Didn't know they were Catholic

[love4mary]

For 20 plus years, I bowled with a great couple. They are life long friends whom I charish. During those years, I was an Atheist.

When I was received into the Church in 2004, I was “blown away” to find out that this very same couple were life long Catholics and active in various parish ministries.

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis? I know I can not generalize this, as there are many wonderful Catholics who share their faith will all, but here in the south, this is a rarity.

I asked my friend this question and her answer was, “My faith is a personal thing”. I often wished she had made her faith a more “public” one, maybe-just maybe it would have helped me on my journey home. But as always, In God’s time, not mine.

 

[chrysostom15]

Good point.

 

[Apryl]

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis? I know I can not generalize this, as there are many wonderful Catholics who share their faith will all, but here in the south, this is a rarity.

This is one of those ‘Sixty-four Thousand Dollar Questions’.

As a Cradle Catholic, I can’t see me standing around telling some one, ‘Hey, did you know I was Catholic?’. I guess I don’t think it’s a big deal.

I like to think that how I live my life, Sunday afternoon to Saturday evening tells the world that I have a relationship with God. Not that I go to church, but that I am a living, breathing, practicing Christian.

I don’t have a need to carry a banner, or to knock someone else over the head.

I think that if I meet someone that doesn’t believe in God, I don’t know how I can explain to them that there is hope in the church. First, they need to meet God. On their terms.

I pray for them. I don’t necessarily preach AT them (not the same as preaching TO someone, either)

I also believe that Catholics, as a whole, tend to be ‘shy’ about their faith.

Not something strong. Just what we do.

How would you have wanted them to approach you? How have non-Catholics approached you?

(Hey, maybe others approached you, but now you are one of us. Our way may not be the most common way, but I think it’s effective)

 

[love4mary]

While living in the dark and lonely world of Atheism, I would often be approached by Protestant Christians in my area about going to hell because I was “Not Saved”, the more they preached to me, the further away I was from even wanting to know whether or not God might truly exist.

St. Francis said, and I loosely paraphrase him here, “Preach the gospel always, and sometimes use words”. While an Atheist, I needed to hear the Word proclaimed, but NOT preached. If maybe I could have heard, “Wow! look at that sunset God gave us to enjoy” or “thanks St. Joseph for helping me figure out the best way of making things with wood” and then let it go at that. Plant the seeds if you will.

I have been “beat” over the head all my life with the bible and that did NOT bring me closer to God. I have seen people live Godly lives and that did not bring me closer to God. But those who are close to me in friendship, if only maybe they would have shared just a little of their faith with me, not in a pushy-ya gotta believe sort of way, just drop a hint now and then, who knows, maybe my journey would have started earlier. But like I said in my opening post,In Gods time not mine.

 

[paradoxy]

Maybe they just kept praying for you all that time.

 

[puzzleannie]

some people who call themselves Catholic would be well advised to keep quiet about it, because they do more harm than good for the Church and for those whom they influence (i.e. politicians who campaign under the look at me I’m a Catholic slogan but embrace the culture of death in their political actions).

on the other hand those who quietly and faithfully live out their beliefs have more influence than they know. DD offered help and support to a neighbor couple who had lost a child many years ago, among other things sharing articles from Catholic magazines on the preciousness of pre-born life, and the couple (secularist but not atheist) found great comfort in that idea.

two moves later, DD just found out from another old neighbor that this couple has become Catholic. you just don’t know who is listening to that Catholic witness

 

[catechumen08]

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis? I know I can not generalize this, as there are many wonderful Catholics who share their faith will all, but here in the south, this is a rarity.

One of my new roommates just found out I’m Catholic. I was going to church on Sunday morning, and she caught me. All my old roommates knew that I’m Catholic, though. My friends had various reactions when they found out that I’m converting, although most are supportive.

 

[richwmiller]

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis? I know I can not generalize this, as there are many wonderful Catholics who share their faith will all, but here in the south, this is a rarity.

