Family against conversion to Catholicism

[Zeebo0311]

I’m sure that this is nothing new to this community, but it is new to me. I am 27 years old and the first 18 years of my life I was raised a Protestant Southern Baptist. When I was 19 I joined the US Marine Corps and went to war. After coming back from my first pump to Iraq, I had lost faith in God and in the Baptist doctrine. for 6 years I was an agnostic and now I have finally found my path in Catholicism.

I have been going to mass on my own since April. However, it wasn’t until two months ago that I decided that my convictions could be contained no longer. I asked for help from the Clergy and Staff and was given a Daily Roman Missal (which I have been reading. It really is a great thing to have when going to Mass). I’ve recently begun RCIA and have been going every Sunday with my girlfriend (who is also my Catholic Sponsor in the program). Her family has been most supportive of me in my decision, and I feel it is because they are already Roman Catholics.

However, it is my own family who I am concerned with. They come from the Philippines and at one time were devout Roman Catholics, but during the Evangelical movement in the 80’s, they have long since left the Church to become Baptists. On the one hand, I have my my father, whom does not mind me becoming a Catholic as long as I know that Jesus is Lord and that I have accepted him as my Savior. My mother on the other hand is strongly against it. I am not too sure what she went through while she was a Catholic, but I do know that it was extreme enough for her to leave the Church. I have expressed my feelings about my decision, and she tells me every time that Catholicism is wrong. I asked her if she would be there at my Confirmation next Easter and the answer I got hurt me.

My question is this: how do I handle the family members who have stone hearts against the Catholic Church and what should I do personally to keep me from recanting my decision? If anyone who is Filipino or has had Filipino friends knows that family is the most single important thing in any Filipinos life. I don’t want to lose my family, but I also do not want to abandon my spiritual journey. Thank you for your consideration. God bless.

Zeebo

 

[Della]

It’s heart breaking when family won’t support us, but it’s sometimes what we have to sacrifice in order to follow Christ. He said as much regarding families being torn because of him. It’s so sad and I wish it could be otherwise for you, but when we stand before God at our judgment he’s not going to ask our family members what they think of our decisions in life, he’s only going to ask us. So, we have to follow Christ no matter what.

The way to win your family back is to love them no matter what they say or do. Your mother probably had a bad experience with someone in the Church, probably a priest or nun. Or she felt oppressed by bad teaching or some other such thing. If you show her that you are truly free and that you are happier than you’ve ever been in your life as a Catholic, it may help her. And of course, pray for your family–that they will be able to let go of their fears and their bad feelings to see the Church for what it really is, not what they think it is.

And you have your girlfriend’s family to support you, as well. That’s so fortunate for you. Not everyone has another family they can go to like that. Hang in there and look to Christ. He can do wondrous things even when we can’t see how it could happen. God will keep you and help you if you give yourself to him in faith.

 

[Zeebo0311]

I am grateful for my girlfriend’s family. They are very kind to me and offer the support I need when my own family won’t give it. Part of the reason for my family’s vehement opinion about the Church is the doctrine concerning the intercessions of Mary and the Saints, the plan of salvation and the like, and I have to admit I myself am having trouble understanding it. My Protestant upbringing fights against the new things I’m learning in RCIA.

I’m already seeing a change in myself even though I have just started my conversion. I just hope that my family will be able to see it one day and accept my decision to become a Catholic Christian.

 

[Della]

I am grateful for my girlfriend’s family. They are very kind to me and offer the support I need when my own family won’t give it. Part of the reason for my family’s vehement opinion about the Church is the doctrine concerning the intercessions of Mary and the Saints, the plan of salvation and the like, and I have to admit I myself am having trouble understanding it. My Protestant upbringing fights against the new things I’m learning in RCIA.

Having been a Protestant who didn’t understand the Marian teachings and the plan of salvation as taught by the Church, I understand how hard it can be to relearn things you thought you knew. But, as you continue in RCIA, practice your Catholic faith, and do some reading on your own, these things will make sense to you.

I’m already seeing a change in myself even though I have just started my conversion. I just hope that my family will be able to see it one day and accept my decision to become a Catholic Christian.

I know what you mean. Being Catholic changes our whole outlook on life, doesn’t it? Your family will see this change which may help them realize that what they’ve been taught in their Protestant church about the Catholic Church is simply wrong. I will pray for you. Please say a prayer for me, too.

 

[Zeebo0311]

Having been a Protestant who didn’t understand the Marian teachings and the plan of salvation as taught by the Church, I understand how hard it can be to relearn things you thought you knew. But, as you continue in RCIA, practice your Catholic faith, and do some reading on your own, these things will make sense to you.

I know what you mean. Being Catholic changes our whole outlook on life, doesn’t it? Your family will see this change which may help them realize that what they’ve been taught in their Protestant church about the Catholic Church is simply wrong. I will pray for you. Please say a prayer for me, too.

I’ve been teaching myself the Rosary and slowly easing my way into the meditations. It’s relaxing. And, yes, this spiritual path certainly does change my perspective on the world. I’ve also been observing the Liturgy of the Hours and praying in the Parish I go to also helps me grow closer to God. Thank you for your prayers! I’ll keep you in mine as well. GOD BLESS YOU!

 

[Della]

I’ve been teaching myself the Rosary and slowly easing my way into the meditations. It’s relaxing. And, yes, this spiritual path certainly does change my perspective on the world. I’ve also been observing the Liturgy of the Hours and praying in the Parish I go to also helps me grow closer to God. Thank you for your prayers! I’ll keep you in mine as well. GOD BLESS YOU!

