Looking Into Returning Home

[Candlemass]

Indeed I am, I've walked away from that life, now I'm in the process of never looking back, I went to Mass last Sunday for the first time in over 25 years, I filled out the visitor's card and the priest has already contacted me, I will set up a metting asap.

As far as music goes, though I think you are speaking metaphorically, I still plan to record music much heavier and "darker" than The Doors, but unlike them, there will be a message of hope, Jim offered none!

[Carolyn]

candlemass,,,,you need to go to catholictherapists.com, you can find a catholic therapist in your area  i can tell you from experience,,,that no matter what you tell them,and you can trust them, that they will say to you  greater the sinner greater his mercy,,,think about that,,,,,,,you have the right to Jesus mercy more so than anyone who has been a good holyperson, and guess what? Jesus knows all  and is still calling you , you are searching like I was for forgiveness and exceptance,if you go to confession humbly , and be set free from torture and torment,ever hear of FR/ Corapi? just go to his web site,,,,key in Fr. Corapi, com,,,he tells it like it is he was on drugs and did some terrible things too, if Jesus can forgive Fr. Corapi he could forgive you too, there will be a party in heaven if you go to confession.I know for me I realized that confession is like going to Jesus and saying I had enough I cant be strong without you,,,,, I am weak in this are Jesus please help, with pornography,we cant be released of that perversion unless we invite Jesus in to clean up the mess we invited in and partook in, and this only can be done with confession,you are here for a reason,,,,stop running,, your not the only one who messed up big time remember,,,The greater the sinner the greater his mercy, so there you go,why dont you order St. Faustins book Devine mercy, you will be brought to tears on how much youll find that Jesus is calling to you ,the sinner who is hopeless and lost and dosent feel worthy,,,,,,,,,God bless keep in touch, nice picture, rock and roll days should be over for you now,,,,we have to grow uo and find some peace with Jesus now, smile

 

 

[Candlemass]

I will look into all you have posted, though I will always be a rock-n-roll afficianado!

[Carolyn]

thats okay,,,,,,,,Im asong writer myself,,,,,,,,,,my son is a  rocker but he knows the responsibility of bringing the listener to the light  as you heal andcome closer to Jesus, your music will reflect it,  sorry if Im sounding like a nagging mom, but thats what I am a mom, who found great mercy in our lord, and is grateful, if we who have been in great darkness help show the way out to our brothers and sisters,all the sufferring was worth it God Bless

[Carolyn]

one more thought,,,,,,,,when I first came back to the church my catholic director reminded me,,,,that I have every right to his mercy and to be there,,,,,,,so when i felt less than others around me at church I would say to myself ,the greater the sinner the greater his mercy, that helped so much for me, at times I felt like running out,,because of my past,,,but that one thought gave me the right,more than anyone,to be there at church.just a thought, sorry for sending so many posts,,you are in my prayers i will storm the heavens,for you to heal a nd be at peace,because Im  a nagging mom,,smile

[Candlemass]

one more thought,,,,,,,,when I first came back to the church my catholic director reminded me,,,,that I have every right to his mercy and to be there,,,,,,,so when i felt less than others around me at church I would say to myself ,the greater the sinner the greater his mercy, that helped so much for me, at times I felt like running out,,because of my past,,,but that one thought gave me the right,more than anyone,to be there at church.just a thought, sorry for sending so many posts,,you are in my prayers i will storm the heavens,for you to heal a nd be at peace,because Im  a nagging mom,,smile

"For where sin abounded, grace abounded more"

It's ok mom!

[Carolyn]

okay now keep in touch and tell us when youve gone to confession,its easy, just read FR< Corapis story on when he went to confession,,,it will give you courage,,go to FR. Corapi.com. God Bless .........mom,,smile

[Candlemass]

I promised cajunrick I would call the priest tomorrow to set up an appointment, just wanted to post this here to ask you all to pray for me, and to hold me accountable to do what I said I would do!

[CajunRick]

I promised cajunrick I would call the priest tomorrow to set up an appointment, just wanted to post this here to ask you all to pray for me, and to hold me accountable to do what I said I would do!

We will hold you to it!

[Talithacumi]

Mark,

First of all, welcome to the Forum! I do hope you will stick around and  settle in and feel comfortable here... it's kinda like a family once  you've been here awhile.

Your  story is fascinating. It reminds me, as Carolyn mentioned, of Fr. John  Corapi. If you haven't heard him or heard of him, look him up. He's on  EWTN sometimes if you can get that station on TV. Sorry, but I don't  remember day or time - he used to be on on Sundays around 1:00? But he  lived life on the Dark Side, too. You might relate to him.

I really enjoy conversion stories. They fascinate me. Sometimes I feel  like I'm sort of like the "Elder Brother" (or sister in my case) in the  Prodigal Son story because I've always been Catholic. That is to say, I  never "left home." Maybe in some strange way I'm a little jealous (not  really, but in a sense) of those who convert or revert back to the  Catholic Church, ya know? It's kind of like they're the ones who went  out and had this big adventure and I've been here all along living a  sort of ordinary life, never having been "anywhere" else. Don't get me  wrong! I'm glad I never left. I'm not saying I wish I had lived on the  wild side. But I sometimes wish I could experience that "coming home"  thing that I hear so often from converts.

So you see, you are blessed to have had that whole "dark side"  experience, in some strange way, though you probably can't imagine how  I can say that. And I wouldn't  say it were it not for the fact that you seem to have pulled out of it  - or at least you're trying to. And that's where the blessing is at.  And we  Cradle Catholics who've never been "away from home"  are blessed by your experience, too. So don't feel like you don't  belong or that we don't want you. Don't feel homeless. Look at it like  this. We need converts. We need people to tell those of us  "Elder Brothers" who've never really experienced "life on the outside"  (except maybe through our experiences with others from the outside) just how it is out there... you all are experienced.  You know what the enemy's capable of; you can teach us what to look out  for, what to avoid, how to be appreciative of what we have because  you've been there. When we are whining and complaining about  our petty little problems, you converts can put us in our place and  tell us to stop whining because you're living proof that we've no right  to complain. You can see the Light because you've been in the Dark. Sometimes life-long Catholics, after a time, can begin to take things for granted.

But when we hear a story like yours, we are convicted and we can't help but be moved. I will pray for you, and again, welcome!

JMJ
- Cheri


           

[Candlemass]

Thank you so much for your encouraging post! Yes I have heard of him, I have one of his youtube videos on the myspace page I have and I've been to his web site, I plan to subscribe to his newsletter as well as try and contact him if possible. Henry Nowen in his book "The Return of the Prodigal", also saw himself as the elder brother, I plan on getting that book again, had it over ten years ago but lost it somewhere. You have been blessed so as to stay in the loving arms of your Saviour, and have been privlidged to pray for those of us who have "gone off to a far country", all of us prodigals are eternally grateful to the faithfulness of God's people like yourself, God has kept for Himself faithful servants like yourself for such a time as this!

[Candlemass]

I just called, he told me to come to the church now, I'm going, but I'm scared!

[Carolyn]

all of hell will try to stop you,,,,,have courage,,,,,think of his mercy,,,,Jesus is waiting for you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,youll be in his arms,,,,,,where you belong,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Im praying for you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Ali]

I just called, he told me to come to the church now, I'm going, but I'm scared!

It's 10:10 here, I hope you are there!  I'm thinking of you and offered up a prayer for you.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Ali

[Candlemass]

Just got back, made my confession and recieved absolution, I can recieve communion this Sunday, are you kidding me, I'm forgiven loved and accepted by the King of the universe?!