Anonymous wrote:I only know lapsed Catholics. Not one single Catholic person I know goes to Mass or confession regularly. I guess a lot of them are feeling like you, OP.

This is just silly. I am right here. You must have looked past me. OP, I agree with the PPs. Try a few churches around you to see if one clicks. We drive a little farther because I love a traditional mass and our closest parish does really dippy modern masses-- or at least that is my take on them. Once you find one that fits go meet with the priest and talk about these issues. I feel the same way about homosexuality as you do. Never had a homily about gays in our parish and when I did talk to my priest about this issue he was very reassuring to me.

Leave the Arlington diocese. It's one of the most conservative.

OP, I could have written your post. One thing I try to remind myself of is this: the Church itself is a divine institution that is, nonetheless, run and administered by human beings, with all of their flaws and imperfections and stupidities. I am sure there were millions who were just as distressed and freaked out by Vatican II as there are those of us now who are freaked out by the current, reactionary regime.

My friends and family were astonished when I voluntarily converted at the age of 36, especially since I was coming from the Episcopal Church and had seriously considered a career as a Priest. My answer is always the same: the Catholic Mass is my surest, most secure path to the presence of God. It doesn't work for everyone but it certainly does for me. I'm in it for the religion, not the social policy. It's really hard to separate the two, though. I'm glad to know that others struggle with this as well.

I only know lapsed Catholics. Not one single Catholic person I know goes to Mass or confession regularly. I guess a lot of them are feeling like you, OP.

Thanks so far. About Holy Trinity -- do the priests welcome or discourage people from out of parish? It would be far for us. Are all the Masses the same, or are there some with/without music, with more contempoary or traditional music, geared to children, etc? Are all of the Masses crowded, or are some more intimate? Finally, is parking difficult, and should we allow a lot of extra time to park and walk to the Church? Thanks again.

Try a different church. I attend on a college campus and it's much more in tune with modern life, even if only by omission of topics.

Anonymous wrote:I am an adult convert who fell in love with the Church for its history and beauty as well as the sacraments,

But the catholic church has a dark past
How could you fall in love with its history?

Try the Orthodox church

Holy Trinity in Georgetown is a special place- I agree with the PPs. It's the only catholic church I've been to as an adult where I really feel comfortable. OP, it's worth the drive if it's far from your home.

Not Catholic but went too the school. Look past the mere mortals to the basis itself. God is love.
Man is bs. The bible tells us so repeatedly.
Man bites the apple ruining perfection
Man kills son of God sent to save us
Man doubts, enslaves, betrays.
God has patience with us.

Anonymous wrote:try a jesuit catholic church. holy trinity in gtown is great.

I second this recommendation.

try a jesuit catholic church. holy trinity in gtown is great. i go to st. john neumann in reston (not gaithersburg!) and they preach kindness.

Look for a different church.

My DH is like you but we go to a Methodist church now. Why not try a different Catholic church? Perhaps part of the problem is the priest in your current parish. Or go talk with a priest you trust, maybe they have suggestions? Or wait it out. I think that's what a lot of my relatives are doing. They are pro-gay rights (as am I) and some of them are also pro-choice and use contraception. Still go to mass every week, or in the case of my MIL every day. I don't know how all they reconcile those differences with their faith, but somehow they do. Good luck! Episcopal church is always open.

Not Catholic or a believer, but I have several friends who find comfort at Dignity services http://www.dignitywashington.org/

It's pretty muc "gay catholicism," but if you want to explore how Catholics reconcile church doctrine with their reality, I would suggest at least a visit or two. The services I know were in DC.

Plus: *Seriously* awesome choir.

I am an adult convert who fell in love with the Church for its history and beauty as well as the sacraments, which provide me with a deeper faith life and more personal relationship with God and the saints than I ever had as a Protestant. Although I am a fairly conservative person by DC standards, I am finding myself increasingly out of sync with Church teaching on some social issues, particularly on homosexuality. I live in NOVA, and in my parish all we hear about week after week is how sinful our society is. I feel like my interior spiritual life has stagnated, and I am embarrassed that my Church condemns people who are dear to me because of their sexual orientation. I really do not want to leave the Church, so I am not so interested in hearing from other people who have done so. Rather, I wonder if there are other Catholics out there struggling with similar issues, and if so, how do you remain Catholic? What parish do you attend? Thanks.