www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Maybe I should have stayed Methodist....

Shlomo (Peace to you) Dave,

Have you thought about going to any of the Eastern Catholic Churches in Dallas? Not all the time, but maybe as a secondary sourse of strengh?

There are a number of them and if you are interested I and others on the board will be more than happy to give you information on them.

Fush BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Hi Dave .... I'm afraid I'm feeling much as you are .... although now that I realize that the Orthodox/Catholic faiths were the original, I don't see how I could ever go back to Protestantism. I'm really thinking there truly is no place for me; after being a Christian since 1968, I'm worn out and about ready to give up.
abby

If it hurts, that means it's working.

A good workout will leave you sore once in a while. Eastern Catholicism sure does that to me sometimes.

Jacob had to wrestle with the angel, and even after, he was left with a limp.

Humbly submitted,
Booth,
Infrequent poster

In my opinion, I think it's best to focus on your spiritual journey and the Eucharist :) I attended a non denominational Protestant church for a time, and they had a lot of felloswhip, etc, but I've found the Catholic Church is so much better for my spiritual growth, and it has the Sacraments.

I also never felt comfortable with my old church taking down my name, address, etc, each time... I was even afraid to bring people to visit my church cause I didn't know if they would feel comfortable. When I left, no one contacted me though.

I think that nothing really compares to the Sacraments, and only the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have this :)

this is the Church that God made.. it's not about finding something that fits us, but finding the truth, that is what's important, imo..

God bless

I agree. If I were looking for people that fit me in the church, I would have been an atheist for a long time now.

I totally agree with Stephanos. We're there ultimately to worship and lift up God through the hearing of his word and receiving the Word in the Eucharist. I think when we get all concerned about hospitality we loose sense of why we're really there. Sure, being cordial by acknowledging Christ in our visitors is important, but it's not a deal breaker on "becoming Catholic or staying Methodist". We have the sacraments Christ willed for all people and we are the true Church Christ himself established. For this reason, be happy to know this truth and to be part of it. To me, that's far greater than having my emotions uplifted from being acknowledged by others at Holy Mass or Divine Liturgy.

You've received some great advice here. One person said to keep going to the same parish and you're bound to have someone speak to you. I recommend becoming involved in a parish Bible study or some other event where you have the opportunity to meet people outside of Liturgy. RCIA is a good and logical way to do this especially you're inquirering on the Church. Why not introduce yourself to others rather than waiting on them? I've met people this way and by random people coming up to me after Mass asking who I am and if I was a member. I come from a large parish with 10,000 members. I didn't care one way or the other that it took months to be spoken to after Mass because Jesus knew I was there receiving His Body and Blood, and it is He who speaks to my soul, which I'll take any day over a warm greeting from a fellow parishoner. Hang in there, you're on the surest path to Heaven in the Catholic/Orthodox faith.