There's just something about humans and their religious beliefs that encourages them to think of themselves as better than those who don't adhere to their beliefs. I had a near-death experience more than 50 years ago as a result of a suicide attempt, and just to describe it briefly, God showed me how big "he" really is that no earthly "religion" can contain what God is, no theology at all, and that all religions men think of are inadequate but an attempt to understand what God is. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong, the understanding of what God is is for an individual to discern for themselves. My experience, my message, from my experience of being in the Light is that Love is all that is true and godly, that men make up stories about what God is to try and understand the imperceptible size of God into words that can encompass all of God. It's impossible for us to get that, but allowing others to attempt to understand God for themselves without judgment to others for their own attempts is the important part. This attempt at my description of my own experience in the Light is inadequate of course because it was so much simpler than that and so much more complex. But I woke up that day more than 50 years ago with the assurance that I needed to come back and live my life AND that being in the Light, the Love that passes all understanding, is ALWAYS there, it's never not there, and it led me to come back to live a productive and loving life. I wish I had better words to give to others about it. It was life-changing and I am grateful. But I have spent my life since then trying to understand others who are so rigid on insisting that there's only one way to understand and serve God, but in truth there are an infinite number of ways to do both. I am confident that I am not "going to hell" because I don't adhere to a particular theology or book.
We indeed need a Church where God's love flourishes in our hearts and overflows to be a life of love and service to all God's children and creation.
In St. Francis prayer, he asks God "give me a right faith, a certain hope and a perfect charity. Grant me insight and wisdom so I can always fulfill Your holy and true will."
Pope Francis seemed to do his loving best in a challenging role as a leader of a diverse global Church in the humble example of St. Francis.
While I miss the "smells and bells" of the traditional Catholic services, I long more for a community of living love, accepting and edifying all.
Your call for rebuilding the Church begins with all of us (and inside all of us).
I thank God I was born in 1967, after Vatican II. I attended & loved Catholic Catechism classes (CCD). I never learned Latin nor knew who the Infant of Prague was. Our church was more "progressive" in the 1970's than it is, now. We had 'guitar' masses, beautiful music made by Dan Shulte & James Michael Talbot: 'Be Not Afraid', 'On Eagles Wings'. I grew up with a Jesus who was All Love & Compassion. I never believed priests represented Jesus, even as a kid. The reasons I attend mass are because it's an hour I can be calm, share the "kiss of Peace", (now, the post-Covid "wave of peace") with people who recognize themselves in me & for a fleeting moment, I feel a part of something & to occasionally get insight from some priest's homilies ("talks"). The other stuff, I've left alone.
So well written, Regina. You captured beautifully the difficulty of this church. I stay because my community of friends and countrymen are still here at Newman.
Thank you for stating what I feel, but don't have the eloquence to say! After 12 years of Catholic school, and practicing my Catholic faith through my early marriage, I joined a small Presbyterian church which truly acts like the hands and feet of Christ - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. I feel so spiritually fulfilled. I am sure I made the right decision for me.
I thank the Catholic Church for teaching me the importance of faith, but I have a real issue with the patriarchy of the institution, let alone the sexual abuse problem. I so admired humble Francis who was such a role model for all Christians. He will be very hard to replace.
Thank you for stating what I feel, but don't have the eloquence to say! After 12 years of Catholic school, and practicing my Catholic faith through my early marriage, I joined a small Presbyterian church which truly acts like the hands and feet of Christ - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. I feel so spiritually fulfilled. I am sure I made the right decision for me.
I thank the Catholic Church for teaching me the importance of faith, but I have a real issue with the patriarchy of the institution, let alone the sexual abuse problem. I so admired humble Francis who was such a role model for all Christians. He will be very hard to replace.
What a powerful message. My spiritual journey has been similar to yours. I have a deep abiding faith that questioned a number of things in my life. Some of the teachings of the Church were some of those very things. Questioning the Church's views and dogma caused me great personal pain with my parents and siblings. Pain to the point that they walked away from me. My answer is to have a deep faith that serves others. My obligation is to help those who need help and be kind, open minded and as loving as I can be.
My grandmother, a devout Catholic who lived to age 96 once told me to follow God and be kind and generous. Forget the man-made rules and follows God's direction. That has been and hopefully will continue to provide me strength to continue for many years to come. I am blessed.
Thank you for sharing your journey with me. I look forward to your insights each and every week.
Very powerful, honest and moving. I hope, too, that the Church follows the path of Francis. In the meantime I invite you to visit the Episcopal Church, which is the home of many thousands of former Catholics .
The Church of the Ascension is right around the corner for me. I have popped in a few times and it seemed like Catholic light... but they are very involved in the community and seemed to be welcoming to all. Bravo.
