Dear Miroslav,
Thank you kindly for your e-mail. I did get your first e-mail. When I got
back to Sydney, I felt so uplifted and spiritually energised after my stay
in Medjugorje,
however, it quickly took a downturn. The parish I belong to is a small
parish in the Blue Mountains in Western Sydney and my feeling is they are
more into a social life within the church rather than a spiritual life. I
also feel within the Catholic church in Australia in general, people are
encouraged not to be "too religious". The preaching on Sunday is always
"generalised" "sugary"- it seems the congregation are given what they
want to hear not what they need to hear. I often wonder how many people go
to Holy Communion realising how important it is. Without a support person
or group behind me, I find it extremely difficult to belong in a church
that is so "casual" in its approach. I firmly believe that Jesus is
present in the Eucharist and the teachings of the Catholic Church and I
attend Mass 4 mornings a week and pray the Rosary frequently but the
aloneness of it all if quite difficult. I pray to Our Lady that she will
send me someone to give me support. As a result of this I didn't contact
the person from the Maria Voltora Group with my photo of Our Lady in case
I get a negative reaction and casual approach to our religion. It doesn't
surprise me why people leave the Catholic church to join fundamentalist
groups for the support they give. However, I will continue to pray my 1000
hail marys per week, I know its a weapon far greater than anything else.
Thank you for listening and have a lovely weekend in your beautiful
country!
God Bless
Catherine
(text/plain)