I asked my friend this question and her answer was, “My faith is a personal thing”. .

here are some reasons catholics don’t talk about their faith
1-the misguided “my faith is a personal thing”
2-many catholics don’t have a firm grasp on what the church teaches and 3-why.
4-so many are cafeteria catholics.
5-Most couldn’t explain the simplest things about the faith.
6-Adult education in the faith is very hard to find.
Our education in the faith needs to be ongoing.(spiritually and theologically)
7-Most Catholics don’t even know that what they were taught as children was a childrens’ version.
8-Resentment of the JW and mormons who come door to door

 

[Dirk_Skene]

Good point, love4mary. We need to all wear it on our shirt sleeve more than we do. Some of us are better that others of course. I am probably not the best example,

 

[love4mary]

I think for me, it goes way beyond Catholic/protestant but just plain Christian. Yes, by the Grace of God I am a confirmed Catholic, but that was only After first coming to know that God exists (the proverbial 2x4 upside my head helped me there )

If we as Catholics just casually and in an everyday manner speak of our love for God then the Holy Spirit will make sure the correct ears hears this,but first we must Speak. I didn’t realize at the time while an Atheist that this might have made a difference in my life

First you have to believe that God is there and then our Blessed Mother will lead you home, least that is how it worked with me.

I was once in a conversation with a Baptist and we were talking of our love of the Lord, and the wondrous things He has done in our lives, it was not until more than an hour into our chat (which was wonderful and uplifting) that she found out I was a Catholic.

<<<<this was her expression. But she went away knowing I love our Lord as much as she did, least I hope she did.

Having a personal faith is just fine, I love my quiet moments with Jesus in Adoration myself, but there are other times when we need to not be afraid to let others know we Love Jesus and of course Mary (a whole other topic of course )

None of us have to be as Apologetically articulate as Karl Keating or Scott Hahn just to name a couple of the best, but we can All share our love of the Lord and can witness to others. Don’t let an Atheist friend go 20 years without even trying to share the love of God, even IF you can’t put into words the doctrins and teachings of the faith.

 

[pyropam]

here are some reasons catholics don’t talk about their faith
1-the misguided “my faith is a personal thing”
2-many catholics don’t have a firm grasp on what the church teaches and 3-why.
4-so many are cafeteria catholics.
5-Most couldn’t explain the simplest things about the faith.
6-Adult education in the faith is very hard to find.
Our education in the faith needs to be ongoing.(spiritually and theologically)
7-Most Catholics don’t even know that what they were taught as children was a childrens’ version.
8-Resentment of the JW and mormons who come door to door

Funny story of mine… My husband is a cradle Catholic and I just became Catholic at Easter… I already know more about the faith than he does…

I think that all Catholics should attend their local RCIA classes and renew their beliefs. Many Catholics can tell you that the church believes this or doesn’t believe that… But they cannot give you the reason… Funny How I Can…

I witness to everyone and I let all of them know that I am a Catholic Woman (married to a non-practicing Catholic man) I’m proud of my faith. I’ve invited everyone I know to attend Mass.

Because I had started RCIA and was telling everyone how great this was… My best friend started, my ex-step-mother started, my grandchildren, and my son… We all became Catholic together…

Tonight we started the RCIA classes again… My best friends husband, son, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all started with us!!!

 

[RedSoxFan]

For 20 plus years, I bowled with a great couple. They are life long friends whom I charish. During those years, I was an Atheist.

When I was received into the Church in 2004, I was “blown away” to find out that this very same couple were life long Catholics and active in various parish ministries.

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis? I know I can not generalize this, as there are many wonderful Catholics who share their faith will all, but here in the south, this is a rarity.

I asked my friend this question and her answer was, “My faith is a personal thing”. I often wished she had made her faith a more “public” one, maybe-just maybe it would have helped me on my journey home. But as always, In God’s time, not mine.

You make a good point. I think that a lot of Catholics were ashamed of thier religion for a long time. It has been portrayed as backward (which is garbage), cultic (more garbage), and corrupt (individuals are corrupt). The Church abuse scandal hurt a lot too. I can picture a lot of Catholics being rather quiet about thier faith now because of fear of mockery.
God’s will that should change soon!

