Family doesn't understand

[LindaS]

I’ll adopt you! Both of my children have fallen away from the Church, as has my brother. One of my sons just told me he doesn’t believe in God. So I pray daily for them all, and leave them in God’s hands. Many prayers for you . Good luck at VBS.

Peace,
Linda

 

[SacredHeartFan]

I’ll adopt you! Both of my children have fallen away from the Church, as has my brother. One of my sons just told me he doesn’t believe in God. So I pray daily for them all, and leave them in God’s hands. Many prayers for you . Good luck at VBS.

Peace,
Linda

Thanks but if anything I’ll move in with my greatgrandmother! She has saint stautes that she doesn’t even know about!

 

[una_ecclesia]

Thanks but if anything I’ll move in with my greatgrandmother! She has saint stautes that she doesn’t even know about!

Which one?
Good luck in VBS btw, The one I am volunteering at is about to finish tomorrow!

 

[KingAlfred]

I feel like my family doesn’t understand my needs. When i try to pray the Divine Mercy at 3:00 they tell me I can do it later because we have somewhere to go. My dad acts like you can bend all the church’s rules to fit your needs. (ex. “Dad you can’t eat a hot dog on Fri. it’s lent!” “Oh well son I’m pretty sure God doesn’t care on what day you abstain from meat”) Everytime I try to get to adoration they always have “better things” to be doing. My mom won’t let me go three houses down to pick up a movie about JP II at the K of C Lending Libray guy’s house. My grandmother just picks up any old book labeled as “christian” and reads it and takes it as if the pope wrote it even though I tell her theologically incorrect. (which bothers me sometimes) And my grandfather watchs those pastors on T.V. and think he has fufilled his Sunday obligation. THEY ARE NOT EVEN CATHOLIC! My cousin’s think I’m “gay” because I want to be a priest and can’t get married. Some of them even think that I’m gay because I don’t walk around the water park looking at women in bakinis the whole time because I’m not an adulter. My dad tells me that my room is “guady” because I have many prayer books and statues. (he might be right on that one ) The only people I think understands me are my two great-grandmothers and only because they were brought up in the TLM and Catholicism was their whole life everyday 24-7. I need advice.

Hey…I can relate. I’m the only Catholic in my nuclear family. My mother insisted that I, the oldest child of three, be confirmed, but didn’t do that in the case of my brother and sister. My adoptive father is an atheist. When my mother, who didn’t attend Mass much, died, there I was, the only Christian in the family, and obviously the only Catholic. I spent the summers as a child with my grandparents, who were strong Catholics. So, every summer, I got a heavy dose of Catholicism. As I entered adulthood, I discovered I was deeply religious. Meanwhile, my nuclear family is atheistic, and mildly shocked by my religiosity,after all these years.

 

[puzzleannie]

how good a job are you doing understanding your family’s needs? if they need the example and witness of a good Christian, then give it by your words and actions, primarily toward them. Rush cheerfully to obey your parents in all things that are not sinful. Do your duties promptly and cheerfully without grumbling, and be kind, always kind, to your siblings. Look for ways to do more for them especially for your parents, and to spare them more work.

above all do not use your private devotions as an excuse to get out of obeying them and doing your duties. arrange your prayer schedule around your parents needs not yours. If you can get to Mass and confession do so (by walking or bicycle of necessary). ask yourself, if I wanted to get to the mall or rock concert and my parents couldn’t drive me would I find a way to get there? If you absolutely cannot get to church, there is no obligation.

Your parents will be much more convinced of your conversion and understand your need for the sacraments by your example in living your life–your charity, kindness, meekness, obedience, cheerfulness, courage and so forth–than by whining about your needs.

if your greatgrandmother really needs you and you could be a help and protection for her, that may be a great solution

saying the chaplet at precisely 3pm is a suggestion, not a law, it is always 3 pm someplace in the world, for instance on EWTN it comes on here at 2 because we are Central time. Unite your prayers with those praying at 3pm someplace in the world. also going to the adoration chapel is a wonderful practice, but not required, so you go when you can. Your parents are not likely to be impressed with your faith if it makes you constantly challenge them and put them down.