Catholics Returning

I have drifted back and forth in the Church for years but I'm now back to stay. I keep looking for answers and the funny part is they all seem to go back to one thing...my beautiful Catholic religion.....

There is no "marriage equality" for same-sex couples by definition. Sorry if that's hard to hear, but the Church does not have the power or authority to overturn God's law.

Hello All! I have already returned to Holy Mother Church (in 2002). I have shared my story at parishes all over the country, as well as on EWTN (The Journey Home) and on Catholic Answers Live. I was a regular guest on Teresa Tomeo's local radio show The Catholic Connection.

I joined this forum in the hopes that perhaps my story might be able to help those who are struggling on their own journey home. Let me know how I may help.

Hi! I feel like I've been on a roller coaster journey with Catholicism. I've been through periods of enthusiasm and active faithfulness only to be followed by months where I don't go to Mass and even prayer is scant. I went to Catholic school, K-12, but it was never really enforced by my parents. It's just been so present in my life and I love the tradition of it all. I can't just see myself giving up on it. Within the last couple years, I've gone to various Protestant churches with my friends, and each time I always feel like something's lacking. I realize it could be that I'm not familiar with being a Protestant, but I always feel comforted by going back to a Catholic church and going to Mass.

My problem is that I don't know how to be an active participant when there are some things in the Church that I just can't get behind. I could never lose faith in the Eucharist and protecting the lives of others no matter what age they are is so crucial. But supporting my gay friends in their desire for marriage equality is important to me. I understand the meaning of Catholic marriage and why contraception has no place; but I really don't think I'm at a place where I'd be pro-NFP. What do ya do? Sure I could go sit in the pew at Mass and not receive Communion...but what fun is that?? What if I never warm up to principles that are so vital to the Catholic faith?

Hi everyone - I never left the Church but I like to help people in their journeys back to the Faith - if that is okay with everybody I would be happy to answer questions, take prayer requests, etc.

travelann 13.....I completely understand that there is some people that abuse us and we can blame the church for not helping...I went through that....but now I've come to realize that they had no idea. I would encourage you to keep trying and have an open mind. I have had such a blessing in that my church family helps to fill the void that was left there by my abusive family. God Bless!

avivani.....thank you for sharing...I hope that you were able to find a welcoming parish. I remember too well being at Catholic Mass for my grandfather...and I would not recite the nicene creed because of the Catholic part....but in the end...the reverence for communion and the Eucharist is what drew me back. I don't know how long you have been gone but I think you will find some things a little different....where it isn't just the rule for the rules sake but there is meaning behind everything. In the Mass for example, there is a reason for everything that is done....

I was raised Catholic and have been looking to return. I don't have a car but a parishioner is giving me a ride next Thursday night for a "Catholics Returning" program there. It is their 2nd meeting. I completely forgot about the first one. The gentleman knocked at my door to give me a ride. I had completely forgotten. I had just returned from the doctors office(medicaid transportation) and pharmacy(walking). I am very nervous about returning. I have to quit blaming the church for the abuse I endured by my dad. It's beyond time for that, I am 52 years old! God Bless you!

I have been searching the web and I am considering returning to the Catholic Church I was raised Catholic; earned my sacraments; however after being confirmed I left the church. I did not have a very positive experience being raised Catholic and for years had no religion. My husband is Presbyterian and we were married Presbyterian. I explained my anger towards religion and the Reverend, who was also a friend of my husband’s family, felt I was not through with religion and decided to marry us with one condition; when we did have children they would be raised in a house with a faith; any Christian faith. I promised; as I do feel this is an important part of raising children in my heart however I wanted for this to be a positive experience for them unlike my experience.
So after we returned from our honeymoon we started to attend his church. I thoroughly enjoyed his sermons and found I wanted to learn more and we began to attend church on a pretty regular basis. I even converted and began to read and learn about being a Presbyterian. I found the lack of structure and rules for me at the time welcoming and enjoyed practicing a faith.
That was 8 years ago. We then moved a half away and our Reverend has since retired and about 6 years ago we joined a Presbyterian church near our new home and both our children were baptized there. I continued to take some more adult education classes and my husband even attached classes to learn about the differences between Catholic vs. Presbyterian to learn what the differences where and why there were a lot of structure and beliefs I was struggling on letting go. I even got involved in the Sunday school. After our second child was born shortly after I found us not attending regularly anymore.
The congregation was great; they were welcoming; a wondering youth ministry; just a great church community but I felt empty. I never mentioned this to my husband knowing he is completely against becoming a Catholic.
Now my oldest will be 7 in September and my baby just turned 4. I have tried to teach them bible stories but I am not able to teach at their level. I found that being a Presbyterian was not for me in the end and ironically what I was running from in the Catholics is what is missing. I feel lost from the lack of structure. I went to a Lutheran church; again great community but very similar to the Presbyterians but I did not connect with the Pastor.

I am going to be contacting our local Catholic church tomorrow as it is late Sunday night as I type this I found this site and figured I would check it out. I have been reading and talking with my friends on the Methodists and Episcopalians and I did not feel I belonged there either. I feel it is time I go back to my roots and go with an open heart and leave behind the experience I had as a child and visit our local church. I have friends who attend this church and have only positive messages and were very inviting and stressed the youth ministry and how welcoming the community is.

So that is my story..... I am not yet there but getting closer. I really need for my children not to despise religion growing up the way I did and end up where I am.

Annemay....Welcome! Is it doctrine you disagree with or discipline? The truth (doctrine/dogma) doesn't change but disciplines can. I know that there are many people who were hurt by the change from Latin...it all happened very quickly and more happened that was not really supposed to but was taken on by some zealous people. There is a group on CAF of traditional Catholics who still very much love the Latin. And the church is big enough for all of us. The good news is that Latin Masses are coming back in some places and there are more and more TLM (Tradtional Latin Masses) are being celebrated. There is room for both. I know my daily parish is being converted (altar rails back and such) so that they have celebrate the TLM there.

But the truth of the Catholic Church has never changed. I see that now...it has never changed but I understand it more now that I have returned. BTW I was away 22 years from the CC. You are right about communion but keep searching...you will find your answers. Feel free to discuss here or you can PM me.