As a non-practicing Catholic, may I post here for the first time...

[Longgrain]

Many of us who have been raised in the Church, but no longer follow it's teaching have been going though a rough time lately.

My sincerest thoughts and hope to our Holy Father.

I've never said a bad thing against the Church and I never will.

Here's my fondest well wishes to John.

Despite all my questions regarding the Catholic Church, I'm only going to think of the good things the Church has tried to do.

There are only three virtures...Faith Hope and Love.

But the greatest of these is Love.


You all have my deepest condolences.

[XanaDUer]

1. Please do.

I am a former Catholic, non practicing. This is a great group.

[Longgrain]

3. Thanks, I tried posting around here once before...

after the Pope was first hospitalized, about my feelings growing up Catholic, and not practicing, but i self deleted the message, because I guess I just wasn't ready.

Even though I consider myself agnostic, it's the only religion I ever knew, and as i grow older, I know it's the only religion I could ever have...

Believe me, it took a lot of courage to post here today, and approach these feelings. Thanks for welcoming me.

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. Welcome, and thank you.

You are among friends.

:hug:

[Longgrain]

4. Thanks C_L that means a lot coming from you...

I don't feel much like posting in the Lounge right now, and every time I post something like this in GD the thread either gets locked, moved, or dissipated entirely.

Maybe I will check you guys out more often, I even added the group to My Forums.

Thanks for the welcome. :)

[Princess Turandot]

5. Welcome, despite the sad time. nt

[Longgrain]

6. Thank you for the welcome, I feel much better now

Even though I still have tears forming at the corners of my eyes, I'm smiling.

At first I was reluctant to post this, but now I'm glad I did... You guys have my sincerest thoughts, and reflections on what I know must be a very emotional day for you...

Thanks again...:hi:

[EFerrari]

7. Following Longgrains' lead, I'd like to check in please.

Much love and strength to everyone. Joy as well, when we're ready for it.

I've been prostrate for the last two days and just got around to giving that up for the great soul that lived among us for a time. This way of thinking isn't natural to me any more. But there was something about Karl, a holiness, that transcends even strongly felt disagreements.

Grateful to have seen him, heard him and mostly, to have witnessed his service -- which really can't be quantified or qualified.

peace,
Beth

[JohnKleeb]

8. Guys feel welcome

Karol not Karl btw :).

[EFerrari]

9. I've been reading so many forms of his name.

Which is cool in itself.

Thanks,
B.

[JohnKleeb]

10. Yeah he was born in a town, a little north of where my grandma's

folks come from. Great guy, too bad hes gone.

[Longgrain]

11. Thanks John, and thanks Beth

I'm so glad to have finally found a place where I can post these things without being ridiculed or having to defend my feelings...

[JohnKleeb]

12. Feel comfortable here

We got social liberals like me here and more traditional minded people too but we manage to get along. BTW I posted an annoucement of the death in the irish group too.

[Longgrain]

13. I saw it, and already replied...

Thanks John, you're the heart and soul of DU...

IMHO

[JohnKleeb]

14. Nah

Thanks tho.

[elshiva]

15. Feel free to post! Thanks for the candle and the good wishes!

:hi: :toast:

[Longgrain]

16. You are welcome elshiva, I plan on keeping the candle burning

at least until midnight.

Maybe I'll post more in the future, about being a displaced Catholic.
Maybe not, but thanks for the greetings and warm feelings all around...:)

[elshiva]

19. You are welcome.

[Padraig18]

17. Thank you, dear friend.

Please join us. The one lost sheep was more precious to the shepherd than were the ninety and nine he knew were safe. Know that you are both welcomed and loved here, and that you are among friends.

:hug:

[Longgrain]

20. Your post is making me cry...I've always loved that passage...

Even though I'm still outside of the flock, but still looking in.

[SeanQuinn]

18. Thank you, and welcome to the forum. n/t

[Longgrain]

22. You're welcome, and I do hope I'm welcome here as well.

<eom>

[JohnKleeb]

24. of course you're welcome

[CBHagman]

21. Glad you're here, Longgrain.

I think tonight a lot of us need to hug, figuratively speaking, across the world.

:grouphug:

Do come here as often as you feel comfortable doing so.

[Longgrain]

23. Then here's a virtual hug, right back atcha...

:hug:

and one for the world, who lost a good man today...:grouphug:

[CBHagman]

25. Amen to that.

If it brings people together, maybe this loss will have some good...