Hi, guys —

Greetings to all,

I was a cradle Southern Baptist, born and bred; grew up, and was married in the Baptist Church. Along the way, I had:

• tried Church of Christ
• talked with Mormons on several different occasions
• and much to my shame, very briefly tried Paganism.

Throughout all of this, God was leading me home.

I was confirmed in the Catholic faith in 2006. However, in the last 3 or so years, I have not been practicing my faith very well. What I mean is I have not been to Mass or Confession recently.
I was fast tracked through RCIA, and for a while, I tried to attend Mass regularly, attended all my Holy Days of Obligation, and went to Confession but still felt like I was floundering. As soon as I was confirmed, my sponsor just dropped me. Here I was, a newly confirmed Catholic, with no idea exactly how to be Catholic. Even though I was a Catholic, I was having a very difficult time shedding my Protestant ways. I was still trying to learn what it meant to be Catholic, so eventually, I stopped attending Mass.

During the next year, I was diagnosed with asthma and severe depression, which was reassessed the following year as manic. It has taken me two years to where I finally feel safe being among people again. Since being diagnosed with depression, I have had a fear of being around people; afraid that I would become dangerous. I didn't trust myself, so I stayed at home most of the time and I didn't go out unless It was necessary.

My only lifeline to the outside world was the Internet, which I am eternally grateful for because of all the wonderful Catholic sites. I have had the opportunity to keep up, somewhat, with my faith.

• I started to download prayers
• I taught myself how to pray the Rosary, which I now do every day.

After the first of the year, my doctor has given me a somewhat clean bill of health. I still have to be careful in the hot, humid days of summer and since I am a lot stronger now, than I was, I have the ability to fight the depression. It is just something that I will have to deal with day by day.

I want so much to get back in God's grace however I do not know exactly how to do it. I mean I know the mechanics of it. Just go to Confession and start attending Mass every week, but to me it just doesn't seem to be that simple.

I didn't know until a few days ago, that not attending Mass every week was a mortal sin. I fear that when I do go to Confession, I will be excommunicated for being away for so long. I just don't know exactly what to do.

• Do I call my parish and request an appointment with one of the priests?
• Do I just go to Confession?
• Do I get in touch with my sponsor?
  
  
  I just don't know!

I have thought of waiting until the Fall so that I could join the next RCIA class and brush up on what we believe as Catholics but waiting just doesn't seem to be the right thing to do. I need to do something about it now, so I decided to write to you because your web site has so much information.

I do appreciate all the help you can give me.

Yours In Christ,

Samantha