Can some give me Convert Family Member 101

[dbranch]

I am a 22 year old recent male convert. I converted because of a occult like experience with demons (don’t ask, long story).

My sister is pretty liberal, is vegan, “spiritual”, likes to use apps like Headspace. “Respects all beliefs” type. Pretty worldly too, I don’t think the Last Things come to her mind, so to speak, and she sleeps with her boyfriend, and has lived with two of them. Not trying to judge just to display she doesn’t believe in traditional moral values. She does have a moral way of being though. She is 25. I love her a lot. She is very outgoing and social unlike me.

I dont know how to defend the faith. I’m pretty shy about it within my family bc my Dad is anti Catholic. I’m not even going to try to convert my parents. They are 60 year old Christian Scientists and do not care for searching for truth outside of their childhood religion.

I paid for a Mass to be offered for their conversion in 2020.

If I make any explicit effort to convert my sister I’ll be seen as zealous and forceful.

I have started praying one Divine Mercy Chaplet for my family per day.

They have to want the truth, right? What if they don’t care about it?

 

[Lou2U]

My advice as a person who isn’t religious and never has been - be a good example. Invite her to Mass if you want to, talk to her about what excites you/motivates you about your faith. Let her ask questions if she wants to. Don’t push anything down her throat. Just be an example.

 

[Ammi]

Defend the faith when you are being persecuted. If they are not Christian’s (especially Catholic Christians) then they are outside the body. You can only compel them if they admire the Spirit working through you.

Dont assume the Spirit is working through you because you were Baptized and receive Communion. That may mean He is working on us, but not necessarily that we are letting Him work through us.

 

[TheLittleLady]

The good thing is that Scripture tells you what to do:

“Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”

Your job is to be salt of the earth, to do good works, to love people in a radical way, to have so much joy that people want to know “what is your secret”.

We were never told to go and debate with our family or friends.

Love your sister. Be light.

If your sister wants to debate, send her to this website.

 

[Retsel]

bc my Dad is anti Catholic.

Anger, criticism, put-downs etc., come from despair and insecurity. Like atheists, they sort of know they have nothing to look forward to.

Be ready, and wait for the cracks in their facade.

Watch EWTN everyday. It will help you to be ready.

 

[Norseman82]

If you are a new convert, you may need to “cool” contact until you are more knowledgeable on apologetics. Please note I said “cool” contact instead of “cut off” (unless it turns in to really bad harassment), since the latter could lead to them saying you joined a cult.

they are outside the body

I’m sorry, but every time I see reference to being “in” or “out” of the body, I think of this:

 

[Ammi]

It’s a Christian expression. The body of Christ.

I’m referring to the community of Christian’s. Those who claim Christ. Believe, Baptized.

Such as referred to by St Paul in 1 Corinthians 5

We dont need to be slick apologists, but have a sense of who we are defending against, or trying to give account of our faith.

 

[Norseman82]

It’s a Christian expression. The body of Christ.

I’m referring to the community of Christian’s. Those who claim Christ. Believe, Baptized.

Such as referred to by St Paul in 1 Corinthians 5

We dont need to be slick apologists, but have a sense of who we are defending against, or trying to give account of our faith.

The video was meant as a “humor break”.

We don’t have to be slick, and yes, hearing his family’s objections will definitely give an idea of what he is up against, but if he has to face too much, he could get “swamped”.

 

[Ammi]

I actually was trying to suggest he doesnt try to open and initiate matters, but only defend the faith when others are infringing on his religious convictions.

 

[Convert3]

One method is find a charitable cause like a soup kit, food bank, cook a meal for shut ins or for a shelter. Invite your family to participate in helping those in need. Let them see the good you and the church can do.

 

[Chistian-ity]

Hi, I’m a teen that just recently became Catholic. I’m afraid I lack the knowledge to answer this question well, but I can share some words that my Grandpa shared with me in regards to what to do about my someone that I know that is atheist. My Grandpa is a great Lutheran Christian and basically the only reason I was able to become Catholic, because he convinced my dad it wasn’t an awful, damning decision. He said, "Just tell them how much God loves them and wants them. Then have faith that he will nurture those seeds. Also, the worst thing you can do is debate with them. Never do that.

Additionally, I was wondering if anybody else knows what I can do for my parents who are kind of lukewarm, and really set in their ways. I fear they are going down the wide path, but don’t want to disrespect or judge them. I’m in a pickle and don’t have enough virtue to handle it!