 

[YinYangMom]

While living in the dark and lonely world of Atheism,

Did you know you were living in the dark and were you lonely at the time you were in the world of Atheism, or did you come to realize that after the Holy Spirit got a hold of you? I ask because I’ve noticed converts tent to recognize how bleak things were in hind sight, but that at the time they were living the lives they were living they thought everything was fine. I know the atheists I encounter are confident in the content being in the state they are in. Mention God around them, even lightly, and they look at me with disdain or roll their eyes as if to say “ah, there’s another brain-washed sucker”.

I would often be approached by Protestant Christians in my area about going to hell because I was “Not Saved”, the more they preached to me, the further away I was from even wanting to know whether or not God might truly exist.

This is why we Catholics try to evangelise by example rather than with words. It is by the grace of the Holy Spirit that a person is ready to be able to receive God’s Truth. Until that time there’s not much we can do except pray for that moment to come sooner than later for those folks.

Then, when the time is right, according to God’s will, the Spirit moves the athiest (or non-Catholic) to long for some truth and at the same time moves Christians/Catholics into that person’s realm so that when that person finally asks a question or makes a statements about God those others are there to help them on their journey.

That’s not to say God wasn’t sending people all along the way. Of course He was but the non-believer was not able to recognize the help because they didn’t know they needed any at the time.

St. Francis said, and I loosely paraphrase him here, “Preach the gospel always, and sometimes use words”. While an Atheist, I needed to hear the Word proclaimed, but NOT preached. If maybe I could have heard, “Wow! look at that sunset God gave us to enjoy” or “thanks St. Joseph for helping me figure out the best way of making things with wood” and then let it go at that. Plant the seeds if you will.

No one ever said that around you? That’s a shame. I’ve said little things like that often and as noted, those who aren’t ready just look at me like I’m nuts. Doesn’t stop me from praising that which is His no matter who’s around, though. It helps me recognize who needs my prayers.

I have been “beat” over the head all my life with the bible and that did NOT bring me closer to God. I have seen people live Godly lives and that did not bring me closer to God. But those who are close to me in friendship, if only maybe they would have shared just a little of their faith with me, not in a pushy-ya gotta believe sort of way, just drop a hint now and then, who knows, maybe my journey would have started earlier. But like I said in my opening post,In Gods time not mine.

Yes, in God’s time, and at that time He moved you to be open to Him. As you’ve shown, nothing people had done prior to that sank in. It’s not because they didn’t try. It’s because it just wasn’t your time. The did plant the seeds and in His time they took root.

 

[WelderMan]

I was a “Practicing non-Catholic” for 20 years, went to Mass with the wife and kids the whole thing.

But I was hard headed and did not join until 2006, I went through RCIA as a student and one of my sons was a sponsor for another person at the same time! It was a great time for our family.

Last year, (as a Freshman Catholic) I went through RCIA again, but as a sponsor. I went through 2 years in a row, and if I went again, I would still learn more.

It is a great program, if you are asked, be a sponsor. You will get much out of it!

Peace and God Bless!

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

For 20 plus years, I bowled with a great couple. They are life long friends whom I charish. During those years, I was an Atheist.

When I was received into the Church in 2004, I was “blown away” to find out that this very same couple were life long Catholics and active in various parish ministries.

Why, unlike our protestant brothers and sisters, are Catholics less likely to share their faith with others on a day to day basis?

Could it be that for the past twenty years this Catholic couple’s Christian example led you to the Catholic Church in the first place? They might not have been actively evangelizing you verbally or even on a conscious level through their actions, but in reality they were living the faith by being a great couple thus evangelizing by their actions - being a great couple you cherish.

Their active participation in the Church spilled over into their relationship with you. I believe it had a life-changing effect on you and they helped bring you into the Catholic Church (even if unknowingly to you or even to them). There are many factors that bring people into the Church. I would say they were one piece to your personal complex puzzle that came together.

