Catholics in Protestant Families

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Are there any Catholics out there who are alone in a Protestant family?

I am.

My father is essentially unchurched and hostile to organized religion in general. There are Masons and Mormons on his side of the family. My mother was a Baptist but converted to Lutheranism. I have two sisters that are nominal Lutherans. Another sister is a former Southern Baptist and is now a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She is the most " testy" when it comes to Catholicism.

I would like feedback and maybe some moral support from others in a similar situation.

Paul:eek:
 
no, but i am a Catholic living in a protestant state! 😛

i am trying to move, but until then i can honestly say i have NEVER felt so alone. growing up i was taught that protestants worship Jesus just like we do, but have different ways of expressing it. that was the end of it for me. live and let live.

but when i moved to the so called “bible belt” …well let’s just say i have NEVER heard so much anti-Catholic garbage in my life! was truly an eye opener. but the silver lining is that i have been learning more and more about Catholicism so really, i should thank them. i do want to add that most protestants have been really kind, but the fundamentalists sometimes make me lose my temper. i have been working on that, and would love it if you said a lil prayer to help me be more charitable when i get bombarded with such nonsense. i know they are good people though and that they do believe they are doing God’s will.

i thank God for the gift of this message board. the conversations here are truly fascinating! but again, please say a prayer for me that i don’t lose my temper one day and get banned! :o

paul, i will say a prayer for you too.

-jen
 
" no, but i am a Catholic living in a protestant state!"

God Bless You! You are in my prayers! Stay close to the Sacraments. I’m a Catholic living in a Protestant family in a neo-pagan neighborhood in a Mormon state. The Sacraments " keep me going" . We are all called to be missionaries whether we want the calling or not. But, sometimes I think that I would be happier and safer as a lone missionary in headhunter country in New Guinea!

Paul
 
My family is Catholic but my brother and sister are Protestants. Few times, my sister and I tried to discuss our faith, but then as we discussed the differences, it was difficult for us to communicate; therefore, we decide not to talk about it. I thought I respected my sister and we only talk about faith where we have in common.

What I now focus on is to live as a very good Catholic and let my sister see that in me. For me, this will do far better than what I try to discuss with her verbally. I do the same with my brother.

More importantly, I pray for them , if nof all, almost every daily mass that I attend after receiving the Holy Communion.
 
PHX_Paul said:
Are there any Catholics out there who are alone in a Protestant family?

I am.

My father is essentially unchurched and hostile to organized religion in general. There are Masons and Mormons on his side of the family. My mother was a Baptist but converted to Lutheranism. I have two sisters that are nominal Lutherans. Another sister is a former Southern Baptist and is now a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She is the most " testy" when it comes to Catholicism.

I would like feedback and maybe some moral support from others in a similar situation.

Paul:eek:
Click to expand...
I am (currently) the only Catholic in my family. My dad’s family is Southern Baptist, and my mom’s family is Presbyterian. I say currently because my mom goes to Mass with me when I visit at Christmas, and I have a cousin who is, theologically speaking, already Catholic, she just hasn’t converted. I hold out hope for both of them. I was honestly surprised at the lack of pushback I got when I decided to convert. Honestly, I think my mom was just relieved that I was attending church again. Growing up, we always went to the Methodist churches, but living the faith wasn’t really something that was encouraged at home. That’s not to say it was discouraged, it just wasn’t discussed the other six days of the week.

More to the point of your question, I think there are two primary things that can help. The first is attending Mass as often as possible (daily if you can). This will help you to grow closer to Christ through the Eucharist. It also helps with point #2, which is: Live the faith. I think just doing these two things will help to show those that may be somewhat “testy” the true beauty of the faith, without direct confrontation (which can be difficult in family situations). Hope this helps.

-CK
 
PHX_Paul said:
" no, but i am a Catholic living in a protestant state!"

I’m a Catholic living in a Protestant family in a neo-pagan neighborhood in a Mormon state. The Sacraments " keep me going" . We are all called to be missionaries whether we want the calling or not. But, sometimes I think that I would be happier and safer as a lone missionary in headhunter country in New Guinea!

