But do all Catholics have a close and growing relationship with God? Unfortunately, they don't. Let me use my wife and I as an example. We were married August 22, 1992. Because of our wedding, we have a real and certain relationship. After all, we are husband and wife. But wonder if we never spent time talking to each other, or sharing our lives with each other? We would still have a husband and wife relationship, but that relationship would not be close and growing. Our relationship will only begin to grow when we take time for each other, and share with each other our lives, hopes, dreams, sorrows, fears, joys, successes, failures, etc. It is through these things that our love for each other becomes deeper and more intimate.
It is the same with God. We can have a relationship with God, but until we take time for God, share our lives with Him, and listen to Him speak to us through His Word and His Spirit that dwells within us, that relationship will not grow and become close and intimate. If we read the personal writings of the saints that have gone before us through the centuries, we will see in them a relationship with God that is closer than any human relationship. To them God is, of course, the Almighty One. But He is also their friend, their confidant, the one who they go to first in times of sorrow, joy, and trial. They know God intimately, and they hear His voice.
So when you hear someone say that Catholics do not have a relationship with God, you can rest assured that they are incorrect. But at the same time, ask yourself if you need to grow in your relationship with God. Are you as close to God as you want to be? Do you desire to know and fall in love Him more and more each day? If you do, simply take some time and say, "Hi God. I'm here," and see what happens. He's waiting for you to share your life with Him. Don't make Him wait any longer.