Being drawn to join the Catholic church

[Slime13]

There is a stirring inside of me to join the Catholic Church. I’ve been attending mass regularly and I can’t get enough. The peace of mass draws me to worship Jesus and it is wonderful. I so much want to partake in communion & confession.

My wife is fine with me going to mass but has told me she doesn’t want me to convert. How would we raise our kids if I was Catholic and she wasn’t? My extended family is another issue. They would not understand and would react very poorly. Finally, because I have a unique profession related to a Protestant church, I fear my job (and what I believe to be my mission) could be in jeopardy.

I just don’t see a way. Your prayers and any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Tablefor9]

Marcus Grodi’s Coming Home Network (chnetwork.org) is where you need to look next. This is an apostolate for people in exactly your position. They have helped many who are pastors or have their life’s work (and living) tied to Protestant communities.

Also, books by Scott Hahn (Rome Sweet Home) and Steve Ray’s catholicconvert.com and book Crossing the Tiber will help you, and your wife if she will read them. If not, there are CDs of conversion stories around (try lighthouse media) that she could listen to that might help her understand your position. The book *When only one converts * Amazon link here: amazon.com/When-Only-Converts-Lynn-Nordhagen/dp/0879733152 gives real life stories of people who faced spousal and family opposition.

Also, know you aren’t alone in this! Many, many of us are either converts or reverts who are living this now. The keys are love, mutual respect, open communication, prayer. Our Lord always provides a way to walk where He calls us.

In your family, marriage, and raising children, remember that you still have Christ in common. Celebrate that, and continue to do what you can in common: ex. Pray together, family devotions, pro-life work. For family unity, attend services with her and the children after Mass, or go to Saturday vigil or Sunday evening Mass.

Have conversations with her about what is drawing you to the Church. Be as honest and open as possible, but keep criticism of whatever church she goes to out of it. It is common for our spouses to feel like we are rejecting them personally, or denigrating what they believe about our Lord, when we talk about conversion.

Remember that as a Catholic, you are only obligated to do the best you can to give your children a good Catholic upbringing. There is probably common ground that will make this easier. I think each family has to work this one out in light of their own circumstances. Some families end up converting together. Some, like mine, are converting one by one, still others prayerfully wait decades before their families come home. You won’t know til you’re in the trenches.

Obedience to our Lord is not always easy, but it is mandatory. I consider the difficulties in our family to be a tiny glimmer of the pain of Christ over the separation caused by schism and the breaks of the reformation. I try to offer the suffering up for reparation and for the reunion of all Christians.

BTW–blessings to you on your journey, and may you find your way home soon.

 

[Kindness]

Beautiful answer Tablefor9.

 

[Catholic1954]

The Holy Spirit is calling you into the Catholic Church. Trust in Him and all will be well (plus get in touch with the Coming Home Network). You also might want to think about making an appointment with a priest for a chat. Bring your questions, cares and concerns and the priest will be an excellent resource for your transition. P. S. Don’t worry about your wife, once she sees the positive changes in your life, she will want in on it, but might take a while though, so be patient.

 

[tawny]

Marcus Grodi’s Coming Home Network (chnetwork.org) is where you need to look next. This is an apostolate for people in exactly your position. They have helped many who are pastors or have their life’s work (and living) tied to Protestant communities.

Also, books by Scott Hahn (Rome Sweet Home) and Steve Ray’s catholicconvert.com and book Crossing the Tiber will help you, and your wife if she will read them. If not, there are CDs of conversion stories around (try lighthouse media) that she could listen to that might help her understand your position. The book *When only one converts * Amazon link here: amazon.com/When-Only-Converts-Lynn-Nordhagen/dp/0879733152 gives real life stories of people who faced spousal and family opposition.

Also, know you aren’t alone in this! Many, many of us are either converts or reverts who are living this now. The keys are love, mutual respect, open communication, prayer. Our Lord always provides a way to walk where He calls us.

In your family, marriage, and raising children, remember that you still have Christ in common. Celebrate that, and continue to do what you can in common: ex. Pray together, family devotions, pro-life work. For family unity, attend services with her and the children after Mass, or go to Saturday vigil or Sunday evening Mass.

Have conversations with her about what is drawing you to the Church. Be as honest and open as possible, but keep criticism of whatever church she goes to out of it. It is common for our spouses to feel like we are rejecting them personally, or denigrating what they believe about our Lord, when we talk about conversion.

Remember that as a Catholic, you are only obligated to do the best you can to give your children a good Catholic upbringing. There is probably common ground that will make this easier. I think each family has to work this one out in light of their own circumstances. Some families end up converting together. Some, like mine, are converting one by one, still others prayerfully wait decades before their families come home. You won’t know til you’re in the trenches.

Obedience to our Lord is not always easy, but it is mandatory. I consider the difficulties in our family to be a tiny glimmer of the pain of Christ over the separation caused by schism and the breaks of the reformation. I try to offer the suffering up for reparation and for the reunion of all Christians.

BTW–blessings to you on your journey, and may you find your way home soon.

Nicely stated.

 

[Slime13]

So kind. Thanks for the words, info, and encouragement.

 

[StarSpear]

I can relate to your fears for your job. I’m interested in Catholicism as well and I have been a glytha for my community, a writer, and a speaker at various conventions for about 10 years at this point, so the stakes are not small for me either. It’s really tough to think about leaving what you’re comfortable with, I know. My husband is also pagan, so I’m not sure how he will react. But, the impression I get from everything I’ve read on Christianity is that it’s not supposed to be easy. Jesus expected people to give up everything. Maybe what you’re wanting to walk towards is even better than what you could be walking away from.

I don’t really have advice for you, I just wanted you to know you’re not alone in that kind of concern and I hope you find peace in whatever you end up choosing.

 

[Dirk_Skene]

Hi Slime 13,

Love the moniker

I began my trip across the Tiber 40 years ago. It was NOT easy. O’ the Church was welcoming enough. I got resistance from everywhere else. I will make a statement then offer for you to look the facts yourself.

The Holy Catholic Church is the One True Church of Jesus Christ. All others who call themselves Christian cannot in truth make this claim. Most of them use bad Bible versions, do not have all the sacraments & twist what Bible they do have.

Everyone should be Catholic. If you ever wish to contact me privately just do it. I’ll even give you my Skype address.

God bless & good luck.