Paul
Click to expand...
:rotfl: ha!

oh yes, i have even met some druids! i can’t count how many new age and neo pagan people i’ve met as well. i lost my temper about a month ago when some …pagan satanist told me i was unenlightened and that i was ignorant for not knowing that Jews, Christians and Muslims are ALL pagan religions. her college professor “told” her so and since then she has had to sit down all the “naive silly lil Christians to educate them.” and mind you this woman is a nurse in her forties! i think her father was a southern baptist preacher so there might be some deep rooted rebellion going on, but regardless, i stay away from her as she does practice black magic.

anyways, i know that was off topic, but i wanted to share.

thanks for the prayers! and yes, communion truly does help us out on every level.

i better get off this board now and do some work!

God bless!
 
I’m the only Catholic in my immediate family in the Bible belt. My father was raised Catholic, but became influenced by the Branch Davidians, then Methodist and very influenced by the teachings of John MacArthur. My mom was raised Methodist, became Branch Davidian, then Methodist again. I continuously pray for their conversion everyday.

I bought my father a St. Francis of Assisi icon for father’s day and had it blessed. I hope and pray St. Francis will help bring my father back. I plan on painting an icon of St. Patrick for my mom, since she loves anything Irish. It’s ironic that the people closest to you will reject the truth. I’ve heard from many people that their families always reject them outright when they enter the Holy Catholic Church.

Alaha minokhoun,
Andrew
 
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****Wow! Great website! Thank you! God Bless You!
 
Hi,
I am in the same position as you are,when I was 29 I became a Catholic,it caused uproar in my family,especially upset was my Dad,why I do not know as neither he or any of my family attended church.They were nominal Church of England and only went for weddings,funerals and christenings.I got a call from God and I answered,It has not been easy at times,but I stuck with it and I have not regretted it for one minute!.My marriage brought me into a large Irish Catholic family who welcomed me with open arms,I can honestly say I am very happy and privileged to be a Catholic.
Code: 
     Keep the Faith, God Bless,
                                                Mick (UK)

                                                    (Please pray for England)
 
english_guy said:
Hi,
I am in the same position as you are,when I was 29 I became a Catholic,it caused uproar in my family,especially upset was my Dad,why I do not know as neither he or any of my family attended church.They were nominal Church of England and only went for weddings,funerals and christenings.I got a call from God and I answered,It has not been easy at times,but I stuck with it and I have not regretted it for one minute!.My marriage brought me into a large Irish Catholic family who welcomed me with open arms,I can honestly say I am very happy and privileged to be a Catholic.
Code: 
     Keep the Faith, God Bless,
                                                Mick (UK)

                                                    (Please pray for England)
Click to expand...
Similar story for me, except I’m only sixteen, so I still have to live with them 😛

Saint George, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, pray for us,
Saint John Fisher, pray for us.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

🙂
 
Harpazo said:
I plan on painting an icon of St. Patrick for my mom, since she loves anything Irish.
Click to expand...
Hey, that’s a great idea. I might try something similar for my mother. She’s Irish-American (from Boston) and appreciates everything “Celtic” but has become some kind of New Age-er.

Sometimes I feel like the Alex Keaton of my secularized family.
 
PHX_Paul said:
Are there any Catholics out there who are alone in a Protestant family?
Click to expand...
Yes, I am the first (and so far, the only) Catholic in my family since 1560.

It’s difficult and lonely. They all think I’m nuts.

But it’s also very freeing. I can sit wherever I want at Mass, because I don’t have a “family pew.” I can stay after Mass and socialize for as long as I want to, without worrying about other family members not getting home in time for their TV shows and/or other activities. 🙂
 
John_Augustine said:
Similar story for me, except I’m only sixteen, so I still have to live with them 😛

Saint George, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, pray for us,
Saint John Fisher, pray for us.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

🙂
Click to expand...
God bless you! I am still living with my family and attending the local community college for two years (I’m 19). For the most part we get along, but they don’t quite understand my desire to simplify my life. I want to get rid of my bed and sell my videogames, etc. and fill my room with icons, candles, prayerbooks and incense. It also doesn’t help that I have a vocation to the priesthood and I’m the only male in our immediate family.

