How do I find a priest to talk to ?

Olliecat

I am a practising catholic although I would not necessary call myself a good catholic as I disagree with some of the views of the church. However I attend mass weekly and try to abide as much as I can by the teachings of the church. I have gone through a rough few months lately with the death of two close relatives and an untreatable illness in a third. Through it all I have found no matter how crap the week was I always felt better after mass at the week end but lately this isn't working for me and I feel I am losing my faith which is hard for me to deal with. My local priest has changed and I just can't connect with the new guy - nothing wrong with him but just can't see myself talking to him about anything. How would I go about trying to find someone to talk to about losing my faith which I don't want to do? I live in Waterford City and have put the message here instead of the Waterford thread as feel people here would understand better where I am coming from.

Monty.

Everyone goes through patches of having stronger faith at some times rather than others.
I would try attending a few other local parishes instead, until you find a priest who's homilies/style strikes a cord with you. We all respond differently to different styles. In an ideal world you would attend your local parish, but there's nothing wrong with going to another one instead if you find it suits you better. I also find saying the odd rosary and reading a bit from one of the gospels now and again in your own time can also be very rewarding in addition to Mass. God Bless.

Onesimus

Unfortunately I'm not from waterford and I cant direct your anywhere in that regard. But a good alternative for you ( and its nice and private too ) is to contact Fr.Vincent serpa on Catholic answer forums in the ''ask an apologist'' section of the forums and you can tell him what you told us or private message him. He is very kind and has in the past answered such questions as the above.

There is also a great website known as www.catholicscomehome.org This is site will also be of great help to you.

I hope this helps you Ollie.

Onesimus

Olliecat

Hi

thanks for the suggestions. I'll give them a go

Graces7

Depends; is it your faith in Jesus or in the church?

If the latter then different remedies avail.

If the former, then prayer and more quiet time with Him. Alone with Him

Fanny Cradock

I don't have any specific advice on how to find a priest to talk to (the Catholic posters have given some good advice on that) but perhaps you might draw some strength from these two talks about suffering and pain. First comes from John Lennox (it's well worth your time despite the crap sound quality) and the second from Os Guinness.

Additionally, if you want to hear some excellent thoughts on the topic of doubt then try listening to the speakers from this excellent conference.

Graces7

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I don't have any specific advice on how to find a priest to talk to (the Catholic posters have given some good advice on that) but perhaps you might draw some strength from these two talks about suffering and pain. First comes from John Lennox (it's well worth your time despite the crap sound quality) and the second from Os Guinness.

Additionally, if you want to hear some excellent thoughts on the topic of doubt then try listening to the speakers from this excellent conference.

So you advocate trust in people rather than in Jesus? Using an exchange rather than a direct line?

Thinkingaboutit

Graces7 wrote: »

So you advocate trust in people rather than in Jesus? Using an exchange rather than a direct line?

OP is asking a specific question and two posters after have given specific and useful answers. It is always a good thing to answer the question asked. Trying to hawk born again stuff, doesn't.

Fanny Cradock

One picture paints ten thousand words, Graces7. Perhaps you should actually listen to what these people say instead of getting all self-righteous.

For the second time today I fell compelled to point out that some people seem determined to argue for the sake of it.

hairyheretic

Maybe if you ask, they might be able to give you a phone number for wherever your old priest has gone now (assuming he was just moved elsewhere).

Graces7

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

One picture paints ten thousand words, Graces7. Perhaps you should actually listen to what these people say instead of getting all self-righteous.

For the second time today I fell compelled to point out that some people seem determined to argue for the sake of it.

How impolite you are here.

The image means nothing to me ...

The accusation also is unfounded; if all of us relied more on prayer and less on what others say? On Jesus and not on fallible men?

I am not arguing; simply asking a question and offering the only real help there is for anyone.Jesus. You deny Him here.

Onesimus

Graces7 wrote: »

How impolite you are here.

The image means nothing to me ...

The accusation also is unfounded; if all of us relied more on prayer and less on what others say? On Jesus and not on fallible men?

I am not arguing; simply asking a question and offering the only real help there is for anyone.Jesus. You deny Him here.

The word of the Lord came to us through a Donkey in Deuteronomy. it also came to us through St.Pauls letters ( a fallible man ).

Not all advice from men will be good but there are times when Jesus uses man to give good advice and we often miss it.

philologos

Graces7 wrote: »

So you advocate trust in people rather than in Jesus? Using an exchange rather than a direct line?

Check what people say, but it doesn't mean a blind distrust of people. That to me is as bad as blind trust in what people say. The church (as a group of Christian believers rather than an institution) is about believers building each other up in Christ. The Christian church (as in general, not an institution) is of God and He has intended for it to be as it is. I'm sola-scriptura only in so far as it means that what people say in respect to Christianity must be substantiated Biblically. Anything that can't be substantiated should rightfully be questioned.

jophsie

Olliecat, Go to the Blessed Sacrament and spend some time with Jesus whether He is exposed or in the Tabernacle. Ask Him to help you find a good Priest to talk to and Im sure He will guide you.

jill_valentine

Thinkingaboutit wrote: »

OP is asking a specific question and two posters after have given specific and useful answers. It is always a good thing to answer the question asked. Trying to hawk born again stuff, doesn't.

God works in mysterious ways etc. He's not particularly good at personally counselling somebody clearly in need though, he's exactly known for being mad for a bit of banter or anything.

I'm an atheist, so I'm aware I'm butting in here, but the possible value of speaking to a priest - or anybody with experience and some training in how to help somebody navigate difficult times - is objectively fairly obvious to me.

Good luck OP, I'm sorry for your troubles. All I can suggest is maybe going to confession in another parish sometime, and getting a feel for the water there.