I have tried for decades to find an ideal church.  I recognize that no person and no "parish" can be perfect.  I don't even seek perfection.  But it seems that every congregation I go to has a flaw in belief or practice that is serious enough to rule them out.

I have again been attending the Catholic church, just because my Protestant church has fallen through the cracks in their lack

of Biblical belief.  Specifically, although the pastor and others seem to affirm the basic gospel, just yesterday I heard the pastor

(at the Protestant church Bible study) say that he does not accept the "substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus for us", and that instead he believes Jesus wanted to share in our repentance.  What gobbledygook is this, that came out of the mouth of an otherwise good Christian man?  This pastor loves Jesus, wants to emulate him, does indeed serve the community unselfishly, and does indeed recognize that we are sinners in need of repentance.  But then this far out statement yesterday in Bible class?

I recognize that going to the Catholic church on Sundays does not provide me with a perfect place either; some may say I have entered the halls of Satan.  However, I have noted over many years that some Catholic parishes have a purer basic gospel doctrine

than many Protestant congregations.  I have also experienced several Catholic parishes in one diocese, many years ago, that I believe to have succumbed to Satanic thought and practice.  So my eyes are open, and I discern.

You see, I agree with you, Frank, that we should not forsake the assembly of Christians.  And sometimes that assembly is to be found in an odd place, not the expected place, if it's found at all.

My "real" churches are back in Southern California where we used to live, but I can't go there now, can I, with the earthquake coming?  I have thought of going to an old folks home there, as I should not live alone any more.  And I could then attend one of two very good congregations there.  What to do, Frank, about the assembly of the saints in my life?  (my two very good churches in 

the So Cal area are a Catholic church with an all-Irish staff and a Protestant megachurch of Calvary Chapel).  I will just have to be raptured to find my congregation, I expect.  

Of course Doves is at our congregation, too.  Thank God for Doves.

Mariel Rowina