Catholic Mom - Irreligious Family

[jungefrau]

Hey all, I am 38 & a convert to the Church. I came from the Mormon church several yrs ago. My husband was raised as a Catholic, went to Catholic school, etc., now wants nothing to do with the Church. My sons, 11 and 16, also want nothing to do with the Church. I have a lot of books by Pope Benedict when he was a cardinal and other well-known Catholic authors that I leave around, I go to mass and confession (although I can’t take communion because I was married out of the Church), openly pray the rosary… the whole 9 yards, in other words. I also do not eat meat on Friday.
I do not want to “push” religion on anyone since they show no interest in it and find the whole thing very boring. My husband has let me know in no uncertain terms that he is no longer Catholic and is not too happy about my conversion, esp. since I was pretty anti-religious and anti-Christian after the way my Mormon “friends” treated me when I left the church and the way my born-again sister and her husband rejected me when i would not leave the church years ago and join her denomination. Long story; you know how it goes.
is anyone else in this same boat? I daily pray to Monica, Augustine, the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit to bring my sons and husband to Jesus and His Church and I am not freaking out about that, really. I just feel lonely and sad because I am the only Catholic in the house and no one else here can see what an awesome jewel I’ve found.
Jennifer

 

[puzzleannie]

see your pastor about what can be done to convalidate your marriage, I believe there may be ways around your husband’s obstinancy. be honest and open with the priest, and tell him why you want to receive the Eucharist. If it is not possible, at least for the time being, for you to have the comfort of the sacraments, continue doing what you have been doing, and offer up the sacrifice for your family and their conversion, and for all those deprived of the Eucharist. Show your husband and children by your example the fruits of life in union with Jesus Christ. we will all be praying for you.

 

[MarilynIN]

I can’t add any more to the above advice. Just keep practicing your Faith and keep praying!

I have a similar circumstance with my daughters. Both were raised Catholic. The oldest joined a Pentocostal church years ago (her husband’s). The youngest was recently refused marriage in the Church because in our diocese, the bishop has declared that people living together have to live apart before they are married by at least 6 months and she and her then-fiance refused to do so. Neither daughter practices any religion at this point and none of my grandkids are baptized. Recently my husband and I returned to full participation in the Church. We invite the girls to go to Mass, they continue to “graciously” refuse. My youngest daughter is also vrey angry at the Church. The oldest one finally doesn’t tell us we are going to Hell anymore because we are Catholic. She has grown away from that particular Church.

Don’t give up on the Power of Prayer! It took us almost twenty plus years for the both of us to return to our Faith. God hears, but He will answer when it’s time.

 

[Katie1723]

jungefrau:

…I am the only Catholic in the house and no one else here can see what an awesome jewel I’ve found.
Jennifer

I am, where you are…don’t give up Jen!
~ Kathy ~

 

[mschoir01]

It’s puzzling, but I ran away from my faith too as a young adult. I am so grateful that the Church was happy to see me when I was drawn back. Perhaps it will work out that way for you and yours. My family is 100% cradle Catholic and out of 5 (6 including daughter’s fiance’), 2 are actively participating, 3 are C & E Catholic (Christmas & Easter) and 1 is currently dismissive of all that “Church and God stuff”. Prayer is all we have - and hope. Now we can pray for each other.