Did anyone here actually tell their Family while living at home?

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AmISearching

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About deciding to convert to Catholicism?

I thought I had peace about waiting until I left home in January, but all of a sudden I feel like if I don’t tell them I’m going to burst!

I know there are probably a lot on here who have told spouses, but what about telling parents?
 
Would there be a big blow out about your conversion? Would it cause a big problem for you? I would hate to have you in a situation of being abused or in any kind of danger…

BTW - I love reading your Blog!
 
Thank you! No I have full faith that nothing really bad will happen… I just hate to “disappoint” my parents (its the reason they don’t know I drink either!) I know its partially just me being a wimp, I’ll admit it… But there does seem to be some reasoning for avoiding such confrontation when we cannot get away from it…

My father grew up Catholic, but his family was not too serious about it, and he has some major misconceptions about what the Church actually teaches… My mother on the other hand grew up in a church in the holiness tradition - about as far removed from the Catholic Church as you can get as far as the style of worship…

Neither has ever really expoused any Anti-Catholic feelings, even my father when he talks about what convinced him at the age of 8 that the Catholic Church must be wrong in his opinion (it was being taught that only Catholics go to heaven, when his next door neighbor was Methodist and much more devout than him or his family)

So no - theres no real danger in me telling them - just the possibility of a good long period of uncomfortable upsetting discussions, and probably a lot of crying on my part…
 
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LSK:
BTW - I love reading your Blog!
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Meant to add THANK YOU! = 😃
 
I have an idea - see what you think…

Could you, quietly, one at a time - maybe starting with your Dad…initiate a conversation with him about what you have started to discover about the Holy Mother Church. Just a touch at a time. Let him know that you have been reading up on it, so to speak, and gradually, over time, let him know that you feel you are being drawn to it…feel him out…you know, honey bun (if I may call you honey bun) you may have a chance to bring a lost soul back home here.

OMIGAWD wouldn’t that be AWESOME???

I would also seriously consider contacting Rosalind Moss about this and asking for some guidance…she is so gentle and so kind…she might have some FABULOUS ideas as to how to gently initiate the conversation…unlike me who sometimes gets way too enthusiastic (HEY DADDY! GUESS WHAT!!!), you know what I mean?

You can probably email her through the Catholic Answers Forum or through the radio site…
 
My father is a fallen away Catholic and my mother grew up “Methodist” but not really practicing. I chose to go back to my Catholic Roots from my Pa’s side.

My family is very close and there was no way I could not tell them. I was honest about my feelings and the decision I had made to convert. They were so happy for me and supported me the whole way. They came to my Easter Vigil Confirmation and 1st Communion and also come to Mass every now and then with me and my hubby (he converted with me, by his own choice 😛 ).

I actually think I am close to getting my Dad to go back and my Mom to possibly convert. (Note–I said “I”, but I truly acknowledge it is not really me, but the Lord at work here. Every thing is done through HIM for HIM) It would not be crazy either to state that my sisters are also considering Catholicism. I just try to lead by example and pray that they will all come Home.

Like LSK said, you have a chance to show them the Truth. Unless there will be much pain or discomfort or family feuding, I would not be afraid to tell your family now. They love you and will always want what is best for you. Obviously you are proud of your faith and decision to convert - so do not fear expressing who you are - because you are Catholic!! Tell it to the world … . . Woo-hoo!!

Oh boy, sorry about that. I guess I got wound up and carried away. :o 😃
 
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crobynb:
My father is a fallen away Catholic and my mother grew up “Methodist” but not really practicing. I chose to go back to my Catholic Roots from my Pa’s side.

My family is very close and there was no way I could not tell them. I was honest about my feelings and the decision I had made to convert. They were so happy for me and supported me the whole way. They came to my Easter Vigil Confirmation and 1st Communion and also come to Mass every now and then with me and my hubby (he converted with me, by his own choice 😛 ).

