Seems like I am always coming here for..

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dina_kay
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Seems like I am always coming here for..
6
 Wed, 05-28-2003 - 5:35pm
help! I guess that is okay. I am sort of struggling with my faith right now and desperately want to get back on track. I have three young children that we are raising as Catholic and I have to get back on track for me and for them. We attend Mass every Sunday, and live what I believe to be the "right" way, but something is missing. I am feeling sort of lost and maybe like I am just going through the motions. I am not looking for an easy answer, but if anyone has any idea or has experienced this sort of thing and can point me in the right direction I would be so grateful. Is there book that might help or should I go to my priest? I just don't really know what to do. I don't know if simply praying about it would help or if I need some guidance in how to go about finding my way through this, whatever it is. Thank you for listening.

Dina~

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briancmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Sat, 05-31-2003 - 1:33pm
Dina, this struggle is an invitation from the Holy Spirit. He's trying to tell you there's more, so much more to your spiritual journey and He's inviting you to come and find out. Don't be frustrated with yourself...you're doing fine. Just let yourself be led. I would highly recommend you go on retreat if you can. See if anyone in your parish knows of the Cursillo weekend. If you live in the Northeast, I can recommend a retreat center that offers the weekend. It's a great retreat experience that will really help clarify your journey in faith and your walk with the Lord. You will experience His Love in a whole new way and be really excited about your faith.

I think Catholics so often have a hard time with the concept that they are loved, just as they are, by God. We need so many reminders, because it seems our emphasis so often is on 'doing the right things'....we feel it's our job to cross the distance between us and God. But the real gift of Christianity is that Jesus already made the trip for us. It's about love and mercy. Catholics just need help feeling that sometimes.

Best of luck to you, Dina. You're in my prayers.

In Him,

Kerry

prdir
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Thu, 06-05-2003 - 10:34am
When your kids are young, it is easy to feel like you are going through the motions, especially when it comes to Mass. I have a 4 and 2 year old, and concentrating on the Mass is nearly impossible. So please know that God appreciates your presence, and isn't judging you on how well you listen. One thing that my husband and I used to do that I want to start doing again is discussing the readings and homily on the ride home. It really used to help us -- together we could piece it together, even if we both missed half!

It might be worth seeing if there is a church group that interests you that you could get involved in. Sometimes being around people of faith helps.

Please do talk to your priest, but if he's not helpful, don't give up. Some priests are great homilists, some are great counselors, some are great leaders, some are great listeners, some are great with children -- but I know few who are good at everything. Perhaps he has book suggestions.

I hope all goes well. If you get any great tips or book suggestion, please post them here. I'm sure many of us would be interested.

Polly

kmkcwkids
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Sun, 06-08-2003 - 11:03pm
i have three kids as well and know how you're feeling. but i think at times we go through the motions because we are just too exhausted to do anything else. maybe you need to cut yourself a little slack. Also, reading anything about or by saint therese the little flower in times like you describe is always very helpful.
dina_kay
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Mon, 06-09-2003 - 4:21pm
Thank you very much for your reply. You've made some very good points. I love what you said about going the distance and Jesus already doing that for us. That is a wonderful thing for all of us to remember. Thanks again.

Dina~

dina_kay
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Mon, 06-09-2003 - 4:28pm
Thank you, Polly. I am sure having to struggle with the kids each Sunday is a big part of it. I guess after that wrestle-mania hour I often feel like that can't be all there is to it! LOL I suppose that is where the feeling that I am missing something can often come from. And what a good idea to discuss the Mass on the way home!

I know what you mean about difference priests having different strong suits. And I don't know our priest on a very personal level well enough to be able to determine how much help he will be, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Thank you again for your "words of wisdom". I have an 8, 5, and 3 year old so it is nice to know I am not the only one wondering what in the world was said during the homily some Sundays!

Dina~

dina_kay
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: dina_kay
Seems like I am always coming here for..
 Mon, 06-09-2003 - 4:32pm
Thank you for your response. And thank you for the reading suggestion, too. I haven't ever read anything like that, so I am sure it would be helpful. Thank you again.

Dina~

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