Evangelization - Convert's Perspective

[BrockH]

So I converted to Catholicism in July 2014. I LOVE it. My new life is simply amazing. My parents were attending the local Catholic Church here in central Illinois right before I was born. My mother was Catholic and my father a lukewarm, non-practicing Lutheran. He was not very receptive of the idea of becoming a Catholic and caused a lot of problems. The priest told them that both parties needed to be Catholic for marriage in the Roman Catholic Church. And my father who always used to say “Catholics are nuts” still did not want to convert, so they went off to the Lutheran (Missouri Synod) Church and got married. My grandmother was still Catholic and continued to attend Mass and was a pretty religious lady. My mom went with her and so did my dad. My dad decided to join the Church. My mom had recently given birth to stillborn twins. It was a time of grief. The parish priest came out to have a talk with them about things. When he told them that they weren’t really married, my dad was enraged. My mom wasn’t pleased either and there was now no way she could return to full communion with the Catholic Church. (Come to find out, only one party has to be Catholic or at least be a catechumen).
So I was baptized and raised Lutheran until around age 10 when we began attending a United Methodist Church. We went EVERY week for a long time. We burned out after a few years and my parents got divorced. I really wanted to see the Catholic Church (the old priest had long moved on) and my aunt took me. My father was once again - enraged. And so was his Southern Baptist grandmother. My mom started going back to the Methodist Church and my father to the Lutheran and on occasion I to the Catholic Church.
FINALLY, I was able to be confirmed Catholic along with my younger brother in 2014. NOW, I want to share my faith. I am a little hesitant though. Is this common? I think of something to say and then my heart starts to beat out of my chest and my palms sweat. Maybe I’m afraid the reaction of the other person/people? I don’t know, but I am very proud to be Catholic, I just don’t know how to be a good ‘‘evangelizer.’’ Also, I wonder how I can explain the Prayers to Saints to Protestants who would obviously not approve of this practice. Any thoughts?

 

[HJ3822]

So I converted to Catholicism in July 2014. I LOVE it. My new life is simply amazing. My parents were attending the local Catholic Church here in central Illinois right before I was born. My mother was Catholic and my father a lukewarm, non-practicing Lutheran. He was not very receptive of the idea of becoming a Catholic and caused a lot of problems. The priest told them that both parties needed to be Catholic for marriage in the Roman Catholic Church. And my father who always used to say “Catholics are nuts” still did not want to convert, so they went off to the Lutheran (Missouri Synod) Church and got married. My grandmother was still Catholic and continued to attend Mass and was a pretty religious lady. My mom went with her and so did my dad. My dad decided to join the Church. My mom had recently given birth to stillborn twins. It was a time of grief. The parish priest came out to have a talk with them about things. When he told them that they weren’t really married, my dad was enraged. My mom wasn’t pleased either and there was now no way she could return to full communion with the Catholic Church. (Come to find out, only one party has to be Catholic or at least be a catechumen).
So I was baptized and raised Lutheran until around age 10 when we began attending a United Methodist Church. We went EVERY week for a long time. We burned out after a few years and my parents got divorced. I really wanted to see the Catholic Church (the old priest had long moved on) and my aunt took me. My father was once again - enraged. And so was his Southern Baptist grandmother. My mom started going back to the Methodist Church and my father to the Lutheran and on occasion I to the Catholic Church.
FINALLY, I was able to be confirmed Catholic along with my younger brother in 2014. NOW, I want to share my faith. I am a little hesitant though. Is this common? I think of something to say and then my heart starts to beat out of my chest and my palms sweat. Maybe I’m afraid the reaction of the other person/people? I don’t know, but I am very proud to be Catholic, I just don’t know how to be a good ‘‘evangelizer.’’ Also, I wonder how I can explain the Prayers to Saints to Protestants who would obviously not approve of this practice. Any thoughts?

Wow. You have a lot of Christians in your family. You have a paternal grandmother who is Southern Baptist, a father who is Lutheran, and a mother who is Methodist.

The Baptists were descended from the Anglican church, which was descended from the Roman Catholic church. The Lutheran church was descended from the Roman Catholic church. The Methodists were descended from the Anglican church, which was descended from the Roman Catholic church. So, facetiously speaking, you can say that your family is made up of Catholics and *Reformed *Catholics.

 

[Memaw]

Wow. You have a lot of Christians in your family. You have a paternal grandmother who is Southern Baptist, a father who is Lutheran, and a mother who is Methodist.

The Baptists were descended from the Anglican church, which was descended from the Roman Catholic church. The Lutheran church was descended from the Roman Catholic church. The Methodists were descended from the Anglican church, which was descended from the Roman Catholic church. So, facetiously speaking, you can say that your family is made up of Catholics and *Reformed *Catholics.

