Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
back
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History

GettingBackOnTrack Ginger wrote:

Hi, guys —

I have been so lost for years and I really just want an answer. I have been baptized and I have had my First Holy Communion but I no longer attend CCD classes or Mass. My father took me out of these activities when I was younger.

Now I'm 14 and I really do believe in the Catholic religion but I'm so lost and confused on where to start. Again, I am a 14-year-old girl and I would love some guidance to get me on track. Being so young when I started, I don't remember learning much but I would love to further my knowledge and continue my belief in the Catholic religion.

Please get back to me.

Thank you.

Ginger

  { Now that I'm an older Catholic, can you guide me in getting back on track in practicing my faith? }

Mike replied:

Dear Ginger,

First, sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

I feel for your situation. First, I would also encourage you to find a compassionate priest who can hear your Confession.

Tell him about your situation and get some advice. If he doesn't provide much, seek out another priest who is faithful to the Church until you get some good advice on how to handle your father. Ask the priest what ministries he has that you can get involved in. Getting involved is a quick, great way to meet new people, some, who may understand where you are coming from.

Going to Mass is a commandment because it is spiritually good for us and what is spiritually good for us has a good effect on our overall well-being. The graces we receive from going to Mass each Sunday help us see the world from a more clear, Catholic view and give us the graces to follow through on being a good Christian example. That said, go to Confession first and share with the priest times you have not been to Mass or have committed any other serious sins.

Second, read either:

and don't forget to read about the Early Church Fathers!

Learn more here:

My colleagues may have more to add, but this is my two cents.

I hope this helps,

Mike

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.