There are very good online sources for the mysteries of the rosary, including scriptural ones that you may like. I too pray Morning and Evening Prayer along with reading the daily Mass readings. I’ve found it’s good for keeping grounded and structured. I wish I could go to Adoration, but my parish is too far for me to walk and I don’t drive–I depend on my hubby to get me places. Anyway, thank you too for your prayers. We’re all in this together.

 

[bzkoss236]

My mother on the other hand is strongly against it. I am not too sure what she went through while she was a Catholic, but I do know that it was extreme enough for her to leave the Church. I have expressed my feelings about my decision, and she tells me every time that Catholicism is wrong. I asked her if she would be there at my Confirmation next Easter and the answer I got hurt me.

My wife’s mother is like this with her, though she hasn’t even told her mother that she wants to become Catholic.

I think sometimes it is just that because of some of the things they are taught about the Catholic Church which are false lead them to think that they were betrayed, and some take betrayal better than others.

My question is this: how do I handle the family members who have stone hearts against the Catholic Church and what should I do personally to keep me from recanting my decision?

Realize that you are 27 and while your family is important, it isn’t as important as what God wants for you. Follow the Holy Spirit. If he is guiding you to the Catholic Church, then you better do it. Christ said that families would be divided because of him. You are an adult, and you need to do what is best for you. They might decide to disown you, but if they don’t, it opens up the opportunity for you to explain the misconceptions that she most certainly has about Catholicism and the Catholic Church.

 

[ClearWater]

You could explain that your family means the world. Then, you could ask them not to force you into a position where you have to choose, because if they do, you will choose God.

Then, if they force this issue, follow through. Choose God!

See also, Matthew 10:37

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

 

[KP3243]

I need to start praying daily for people like you this is so hard and such a painful journey for so many Protestants. Might I suggest Scott Hahn’s book Rome Sweet Home it goes through his and his wife Kimberly’s journey into the Church and it almost destroyed their marriage, they are very candid, you can also see his conversion story on youtube. He was a Protestant minister and professor and the Catholic Church was the last place on earth he EVER planned on entering, he admits he was very anti Catholic. Kimberly came from a home where he dad was a Protestant minister and who I believe are still Protestants.

 

[porthos11]

I’m sure that this is nothing new to this community, but it is new to me. I am 27 years old and the first 18 years of my life I was raised a Protestant Southern Baptist. When I was 19 I joined the US Marine Corps and went to war. After coming back from my first pump to Iraq, I had lost faith in God and in the Baptist doctrine. for 6 years I was an agnostic and now I have finally found my path in Catholicism.

I have been going to mass on my own since April. However, it wasn’t until two months ago that I decided that my convictions could be contained no longer. I asked for help from the Clergy and Staff and was given a Daily Roman Missal (which I have been reading. It really is a great thing to have when going to Mass). I’ve recently begun RCIA and have been going every Sunday with my girlfriend (who is also my Catholic Sponsor in the program). Her family has been most supportive of me in my decision, and I feel it is because they are already Roman Catholics.

However, it is my own family who I am concerned with. They come from the Philippines and at one time were devout Roman Catholics, but during the Evangelical movement in the 80’s, they have long since left the Church to become Baptists. On the one hand, I have my my father, whom does not mind me becoming a Catholic as long as I know that Jesus is Lord and that I have accepted him as my Savior. My mother on the other hand is strongly against it. I am not too sure what she went through while she was a Catholic, but I do know that it was extreme enough for her to leave the Church. I have expressed my feelings about my decision, and she tells me every time that Catholicism is wrong. I asked her if she would be there at my Confirmation next Easter and the answer I got hurt me.

My question is this: how do I handle the family members who have stone hearts against the Catholic Church and what should I do personally to keep me from recanting my decision? If anyone who is Filipino or has had Filipino friends knows that family is the most single important thing in any Filipinos life. I don’t want to lose my family, but I also do not want to abandon my spiritual journey. Thank you for your consideration. God bless.

Zeebo

I am of Filipino origin and I sympathize. However, if you remember our Lord’s words, you will recall that he came to bring a sword, which will divide families. He also warned us that if we do not choose him above our own families, we are not deserving of eternal life.

For all of us, no exception, who are serious in the faith, we will be opposed. Sometimes it could be from the workplace. For others, friends. And others like you, from family. All of these are sources of pain and can really test our convictions.

All I could really think of at this time is to gently explain to your parents your decision, remind them of their love for you and that even if they don’t want to follow you just yet, but that they should love you enough to let you follow your path. But at the same time, you must stick to your convictions and risk losing them. This is harsh, but is in line with what the Lord warned us about.

Then live as a strong, good Catholic and pray that your witness will be sufficient to plant a seed in them. Who knows? But be strong and take courage and follow where the truth leads you.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

I have been dating a girl from a Baptist family for some time now and am otherwise surrounded by many Baptist-type Christians, many of whom are ex-Catholics. My experience is that they (even the ex-Catholics) have virtually no understanding of Catholic doctrine and really just see Catholics as simple-minded, ignorant statue-worshippers. If you can clearly explain your faith especially with reference to the Bible, many of them will soften up at least a little. Study the Bible (especially the letters of St. Paul) every day. It may be obvious advice but it’s true. Even if you don’t win any converts, you may at least walk away with someone thinking that it doesn’t matter too much that you’re Catholic because you at least believe in Jesus and the Bible or that I guess Catholics can be saved too. At least that’s a little progress.

Some are closed-off no matter what you will say, and you just have to accept that. In one recent conversation, I asked someone if she would believe the Catholic faith if Jesus and St. Paul appeared before her and told her to, to which she replied that she would know in that case that they were demons. Her justification was just that Catholicism is simply not true. Move on and pray for the future.

You are doing well to devote yourself to the Rosary. It is always a lingering thought in my mind whether I would be more successful in my dialogue if I prayed more.