Friend left the Catholic church, how can I help?

[simplesong77]

My best friend left the Catholic church about a year or so ago. She recently married a man who had been previously married and divorced. Although, this happened when he was really young and he wasn’t married for long, but he was married, nonetheless. He’s a great guy, but instead of seeking an annulment and getting married in the Catholic church, she had a non-denominational wedding instead. I was the maid of honor in her wedding, which was really sweet of her since she was my maid of honor. But, I was left feeling a little strange about it, since we grew up in the church together and it saddened me that she was not married in the Catholic church. I have talked to her a little bit about leaving the Church and she expressed concerns with not feeling a strong connection with the church anymore, and of course, the whole “I just want to build a personal relationship with Jesus”. She also commented on how there are too many rules in the Catholic church that don’t make any sense. It worries me…What’s also sad, is that her mother was once a practicing Catholic herself, and she fell away from the church a little while before my friend did. Her mom was a convert, so no one else in her immediate family is Catholic. Any suggestions on how I can help her? Books? I have no idea where to start other than praying. She now lives over 1000 miles away so I only get to see her in person once or twice a year.

 

[Castello]

How sad for you, and for your friend - first, pray for her every single day. Have a mass said for her.

I would advise you to get her in touch with

catholicscomehome.org/

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

All you can do is pray and be the best example of a catholic that you can be.

As stated above, you could have Masses said for her intention.

It’s in God’s hands now.

 

[Luvtosew]

Most of my friends are Protestants and that has not interferred at all with friendships. My one brother became Prostestant also and you know who talks to me most about God and the Bible , him, my other sibblings don’t even want to talk about God, and they don’t read the Bible either. So pray for her happiness, everyone can use prayers.

 

[hazmat]

best way to help a couple with their problems is usually to mind your own business. she married her husband, not the church. she isnt a nun. if theyre told theyll face consequences over the type of wedding they have–something so petty–and marry however they want anyway, i imagine they have little regard for the institution wagging its finger at their relationship.

you can try to change their minds i suppose. prayer always works.

 

[fide]

My best friend left the Catholic church about a year or so ago. …

I offer my condolences - this is such a sad, sad story that is repeated far, far too often. The problem is, Catholics do not know the Faith! So they do not value it as the treasure that it is - entrusted to them by God. Those who leave, do not know what they had, so they don’t know what they are now missing.

The Church needs continuing adult catechesis, continually urged upon the congregation by pastors who know this and believe it and accept their responsibility as shepherds to provide the flock with what we need.

But as it is, now, what you can do is pray and weep and pray some more. And say what you can when and if you can. But at this point, it is up to the Lord to move them both within to hunger for the fullness of holy Truth. If and when this hunger begins to develop in them, then they will begin to ask and seek and knock. When they do, they will find.