lost sheep Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Hi everyone, I converted to the church about 3 1/2 years ago, I wasn't any certain religion before. Well, I went off to college and lost my way, so to speak. I was lurking on phatmass when I came across a video of a skit to a Lifehouse song. I've found it extremely hard for myself to accept church teaching on birth control, premarital sex, cohabitation, et cetera. I find it a huge struggle. But starting today, I want to come back to the Church. I really do. I feel I have a vocation to the religious life. I was discerning a while back, but got really scared and went the other way with things. I've become someone obsessed with material goods, and I don't like who I have become. I want to abandon myself back to the Church, but I have no support. None of my family is Catholic. Everything encourages me to not be Catholic. I am really scared because I know I can't do it alone, yet I feel so alone. I want to be Catholic again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercy me Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 I will be praying for you. Welcome back! And welcome to the phamily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Welcome back. If you have any questions, we are here for you. God Bless Fr. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost sheep Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 I definitely need the prayers. I don't even know where to start with becoming Catholic again. I find it hard to obey Church teaching a lot of the time. I just don't think I trust in God enough. So where do I start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtins Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Welcome back. you're in my prayers My advice to you would be to go down to your local church and speak to a priest about your questions, concerns etc. I would also encourage you to get a spiritual director. I'm just a regular 17 year old, I'm not going through anything like you are, but I find my spiritual director to be so helpful and such an asset and blessing in the path towards holiness. In your case, your need for a spiritual director would be many times greater than mine, and so I would highly recommend it. If you know any priests that come to mind as someone you could relate to and work with in spiritual direction, approach him about it. Otherwise, I would suggest, in contacting a priest, to ask him if he would be willing, or if he could suggest someone for you. He would be glad to help you somehow. Don't give up. your on the right path, keep running the good race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathoholic_anonymous Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 [quote name='lost sheep' post='1395489' date='Sep 30 2007, 06:05 PM']I definitely need the prayers. I don't even know where to start with becoming Catholic again. I find it hard to obey Church teaching a lot of the time. I just don't think I trust in God enough. So where do I start?[/quote] Start with a rosary in your hand. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen used to say, the rosary is not just a set of prayers - it's a place. It's your biography in beads. When you're struggling, go there and meditate on its mysteries. Get absorbed in them, and you will know what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 [quote name='lost sheep' post='1395475' date='Sep 30 2007, 12:36 PM']Hi everyone, I converted to the church about 3 1/2 years ago, I wasn't any certain religion before. Well, I went off to college and lost my way, so to speak. I was lurking on phatmass when I came across a video of a skit to a Lifehouse song. I've found it extremely hard for myself to accept church teaching on birth control, premarital sex, cohabitation, et cetera. I find it a huge struggle. But starting today, I want to come back to the Church. I really do. I feel I have a vocation to the religious life. I was discerning a while back, but got really scared and went the other way with things. I've become someone obsessed with material goods, and I don't like who I have become. I want to abandon myself back to the Church, but I have no support. None of my family is Catholic. Everything encourages me to not be Catholic. I am really scared because I know I can't do it alone, yet I feel so alone. I want to be Catholic again.[/quote] The journey becomes even more difficult when not only you must deal with your own doubts, but also doubts from others. It's a challenge, but there are many here who've gone through similar dealings with their family. You ask yourself "Why?" and wonder why you're here in this mess. God is [b]always[/b] with you, even at times when you commit a serious offense. He loves us so much, just as a devout father loves his child. Our Blessed Mother Mary, the perfect mother always pointing to her Son, is also there for you. I had a hard time accepting the Church's teaching on sexuality, especially contraception. Look at it this way however, [b]we always struggle, even when we do return back to the Faith[/b]. Devil does not stop, infact he becomes even more vigiliant when we do return to Christ and His Church. Fortunately, we can take console in the fact we have access to whatever graces we need to make us stronger against temptation. The Sacraments play a huge role in the daily life, especially the Eucharist, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Due to the fall of man we are prone to sin, thank God for Confession!!! Suffering is part of the Christian walk, even Christ Himself suffered on this earth. It's hard to live a Catholic life in today's society, especially in a college setting when you have a bunch of hormonally-crazed guys and girls that have finally left home and can do whatever they want, thus the temptation is increased ten-fold. Even outside of that setting, day-to-day activities always have us encounter temptations that can lead us into sin. Just look at media industry (TV, Film, magazine, etc) and the internet, sexual immortality is everywhere. Is sex sinful? No. Does it have its place? Yes, in marriage. I always joke with non-Catholics when the issue comes up since it breaks the stereotypical Christian fundamentalist