How else can we explain the Kennedy's multiple annulments, Pelosi and the other faux catholics receiving the sacrements and all the infiltration by homosexuals and communists.
You nailed it!
I actually was unfortunate enough to have sat through a mass where the priest (a visiting priest) basically told everyone there that day back in 2008 that “social justice” trumped “sanctity of life.”
I sat through that mass — But the next time it came up myself and two dozen other parishioners actually got up and left — Along with our check books.
Two things happened after that, that priest was never invited back and collection basket donations went way down until they started talking about protecting the truly vulnerable and innocent amongst us was far more important than social justice. We will only see how long that lasts.
I pray that God forgives me and finds me worthy to somehow join him but the RC isn't really anything special to me other than a place where I am familiar with the ceremony but have become disillusioned by what I perceive as the changes in the church and doctrine.When you were a Catholic, and not fallen away, did you believe the Eucharist was the Body of Christ? If so, why would you leave Him at the altar? We were told (by a couple of saintly priests) that if the priest says the right words at the Consecration, the Eucharist is Real. And that we weren't supposed to take it upon ourselves to think any differently. So if you wish for God to forgive you, why not partake in His Son; a gift [to you from Him] beyond all measure.
Like you, I too fell away from the church, several times, using similar justifications.
How else can we explain the Kennedy's multiple annulments, Pelosi and the other faux catholics receiving the sacrements and all the infiltration by homosexuals and communists.
These are judgement calls. In making these excuses, you are punishing yourself and Christ. Your Lord and Savior waits for you each week. He is there in the Eucharist, desirous of sharing His graces with you. That is your source of life; eternal food for your soul.
If you are not happy with the way the mass was celebrated in your previous parish, there are other parishes. If you are serious about your love for Christ, commit this appeal to Him. "Ask and you will receive; knock and the door will be opened to you". When I became disgusted with the way in which mass was being celebrated, I turned to our Lord and asked Him to guide me to "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community in need of whatever my God-given abilities might be". I then compiled a list of other parishes within a certain radius of home, including two Eastern Catholic Churches. Each week I visited a different parish, repeating that prayer. When I reached the Maronite Catholic Church, that prayer was answered, through some truly extraordinary means that left no doubt I was home.
The Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Traditional Latin Mass, retain a greater sense of reverence in the liturgy. Once "home", I was invited to join one group and to serve on the parish's centennial committee. Up until then, I was not one to get involved in parish activities but the parish was small, the prayer had been answered and I recognized it was now my responsibility to fulfill my obligation. Not long afterwards, I was elected to the Parish Council. When the parish began the process of fundraising to restore an abandoned 160 y/o former methodist church, they turned to me for assistance in writing a grant. I had never written one but entrusted it, like the previous prayer, to our Lord. More than 360 organizations submitted requests and only 15 grants were awarded. We were one of them! Shortly afterwards, I was asked to develop a Religious Education program for the children in the parish. It began small and within 4 years, had tripled in attendance. Today, I have been tasked with writing the weekly parish bulletin.
Now you may be thinking this is not your calling in life. You simply wish to worship God in your own way. In truth, I felt the same way but I quickly learned that in giving, we receive and my life is full of joy because of God's response to one simple prayer.
Our pastor was called home for a family emergency. In his absence, we have had several priests come on Sunday to say mass. Each one has shared his God given gifts with us. Last Sunday, a recently ordained priest celebrated the mass. He chanted the entire liturgy and took his time, enunciating the words of institution. It was so moving and beautiful. He drew us closer to Jesus through his homily and the Eucharist. This was a priceless gift I wish to share with you.
If you have been away from the Catholic Church, you should reconsider the reasons. Please visit Catholics Come Home and rediscover what you have been missing. May God bless you on your journey!
I don’t hold hands, etc. If a priest preaches anything political candidate the church can lose its tax-free status — so it’s not done.
The Kennedys, sad to say, were CINOs, Catholics in name only. They, nor Pelosi, etc. represent true Catholicism.
How do you think your reasons will sound to Our Lord? Go to Latin Mass where no nonsense is preached, Our Lord awaits you there. As for the real estate we own, which hospitals, schools, churches and orphanages should we sell? The sins of the Kennedys are their personal sins, we all have enough of our own. Humble yourself, submit to God, go to confession, be all that God wants you to be. In the midst of chaos He raises up great saints from the humble.
I've wrestled with much of this myself. In the end, I'm grateful the Church is not perfect, for if it were, I would not be accepted as a member. Christ is perfect, but he calls on the imperfect to seek and find Him and sets lofty goals for us humans to aspire to.
Imagine a small, corrupt town with one stop light at its only intersection. The local cop is part of the good ole boy network, and if he likes you or you are one of the town bigwigs, you can run the stoplight with impunity. If you're an out-of-towner, or on the cop's s-list, you're going to get a ticket no matter how closely you adhere to the law.
Those persons in charge of administering this particular red light may be flawed, or even corrupt. This does not, however, invalidate the greater notion that controlling traffic at intersections is a good idea. Similarly, I believe what the Church teaches and holds true, even if those administering its teachings may be at times flawed, or even corrupt.
Peace be with you.
Sadly I,m too, am a fallen Catholic. I tried “Catholics Come Home” but every time I got my foot near the door, the Church came out with some political statement which sent me running away again.
At the time the Affordable Care Act passed (I think the Church was for its passage, but now they say they really didn’t want the “religious freedom restrictions” that came with it) I was fighting against it. I had a family member with leukemia.
I couldn’t go to Mass, shake hands, sing praises — and think — these people are against what I am FOR.
Now it is the redistribution statements of Pope Francis. And that the Church seems to be all for illegal aliens being granted amnesty. Look at how they are rushing our borders.....this will dramatically change America. I believe the Church wants this for America. I don’t.
But I am getting older. I would like religion in my life. It gave me comfort too when I was young.
So...I hope I can go back before I get much older. I am in my sixties.
If not, I hope God sees that maybe the Church did leave me.
Buff