That’s not exactly correct. Former Catholics would be a better description. God Bless, memaw

 

[Memaw]

So I converted to Catholicism in July 2014. I LOVE it. My new life is simply amazing. My parents were attending the local Catholic Church here in central Illinois right before I was born. My mother was Catholic and my father a lukewarm, non-practicing Lutheran. He was not very receptive of the idea of becoming a Catholic and caused a lot of problems. The priest told them that both parties needed to be Catholic for marriage in the Roman Catholic Church. And my father who always used to say “Catholics are nuts” still did not want to convert, so they went off to the Lutheran (Missouri Synod) Church and got married. My grandmother was still Catholic and continued to attend Mass and was a pretty religious lady. My mom went with her and so did my dad. My dad decided to join the Church. My mom had recently given birth to stillborn twins. It was a time of grief. The parish priest came out to have a talk with them about things. When he told them that they weren’t really married, my dad was enraged. My mom wasn’t pleased either and there was now no way she could return to full communion with the Catholic Church. (Come to find out, only one party has to be Catholic or at least be a catechumen).
So I was baptized and raised Lutheran until around age 10 when we began attending a United Methodist Church. We went EVERY week for a long time. We burned out after a few years and my parents got divorced. I really wanted to see the Catholic Church (the old priest had long moved on) and my aunt took me. My father was once again - enraged. And so was his Southern Baptist grandmother. My mom started going back to the Methodist Church and my father to the Lutheran and on occasion I to the Catholic Church.
FINALLY, I was able to be confirmed Catholic along with my younger brother in 2014. NOW, I want to share my faith. I am a little hesitant though. Is this common? I think of something to say and then my heart starts to beat out of my chest and my palms sweat. Maybe I’m afraid the reaction of the other person/people? I don’t know, but I am very proud to be Catholic, I just don’t know how to be a good ‘‘evangelizer.’’ Also, I wonder how I can explain the Prayers to Saints to Protestants who would obviously not approve of this practice. Any thoughts?

Your zeal is wonderful, but you should give yourself time to grow in understanding of the Faith before you jump out there with all 4 feet. Just let your love for your faith show in your everday life. The forum catholicanswers.com has so many great tracts you could read and share with your brother. And then when you feel confident enough to share it with others, you will be better prepared. The two of you can pray fervently for your other family members. I will keep you in my prayers, God Bless, Memaw

 

[womanatwell]

NOW, I want to share my faith. I am a little hesitant though. Is this common? I think of something to say and then my heart starts to beat out of my chest and my palms sweat. Maybe I’m afraid the reaction of the other person/people? I don’t know, but I am very proud to be Catholic, I just don’t know how to be a good ‘‘evangelizer.’’ Also, I wonder how I can explain the Prayers to Saints to Protestants who would obviously not approve of this practice. Any thoughts?

I also sometimes get nervous when talking with people. I think we can get better with practice, but we each have different gifts for evangelizing, such as writing. The Pope has encouraged us to use the Internet, and this Catholic Answers Forum is itself a wonderful tool. Each of us can pray for discernment for our individual gifts and develop them for service to the Lord.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) has several paragraphs about prayers and intercessions of saints. It might give you some ideas of how to explain it to others. The USCCB epub version of the CCC is here:

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm#

You can put in a paragraph number on the search line to bring it up. Paragraph 956 says, in part:

• The intercession of the saints*. “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness… [T]hey do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus… So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.”

Paragraphs 2683-4 have more information.

Protestants often ask others to pray for them. Catholics include those who have gone before.

 

[otjm]

Although the Franciscans deny it, St Francis was alleged to have said “Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”

A few random thoughts:

People don’t want to be preached at. See the first sentence.

many people, however, do want to know why you are Catholic; so if they ask, it helps to tell them. Not necessarily with a mini class in theology, but they will be interested in your conversion story.

Most people who convert do not do so from an intellectual thirst for what appears to many as esoterica, but from a hunger for Jesus. It is not that theology is esoterica; but at its bottom is the question Jesus asked: “Who do you say I am?” and it is not the long explanation that He wants, but the decision to follow.

One suggestion would be to volunteer to be a sponsor for others joining the Faith.

And keep in mind that the New Evangelization is directed first and foremost to Catholics who are not practicing the Faith; When about only 23% go to Mass on a regular basis, there is a lot of work we need to do in our own house. And youth, 18 to 30, are at about 21%.

Pray. Pray daily. Be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Share, but don’t overwhelm, and understand that if you push, most people will push back., Pulling is far more effective. Propose, don’t impose.

And pray.

 

[Memaw]

Although the Franciscans deny it, St Francis was alleged to have said “Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”

A few random thoughts:

People don’t want to be preached at. See the first sentence.

many people, however, do want to know why you are Catholic; so if they ask, it helps to tell them. Not necessarily with a mini class in theology, but they will be interested in your conversion story.

Most people who convert do not do so from an intellectual thirst for what appears to many as esoterica, but from a hunger for Jesus. It is not that theology is esoterica; but at its bottom is the question Jesus asked: “Who do you say I am?” and it is not the long explanation that He wants, but the decision to follow.

One suggestion would be to volunteer to be a sponsor for others joining the Faith.

And keep in mind that the New Evangelization is directed first and foremost to Catholics who are not practicing the Faith; When about only 23% go to Mass on a regular basis, there is a lot of work we need to do in our own house. And youth, 18 to 30, are at about 21%.

Pray. Pray daily. Be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Share, but don’t overwhelm, and understand that if you push, most people will push back., Pulling is far more effective. Propose, don’t impose.

And pray.

St. Francis never said that and he spoke many words!! No one knows where in the world that got started but it flew like wildfire. Alleged, that’s a common word today when one wants to apply something to someone without proof. I challenge you to read everything St. Francis wrote and see if you can find it. God Bless, Memaw