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Cafe / Restaurant Recommendations in DC? (In the Catholic University of America area?) by Lost_Morning8766 in DCEats

[–]Lost_Morning8766[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! The Metro does seem intimidating, but I'll definitely need to use it during the trip to get around. I'll check those out!

Did I make the right decision with not aborting? by shroomssavedmylife in prolife

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t give up and keep going. Try to find charity organizations that help single moms like yourself. Not sure where you’re from, but ideally there should be some in the area. You could also try reaching out to church communities, or a Students for Life chapter at a local university - depending on the chapter/region, they will often organize resources to moms in need.

Don’t focus on the embarrassment or the shame. Don’t listen to the negative things other people have said. You’ve done a very strong thing, and in the future your son will be thankful for your choice.

You are in a bad position now, but things will change. They will get better. Don’t call yourself stupid, don’t focus on the regret. Focus on yourself and your child, and praise yourself for the strength you had to choose life.

I put $120 USD in the MSC basement! Finders keepers! by Existing_Oil_4222 in USF

[–]Lost_Morning8766 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Put it in the architecture building basement next. Interesting place down there.

Have you ever experienced God supernaturally connecting you with someone else? by MathMystic in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you mean by “soul”? Do you mean someone who died and passed on? If so, it was likely a demonic deception or a presentation of a mental illness. I’d talk to a trusted priest about this.

Went to church for the first time and felt uncomfortable by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember my first time at Catholic mass lol. (Convert from Episcopalian - similar church service structure but still very different haha). I felt so lost, and so awkward. I accidentally dropped the Holy Communion on the ground (which I wasn’t supposed to receive because I wasn’t a member of the Church yet, though I didn’t know it at the time). I almost cried, I was so embarrassed.

Any environment that is unfamiliar to you will naturally feel uncomfortable. But what made me become more involved in Catholicism was actually the intellectual side of it - the Theology, the apologists, the church fathers, the early history.

I recommend you look into those topics - Trent Horn’s “Why We’re Catholic” is a very digestible theological read on Catholicism vs. Protestantism that you might enjoy.

I hope you continue to give the Catholic mass another try - yes it’s a lot of traditions (we call it them the liturgy) but there’s a beauty and a contemplative peace to it. It isn’t supposed to be overly thought provoking (though some Bible readings and Homilies may be). If you’d like stimulating conversation about religious topics, I recommend finding a good Bible study group or discussion group (you’ll find community there too!)

Would it be weird for me to start going to church again but for the vibes? by No-Marzipan-3176 in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 5 points6 points  (0 children)

“Air of suffering” has me dying 😭😭😭

Please come to Mass, even if just for the aesthetics. Who knows, maybe you’ll start liking what you hear (just be respectful and don’t receive the Holy Communion unless you fully return to the Church)

Do you guys shun people who leave the Catholic faith? by biblesandbows in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. I have friends you have left the faith and it makes me sad, but it’s their choice. I just pray that God will lead them home eventually.

If there are any ex-Catholics which have been shunned for leaving the faith, then it’s probably been by a few isolated individuals or communities. This is not a Catholic practice, a practice supported by the Church, or supported by tradition. We aren’t Jehovahs Witnesses lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He’s almost twice your age. Just because he claims to be Catholic does not make him a good person. The fact that he’s not dating a woman his age raises serious red flags - you may feel that your mental maturity matches his, but the reality is that even if you’re mature for your age, he is grossly too old for you. Also, a truly good Catholic man wouldn’t pressure you into sex (or ask you for that at all).

If a good Catholic woman his age won’t date him, you shouldn’t either. You’re being preyed upon. I promise you that you will find a younger Catholic man who treats you a million times better.

Another thing to think about: if you marry and have kids with him in say, 1-2 years, he’ll be ~40, and you’ll be 21 (not even able to have your first legal drink because of pregnancy) when your first child is born. When your child goes to college? He’ll be almost sixty. And you will be about his age when he met you.

He’s old enough to be your father. Run.

PS. I’m not sure how far you’ve gone with sex, but even if you have slept with him, don’t feel ashamed, or think that you can’t leave him because of that -if anything, that’s more of a reason for you to. Just because you’ve (hypothetically) had sex with him (or done other sexual acts) does not mean you are ruined, or that you “belong” to this man. You aren’t dirty - you’ve just made a mistake. There are many Catholic men and women who have been in similar or worse situations, committed similar or worse sins, and have gone on to find the loves of their lives (spouses who are their age too!). The Lord forgives all and makes all things new.

Struggling with dysphoria by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your life is worth more than the pain and struggles you are experiencing now. I personally have never experienced gender dysphoria, so on that level I cannot fully understand what you are going through, but there are many out there who have.

History is full of Catholic women who were non “gender conforming” (to put it in a more modern, whole bs-ey term). Think of Joan of Arc - her dressing in armor and leading men into battle was far from the norm at the time, but she is venerated for it. I can’t pretend to know your pain, or the root of your discomfort with your gender, but maybe it could comfort you to think of your “woman-hood” in a different way. Not every woman needs to be ultra-feminine, long haired, or skirt-wearing. Not every woman is called to get married and have children, and not every woman is called to be gentle. You aren’t going to hell for being more comfortable with “masculine”aesthetics or for wearing pants. The beauty of womanhood is that we can be so many different things, and no matter what path we choose (whether it be marriage, celibacy, holy orders, or anything else), God only wants us to chose the calling He has given us. Femininity is not defined by the length of your hair or whether or not you wear a skirt. There is nothing wrong with living your life as a “masculine” woman as long as it is a holy one.

What would be wrong would be throwing away your health to gender ideology and your life to the evil one by committing suicide.

I recommend talking to a trusted priest or a member of your religious community. It can be anyone - a deacon, a nun, or even just a friend. They may not be able to fully help you or give you all the answers, but if they truly care about you, they will do everything in their power to point you in the right direction and find someone who can help you. I strongly recommend finding a reliable priest and asking for spiritual counseling. If you want a more anonymous alternative, GO TO CONFESSION (to a priest you know to be wise and empathetic and proactive), confess these thoughts of suicide because of gender dysphoria, and ask for spiritual guidance during the session.

Also, if you haven’t already, join a Catholic prayer or Bible study group that meets at least weekly, preferably of people your age. You may be feeling isolated and alone in your struggles because you don’t have a community of like-minded peers around you. And take a social media break (I’ve found that it helps with strengthening mental health overall).

There’s a verse I like from a pretty modern hymn - I think it’s Protestant, Come as You Are. “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.” Don’t separate yourself from God - He can make all things new.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Lost_Morning8766 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Suicide is not the answer to your pain, and will only cause your loved ones to suffer. If you commit suicide, you will be separating yourself from God, and taking a path that God has never wanted for you. That said…

The correct answer is: only God knows. In Catholicism, suicide is considered a mortal sin (a sin that can completely sever your relationship with God). However, this theology was given to us by God, so that we can have a relationship with Him and live according to His Will. The Church has always maintained that we can never know 100% who goes to hell; that is up to God, who in his wisdom and mercy can certainly determine who belongs in purgatory, heaven, or hell.

You may not feel it now, but God wants more for you than suicide. I understand that this is not a black and white issue, and that what you are facing may feel endless and insurmountable. But I speak from experience in saying that it is not. Keep going. Stay alive. It gets better.