A Question to Converts

[Nevermore22]

(To any moderator, please move this thread if it is in the wrong place. But I hope it is!)

I am a new member, and this is my first thread so…

To all of the converts, or those converting to the Catholic faith… how did you tell the people around you (family, spouses, children, co-workers, fellow church goers, etc.) about what you wanted to do? How did they react?

I myself have told my family and friends about my desire to convert. I am just curious on how other converts were treated by those around them. Hopefully it was in a kind, respectful manner.

Thanks!

-Never

 

[onegreenclover]

they still don’t know. Never told them!

It’s between me and God. No reason for others to know.

 

[SpaceNeedle]

they still don’t know. Never told them!

It’s between me and God. No reason for others to know.

Well, I disagree that it is between you and God…the very nature of the Catholic church is contrary to this (think Rite of Reconciliation, etc.) Plus, don’t you want to help as many people as possible get to heaven? Can’t help 'em if you don’t tell 'em.

Anyway, my father took it very poorly, my mother begrudgingly accepted it. She came to my baptism, he did not. Holidays are great times to lightly bring up your conversion.

 

[sophie_rz]

This is a very good question for converts. As to me, I haven’t told my family that I already received the initial sacraments. I just implied before that I was interested in becoming a Christian. I know it would be very difficult for my family to accept and understand my decision, because they are not religious at all. To them, Catholicism or Christianity are exotic, and they are afraid that I will lose my Chinese identity if I become a Catholic. To me, the opposite is true. Catholicism is a universal religion, and I love my motherland and my family more intensely when I become a Catholic. In the future, I will tell my family my conversion candidly and now I’m just praying that Holy Spirit may give me enough guidance.

 

[onegreenclover]

Well, I disagree that it is between you and God…the very nature of the Catholic church is contrary to this (think Rite of Reconciliation, etc.) Plus, don’t you want to help as many people as possible get to heaven? Can’t help 'em if you don’t tell 'em.

Eh, I guess that’s a difference in opinion. I do see your point in the church being public, though.

Being a convert I think I may have a different outlook on evangelization itself. I don’t see it as that… hmm… how do I put it? exhuberant? something along those lines… like some do to be telling people all about it. An image of a paper boy yelling out comes to mind. Then again, that’s probably due to how I was raised as well.

 

[Pamm]

I was raised Presbyterian, but our family was not actively involved in the Church. During my teen years, I felt a tremendous draw to the Catholic Church. I was never sure why but I acted on it and when I turned 19 years old, I converted and joined the Church. I was drawn to the tradition and firmly believed then and now that it is the one true and original Church created by Jesus and the apostles. When I decided to convert, I told my parents and siblings and they accepted this and supported me in the change. Later, I married a Catholic and have raised my children Catholic, both of whom attended Catholic schools their entire lives. My family has always attended the religious ceremonies and events I have invited them to for me and my children. Perhaps the only odd response came from my grandmother – who belonged to a non-denominational church in Eastern Iowa similar to the Amish. She would ask me everytime I visited her if I was “still Catholic?” I would say yes and she would not respond. I knew that it troubled her but she never criticized my decision and once said to me that she admired my commitment to the Faith.

 

[PJM]

=Nevermore22;6506092](To any moderator, please move this thread if it is in the wrong place. But I hope it is!)

I am a new member, and this is my first thread so…

To all of the converts, or those converting to the Catholic faith… how did you tell the people around you (family, spouses, children, co-workers, fellow church goers, etc.) about what you wanted to do? How did they react?

I myself have told my family and friends about my desire to convert. I am just curious on how other converts were treated by those around them. Hopefully it was in a kind, respectful manner.

Thanks!

-Never

Welcome Home:thumbsup:

Welcome o CAF!

 

[Nevermore22]

To all who replied:
Thank you, your posts have been helpful. I pray that you will stay on your path that leads to the Lord.

Welcome Home:thumbsup:

Welcome o CAF!

Thank you so much! It is good to be home!

 

[kage_ar]

A process, just like conversion.

Share what you are reading with them. Share your questions with them. Always thank them for the foundation of Faith they gave you.

