Though, to be honest? The things I've read about the importance of the Rosary, now, as always, but especially so in the end, as well as the importance of being cleaned up enough to participate in the Eucharist and receive Communion...well, I should probably head down the road to that new Catholic church and see for myself.
I keep finding reasons not to and reasons to avoid organized religion altogether, so I'm stuck at just doing research for now. The world keeps getting more insane by the day, so that keeps me busy.
None the less, what I've found doing my research has given me the belief that the Eucharist and Communion are as the Church believes and teaches.
And has also given me belief beyond that and then some about the supernatural compared to what most Protestants seem to accept and believe.
Week 4, the Maronite Catholic Church was next on the list. I knew nothing about their liturgy but my freeper friend, who had attended several of their masses, assured me that it was ancient and steeped in great reverence. It was in this very small parish that our Lord let me know that I was home. I left the church that day with a sense of peace that lasted the entire week. For the first time in my life, the words "Peace be with you." took on true significance. The small community welcomed me with open arms. Here, I discovered "gifts and abilities" I never knew I had. Because of its small community size (about 60 families), their needs were great. Looking back, I can now understand why our Lord called me here and am truly humbled by His response. I have been asked to serve on the Parish Council, develop a Religious Education program, write 2 grants (both were awarded), serve on various committees and now do the weekly bulletin. The blessings have flowed from God - one of those grants was for the restoration of stained glass windows in a 160 y/o former Methodist/Episcopal Church that was to become our future home. The odds of being awarded a matching state grant are astronomical. Never having written a grant, I entrusted it to Christ: "If this be your will, please help us". More than 350 applications were submitted and only 15 grants were awarded. As it turned out, ours was the last state grant awarded to restore stained glass windows with a religious theme; the state dropped it the following year.
This is not to suggest that your path is the same as mine but I would encourage you to entrust to Christ your prayer for him to guide and assist you on your journey. He will not fail you. I will add you to my daily prayer list. May our Lord bless you on your journey!
Thank you for sharing. “...The Eucharist and Communion are as the Church believes and teaches...”
Just a suggestion: I have found a 24/7 Adoration Chapel for prayer that helps me a lot. If you have one near you, praying there is an ideal place for peace, discernment and strength to deal with the world’s darkness that as you state correctly is getting more insane by the day.
I will add you to my rosary - I have prayed during my time in the Adoration Chapel for all Freepers to make their way to the Truth and I am reasonably certain that other Freepers are doing the same.
Godspeed for the journey.