Can we have a positive thread about Catholicism?

[PadgettsDream]

There is currently a thread running where there is a lot of criticism of the Catholic Church which is in many cases fair enough and it needs to be discussed but that thread in my opinion often strays into outright anti-Catholic sentiment and even bigotry against Catholics and Catholicism in general.

So I wonder if anyone would like a space to talk about the positives of the Church? I myself was raised Catholic, went to a convent School and it was wonderful really. I did not have any bad experiences and the Church has always been a source of strength and comfort for me. It doesn't dominate my life, I'm not brainwashed by it but its been an important foundation for me and I am thankful for it. In my own family history the Church stepped in and helped when nobody else would.

Any other positive stories?

@Jackandjillswell

And really, if people's trust of the church/ large powerful organisations is lost the who left is there who is 'qualified' to talk to. Someone who suffered abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church are cut off from confession / spiritual counselling. What is left for them? It really is heartbreaking when you think about it.

And it wouldn't surprise me if the victims lose trust of other big organisations and power structures as a result. Since people with authority in the church often hold authority elsewhere.

I've just given a link to qualified councillors, but here it is again ;

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/about-bacp/

@Jackandjillswell, well it's a start, isn't it. You can signpost people to a list of counsellors.

I couldn't agree with you more.

It seems that some people have an issue with Catholics being happy and only want to dig up negative stuff about the Catholic Church - events that maybe happened before some people were born. It's very sad.

Now that a certain poster has been banned I hope we can hear some more positive stories

Quite, @Jackandjillswell . Imagine criticising people for being "relentlessly positive"?!

Yup, that's a pearler isn't it?!

I just think it is sad that it gets to this. There are so many wonderful things about the church which makes any church corruption all the more heartbreaking. The devastation when people lose all trust.

Yes, people do need to look forward in hope but also keep their compassion towards hurting people. It's a difficult balancing act.

My faith is such a big part of my life and gives me strength and comfort. My nana sadly died of lung cancer when I was 18yrs she was a wonderful woman who taught me so much. When her time came she wasn't afraid or worried because she knew she was going to heaven and that God would take care of her. As far as end of life from such a horrific disease goes it was very calm and peaceful for her.

How lovely for your nana, @HappyJoyousFree . It definitely can take a lot of fear and pain away.

No, you've chosen to ignore what people have said.

Perhaps you haven't heard the phrase I used before? It's a succinct way of saying you value an essential element of any given context while rejecting the rest.

No. @Trufflepizza hadn’t chosen to ignore. It may be succinct, but what a crass and hurtful choice of idiom, and she definitely doesn’t deserve a pile on.

I had a home altar during lockdown, when I watched Mass from home, but sadly don't really have the space for it or a prayer corner. I do have the last supper over my dining table though. Its actually a jigsaw one that I've glued and framed.
I think having the Saints teaches us so much about the faith, and how we can be closer to Jesus.
How do you celebrate your Saint's feast day?

We had an altar at home in lockdown too. My kids' school set it as part of home learning in the approach to Lent (Catholic school) We also had a 'stained glass' effect cross for the window- another school project and made of tissue paper and sugar paper. We kept them up until lockdown eased cos they just brightened up our isolation and encouraged us to pray as a family which really helped.
That was actually what pushed me to become Catholic too- my kids and husband are all cradle Catholics.
It's a really beautiful faith.

I followed the Mass online too over lockdown. On a Friday nights I take part in an online rosary, brought by the Dominicans at the Rosary Shrine in London. It feels like the right way to round off the week, healthier than the wine and crisps I used to have!
Yes, it's a really beautiful faith.

Lovely thread (on the whole). I agree with many who’ve said their faith gives them some comfort. I really only came back to it when my father was terminally ill and I was pregnant. Since then I’ve had my own cancer diagnosis and other challenges but the comfort of weekly mass and nightly prayers has helped. I feel though that Catholics get a very raw deal. There have been things said on previous threads that would not be tolerated about any other faith.