attituide, "I'm glad to be Catholic, we can drink, smoke, and have sex." My main weakness is sexuality, not only because I'm a guy, but also I'm at that stage of when the hormones are going "Where's the babes? Where's the babes?". Our bodies get like that, it isn't wrong... it's how God made us (and the reason we even bother to procreate); however, sex has it's place and we have to constantly fight the temptation to do otherwise. Feeling lonely smells of elderberries, period. But you know what? Even though it isn't the same, nor you may not even feel it, but God is always with you. He sees all and knows all. You also have over 1 billion (not including Protestant) brothers and sisters in Christ who are all going through struggles of their own, they're also praying for each other and for the Church (which includes you). You also have people on Phatmass who are praying for you. Though if you're also refering to actual casual relationship or interaction with other devout Catholics, it can be hard (depending on your parish community). I don't know how old you are, but assuming you're a young adult why not try and join a local young adult Catholic group? Get involved with your local parish? Or if you're a guy, why not think about joining the Knights of Columbus? There are indeed a lot of older men in the organization who are more active since they have the time, but there are also a ton of young guys like us who are part of this 1.7 million member Brotherhood! I'll be saying a prayer for you. Stick around, I've been here since spring 2003 and haven't regretted it since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost sheep Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 Thanks a lot, guys! I'm a 20 year old young woman, and I'm in a new town. I seriously just had an epiphany today, and it was really weird. It's like, all of a sudden, I awoke from a 10-year nap and wondering what happened! My school has a local Neumann center, which i did not know. The only problem, is I work 55 hours a week and go to school part time, which makes it extremely hard to make time to go out and mingle with other Catholics. I really want to embrace my faith, and after a while, I would really love to pick up where I left off discerning my vocation. I just remember when I was fully immersed in my faith as being the happiest I have ever been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 [quote name='lost sheep' post='1395489' date='Sep 30 2007, 01:05 PM']I just don't think I trust in God enough.[/quote] Wow, it's like looking in a mirror! I sometimes have the negative attituide of not trusting in God enough, because I feel that since I struggle with temptation and sin, that I'm not worthy to receive help from Him. The best thing to do is just constantly remind yourself this: God does not like it when we sin, but He loves us STILL. We want to stop, and we know it's wrong, but it's hard to give in. He will always be there for us, and constantly encourages us to change. We must push on and continue the good fight. If we get knocked down, lick your wounds, get up, and press on. Living the Catholic faith is a constant battleground, it will never stop until the day you die. However, it certainly is much easier when you have the Sacraments and the Church to turn to when you need it. God bless you "lost sheep". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 (edited) [quote name='lost sheep' post='1395519' date='Sep 30 2007, 01:43 PM']Thanks a lot, guys! I'm a 20 year old young woman, and I'm in a new town. I seriously just had an epiphany today, and it was really weird. It's like, all of a sudden, I awoke from a 10-year nap and wondering what happened! My school has a local Neumann center, which i did not know. The only problem, is I work 55 hours a week and go to school part time, which makes it extremely hard to make time to go out and mingle with other Catholics. I really want to embrace my faith, and after a while, I would really love to pick up where I left off discerning my vocation. I just remember when I was fully immersed in my faith as being the happiest I have ever been.[/quote] That is why Phatmass exists, to make Catholics [b][i]better[/b][/i] Catholics. Not to mention a place for like minded individuals to interact and just have fun, debate, etc. Let's not forget the many users we have that have entered into the religious life. [b]Theologan in Training[/b] is an ordained priest, and he was in seminary when he first joined Phatmass. [b]Cappie[/b] is a friar (?) in the land down under. Plus many more who are currently in seminary, convents, etc. Not to imply anything, but we also have three documentated cases of couples tieing the knot because of Phatmass. One couple just got married, and the other two will be soon. I knew these people when they were just 'single' users! Come to think about it, where's my other half!?!?!? Edited September 30, 2007 by Paladin D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zabbazooey Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Yeah, I've met loads of great people on Phatmass, Proud2BCatholic139 is one of my very good friends (my ADHD buddy!) I've been struggling too. And I'm coming back to the church with an open heart and mind. Phatmass is great, you will find lots of support here : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoketos Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Start by going to confession then Mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Hi lost sheep, This is a really great place to be no matter what state your spiritual life is in. Keep on praying, especially for patience and trust. And I know there are people on here that can direct you on some good readings when it comes to the "sticky issues." The Lord sure has a way of gently pulling on the strings of our hearts and not letting go. Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starets Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 This is a good place to ask questions. A parish priest might be a good person to ask questions of as well. Lots of tweenagers around here! Nice to meet you, lost sheep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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