It's both simple and difficult, I choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Family, friends, jobs, "leaders" and all others are only servants to the one true Lord and Savior. He knows what is in our hearts. Just as we can lie to everyone but ourselves as to our motives and actions. I don't hate homosexuals, but I hate their recruiting of boys in our parish by homosexual predators dressed as priests. I'm sure there is a special place in hell for those that aided and abetted these crimes. The divorce issue is tough but with reconciliation and prayer even that issue can be dealt with.
I'm not an expert, far from it. I am only good at sinning and trying to find my way back to the Lord. But I still have issues with the church on several things I realize that I don't have a problem with the church, but with men running certain aspects of the church. So I must try to just do what I can to muddle through.
The mass to me has become on long musical with everything being sung including the Lord's prayer. At some services I'm surprised I'm not asked to dance like a monkey instead of just listening to a nice homily after 2 readings and some simple prayers. It's like a casting call for the Holy version of "Glee".
I'm a fallen Catholic that has just returned to the church and know that my time on earth is short. I want to be one with the Lord and will jump through the hoops I suppose but if I pass and have a funeral mass, I'd like to have a simple service not a Broadway musical.
Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem;
Creatorem caeli et terrae.
Et in Jesum Christum,
Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum;
qui conceptus est
de Spiritu Sancto,
natus ex Maria virgine;
passus sub Pontio Pilato,
crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus;
descendit ad inferos;
tertia die resurrexit a mortuis;
ascendit ad caelos;
sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis;
inde venturus est
iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum;
sanctam ecclesiam catholicam;
sanctorum communionem;
remissionem peccatorum;
carnis resurrectionem;
vitam aeternam. Amen.
In English:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
To tell the truth, I’m shocked nowadays when people become Catholic, or come back to the Church. The Church is a shambles, with the worst Pope in several hundred years.
But GOOD FOR YOU! I hope you find a quiet Mass to attend, and that you experience great peace and intimacy with Jesus.
Put specific instructions (church, music, priest) in your Will, do not allow others to choose for you, it is important that they pray for you not canonize you.
BTW, welcome home :)