What is ironic, is that my father felt he had a vocation to the priesthood when he was young, but became Protestant. Maybe this is God’s way of getting one of the family in His priesthood. 😃

If you ever want to talk about things about your family, feel free to send me a PM anytime. We can help support each other.

Alaha minokhoun,
Andrew
 
Harpazo said:
What is ironic, is that my father felt he had a vocation to the priesthood when he was young, but became Protestant. Maybe this is God’s way of getting one of the family in His priesthood. 😃
Alaha minokhoun,
Andrew
Click to expand...
May God bless you in your vocation.

-CK
 
PHX_Paul said:
Are there any Catholics out there who are alone in a Protestant family?

I am.

My father is essentially unchurched and hostile to organized religion in general. There are Masons and Mormons on his side of the family. My mother was a Baptist but converted to Lutheranism. I have two sisters that are nominal Lutherans. Another sister is a former Southern Baptist and is now a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She is the most " testy" when it comes to Catholicism.

I would like feedback and maybe some moral support from others in a similar situation.

Paul:eek:
Click to expand...
I am the only Catholic in my family. I was raised Baptist and pretty much all of them belong to the Masonic lodge. I get off-color remarks sometimes, but it’s usually followed-up with, “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that in front of you!” I try to take it all lightly. I also remind myself that if I am blessed with a family one day, they will all be Catholic.
 
Oh, as a PP mentioned, daily Mass is a great thing for so many reasons. I go to Mass daily. It’s a fantastic way of keeping the faith while those around me are downers.
 
I raised my family as protestants, although not rabidly and certainly not anti-Catholic. I converted to the Catholic Church when I was 58 years old and so far I am alone in my decision. My wife goes to another “denom” and I go to Mass alone but not lonesome. I would no more go back to my old beliefs than I would move to Saudi Arabia. I will defend my decision to any in the family who want to bring up the subject but most rarely do and I mostly leave it alone. I made my mind up after a lot of reading and searching so I don’t expect that my feeble apologetics will convert anyone else.🙂
 
No, I’m sorry that I can’t really relate, but I am Catholic and it must be tough being the only Catholic in your family…stay strong. I will pray that God gives you the strength to keep on keeping on with Catholicism. I will also pray for your family!

God Bless

Cantaloupe
 
jen_fla said:
no, but i am a Catholic living in a protestant state! 😛

i am trying to move, but until then i can honestly say i have NEVER felt so alone. growing up i was taught that protestants worship Jesus just like we do, but have different ways of expressing it. that was the end of it for me. live and let live.

but when i moved to the so called “bible belt” …well let’s just say i have NEVER heard so much anti-Catholic garbage in my life! was truly an eye opener. but the silver lining is that i have been learning more and more about Catholicism so really, i should thank them. i do want to add that most protestants have been really kind, but the fundamentalists sometimes make me lose my temper. i have been working on that, and would love it if you said a lil prayer to help me be more charitable when i get bombarded with such nonsense. i know they are good people though and that they do believe they are doing God’s will.

i thank God for the gift of this message board. the conversations here are truly fascinating! but again, please say a prayer for me that i don’t lose my temper one day and get banned! :o

paul, i will say a prayer for you too.

-jen
Click to expand...
Rejoice! rejoice!
just imagine how did 12 men facing nations of umbelievers and paganism 2000 years ago.

pray for your persistence and love for Christ’s Church.
 
PHX_Paul said:
Are there any Catholics out there who are alone in a Protestant family?

I am.

My father is essentially unchurched and hostile to organized religion in general. There are Masons and Mormons on his side of the family. My mother was a Baptist but converted to Lutheranism. I have two sisters that are nominal Lutherans. Another sister is a former Southern Baptist and is now a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She is the most " testy" when it comes to Catholicism.

I would like feedback and maybe some moral support from others in a similar situation.

Paul:eek:
Click to expand...
Do like St Paul did. fight the good fight until the end. your reward awaits you.

praying that our Lord keep you safe in your true faith. Amen
 
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