Future convert in need of advice

[chloebelle]

Hello! I’m new here, sort of. I’ve been lurking on this site for several months now, but was just able to join today. (-: I’m 17. I was raised a non-denominational mother who taught me to pray and told me bible stories, however due to her addiction issues she wasn’t in my life much and passed away when I was 10. My father is an atheist. Although I wasn’t raised with much religion, my childhood best friend and her family were Catholic. I spent so much time with them that her mother sort of took me in and was a strong role model for me. She was very involved in her faith and took me to mass with her weekly. She was one of the kindest people I have ever encountered and truly epitomized Christian values. She was always helping others or coordinating activities for her parish. She helped my family throughout many dark times without judging. She passed away recently but still serves as a role model for me especially now as I begin my journey to join the Catholic Church.

I considered myself agnostic for most of my life until very recently, on Easter of all days, I felt a very strong presence of God in a way I never have before. I felt compelled to pray for the first time in a long time and since then I have been on a journey to get closer to God. I purchased a copy of the catechism and a Catholic Bible (thanks to this site) and after much research and prayer, I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and plan to enroll in RCIA. I’m very excited about it. My dad is very supportive. Though he’s an atheist, he’s always supported my personal decisions when it comes to religion. He encourages me to pray and attend mass, etc. He’s great. However, I need some advice. My grandma has always been a very important part of my life. She’s done a lot for me. However, she hates Christians. She is an atheist and thinks that all religious people are ignorant and small minded. (Ironic ) After being married to a sexually abusive Catholic man for quite some time before I was born, she especially hates Catholics. She knows that I’m Christian, which was an interesting conversation to say the least, but telling her I plan to convert to Catholicism will be earth shattering for her. Should I tell her? It’s an important part of who I am and as I start attending mass more often if she asks what I’m doing I don’t want to lie to her. Should I just avoid it, or should I tell her, and how?

Sorry for how long this is! Thank you for reading!

 

[Techno2000]

Hello! I’m new here, sort of. I’ve been lurking on this site for several months now, but was just able to join today. (-: I’m 17. I was raised a non-denominational mother who taught me to pray and told me bible stories, however due to her addiction issues she wasn’t in my life much and passed away when I was 10. My father is an atheist. Although I wasn’t raised with much religion, my childhood best friend and her family were Catholic. I spent so much time with them that her mother sort of took me in and was a strong role model for me. She was very involved in her faith and took me to mass with her weekly. She was one of the kindest people I have ever encountered and truly epitomized Christian values. She was always helping others or coordinating activities for her parish. She helped my family throughout many dark times without judging. She passed away recently but still serves as a role model for me especially now as I begin my journey to join the Catholic Church.

I considered myself agnostic for most of my life until very recently, on Easter of all days, I felt a very strong presence of God in a way I never have before. I felt compelled to pray for the first time in a long time and since then I have been on a journey to get closer to God. I purchased a copy of the catechism and a Catholic Bible (thanks to this site) and after much research and prayer, I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and plan to enroll in RCIA. I’m very excited about it. My dad is very supportive. Though he’s an atheist, he’s always supported my personal decisions when it comes to religion. He encourages me to pray and attend mass, etc. He’s great. However, I need some advice. My grandma has always been a very important part of my life. She’s done a lot for me. However, she hates Christians. She is an atheist and thinks that all religious people are ignorant and small minded. (Ironic ) After being married to a sexually abusive Catholic man for quite some time before I was born, she especially hates Catholics. She knows that I’m Christian, which was an interesting conversation to say the least, but telling her I plan to convert to Catholicism will be earth shattering for her. Should I tell her? It’s an important part of who I am and as I start attending mass more often if she asks what I’m doing I don’t want to lie to her. Should I just avoid it, or should I tell her, and how?

Sorry for how long this is! Thank you for reading!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5

 

[JohnR77]

Dear Chloebelle,

Thanks for having the courage to share your beautiful story. What a testament to God’s love and Divine Providence in how He has worked through your life. Your desire to read the Bible and Catechism are examples of God’s love working in your life. I Praise You Jesus Christ for manifesting your glory in Chloebelle’s life.

There are many reasons for being Catholic, and your story speaks to one that is precious in my heart as well, that is, not to judge other people. I am not even my own judge. I don’t want to be the judge of someone else.

God wants to share the beauty of his Life and Love with you. That is why He is drawing you to His Gospel. The devil wants to distract you from carrying out your plan. Each life is unique so you must pray to discern God’s will in regards to your question.

Speaking in a general way, I can see why you would have a natural desire to share something that is so important to you. However, I can also see several reasons why it would seem prudent not to share your decision with your Grandma at this time. Taking into consideration her misconceptions, which are quite understandable based on her life experiences, she does not have the proper framework to understand what Catholicism is or your decision to join it.

