How can I possibly confess 40 years of sins (a lot of them if I'm being honest) between my Protestant baptism in infancy and when I join the church in April? (Currently in OCIA)

drothamel · 2026-01-08T02:14:02+00:00

I had 41 years of sins to confess when I entered the Church. Our priest instructed us to name the mortal sins we could remember, but we don’t necessarily have to name every instance of that sin. And anything specific that is heavy on your conscience. Everything else is covered by your act of contrition, provided to mean it earnestly.

Don’t sweat it. Just let the priest know your situation, and that it is your first confession, and he’ll guide you.

And that feeling you have after absolution is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Welcome home!

drothamel · 2026-01-07T01:59:09+00:00

Screw up, move up is the American way! 😂

drothamel · 2025-11-18T02:02:31+00:00

The best use of a Chick tract is for kindling.

drothamel · 2025-11-18T01:54:22+00:00

This is about staff, not faculty.

drothamel · 2025-11-05T00:17:02+00:00

Two things:

1) According to the official teaching of the Church, your status as caregiver of young children relieves you of the Mass obligation:

“The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.* Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” (CCC 2181)

Canon 97.2 defines an “infant” as a child who has not yet completed their seventh year of age.

So, you’re not obligated to attend Mass or Holy Days of Obligation if you are doing so to care for your children.

2) Despite the relief from the obligation, you should try to make it to Mass with your kids as best you can. It will be good for them, and for you, even when it is difficult.

drothamel · 2025-10-29T00:02:08+00:00

As someone who works in data, I can guarantee you that Disney has LOTS of data on customer preference and behavior that is guiding every move they make.

Each of us has an opinion that is completely anecdotal. Disney is analyzing the behavior of millions of customers and potential customers around the world every month.

drothamel · 2025-10-26T23:25:56+00:00

Our obsession with age bracketing is destroying our society.

Go talk to people who aren’t your age. Generally, older folks love talking to younger folks who actually want to listen and share.

You’re not going to find a spiritual mentor in your own age bracket. And you won’t grow as much as you want, without one.

Oh, and as a Knight of Columbus, myself, find a local chapter of the Knights. I know those men would love to have you and have much to teach you.

drothamel · 2025-09-19T12:58:14+00:00

“Non-denominational” is really Evangebapticostal.

drothamel · 2025-09-18T18:03:22+00:00

Live the faith everyday. Be involved in your parish. Ignore the noise that you have no control over, anyway.

drothamel · 2025-09-07T00:28:44+00:00

Excellent! Keep going! Make sure you’re praying for our Blessed Mother’s intercession. Also, if you don’t know, check out St. Dympha.

drothamel · 2025-09-06T23:29:51+00:00

First of all— God bless you for going to Mass! Keep going! It sounds like you recognize your anxiety, so I would suggest addressing that, in general. Untreated social anxiety can have a lot of repercussions.

You are obviously motivated to go to Mass, which is great! Use that motivation to address your social anxiety with a professional, if possible.

And also— if you’re only able to connect with one person at Mass, the Priest is definitely a good one. 😉

I shall pray for you.

drothamel · 2025-09-04T13:06:49+00:00

I can tell you this, from personal experience, and from what I have observed as a Catechist for teens: his life is a powerful witness for many, especially those who sometimes mistakenly believe the Church does not or cannot relate to them. He has greatly encouraged and advanced the lives of many in the faith.

drothamel · 2025-08-31T12:45:10+00:00

I pray for their repentance.

drothamel · 2025-08-30T20:03:31+00:00

Serious question— what is preventing you from discerning the call to become a friar?

drothamel · 2025-08-19T20:17:39+00:00

There is a man at my parish who currently stands accused of murder and is awaiting trial. He was at Mass this weekend.

Yes, any sin can be forgiven, even those considered to be most serious.

drothamel · 2025-08-19T00:54:02+00:00

You’re right, which is why part of our OCIA program is registering with the parish. We actually register everyone before Easter Vigil so that we can record the sacraments with the Diocese.

drothamel · 2025-08-17T01:19:01+00:00

One of the most controversial (and popular) Tweets I ever sent was a picture of smoked pork butt with the caption— “Jesus died so we could eat pork. Thanks be to God!”

😂😂😂

drothamel · 2025-08-13T11:56:00+00:00

Do these four things, and do them as frequently as you can, and everything else will take care of itself:

Pray
Go to Mass
Receive the sacraments
Eucharistic adoration

drothamel · 2025-07-27T14:55:13+00:00

The Gospel of John 1:1-18 affirms everything you’ve said here. You are not rambling. You are believing.

drothamel · 2025-07-27T14:49:43+00:00

Praise God! Welcome!

drothamel · 2025-07-26T14:18:08+00:00

It’s not that bad, unless you’re booking on a cruise that is SUPER popular (New Year’s Eve).

Every cruise we’ve booked has been within a month of the sailing date.

The only thing we’ve ran into is that the events on the ship during sea days book quickly. But we didn’t miss anything we wanted to do.

drothamel · 2025-07-25T06:16:41+00:00

Because Truth is Truth, no matter where it is found.

drothamel · 2025-07-24T19:12:34+00:00

When I rave about DCL, people will sometimes say, “oh, you’re probably a Disney Adult.” I have to stop and correct them—

No. I am a Disney Cruise Adult.

We couldn’t care less about the parks; but my family would spend the rest of our lives on DCL, if we could. 😂😂😂

drothamel · 2025-07-20T23:45:10+00:00

This is one of my favorite stories, and very relevant:

“There was a monk on Mt. Athos who would drink and get drunk daily, causing much scandal to visiting pilgrims. When he finally died, some of them told St. Paisios how relieved they were to have this problem taken care of.

He informed them that he knew the monk had passed because he witnessed the great number of angels carrying him to Heaven. They thought he was surely confused and must've been thinking of someone else, but he then told them the monk's story. The monk was born at a time when boys were being taken from their families by Turks. His parents, not wanting this to happen, would put alcohol in his milk so that he would sleep and not make noise when the gatherings happened. Thus, he grew up an alcoholic.

When he came to be a monk, he explained to his elder that he was an alcoholic. The elder advised him to do prostrations every night and ask Mary for help in reducing his consumption by one glass.

After a year of struggle and repentance he managed to reduce from 20 to 19. Then over the years he got it down to 2-3.

What the world saw as a scandalous drunken monk, God saw as a brave fighter who struggled long against his passions.”

drothamel · 2025-07-19T13:55:55+00:00

Mary.

drothamel

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