whew... thank goodness for Sunday

Ah Sunday.

St John's Catholic Church

I love Sundays.  Sunday is a glorious day. I use to be be a very good Catholic that went to church regularly.  Although I do not attend regular Mass anymore, my heart is filled with the Lord, especially on Sundays.  I want to return to Mass... Just need to make a decision on which one.  At Catholic churches they flip our priest around and sometimes that is good, sometimes just sad.  You get comfy and wham! Time for change. I understand. I get it. But, I also am being a tad stubborn.

I need to be back in church.  I need church.

This is the church we most recently attended.  After years with a closer church, that the girls attended for grade school & we followed throughout their high school, we ventured to this lovely favorite downtown.  It is wonderful. Fr Steve Giannini is so similar to the priest that brought me into the Catholic Church. I felt an instant connection with his preaching & teaching the Word.  But, he has moved on to another church :(... We need to give the new Priest a chance, but with the current downtown construction, particularly at the church, we have made a rare appearance here and there.  Also, I hate going by myself.  I feel ...pitied. We are a church that meets & greets during the service & I always feel lonely when solo, during this. Hubby is traveling much (en-route as I type, to Michigan again), and the girls, would go if I ask, but, Em doesn't even live here, and Annie, cherishes sleeping in on the rare occasion.
I am a Godly Woman. I am proud to serve our Lord. I live my life accordingly to His plan for me. I follow His lead.
I know, I know... stop making excuses.
I know in my heart where I should be. Here, enjoying services, looking at this:

Christian Catholic

I was raised a Christian. Baptized in the Methodist Church, switched to the Presbyterian Church as a teen. Settling in the Catholic Church when I decided to marry a Catholic Man. I gave poor Father Harry Keneven, a tough time with questions and wanted to know exactly what I was getting into when I became a Catholic. He taught me well, and I appreciate his patience with me. I think I have "done him proud". It is said that those who join the Catholic Church as an adult have a better understanding and a sometimes stronger grasp on our religion. Some say we make better Catholics. i don't buy it. Religion is what you make of it. You should be with your faith because you believe in it and you are it.

I have always been active with my church. sometimes more often than other times but I love my church and it makes me feel more a part when I am actively involved. I taught Continuing Catholic Education one year, that was interesting. My favorite memories are the ones that I was a Confirmation Leader. I had the most awesome kids ever! All three years. And I still love every one of them and pray for each of them too. I wanted each to walk away after our year of discovery and growth in the church and wanted them to make their own decisions. Be a Catholic because it is who they are & what they believe, not because ..they had to. We succeed. And I truly feel that each of them left me with a greater love of the church.

I am currently perplexed with someone I love deeply as she is struggling with her beliefs. She has always been one of the strongest Christians I know, and now she is doubting her belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. She tells me she believes in God, just not sure anymore about Christianity. I am blown away! I want to shake her! I want to say the right things and help her through this challenging time. I don't want to say the wrong things and push her further. I pray for her even stronger today as I try to find the right words and hope that by example to show her the love of our Lord. I need help in knowing how to guide her.

I shared with her this quote my Emily gave me from C.S. Lewis:
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."