 

[liznicks]

Nevermore22 - this is my first post too. I have been taking the RCIA and was baptized a week ago! I told my family members who are all non-church goers and from what I know, mostly agnostic or atheist. Everyone was supportive as they understood it was my decision for me. The interesting thing is my parents ended up attending the baptism and were quite moved by the Easter Vigil (their first mass ever) and even went so far as to buy a Bible and plan to attend another mass with me. So perhaps little seeds were planted.

I have friends who mock religion and church and Catholics - visciously - I 've not brought up the subject with these people.

 

[Student09]

My family was very upset at first. They have slowly begun to accept it and I have received support from unexpected quarters, but there is still a fair amount of awkwardness and pain.

 

[tinalewis]

Hi and welcome home!

I think this question and the various answers you’ll receive depend to a huge extent to how old you are and then also how dependent you are on others’ opinions. Youth doesn’t mean that you are heavily invested in others’ opinions and chronological maturity doesn’t mean you aren’t.

I’m a middle aged married woman and not invested in other’s opinions except my husband’s, of course. Yet my husband (who entered the church last year) is in his 60’s and much more sensitive to his family’s opinions about his faith.

My father and his family were all Catholic and my elderly mother associated being Catholic with my father. May parents had a bitter divorce 40 years ago. I wanted my mother to know that I had found joy in the Catholic church so I decided to tell her. What I expected was a reprise of unpleasant ‘divorce’ feelings in her, but she was fine with the news.

What if my mother had been upset at the news that I’m now Catholic? Well, not much. We live in different states and at this age, she’s more interested in whether I"m able to care for her when she’s sick than in how I worship. It isn’t as if she’s looking for something to pick at me about. Now, when I was 12 years old and expressed my desire to become Catholic, that was a whole other situation. But, again, age has a lot to do with it.

When all is said and done, if you enjoy your life as a Catholic it will show in your smile, in your attitude, and in how you spend your time. That will not fail to make an impression on others. Friends and family who are negative about your decision are only making themselves miserable. They can’t touch your prayers and your meditation. Only God can be with you 24/7. So make sure your relationship with Him is your most important one.

 

[jet100]

I am a recent convert to Catholic. I was raised in a strict protestant home in the south in a tiny little small town. I haven’t told anybody my desire to become a catholic woman and discerning to be a catholic sister. I’m scared to death to tell my family and friends.
I’m afraid of the rejection and judgement by others. I feel called home to the church. I hope to join the church by christmas or next easter. It’s in God’s hands now. He can mold me into whatever he wants me to. It’s not on my time It’s on God’s time now!!!
God bless!

 

[crazzeto]

I am a recent convert to Catholic. I was raised in a strict protestant home in the south in a tiny little small town. I haven’t told anybody my desire to become a catholic woman and discerning to be a catholic sister. I’m scared to death to tell my family and friends.
I’m afraid of the rejection and judgement by others. I feel called home to the church. I hope to join the church by christmas or next easter. It’s in God’s hands now. He can mold me into whatever he wants me to. It’s not on my time It’s on God’s time now!!!
God bless!

You should tell them, and be prepared to explain why you did what you did. It’s sad, but Christ (obviously) was quite true when he said he came to divide Father against Son, Mother against Daughter etc…

 

[T_Hope]

(To any moderator, please move this thread if it is in the wrong place. But I hope it is!)

I am a new member, and this is my first thread so…

To all of the converts, or those converting to the Catholic faith… how did you tell the people around you (family, spouses, children, co-workers, fellow church goers, etc.) about what you wanted to do? How did they react?

I myself have told my family and friends about my desire to convert. I am just curious on how other converts were treated by those around them. Hopefully it was in a kind, respectful manner.

Thanks!

-Never

Hi Never,

Welcome Home!!!

Like you, I am converting to the Catholic faith. And what you are asking is difficult.

As an Easter present, I told my sister who herself is a sort of pentecostal christian. I knew she’d be very happy mostly because I am leaving the mormon church. From her perspective, I am finally joining a Christian church and so she is smiling.

I haven’t figured out how to tell previous fellow church-goers and co-workers, most of whom are also members of the mormon church. I expect they will “blame” it on this thing or that person in my life. Many of them really don’t need to know, but neither is it a secret. I WANT to tell them! I really want to bring them with me!! It’s just that if they start asking me questions about the Catholic faith, I don’t have enough information to answer them.

