you reflect on and pray with an expectant faith the following prayer , the "Veni Sancte Spiritus" , Come Holy Spirit .
Veni, Sancte Spiritus

 

[xTx]

Whoopee you are back

 

[Root of Jesse]

Hi everyone,


I was on here for some time. Not sure if people remember me. I caused some fireworks back in the day .

For a little over a year I had left the Church. I don't know why really. I started missing Mass, started to get worldly. I'm finding (again) that being worldly isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I want to come back but I'm a little scared and nervous at the prospect. One reason why I left was the fact that I tried to hard to be a perfectionist in my faith. It left me frazzled really. I'm afraid I'll get that bad habit again. I know I need to trust Jesus and let things go but it's hard. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone left the Church and came back?

I'm actually planning on going to confession this Saturday and Mass on Sunday.

Welcome home. Find a priest you can trust to be a spiritual director, and let him help you with your perfectionism/scrupulosity. Regardless of how imperfect you are, just remember that there's quite probably someone who's less perfect than you are, and that if they're welcome, so are you.

 

[Michie]

Prayers for your journey.

 

[packermann]

I would recommend a good spiritual director, usually a priest. I would recommend Opus Dei - they are big on spiritual direction. I think you need a person who can provide you feedback when you are falling into scrupulosity. The Catholic Church teaches there are two sins against the virtue of hope - the sin of presumption and the sin of despair. Please find a solid Catholic who can guide you to avoid both.

 

[BabyChristian22]

Hi everyone,


I was on here for some time. Not sure if people remember me. I caused some fireworks back in the day .

For a little over a year I had left the Church. I don't know why really. I started missing Mass, started to get worldly. I'm finding (again) that being worldly isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I want to come back but I'm a little scared and nervous at the prospect. One reason why I left was the fact that I tried to hard to be a perfectionist in my faith. It left me frazzled really. I'm afraid I'll get that bad habit again. I know I need to trust Jesus and let things go but it's hard. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone left the Church and came back?

I'm actually planning on going to confession this Saturday and Mass on Sunday.

I've gone through many backsliding phases since my initial conversion to the faith as an adult.

When you come back to the faith try to find a balance between being conscious of your sins and being scrupulous. Do an examination of conscience and go to confession when you know you have mortal sin. Then trust that God forgave you for all your sins.

Don't deliberately leave out any sins in confession, but if you come out of confession and then realize you forgot to mention a sin. Don't worry about it. God forgave you for your sins and you would then be able to receive communion at Mass. Confess that forgotten sin the next time you go to confession if it comes to mind.

Besides the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I recommend reading Scott Hahn books and "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis. I recommend the following version of the book (especially in audio book form):

"The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis

May God bless you, and welcome back!

 

[holyorders]

I just wanted to personally thank everyone for all the help and support. Being Catholic in this world should be natural but living in an un-natural time certainly confuses things.