I actually think I am close to getting my Dad to go back and my Mom to possibly convert. (Note–I said “I”, but I truly acknowledge it is not really me, but the Lord at work here. Every thing is done through HIM for HIM) It would not be crazy either to state that my sisters are also considering Catholicism. I just try to lead by example and pray that they will all come Home.

Like LSK said, you have a chance to show them the Truth. Unless there will be much pain or discomfort or family feuding, I would not be afraid to tell your family now. They love you and will always want what is best for you. Obviously you are proud of your faith and decision to convert - so do not fear expressing who you are - because you are Catholic!! Tell it to the world … . . Woo-hoo!!

Oh boy, sorry about that. I guess I got wound up and carried away. :o 😃
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did not…because you agreed with me so of course I think you are brilliant…😉
 
did not…because you agreed with me so of course I think you are brilliant…

birds of a feather . . . :whistle: :yup:
 
My best friend told her parents she was converting while she still lived at home and although there was a lot of tearful conversations and awkwardness I think that it was the right decision in her situation. Her parents had the opportunity of witnessing on a daily basis what the decision meant for her practically. She was praying more, she was more responsible, she was more respectful, she could answer their questions about her decision and prove that it was a well-thought out decision, etc.

In other words, by living with them after she had told them she was really witnessing to the transforming nature of joining the Church. By the time the Easter Vigil came around they actually even came to watch her first communion and confirmation. AND, her sister ended up joining the Church the following year!

If you do decide to let the good news out then make sure you are trying to live it in all aspects of your daily life - that should lessen some of the disappointment for your parents.
God bless and welcome home!
 
Thanks for the responses… I do think I’m ready to start - but yes - its not something to just let all out all at once… I really would like to have the book “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” here for them to read when I do, but I’m going to have to order it, but maybe thats in the best (I InterLibrary Loan-ed the book so I already had to return it)

I think in the beginning it was just still too personal to talk about much - and now I think I’m to the point I think I can…

One other thing I am hoping for besides the possibility of bringing my parents to the truth is that my Grandmother has not been a practicing Catholic in a long time, although she hasn’t become anything else either… When I move in a few months I will be several hours closer to her - close enough to visit on some weekends, and I am hoping that if I visit and I go to mass on Sunday that she will decide one of those Sundays to return to mass with me (my entire life as far as I know she’s not gone to Mass - maybe she does when we aren’t there, but its certainly never been talked about, but perhaps that is due to my family being Protestant - if thats the case I will rejoice =)

I just read Scott Hahn’s Hail Holy Queen and I think that might be something good for them to read as the Marian doctrines are likely the big thing that my mother at least will have issues with… Since Scott Hahn takes it from mostly a biblical point of view, they can’t argue with a whole lot of it - they might not agree with that interpretation, but I think they will see it as a valid interpretation… (thats one thing about my parents - I think they will agree to disagree on what they would view as “minor details” as long as they’re convinced I haven’t become a heretic, lol)
 
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LSK:
I would also seriously consider contacting Rosalind Moss about this and asking for some guidance…she is so gentle and so kind…she might have some FABULOUS ideas as to how to gently initiate the conversation…unlike me who sometimes gets way too enthusiastic (HEY DADDY! GUESS WHAT!!!), you know what I mean?

You can probably email her through the Catholic Answers Forum or through the radio site…
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Ok, going to go try and find her, as I’m not sure who you are talking about 🙂 I haven’t come across her name before. Thanks again for your suggestions - a lot of it is similar to what I was thinking and I appreciate the validation of some of my thoughts 😃 (plus I probably did need the reminder to do it a little bit at a time…I can tend to get over enthusiastic as well at times LOL 😃
 
AmISearching?:
Ok, going to go try and find her, as I’m not sure who you are talking about 🙂 I haven’t come across her name before. Thanks again for your suggestions - a lot of it is similar to what I was thinking and I appreciate the validation of some of my thoughts 😃 (plus I probably did need the reminder to do it a little bit at a time…I can tend to get over enthusiastic as well at times LOL 😃
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Go to Catholic.com main board…she is on Catholic Answers TODAY…her name is Rosalind Moss and she does the From the Heart show…she is a Jewish convert (by way of Protestantism) …and she is a GIFT I tell you a real GIFT from our Elder Brothers and Sisters in the Faith…
 
I told my parents after I had been going to RCIA for a couple of months, and decided that I was really going to go through with the conversion. At the time, I was engaged to my Catholic boyfriend (now husband). He was what initiated the whole process, but not why I converted in the end.