 

[po18guy]

I was baptized at 35 and came into the church. Went to mass off and on after that. We changed parishes when we moved. New priest was a “little showy” we thought. He lead a “Life in the Spirit” seminar series. I got signed up somehow. Well, once the gifts of the Holy Spirit were released from their jail cell inside my hardened heart, my faith caught fire. I lost my fear of faith. I listen only to Catholic radio. No more TV, newpaper, etc. I love learing about my faith and sharing it. I am in contact wiht a lot of prople who have numerous problems and have lost hope. God has given me a whole new ministry at a point in my career when I was ready to call it quits. I speak to nearly everyone about my faith now. I wear evangelization T-shirts from www.totally-catholic.com. There are a lot of "I"s in this, but it all refers to the goodness of the Holy Spirit, who is ccasionally allowed to use me to accomplish His purpose. Submit to the Holy Spirit and watch what happens. Christ’s peace to all.

 

[lukewarm]

There is an incredible hate for the Catholic Church out there. I’m amazed at what people will say about the Catholic Church in everyday settings like work or parties. They say things that are so offensive that if it were directed at a Jew or Muslim they would lose there job on the spot.

That and maybe they knew you were an atheist and didn’t feel like ruining a friendship with trying to proseletyze. Maybe they prayed for you and your conversion is a direct result of their prayers?

It’s a matter of Catholic culture too. The Catholic Church and Catholics in general don’t change. Most Catholic men do not wear their faiths on their sleeves and sing koom by ya on street corners. It could be ingrained from where they came from. For instance in Ireland faith is never discussed because of the troubles there so it is simply avoided altogether. Typically people follow the example of their father spiritually. Both my grand father and father never discussed their faith maybe on rare occasions but I could catch either one on their knees praying fervently late at night. And both would be the first to lay their head on a chopping block if the time came.

 

[po18guy]

There is an incredible hate for the Catholic Church out there. I’m amazed at what people will say about the Catholic Church in everyday settings like work or parties. They say things that are so offensive that if it were directed at a Jew or Muslim they would lose there job on the spot.

That and maybe they knew you were an atheist and didn’t feel like ruining a friendship with trying to proseletyze. Maybe they prayed for you and your conversion is a direct result of their prayers?

It’s a matter of Catholic culture too. The Catholic Church and Catholics in general don’t change. Most Catholic men do not wear their faiths on their sleeves and sing koom by ya on street corners. It could be ingrained from where they came from. For instance in Ireland faith is never discussed because of the troubles there so it is simply avoided altogether. Typically people follow the example of their father spiritually. Both my grand father and father never discussed their faith maybe on rare occasions but I could catch either one on their knees praying fervently late at night. And both would be the first to lay their head on a chopping block if the time came.

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” We must fight the rot of our culture and place ourselves at risk sometimes.

Christ’s peace.

Bloody (from the Sacrifice) Irishman

 

[Eileen_T]

I talk about how God has affected my like and how I have learned to trust in His Providence. But I don’t preach.

The subject can come up in various ways. The number of kids I have (6), my pro-life stance, offering thanks before eating, not working Sundays, all sorts of things. I don’t hide being my Christian faith (and when non-C Christians ask where I fellowship I tell them I usually go to the Latin Mass at Holy Family Catholic parish).

I pray for the conversion of all my friends in particular, as well as for the whole world, on a daily basis. Someone I work with is either atheist or agnostic. She told me she believes religion is all about politics. I told her I don’t have the “faith” to be an athiest and believe totally that there is no God at all.

Last month, after nearly two years, she told me her grandson was making his first Communion. She asked me if it would be okay to give a boy a rosary. She has seen me making them at night during my breaks. So I briefly explained what praying the rosary is all about, and gave her one for her g/son.

Tonight I have a booklet on praying the Rosary scripturally for her to send her daughter & her family. I’m debating on including something else in the hopes she might look at it herself first.

 

[Paganus]

Good point, love4mary. We need to all wear it on our shirt sleeve more than we do. Some of us are better that others of course. I am probably not the best example,

Catholic t-shirts are a great idea. I have attracted a lot of favorable attention with mine.