When I told one mormon friend at the office, she responded with the expected and basic mormon missionary inquiry “have you been reading the book of mormon? Have you been praying about it?” I wanted to tell her she was preaching to the choir and the music was much more beautiful at the cathedral … yes, I’ve read the book of mormon several times over the past many years and yes I’ve prayed about it and it is NOT scripture. They don’t like that answer. You should have seen her jaw drop. She and others will undoubtedly try to “save me.”

I think that I have to simply speak the truth to these people. When the time is right, I will tell them from my heart. What you and I have found is worth their attention. But in my case, I stand to lose more than a few friends. I don’t expect it to be easy.

Hope

 

[mo2169]

Welcome to the Catholic Church!

As you may have already read in Bible, our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ did some wonderful things for us. Including giving his life for our sins.

Think about that for a minute.

He gave you his life - That’s quite a bit more than a reputation, or a feeling of disappointment from parents or friends.

The main thing is that you did the right thing. And we all applaud you for that.
Whether you have or not told those around you, you have taken a very important step.

(if not already) Once you start getting more and more interested and into the Bible readings you will see the difference between Earthly things and Heavenly things.
Basically, let God be your judge, not man.

Life becomes so much easier to deal with when we are no longer trying to please man but only God.

Here are a couple of my favorite verses from Isaiah:

Isa 2:22 Have no more to do with man, whose life is only a breath, for he is of no value.
**Isa 5:21 Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge! **

Let Jesus be your guide, for He is perfect.
Again - Congratulations.

 

[SHoJ]

I didn’t tell anyone until after I converted.

My family didn’t attend church when I was a kid, and my parents and brother still don’t. When I was little, I asked to go to Mass. My parents offered to drive me to church and pick me up afterwards, but told me I would miss Sunday morning breakfast (waffles and bacon). I was baptized and confirmed while I was away at boot camp, so they weren’t involved in my decision. After I returned home, my parents noticed that I was skipping Sunday morning breakfast. We’ve talked and they accept it. I’ve asked them to with me, but they refuse (that’s fine). They did go with my husband and me to his parents’ parish for a Christmas concert, though. That’s a step in the right direction.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

My family argued with me when I started expressing interest in Catholic doctrines, and they tried to shoot down the Catholic teachings. I was able to refute them in arguments but they weren’t convinced. There was a lot of pain in our relationships and some very bad things were said. It was an extremely lonely time for me, but God supported me through it and helped me to enter the light and rejoicing of the Catholic faith. This Church is the heartbeat of His love. The treasure of this spiritual reward is more than worth any suffering.

 

[Nevermore22]

Thanks again for all of the wonderful replies! Your stories have touched my heart.

For those who may be wondering, I am a teenager. My family and friends do support my decision. My mother has been taking me to mass and has even decided to come with me to a few RCIA sessions (who knows, there might be TWO new converts at my parish/family!). She has come a long way from when I first mentioned my desire to be Catholic.

Basically, let God be your judge, not man.

Life becomes so much easier to deal with when we are no longer trying to please man but only God.

Here are a couple of my favorite verses from Isaiah:

Isa 2:22 Have no more to do with man, whose life is only a breath, for he is of no value.
Isa 5:21 Cursed are those who seem wise to themselves, and who take pride in their knowledge!

Let Jesus be your guide, for He is perfect.

Thank you, mo2169. I love the verses that you gave me.

 

[jem0715]

My husband and son are completely supportive of me even though they are not religious and have no plans to attend church with me. They were at Easter Vigil with me and we all talk about my faith as a family. I am proud to be able to share the joy that the church brings to me.

My parents were supportive, as well. Both of them came to Easter Vigil. I still don’t think they understand why I wanted to become Catholic, but they seem completely fine with it. I don’t talk about it much with my them, honestly.

And my friends have been wonderful. They ask questions, they seem genuinely interested in what I’ve learned and how I feel.

I was nervous about telling people in the beginning. I’m 35 and I just started going to church - I thought people would be wondering “Why is she doing this now? I don’t get it!”

But as time went on I realized that it didn’t matter to me what anyone thought because I was so happy and I love the Lord so much; there was no turning back at that point!

God Bless