There's just something about humans and their religious beliefs that encourages them to think of themselves as better than those who don't adhere to their beliefs. I had a near-death experience more than 50 years ago as a result of a suicide attempt, and just to describe it briefly, God showed me how big "he" really is that no earthly "religion" can contain what God is, no theology at all, and that all religions men think of are inadequate but an attempt to understand what God is. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong, the understanding of what God is is for an individual to discern for themselves. My experience, my message, from my experience of being in the Light is that Love is all that is true and godly, that men make up stories about what God is to try and understand the imperceptible size of God into words that can encompass all of God. It's impossible for us to get that, but allowing others to attempt to understand God for themselves without judgment to others for their own attempts is the important part. This attempt at my description of my own experience in the Light is inadequate of course because it was so much simpler than that and so much more complex. But I woke up that day more than 50 years ago with the assurance that I needed to come back and live my life AND that being in the Light, the Love that passes all understanding, is ALWAYS there, it's never not there, and it led me to come back to live a productive and loving life. I wish I had better words to give to others about it. It was life-changing and I am grateful. But I have spent my life since then trying to understand others who are so rigid on insisting that there's only one way to understand and serve God, but in truth there are an infinite number of ways to do both. I am confident that I am not "going to hell" because I don't adhere to a particular theology or book.
What a powerful experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Recently a gentleman in my recovery group meeting said, "I don't understand myself, how can I possibly understand God?"
How very simple and true. I will always remember that. Thank you.
“It’s never not there,” referring to God’s love - how beautiful, how true, how uplifting at those times when we loose heart… Thank you.
We indeed need a Church where God's love flourishes in our hearts and overflows to be a life of love and service to all God's children and creation.
In St. Francis prayer, he asks God "give me a right faith, a certain hope and a perfect charity. Grant me insight and wisdom so I can always fulfill Your holy and true will."
Pope Francis seemed to do his loving best in a challenging role as a leader of a diverse global Church in the humble example of St. Francis.
While I miss the "smells and bells" of the traditional Catholic services, I long more for a community of living love, accepting and edifying all.
Your call for rebuilding the Church begins with all of us (and inside all of us).
Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Great insights. Thanks for sharing them.
I thank God I was born in 1967, after Vatican II. I attended & loved Catholic Catechism classes (CCD). I never learned Latin nor knew who the Infant of Prague was. Our church was more "progressive" in the 1970's than it is, now. We had 'guitar' masses, beautiful music made by Dan Shulte & James Michael Talbot: 'Be Not Afraid', 'On Eagles Wings'. I grew up with a Jesus who was All Love & Compassion. I never believed priests represented Jesus, even as a kid. The reasons I attend mass are because it's an hour I can be calm, share the "kiss of Peace", (now, the post-Covid "wave of peace") with people who recognize themselves in me & for a fleeting moment, I feel a part of something & to occasionally get insight from some priest's homilies ("talks"). The other stuff, I've left alone.
Thank you, Regina!
I know exactly what you mean.
Eloquent and truthful! Thank you for this.
Not a Catholic- but imbued in the faith by osmosis, as a child of the 60s in a Catholic neighborhood.
Wonderful words. I too pray we (collectively) have a Pope who follows Francis the man, and continues the work of Francis the Pope.
So well written, Regina. You captured beautifully the difficulty of this church. I stay because my community of friends and countrymen are still here at Newman.
Thank you for stating what I feel, but don't have the eloquence to say! After 12 years of Catholic school, and practicing my Catholic faith through my early marriage, I joined a small Presbyterian church which truly acts like the hands and feet of Christ - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. I feel so spiritually fulfilled. I am sure I made the right decision for me.
I thank the Catholic Church for teaching me the importance of faith, but I have a real issue with the patriarchy of the institution, let alone the sexual abuse problem. I so admired humble Francis who was such a role model for all Christians. He will be very hard to replace.
Thank you for stating what I feel, but don't have the eloquence to say! After 12 years of Catholic school, and practicing my Catholic faith through my early marriage, I joined a small Presbyterian church which truly acts like the hands and feet of Christ - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. I feel so spiritually fulfilled. I am sure I made the right decision for me.
I thank the Catholic Church for teaching me the importance of faith, but I have a real issue with the patriarchy of the institution, let alone the sexual abuse problem. I so admired humble Francis who was such a role model for all Christians. He will be very hard to replace.
Beautiful reflection, I struggle with my Catholic faith daily, but the celebration of the Mass draws me back.
What a powerful message. My spiritual journey has been similar to yours. I have a deep abiding faith that questioned a number of things in my life. Some of the teachings of the Church were some of those very things. Questioning the Church's views and dogma caused me great personal pain with my parents and siblings. Pain to the point that they walked away from me. My answer is to have a deep faith that serves others. My obligation is to help those who need help and be kind, open minded and as loving as I can be.
My grandmother, a devout Catholic who lived to age 96 once told me to follow God and be kind and generous. Forget the man-made rules and follows God's direction. That has been and hopefully will continue to provide me strength to continue for many years to come. I am blessed.
Thank you for sharing your journey with me. I look forward to your insights each and every week.
Your grandmother was a wise woman.
Outstanding!!! ❤️
This...and so much more. I would add the racism within the Catholic Church that remains strong.
For sure.
Amen!♥️
Very powerful, honest and moving. I hope, too, that the Church follows the path of Francis. In the meantime I invite you to visit the Episcopal Church, which is the home of many thousands of former Catholics .
I’ll keep it in mind
The Church of the Ascension is right around the corner for me. I have popped in a few times and it seemed like Catholic light... but they are very involved in the community and seemed to be welcoming to all. Bravo.
Very well written. I too miss Howard Gray and Don Cozzens
Such brilliant minds
Thank you for writing this. These are my feelings exactly. The church left me also.