In short, to share your decision with her would be an occasion of confusion and upset feelings for her. This could cause you a distracting influence that would not help you or her. I encourage you not to lie regardless of what you decide. But that does not mean you cannot delay by a few years, your revealing to her your decision.

For example, let us say you meet a new friend at Church called Rena. If your Grandma asks, and you are unable to avoid giving an answer to where you have been, you could say, that you were spending time with Rena. And this would be true, not a lie. Just be vague. Change the subject. Share the whole truth later.

How.
Since your Grandma, as we all, is opposed to sexually abusive Catholics, when the time does come to share, share how this new Church, the Church is forever New, that you found is very good at helping others to have a correct and healthy teaching and approach to help others NOT to be sexually abusive. Although, I would save the subject until she brings it up, probably. You can contact me privately if you wish.
Maybe some one else kind find a web page that show the connection between true science and the Catholic Church to show that we are not ignorant and small minded.

God bless,
John

 

[Blue_Rose]

I converted in my early 20’s… my family are British Protestant and have the anti-Catholic belief that has gone on in the U.K. for hundreds of years.
I was terrified to tell my parents about converting. I prayed about it, and eventually they ended up finding out that I was going through RCIA… my mother was upset but as I learnt about my faith I was able to share it with her and gave her a better understanding. She was upset at times, but years have gone by now and all is well.

I’m happy for you! I believe God is leading you to the right path like he did with me. Pray and get involved with a Catholic Church as soon as you can.
I wish I had joined the church sooner, and I wish I had been involved in youth groups when I was that age because now I don’t have anyone I know who is Catholic and I go to church alone. So get involved as much as you can after you go through RCIA.

 

[PJM]

Hello! I’m new here, sort of. I’ve been lurking on this site for several months now, but was just able to join today. (-: I’m 17. I was raised a non-denominational mother who taught me to pray and told me bible stories, however due to her addiction issues she wasn’t in my life much and passed away when I was 10. My father is an atheist. Although I wasn’t raised with much religion, my childhood best friend and her family were Catholic. I spent so much time with them that her mother sort of took me in and was a strong role model for me. She was very involved in her faith and took me to mass with her weekly. She was one of the kindest people I have ever encountered and truly epitomized Christian values. She was always helping others or coordinating activities for her parish. She helped my family throughout many dark times without judging. She passed away recently but still serves as a role model for me especially now as I begin my journey to join the Catholic Church.

I considered myself agnostic for most of my life until very recently, on Easter of all days, I felt a very strong presence of God in a way I never have before. I felt compelled to pray for the first time in a long time and since then I have been on a journey to get closer to God. I purchased a copy of the catechism and a Catholic Bible (thanks to this site) and after much research and prayer, I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and plan to enroll in RCIA. I’m very excited about it. My dad is very supportive. Though he’s an atheist, he’s always supported my personal decisions when it comes to religion. He encourages me to pray and attend mass, etc. He’s great. However, I need some advice. My grandma has always been a very important part of my life. She’s done a lot for me. However, she hates Christians. She is an atheist and thinks that all religious people are ignorant and small minded. (Ironic ) After being married to a sexually abusive Catholic man for quite some time before I was born, she especially hates Catholics. She knows that I’m Christian, which was an interesting conversation to say the least, but telling her I plan to convert to Catholicism will be earth shattering for her. Should I tell her? It’s an important part of who I am and as I start attending mass more often if she asks what I’m doing I don’t want to lie to her. Should I just avoid it, or should I tell her, and how?

Sorry for how long this is! Thank you for reading!

First of all, WELCOME to CAF!

And thanks for sharing.

As a FYI, ALL conversions come through the Holy Spirit, and as Easter is the “High Holy Day” in Christianity, because Christ rose form the dead, so to we will rise from the dead, and by our personal life choices, choose either eternal heaven or hell.

MY [personal] opinion is not to tell grandma unless she ask, at this point. I presume you do not yet know enough about the RCC to be able to explain or defend it; so I don’t see an upside at PRESENT to be “looking for trouble.”

As to the Catechism: The one that is easiest to use is called:“UNITED STATES CATHOLIC CATECHISM FOR ADULTS”; the older versions were written for bishops, priest and Catholic Catechist, can be a bit MORE difficult to comprehend, and in can be attained through the USCCB web site {US Conference of Catholic Bishops}

The USA NORM for RCIA is to stat with Back to School, and End on Easter Sunday, although this can vary some from parish to parish ; so if your expectation is for THIS year, you would be well advised to QUICKLY contact your local parish and get enrolled. Even now might {???] be too late for THIS year, BUT do ask ASAP. Its up to the Pastor to decide.

