thank you and take care

[arjuna3110]

Dear Everyone,

After much prayer and reflection, I have decided to remain a Catholic for the time being.  I have decided that for two reasons.  I feel, in my gut and soul, that Christ wants me to be in the Catholic Church.  I also think that true orthodoxy is the process of theosis: the Holy Spirit uniting all dimensions of the human person with Jesus Christ.  I think that can be done in the Catholic Church; and the readings of Orthodox theology have helped me understand that process much better.  Thank you, all of you, for your prayerful support.  Take care and God Bless.

[sin_vladimirov]

Lord have mercy.

[Asteriktos]

I wish you well.

[jlerms]

    Godspeed. 

[arjuna3110]

An Update:

I moved to my new city three weeks ago (on 15 August).  Since then, I have attended Divien Liturgy three times at the local Greek Orthodox church.  (No, I did not receive Communion -- out of respect for the fact of the schism.)

As much as I planned to leave Orthodoxy aside and to try to be a good Catholic, I cannot. 

When I attended Catholic Mass -- especially in the last three weeks-- I felt like I entered the latest denomination of liberal Protesantism.  I felt like an alien.

When I attended Divine Liturgy, I felt like I had actually worshipped God.  I also felt spiritually at home there.

Catholicism is cataphatic.  Orthodoxy is apophatic.  And, I have an apophatic disposition to my soul.  It feels like Orthodoxy is a Church that is built for people like me.  I don't feel like an alien there.  I feel normal there.

From what I have read and experienced, I feel strongly drawn to Orthodoxy.  I am also beginning to conclude that Ortodoxy has preserved the fullness of the Gospel better than any other Church.  Yet, I have my own Church and I feel great loyalty towards it.  Please say a prayer for me as I try to sort this all out. 

I am also trying to find a good Orthodox monastery in Ohio.  I found the website for St. Theodore in Gallion, Ohio.  It is a skete of a larger monastery, also in Ohio; and it is of the Greek Orthodox jurisdction.  Has anyone heard if it has any reputation -- good or bad?  Can anyone recommend a good monastery in Ohio?

I really need to find someone to talk to in person.  I may approach the pastor of the local Greek othodox Church, but I would prefer to find a monk: someone who can understand the wrestling in my soul and who can help me.

Thank you.

[Landon77]

  I know where you're coming from.  Any time I'm really tempted to become Roman Catholic, I just attend a Catholic Mass and that pretty much takes care of the desire.

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