T
theway111
Guest
My Catholic dad married in the Catholic church over 30 years ago. Then he “divorced” his first wife, and “married” my mom in the town hall 30 years ago. My parents went to the Methodist church. My mom is Lutheran. My siblings and I were baptized and confirmed in the Methodist church. After I was confirmed at age 13, we stopped attending church every Sunday. Thankfully, I kept my morals through out my teens and early twenties. I never prayed or went to church though. Then I met my Catholic boyfriend in August 2009. He invited me to mass. I attended RCIA class that year and was welcomed into the Catholic Church Easter 2010 
Over time my parents started to attend Sunday mass with me. They go every Sunday now. When I am with them, they stay for the whole mass but if I’m not with them they leave during communion.
My dad applied for an annulment about a year ago. I don’t know if he will be granted one or not.
I know my dad believes in God, but he isn’t interested in deepening his relationship with Christ. He’s retired. I always invite him to daily mass but he’s not interested. I ask if he’d like to pray the rosary with me but he says I’m being “too pushy”
I honestly only say “Dad, would you like to pray the rosary with me? I’d love to teach and pray with you”. I guess it’s a touchy subject for him. I forgot to mention, he converted to Catholicism for his ex wife over 35 years ago. I don’t know if he did converted for the right reasons or has ever truly understood what the church stands for.
I’ve suggested meeting with our local priest who helped my dad through his annulment process but he’s not interested. I gave my dad “What Catholics Really Believe” By Scott Hahn for Christmas 2011, but he hasn’t read it yet. I ask “dad have you read the book I gave you for Christmas yet” (this is 2 months after Christmas, I have asked him once or twice since then) and he says “No, have you read my investment books? You should read these investment books”. I reply with “Dad, I’d love to, but I’m studying for my masters degree right now. If I had time, I would. Thanks anyway”. He has all the time in the world because he’s retired.
I feel like no matter what I do I can’t help my dad. Even when we watch tv I suggest watching EWTN. I don’t understand why he applied for an annulment if he isn’t interested in getting to know God and understanding the Catholic faith. Is he too set in his ways? Is he still hurt from the past? Does he only go to mass because he applied for an annulment?
I pray for my mom and dad several times a day.
My mom went to RCIA classes with me September 2011-November 2011. She went for fun and I went to refresh my memory. When I stopped going in November 2011 because of exams she stopped going as well. She honestly does not understand what the Catholic church stands for. My mom has her own views. She thinks gay marriage is ok, has trouble understanding things like the Saints, praying to/with Mary, perhaps the typical things protestants have problems with when it comes to the Catholic church. If I try to explain anything she doesn’t understand or disagrees with she gets very defensive so I stop. I honestly do it in a very respectful manner and only when she asks questions because I don’t want to be too pushy. I think I will invite her to RCIA again this year and continue to pray for her. She is not interested in reading any Catholic books for the time being.
I don’t think I can do very much for my parents other than pray for them and invite my mom to RCIA again this September. Unfortunately my dad is not interested in attending RCIA again because he says he already did it 35 years ago.
I love my parents. They are the kindest, most caring people you could ever meet. I just wish there was some way I could share my spiritual life with them and teach them that there’s more to life than eating out, tv, sports, etc, as they’re only distractions. If only they understood what life is truly about.
I’m very open to any suggestions and please keep me and my family in your prayers. I know praying and living as an example might be the only way to move forward. Thank you.
Over time my parents started to attend Sunday mass with me. They go every Sunday now. When I am with them, they stay for the whole mass but if I’m not with them they leave during communion.
My dad applied for an annulment about a year ago. I don’t know if he will be granted one or not.I know my dad believes in God, but he isn’t interested in deepening his relationship with Christ. He’s retired. I always invite him to daily mass but he’s not interested. I ask if he’d like to pray the rosary with me but he says I’m being “too pushy”
I honestly only say “Dad, would you like to pray the rosary with me? I’d love to teach and pray with you”. I guess it’s a touchy subject for him. I forgot to mention, he converted to Catholicism for his ex wife over 35 years ago. I don’t know if he did converted for the right reasons or has ever truly understood what the church stands for.I’ve suggested meeting with our local priest who helped my dad through his annulment process but he’s not interested. I gave my dad “What Catholics Really Believe” By Scott Hahn for Christmas 2011, but he hasn’t read it yet. I ask “dad have you read the book I gave you for Christmas yet” (this is 2 months after Christmas, I have asked him once or twice since then) and he says “No, have you read my investment books? You should read these investment books”. I reply with “Dad, I’d love to, but I’m studying for my masters degree right now. If I had time, I would. Thanks anyway”. He has all the time in the world because he’s retired.
I feel like no matter what I do I can’t help my dad. Even when we watch tv I suggest watching EWTN. I don’t understand why he applied for an annulment if he isn’t interested in getting to know God and understanding the Catholic faith. Is he too set in his ways? Is he still hurt from the past? Does he only go to mass because he applied for an annulment?
I pray for my mom and dad several times a day.
My mom went to RCIA classes with me September 2011-November 2011. She went for fun and I went to refresh my memory. When I stopped going in November 2011 because of exams she stopped going as well. She honestly does not understand what the Catholic church stands for. My mom has her own views.
She thinks gay marriage is ok, has trouble understanding things like the Saints, praying to/with Mary, perhaps the typical things protestants have problems with when it comes to the Catholic church. If I try to explain anything she doesn’t understand or disagrees with she gets very defensive so I stop. I honestly do it in a very respectful manner and only when she asks questions because I don’t want to be too pushy. I think I will invite her to RCIA again this year and continue to pray for her. She is not interested in reading any Catholic books for the time being.I don’t think I can do very much for my parents other than pray for them and invite my mom to RCIA again this September. Unfortunately my dad is not interested in attending RCIA again because he says he already did it 35 years ago.
I love my parents. They are the kindest, most caring people you could ever meet. I just wish there was some way I could share my spiritual life with them and teach them that there’s more to life than eating out, tv, sports, etc, as they’re only distractions. If only they understood what life is truly about.
I’m very open to any suggestions and please keep me and my family in your prayers. I know praying and living as an example might be the only way to move forward. Thank you.