My father is a pastor of an evangelical church, and at the time was teaching in a major Protestant theological seminary. I had graduated from the university where he taught, having majored in Intercultural Studies, wanting to go on the foreign mission field. My mother has always been a very devoted Christian.

I was scared to death to tell them what was going on. My then-boyfriend had been coming to church with me, and I’m sure they thought he was going to just stop “being” Catholic, and take up protestantism. They played it kind of cool when I told them (mom first, then she told dad) that I was going to classes at the Catholic church. I think they were trying to be “wise” and not drive me away completely. I took their calmness as “giving their blessing” and let it go. So, we got engaged (my husband had been waiting until he felt that issue was cleared up with them) and two months before the wedding, it all blew up – at a restaurant. My father opened up about how hurt he was that I was “throwing away” over 20 years of teaching, and they knew I was just converting because of this guy. I told them that even if he and I broke up, I would still pursue the Catholic Church because it is true. He said I was just being stubborn.

I was always the “good” daughter – not that any of my siblings are bad – and I just don’t think my parents ever saw this coming. We now live about 5 minutes away from them, and see them very often. I’m sure they’re still praying for my husband and me to “come back” to the Bible, but the emotions have died down a little. Or, at least, we don’t talk about it that much anymore.

Little do they know, that I am praying for them too. I don’t blame them for not understanding this whole thing. I would be freaking out if I were them, or if this had happened to my sister or something. With time, I hope to have more discussions with them about the truth of the Catholic Church. I pray for more opportunities.

I will pray for you, too. I don’t know if there’s really any easy way to break the kind of news you need to break to them. They will probably be very hurt. God bless you and give you strength and courage.
 
One more thing, I forgot. Rosalind Moss is awesome. She actually went to the same seminary that my father taught in. I spoke with her at the National Catholic Family Conference, and she had taken a class from him. What a great lady. I could sit and listen to her all day.
 
My father is an evangelist, his dad was a minister – my family was as evangelical Christian as you can get.

When I talked to my parents both at first and every time since then, I have always come from the point of thanking them for the strong Christian foundation that they instilled in me, we focus on the similarities – that I have in no way turned my back on what they taught me, have fully embraced what they taught me and God has built on that foundation. When I am home, we always attend services with them (we will attend Mass on Saturday evening, then, church with the folks on Sunday). They in turn have attended Mass with us, they were there for the baptism of our son (in fact, Father asked them to stand beside the Catholic Godparents and they did). They will attend our son’s Confirmation this spring.

Focus on the common faith – pray, love, and respect them.
 
I plan on being Confirmed this year and have told my mum, a “recovering Catholic” (her words, not mine).

To put it lightly, she thinks I’m making a huge mistake. After a few conversations ending in arguing and frustration, I’ve learned to leave the religious discussions at the door. ::sigh:: Oh well! :o

My non-Christian DH, on the other hand, is fantastic. He doesn’t always understand my drive or longing, but he knows that religion is always a very personal matter. He’s told me many, many times that he’ll support me in any decision (regarding church-y things).

~Jess
 
Yeah, I told my parents. It’s a terrible thing for a dyed-in-the-wool Adventist family to have a son convert to Catholicism. In my case it is causing much grief… and I’m only still in RCIA.

Occasionally I wonder if I’m just totally decieved about the whole thing of the Catholics being right… but I got to this place because of hundreds of hours of study.

I’m just so drawn to the faith of the early Christians… guys like Clement and Polycarp and Ignatius and Justin. I might decide on Byzantine Catholic, in the end, because of how the liturgy seems to put me back a thousand years in time.

Jeremiah
 
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