“upon considering a return to the church, it troubled me and was somewhat an obstacle to my return”
But that is not really logically consistent with what the Catholic Church teaches.
I don’t see that passage as Jesus rebuking his mother and brothers, but rather Jesus is saying that they are no more important than anyone else. And in fact, his followers are more important to Him.
But what should it matter if Jesus were rebuking them? If your view of Mary is that she is not raised up any higher than any other believer in Jesus? Jesus did rebuke Simon Peter.
I think you were quite right in your concern, because you recognised that the Catholic Church raises Mary up significantly higher than believers in Jesus, and virtually to deity status (there is a group of Catholics who want her named co-redeemer).
Because unless they do raise her up so, there was no reason for your concern, *however* you chose to interpret that passage. But your gut gave you concern, because in fact, they do, do that.
And there are many ultra-religious people who call themselves Catholics (maybe you think they are in error), who have little statues of Mary, and make the statues face the brown ground, so they can “send rain”, as one poster related. In Mexico they combine the image of Jesus and Mary with the images of Sun worship. It’s all intensely related (particularly in some cultures) to pagan beliefs. And yes, maybe such people are considered in error by good Catholics, who I know exist. But those people are in no way rebuked by the church. The church allows these things to go on, which are clearly in error, because they have made the judgement that they will allow pagan worship in, so they can grow the church.
I believe that God elevated Mary when He chose her to bear His Son.
From the song, “Gentle Woman”
You were chosen, by the Father
You were chosen, for the Son.
You were chosen, o’er all others.
And for women, the shining one.
I also believe that we are imperfect, all of us. In our lives AND in our worship.
I also believe that everything belongs to God and what is imperfect, Christ makes perfect to the glory of God.
And, because I believe what I have stated above, I believe that God knows the hearts of all men and will be merciful in His judgment of those who love Him and seek Him however imperfectly.
I need to add that it was not my gut that gave me concern regarding Mary, it was my head. Once my head understood what my heart was telling me, I found a peace, returned to the Church and happily reside there to this day.
All glory and praise be to God, for He has found me and brought me home.