Attending Mass is a very good thing, do so as often as is possible for you; BUT do not present your self for Holy Communion until such time as you are formally entered into the Church. … Some Pastors permit non-Catholics to process to the front to receive a Blessing. If your’s permits such, you should sit in a PEW where you would process up to the Priest, and avoid the Lay-Eucharistic Minister, who are not to give Blessings in the Communion Lines. {Father hands are consecrated, the EM’s not so.}

God Bless you, and be looking for a private message from me

PRAY MUCH

Patrick {PJM} here on CAF

 

[Wesrock]

Welcome! That is in many ways a beautiful story. I wish I had some advice for you. I just can’t help but comment on this subversion of the usual young-adult- needs-to-come-out-to-elders-about-her-faith story (religious young adult and atheist grandmother). It’s refreshing. I sincerely wish you a wonderful journey into the Church. It’s unfortunate and sad how scandal (in your grandmother’s abusive husband) can scar people in such ways so as to leave them very hurt. Perhaps this will be an opportunity to provide her with some healing for her in the good example you set, even if she takes it hard at first.

 

[chloebelle]

Thank you all for your kind words an welcomes! I am so happy to have joined this site because I do not know any Catholics near me, whereas my hometown was prodominantly Catholic. It’s so nice to have people to share these things with. My plan is to begin RCIA next year when I am in college (I am a senior in high school) because class scheduling is more flexible. Until that point, I’m doing my own research. Any book/website suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you all for your kindness!

 

[PJM]

Thank you all for your kind words an welcomes! I am so happy to have joined this site because I do not know any Catholics near me, whereas my hometown was prodominantly Catholic. It’s so nice to have people to share these things with. My plan is to begin RCIA next year when I am in college (I am a senior in high school) because class scheduling is more flexible. Until that point, I’m doing my own research. Any book/website suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you all for your kindness!

Your welcome,

Continued Blessings

PJM

 

[SanctusMarcus]

Thank you all for your kind words an welcomes! I am so happy to have joined this site because I do not know any Catholics near me, whereas my hometown was prodominantly Catholic. It’s so nice to have people to share these things with. My plan is to begin RCIA next year when I am in college (I am a senior in high school) because class scheduling is more flexible. Until that point, I’m doing my own research. Any book/website suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you all for your kindness!

Welcome home. That is the usual greeting for people coming into the Faith. I myself am also a convert, but from the dreaded Church of England!

There is so much reading material for us to get through. The Church is the fount of wisdom. The materials I would recommend would be:

1. The Holy Bible: drbo.org/
2. The Catechism: vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm
3. The Church Fathers: newadvent.org/fathers/
4. The Popes: papalencyclicals.net/popelist.htm
5. The Church Councils: papalencyclicals.net/Councils/index.htm

This is just the beginning, but enough for now!

God bless.

 

[PJM]

Hello! I’m new here, sort of. I’ve been lurking on this site for several months now, but was just able to join today. (-: I’m 17. I was raised a non-denominational mother who taught me to pray and told me bible stories, however due to her addiction issues she wasn’t in my life much and passed away when I was 10. My father is an atheist. Although I wasn’t raised with much religion, my childhood best friend and her family were Catholic. I spent so much time with them that her mother sort of took me in and was a strong role model for me. She was very involved in her faith and took me to mass with her weekly. She was one of the kindest people I have ever encountered and truly epitomized Christian values. She was always helping others or coordinating activities for her parish. She helped my family throughout many dark times without judging. She passed away recently but still serves as a role model for me especially now as I begin my journey to join the Catholic Church.

I considered myself agnostic for most of my life until very recently, on Easter of all days, I felt a very strong presence of God in a way I never have before. I felt compelled to pray for the first time in a long time and since then I have been on a journey to get closer to God. I purchased a copy of the catechism and a Catholic Bible (thanks to this site) and after much research and prayer, I have been drawn to the Catholic Church and plan to enroll in RCIA. I’m very excited about it. My dad is very supportive. Though he’s an atheist, he’s always supported my personal decisions when it comes to religion. He encourages me to pray and attend mass, etc. He’s great. However, I need some advice. My grandma has always been a very important part of my life. She’s done a lot for me. However, she hates Christians. She is an atheist and thinks that all religious people are ignorant and small minded. (Ironic ) After being married to a sexually abusive Catholic man for quite some time before I was born, she especially hates Catholics. She knows that I’m Christian, which was an interesting conversation to say the least, but telling her I plan to convert to Catholicism will be earth shattering for her. Should I tell her? It’s an important part of who I am and as I start attending mass more often if she asks what I’m doing I don’t want to lie to her. Should I just avoid it, or should I tell her, and how?

Sorry for how long this is! Thank you for reading!

