Struggling with my Catholic faith update

When the country went into lockdown it was a case of the churches had to close their doors, most of them did not want to but had to according to rules of the government sent out to the Diocese. All church services were online from the cathedral so easy to watch at home.

Many of the churches are open again for services. My
church also opens for 3 hours in the week one afternoon
and then another day for three hours later in the day. Parishioners can go in at these times for quiet prayer and reflection and it is always busy as they still social distance inside. Believers do believe that God will deliver us from this pandemic and he is with us at all times.

Franbern Good post. Thought provoking. Made me chuckle too.

Not having any religion or believing in any sort of god or gods, I do find it strange, that those that do. have not enough faith to believe that their god will protect them when they are in their temples.

How lovely that my thread has been picked up again. I am truly grateful for all the replies received. Our Vicar and Parishioners have kept in contact during lock down, we have had a Zoom/phone in Sunday Service. As yet the church has not re-opened, I suspect because a number of the Parishioners are elderly and the Vicar is reluctant to put them at risk. Our church has been a great source of comfort to us during this time and we look forward to worshiping there again soon.

When I was a child, I understood that the Catholic church banned its members from attending a Protestant service. Now we live in more enlightened times and people are free to make their own choices.
As an Anglican who married a Catholic, I can understand why a person would prefer our church. The emphasis is on the Christian teaching, not on dictating to people.

BlueBelle

I struggle with the question what is a Christian???
I was christened does that make me a Christian ?
I don’t attend church so does that make me not a Christian
I try to behave towards others as I would want others to behave to me I try not to act outside the law of the land or outside of my own honest upbringing
So what am I ? I follow no particular church route
I ve never thought about the title humanist whitewave well
I ve never thought about a title at all but maybe that’s where my spirit lies I m just a nothing who tries to be as good as I can whilst knowing and accepting I ve often failed

Humanists believe in science and evidence and not a supernatural deity that can never be evidence based, but a faith that is built on superstition and tradition.

Religion and guilt - what a toxic combination!

Ditch the guilt - lead a good kind life and avoid the human-made, power-initiated accretions and aberrations that adhere to organised religion. The message of your religion is clear - kindness beats everything - so I am glad that you have found a church where this seems to be practised.

The nuns did a very good job re my Catholic faith, telling me it is almost a mortal sin to enter a church other than a Catholic one. I have not entered any church apart from weddings and funerals and do not intend doing so. I have so much guilt after so many years.

So pleased you are happy Judy and with others, thanks for letting us know of your decision.

I struggle with the question what is a Christian???
I was christened does that make me a Christian ?
I don’t attend church so does that make me not a Christian
I try to behave towards others as I would want others to behave to me I try not to act outside the law of the land or outside of my own honest upbringing
So what am I ? I follow no particular church route
I ve never thought about the title humanist whitewave well
I ve never thought about a title at all but maybe that’s where my spirit lies I m just a nothing who tries to be as good as I can whilst knowing and accepting I ve often failed

I am a humanist and very happy with my choice.

I was brought up a Christian and confirmed into the Church of England, but the contradictions, hypocrisy and history of Christianity was something to which I can never be reconciled as with all other Deity beliefs.

Judy I am so pleased you have found your spiritual home, it takes a lot of soul searching and heartache to leave the Catholic Church, there is such a lot of guilt attached. . Although an Anglican myself, I am very drawn to Catholic Churches, I feel at home there but there is so many things I disagree with I would never leave my Anglican Church, it welcomes everyone.
Two neighbours of mine for over 20 years, left their church and became Babtists, I was widowed and never asked for any help, none was ever offered, one day an enormous spider was in my garage as I went to get my car out. I knocked on their door and said I was sorry to ask but could they help me I had a small problem, the man of the house replied, sorry I don't do jobs for anyone else I have enough of my own. I said it was only yo remove a spider but very sorry I asked you for help as you obviously just help yourselves.These two neighbours now lead prayer meetings at our local Babtist church and take every opportunity to recruit.

Thank you again 3nanny6. I did not need to be received into the Anglican church just went along to a service where I was warmly welcomed and able to receive communion. The Vicar tells me that there are people in our parish from different denominations for example Evangelists, Baptists and Catholics as well as people of no faith at all, He does not turn anyone away. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the services and the beauty of the Church anytime they wish.