I am a returner to the Catholic faith after being lapsed for a couple of years and I find my faith gives me so much comfort. I am finding it hard to fit in to be honest as due to my caring responsibilities I attend different churches/mass times, I recognise the same faces but keep myself to myself which is the way I want it but the priests are lovely and make me feel very welcome. My DC's aren't baptised however as I wasn't attending when they were born...one has been asking about it however. I am from the West of Scotland so the bigotry thing is very real for me though luckily I haven't experienced it..I can't be bothered with the Old Firm even though I am a massive football fan..the bile that comes from both sets of supporters is ridiculous..won't comment any further on my opinions on it! I am the only one of my friends/family who attends church though I do have a few friends who were raised Catholic. I tend to keep my faith private this is how I prefer it and ignore the negative stuff which is always spewed about the Catholic Church.

@Goonergirl14 I'm also a west of Scotland Catholic and only joined the church a few years ago via RCIA. I was raised Protestant so I can relate to what you're saying about the very real sectarian element of where we live.
Having said that, I can hand on heart say I have had nothing but love and acceptance since becoming Catholic. The difference is incredible. There is none of the defensive, scorn that there was in my years growing up.
If your child is showing interest maybe you could take them with you sometimes and teach them what is happening so they can make an informed choice. We go as a family every week and it's always a lovely experience

That is lovely you go as a family and you feel so accepted, my DH is an atheist but he doesn't have any issues with me attending mass. If my DC continues to ask about church I will ask him if he wants to come to a mass with me but I am letting him decide if he wants religion in his life. I was baptised as a baby and had always attended mass until I was about 30, I had a really bad time around then which made me question my faith but I am so glad to have rediscovered it. I find some churches are more welcoming than others but to be honest it is difficult for me to integrate properly as going to mass on a Sunday and holy days of obligation is all I can manage at the moment!

I was baptised a Catholic, and attended Catholic schools/Church etc. this was many years ago. I assumed I wasn't religious as I hadn't attended church for years but when my Mum had a massive stroke and was given 48 hours to live the first thing i did was to go to the Hospital chapel and pray. It really surprised me.
I've been thinking of returning to the church, but feel ashamed now as I haven't been for so long.

Please don't feel shame about not having been for some time, any priest worth their salt will just be happy to see you back 💗
Sorry to hear about your mum, sending love your way. Welcome home ✝️

Just go !

No need to be ashamed, they will be glad to see you.

If you think it would make you feel better, go and have a talk with the Priest first.

Remember the old adage "The Church is a hospital for sinners" not a club for saints" !

Cradle catholic here from Northern Ireland. Always had a strong faith .. and only recently realising that I had queried and conceptualised a lot about God and faith in my early years (you know when you are explaining something relating to the toys you used to play with 😀😃).

In recent years, faith was strengthened by queries from a family member becoming "born again Christian" and explaining how the Catholic Church got the story of Salvation wrong and how Calvinism made sense (although it was not called Calvinism at the time). But, any research I did into what the Catholic Church teaches just made sense. I came to appreciate the Early Church Fathers.. and how so much was written down about what was believed and why. If there is a question on what the Bible passage means (e.g. Baptism, Real Presence in the Eucharist, establishing the Church etc etc etc) then by looking at how the early Church understood in the time immediately after Jesus gives such a depth to our understanding today.

I love mass, the sacrements and the teaching to guide us through life. I love the connection back to Jesus and what he taught. I love the consistency of teaching over the years and the fact that the mass is described in writings from 150 AD.

I do have problems with some teachings (e.g. homosexuality, male only priests etc) that I do not fully understand the reason they are in the bible. Also some Church laws I don't understand the reasoning '(e.g. natural family planning, indulgences etc). I am absolutely abhored by the abuse scandals and cover up and in particular the damage done to victims.

I have enjoyed a lot of online contributors from Catholic sites... and that has energised my faith recently. Unfortunately our parish has been in decline from before covid and has been slow to pick up actively again since. But I have found some great material on line... like Fr. Mike Schmitz ( Catacism in a Year) along with Bishop Barron and others.

One of the kindest, wisest, most intelligent and just all round wonderful people I’ve ever met in my life is a Catholic deacon in his seventies who has taught me so much and helped me a lot and who is just so respectful and just an all around amazing person who tries every day to be like Jesus and to love and respect people as Jesus does. I look up to him so much. People only think of the bad when they think of Catholicism, and understandably as there’s been so many awful things in the news. But there are also so many amazing people in the Catholic Church, like this man, with some much kindness and wisdom and love to share. I’ve never met anyone as genuinely good.