Catholic Church

jhooper3581 · #1 Jan 31, '11, 12:39 am

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

PiousTemplar · #2 Jan 31, '11, 3:34 am

From what I have read here, these things seem abnormal.

Confront the priest in private to try and solve your problem, if it doesn't work, change parish or report it to the local Bishop.

**JRKH** · #3 Jan 31, '11, 4:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhooper3581

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

Welcome to the forums. We will surely try to help.

It's difficult with what little you have shared to give any real solid advice. As the previous poster said, try to schedule a time for some one-on-one with the priest. You may have simply caught him at a bad time.

God certainly does not hate you and neither can the Church since it is the bride of Christ and holy. People in the church are another matter, but then we are all sinners and don't always communicate well or treat each other as we should.

Something else that might be helpful is to look around your parish for something to become involved in. Depending on how old you are there are likely to be various ministries or activities you can become involved in.

Hope some of this helps

Peace
James

FightingFat · #4 Jan 31, '11, 4:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhooper3581

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

Priesthood is service. Meditate on this and try to be a giver, not a taker. Do not consider what people have not done for you, but how have you treated others? What can you do for them to support them and help them?

You will find lots of help here at Catholic Answers as well I am sure!

God bless!

TheDoctor · #5 Jan 31, '11, 6:38 am

Welcome to the forums.

From what you have posted we cannot determine why your parish is not welcoming to you however if you do become a priest, you will have to deal with brother priests who ignore you, rude old people and and big tough men and women. People will criticize your homily, the way you give out communion, the style of Mass you say.

My advice to you now is to go slow. Take a breath. Religious life is a call to a lifelong race, not a sprint.

Pray and meditate in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Make an appointment with the Pastor of your parish to talk about it.

Come back here and ask specific questions or use the search function. Lots of great folks here who can help.

**JRKH** · #6 Jan 31, '11, 7:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDoctor

Welcome to the forums.

From what you have posted we cannot determine why your parish is not welcoming to you however if you do become a priest, you will have to deal with brother priests who ignore you, rude old people and and big tough men and women. People will criticize your homily, the way you give out communion, the style of Mass you say.

My advice to you now is to go slow. Take a breath. Religious life is a call to a lifelong race, not a sprint.

Pray and meditate in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Make an appointment with the Pastor of your parish to talk about it.

Come back here and ask specific questions or use the search function. Lots of great folks here who can help.

Great Advice....

Peace
James

hazcompat · #7 Jan 31, '11, 7:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhooper3581

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

I pray that you will be a priest. In your post you go beyond dicernment and speak of your formation. A sifted priest will feel "like the church hates me." Read of Padre Pio and all he endured for the Good. Are you prepared to be ignored while others have a "good time"? Be prepared for those tough guys with mean replies. Who would say "DON'T GO TO CHURCH"? Seek and you shall find.

peace

rinnie · #8 Jan 31, '11, 7:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhooper3581

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

The Church would never hate you, But sometimes it is the people of the Church who do not always act in the manner that they should.

My gut tells me you are very young, and want to be liked and accepted by everyone. There is nothing wrong with that, we all in one way or another feel this way.

But remember many people act out in different ways for different reasons. And we are all guilty of having a bad day.

Now you said the Priest tells you to GO AWAY? Could you be more clear on this. Hopefully then maybe we can help you better.

DavidKays · #9 Jan 31, '11, 7:14 am

If you are considering the priesthood and you re-act the way you do to these people then God is showing you that it is not always ice cream and apple pie. Listen God may be showing you something to learn that if you want to be a priest then face them and not to re-act in the manner you are now. Or God is telling you forget it. You desire to be a priest and look at your reaction at the first struggle you are experiencing. You are young and take these opportunities that God is giving you and use them for your own personal growth. Try to see them as opportunities and not as something to avoid. If you want to be the best priest for Him then learn from Him and take these oppportunities for your own personal growth. God is giving you training so don't complain.

laszlo · #10 Jan 31, '11, 8:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhooper3581

I am discerning God's priesthood. Every Saturday, I go to a Catholic church. I worship God, but it feels like the church hates me. The priest tells me to go away while having good time with others, old people ignoring you, big tough guy who is part of Knights of Columbus replies with mean reply. I Google about it, and people said that to pray and read the Bible, or go to church and talk to pastor about it, if none of those work they said THEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH. Therefore all this seems like a chain reaction even if I seek to have everyone like me. I feel like God is hiding something from me. I will come by to this forum and talk about God.

Are you Catholic? Do you fit to the environment of a Catholic Mass (silence before Mass, participation in the Mass, having good time with others only after the mass outside)?

Is there difference between a priest of God, and a Catholic priest? Is there difference between worshiping God, and participating in the Holy Mass like others?

If the answer is yes for the first two questions and no for the second pair, than you have to clear the case with the local pastor. Otherwise please understand that the Mass is holy, set aside to Jesus Christ and try to seek yourself like others.