God willing, perhaps we are here to help you. Kolokotronis makes a good point about the fast paced responses that oftentimes are posted "before" the individual has truly reflected. Sometimes, we squabble like sibblings here in the forum.
*this wayward-looking-to-return-to-the-fold-Cathoilc*
First and foremost ... Welcome home! . Even if you have not completed the journey, the fact that you are 'en route' is a positive step in the right direction. You will find yourself in good company here.
As a cradle catholic who has been sidetracked over the years, there was always a tugging sensation in my heart, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it. With little understanding of where you have been or how far you have come, we can at best only direct you to some resources. My first suggestion, though, would be to immerse yourself in prayer and ask our Lord to guide you.
In him comment:
"I read Jesus' giving "the power of the keys, to loose and to bind" to Peter as Jesus himself creating the papacy"
Vicomte13 points to something all catholics have been taught and believe. When Christ handed the keys to Peter, He said: "upon this rock (not rocks), I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." The Catholic Church has an unbroken line of successors to Peter. Some of the popes were unseemly at best, yet NOT ONE of them has ever erred on doctrine.
With all respect for our Orthodox christian brethren in the forum, I have the utmost respect for you and your faith. In no way should this statement be interpreted as an accusation against the Orthodox faith. I simply wish to restate what NJNeocon, and all catholics have been taught and believe.
It may come as a surprise to you, NJNeocon (it certainly did to me), that the Catholic Church is both Western (Rome) and Eastern (Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, Byzantium). Earlier this year, thanks to information I learned from another freeper in the forum, I stepped into one of the Eastern Catholic Churches, lost my heart and soul to its beautiful liturgy, and never left. You can learn more about the 22 different liturgies that make up the One Holy Catholic Church, at this link.
If you have access to EWTN via your cable service, I would recommend that you tune in to Marcus Grodi's program "The Journey Home" which airs live on Monday nights at 8pm ET. Marcus is a convert and each week, his guests discuss their journey home to the Catholic Church. He also maintains a separate web site. You can meet others, like yourself at ...
There are other resources as well, but this is a start. If any one of us can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to freepmail me. Rest assured of my prayers for you as you complete your journey home.
" "I read Jesus' giving "the power of the keys, to loose and to bind" to Peter as Jesus himself creating the papacy"
Vicomte13 points to something all catholics have been taught and believe. When Christ handed the keys to Peter, He said: "upon this rock (not rocks), I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." The Catholic Church has an unbroken line of successors to Peter. "
I just can't resist this: Matt: 18:18, 19:28, Eph: 2:20 and LK: 22:24-27. :)
Have a good Sunday, sister!