Faith Is Not Private Construction
You cannot build Catholicism on your own terms.
The Church is not:
A spiritual option.
A support network.
A tradition you customise.
A loose association of believers.
It is the Body of Christ.
Scripture says:
“You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
(1 Corinthians 12:27)
You do not attach yourself to Christ while detaching from His Body.
“I Believe, But I Don’t Practise” Is a Slow Exit
Many people say:
“I still believe.”
But:
They do not attend Mass.
They do not confess serious sin.
They do not submit to Church teaching.
They construct personal morality.
Belief without ecclesial belonging becomes private religion.
Private religion rarely survives pressure.
The Church Is Visible and Authoritative
Christ did not establish:
A vague spiritual movement.
A loose collection of opinions.
A community without structure.
He established:
A visible Church.
Apostolic authority.
Sacramental life.
Teaching authority.
Remaining Catholic means remaining in communion.
Not merely agreeing with parts.
Identity Is Not Cultural
You are not Catholic because:
Your family is.
Your school was.
Your parish is familiar.
You are Catholic because it is true.
And because Christ founded a visible Church.
If identity is only cultural,
it fades when environment changes.
If identity is convictional,
it endures relocation.
The Danger of Selective Catholicism
In adulthood, pressure often appears like this:
“I agree with most of it.”
“I just disagree with this one teaching.”
“I follow my conscience.”
“I don’t need authority.”
Selective Catholicism feels mature.
But it fragments unity.
You cannot retain sacramental life
while rejecting the authority that guards it.
Communion Requires Obedience
Obedience is unpopular.
But obedience is not weakness.
It is trust in a structure Christ established.
You may not understand every teaching immediately.
Understanding can grow.
But loyalty must remain stable.
Otherwise, faith becomes self-governed.
And self-governed religion eventually mirrors personal desire.
Why Parish Belonging Matters
Remaining Catholic means:
Sunday Mass in a real parish.
Real sacraments.
Real community.
Real accountability.
Online Catholicism is not sufficient.
Private prayer is not sufficient.
Identity requires visible communion.
When You Feel Disconnected
There may be seasons when:
Parish feels uninspiring.
Homilies feel flat.
Community feels weak.
Remain anyway.
Faithfulness is not dependent on constant satisfaction.
The Church does not exist to entertain you.
It exists to sanctify you.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Is my Catholic identity cultural or convictional?
Would I remain in communion if I struggled with a teaching?
Do I see obedience as weakness?
Is parish belonging non-negotiable?
Am I building private religion quietly?
Answer calmly.
But answer truthfully.
Final Thought
You cannot remain Catholic alone.
You remain Catholic by remaining in communion.
Belief without belonging fades.
Conviction joined to the Church endures.
Stay within the Body.
Stay under authority.
Stay connected to the sacraments.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 