Judy54 ; Thank-you for reply. I suppose I am thinking right that you were baptized in the Catholic church. The fact you wanted to excommunicate was probably something you gave much thought to. I was wondering how that worked however I
suppose you would have been "received" and then welcomed into the Anglican church. In all honesty the Sacraments are the same that are used in the Catholic faith, for the communion of bread and wine.
We know only Catholics can participate in our sacraments in the Catholic church and Anglicans or any other denominations would not be allowed.
To know you have found your "God " in whatever church is good and you are still continuing to worship and have found peace. God Bless you.

Thank you Not Spaghetti and timetogo2016 for your blessings and Easter wishes it has touched me that people are interested enough to still message on this thread. Happy Easter to both of you too. 3nanny6 as a baptised Christian (in the catholic church) I am able to worship in the Anglican church and to take communion. Anglicans cannot take communion in a Catholic church (not even my Vicar) and the Catholic faith does not permit their Members to take communion other than in an RC church. So effectively I have excommunicated myself and committed a mortal sin in the eyes of the Catholic church. However that is my choice and I am truly happy to worship in my lovely Anglican church. God bless you too.

Our Vicar has made great efforts to stay in touch with Parishioners with regular weekday and Sunday services by phone. We had a service on Good Friday (stations of the cross) and an uplifting Easter Sunday service this morning. Not quite the same as being in the church but lovely to join together in praise.

Judy54; sorry to hear that you struggled with your Catholic faith and felt uncomfortable. I am interested to know that in leaving your Catholic faith did you or will you have to take any steps to be fully connected to the Anglican faith.

I am a cradle Catholic (being entered into the faith as a baby and being baptized). Over the years I have witnessed many people converting to Catholicism and being baptized into the religion and it was always a heartwarming sight. For me my Catholic faith is a comfort although my children no longer practise the religion.
Good luck on your new found religion, God Bless You.

So pleased for yoU Judy54.
Jesus leads us to where we belong not parents etc.
You are now on the right path for you bless you.
Happy Easter.

Judy54 I wish you many many blessings. I'm personally really pleased you are feeling a contentment with your new "family" there.
Thinking of you today. Happy Easter!

@ Greymar
"Is it Him?"
As one of the hebrew prayers says , "ein od" - there's no other.
We're all on the same path as Buddhists, Hindus, worshippers of Nature etc who also have minor gods, but imo they're all subserviant to the original Creator.

Thanks again everyone for your support and encouragement which has helped me so much.

I have a friend who is Catholic and she has moved to an Anglican Church. She too is very happy and has been made very welcome. Glad you have found somewhere you can find what you are looking for.

I remember your previous post, very pleased you’ve found your “home”. Some good news is always welcome!

Lovely Fennel. A lovely post. Is it Him?

Judith - it sounds like you've found your spiritual home.
I don't remember your earlier thread, but I can empathise .
Having been through the same search many years ago and eventually settled in Judaism.
The main thing, we believe in the same God, serve Him in different ways, but with common values.

Thank you for the update. There was a post on here a few days ago about joining an organisation. I said that whatever the avowed aims, it does come down to the people who are active in it, and I think I the same applies to churches. My lovely neighbour, a lifelong active Baptist, moved and found the local Methodist church so much more in tune with her beliefs.
Long may your contentment with your new church flourish!

I’m glad you have found what you are looking for Judy.

I count myself as a Christian, I am christened but have not been confirmed.

As a child my mum used to take the me to the Catholic Oratory in Birmingham at Easter. She was not a catholic but her Dad was, but she never knew him as her family would not let her mum marry him as they were C of E. She did in later life become a catholic.

I only attend church maybe on hols or at Christmas in any church that I am near, but I do have this pull towards the Catholic Church and often visit the one in our town just to sit, pray and light candles for those who are important to me. The smell of incense, chiming of bells is so evocative of my childhood.

I don’t like many of the teachings of the Catholic Church such as priests not being allowed to marry, the feelings of guilty many catholic people have, non agreement with family planning, especially in countries where women have far more children than they want or can cope with.

I feel I am a nobody when it comes to religion, but do believe one day I will meet up with my family, which is very reassuring.