Evangelizing to my family

[Mark1124]

Since I’m a full-time student and I work full-time during summer and winter breaks, I don’t have a lot of time to spend with my family. I want them all to grow closer to God and to know the fullness of His truth, but I’m having a difficult time doing anything about it. My two youngest sisters (one is 15, the other is 12) are Catholic, and they attend Mass almost every week, but if they can’t get to the 9:00 Sunday Mass they won’t go at all; I don’t think either of them has been to Confession since their First Communion, and they generally ignore me whenever the subject of religion comes up. My next sister (age 18, about to start college) was Catholic until she became agnostic a few weeks ago for a reason she refuses to tell me, and I can’t understand why since she had been a Sunday School teacher and my younger sister’s Confirmation sponsor. My older sister (age 22) was raised Catholic but has been agnostic for a few years. My dad was raised Protestant (I think Presbyterian), but he doesn’t like to go to church by himself, so he only goes on Christmas and Easter when we all go to Mass as a family. My mom is a faithful Catholic. I’ve hidden green scapulars in all of their bedrooms, and I pray for them every day, but I don’t know what else I can do. Any suggestions?

 

[starsmurf]

Let your life be your preaching. I can’t remember what Saint it was said something like “preach constantly but only use words when absolutely necessary”. If they see you living your faith, loving everyone and not judging them or anyone else, that will help them more than anything you could say.

Pray to God, ask him to give the gift of Faith to your loved ones. If you try to persuade them to return to the Church, you are only going to drive them further away.

God bless

 

[meltzerboy]

Let your life be your preaching. I can’t remember what Saint it was said something like “preach constantly but only use words when absolutely necessary”. If they see you living your faith, loving everyone and not judging them or anyone else, that will help them more than anything you could say.

Pray to God, ask him to give the gift of Faith to your loved ones. If you try to persuade them to return to the Church, you are only going to drive them further away.

God bless

I agree with what you say here: the OP would be wise to lead his family by his own moral example. I think it preferable not to be too pushy since that will indeed drive family members further away in addition to creating a more tense and less respectful atmosphere at home. On the other hand, I think there is nothing wrong with discussing his beliefs with them in a calm, non-accusatory way, provided they are willing to engage in discussion.