[Faith-talk] Church experiences

[Debby Phillips]

Ah, Danielle, I hear so much hurt and anger in your email.  I 
can't respond to everything you wrote.  But I will say that there 
are still Catholic Charismatic prayer groups and ministries.  
Although we don't raise our hands at Mass, (unless it is a 
Charismatic Mass), there are many ways to worship the Lord.  
Singing reverently and from the heart is more worshipful, I 
believe, than causing division by worshipping in a way that is a 
distraction to other people.  (That's just my opinion, and I'm 
not saying it has to be yours.

No church, no human being, is perfect.  And if ow found the 
perfect one, I'd better stay away, for I'm not perfect.  I do 
know that ow need to be with other brothers and sisters.  And I 
need to receive the Eucharist.  It is very important to me.  It 
is life to me.  And I can't do that if I stay home.

It also sounds like you have family issues and church issues.  If 
your family has decided to return to the Catholic Church, then I 
say you should be happy for them.  Rejoice with them.  You don't 
have to become Catholic, just because they are.  You should go 
where you want to go to church.  None of my family is Catholic, 
and they don't quite understand why I am.  But that's okay.  I 
answer to God, not my earthly family.

Take care, Danielle, and I hope someday you can find a church 
where you can be happy.  Just don't expect perfection, because it 
just isn't there.  As long as we have our sinful nature, we will 
hurt each other, often inadvertently.    Debby