PRAY VERY MUCH

ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN CAUSE A CONVERSION; SO UNTIL YOUR FRIEND IS WILLING TO REPENT AND RE-CONVERT; PRAYER IS THE BEST ROUTE

IF HE BELIEVES IN THE BIBLE ASK HIM TO READ HEBREWS 6:1-8

THAT;S GOD, NOT JUST GODS CHURCH SAYING THIS {if you’d like a detailed explanation of this let me know}

God Bless you

Patrick {PJM}

 

[camkutz]

We have very similar journeys!! Before I say anything this will be the best decision of your life and the most rewarding

I, too, felt a strong presence on Easter which brought me back to the Church and through other hardships I found my way too.

Even down to your grandma, I also had a very similar situation that she too was anti-Catholic and always said to me because I was leaning towards this way “don’t ever become Catholic” blah, blah… I did and after some time I told her I was becoming Catholic, she wasn’t too supportive but she dealt with it the only thing she did say to me, actually the first thing she said to me was “don’t become a priest” hahahahaha but she passed away a year or two later and thanks to the charity of my priest he supported my family through that time and ended up doing her funeral towards the end she was more sympathetic towards me and I am grateful for that. It’s the whole parental “as long as they’re happy” thing which I guess kicked in eventually. It’ll take time maybe for her to grow to the idea but through your example you could help her overcome what happened to her with regards to Catholicism and maybe God willing through your prayers and actions you can help others come to the faith.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey!!! Also your first communion will be amazing I felt like I was floating away from the altar rail!

 

[JohnR77]

Thank you all for your kind words an welcomes! I am so happy to have joined this site because I do not know any Catholics near me, whereas my hometown was prodominantly Catholic. It’s so nice to have people to share these things with. My plan is to begin RCIA next year when I am in college (I am a senior in high school) because class scheduling is more flexible. Until that point, I’m doing my own research. Any book/website suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you all for your kindness!

Greetings,

Besides private prayer, the Mass – Eucharistic Celebration – is the most important interaction with the Church. Unfortunately, most people just assume everyone knows how to pray it well. In my opinion this is the biggest mistake Catholic make.

UNDERSTANDING THE MASS,
by Father Maynard Kolodziej, O. F. M.
Catholic Book Publishing Corp.
It cost $5.95 including shipping and handling, but it is worth so much more, especially seeing what is at stake.
It is about 80 pages. From experience I find that many people will find the length to be overwhelming and tend to put off reading it and sometimes never get around to it. So I ask them to read only chapter three, the most important part. It is pages 41-66.
I stress for that I only want them to read the third chapter, so that at least the will start reading it. Usually they will like it so much that they read it all. By learning how to pray the Mass better, we learn how to put more into it, and learn how much and WHO we receive from it. It is FANTASTIC.

More suggestions on Mass

Scott Hahn

.

 

[PJM]

quote
Originally Posted by chloebelle View Post
Thank you all for your kind words an welcomes! I am so happy to have joined this site because I do not know any Catholics near me, whereas my hometown was prodominantly Catholic. It’s so nice to have people to share these things with. My plan is to begin RCIA next year when I am in college (I am a senior in high school) because class scheduling is more flexible. Until that point, I’m doing my own research. Any book/website suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you all for your kindness! end quote

Greetings,

Besides private prayer, the Mass – Eucharistic Celebration – is the most important interaction with the Church. Unfortunately, most people just assume everyone knows how to pray it well. In my opinion this is the biggest mistake Catholic make.

**UNDERSTANDING THE MASS, **
by Father Maynard Kolodziej, O. F. M.
Catholic Book Publishing Corp.
It cost $5.95 including shipping and handling, but it is worth so much more, especially seeing what is at stake.
It is about 80 pages. From experience I find that many people will find the length to be overwhelming and tend to put off reading it and sometimes never get around to it. So I ask them to read only chapter three, the most important part. It is pages 41-66.
I stress for that I only want them to read the third chapter, so that at least the will start reading it. Usually they will like it so much that they read it all. By learning how to pray the Mass better, we learn how to put more into it, and learn how much and WHO we receive from it. It is FANTASTIC.

More suggestions on Mass

Scott Hahn

.

As a FYI,

I recently published a new book that is aimed at folks like yourself, chloebelle] considering or knowing they are going to enter into RCIA; it’s also for lapsed Catholics, and anyone who desires a fuller understanding of our Beautiful Catholic Faith, with an emphasis on providing the evidence of our Catholic beliefs and practices.

catholicandchristianbypatrickmiron.com/

I’m a trained Catholic Catechist, who co-taught RCIA for 3 years, and have nearly 30 years of experience in teaching our Catholic Faith.

I only mention this book as it is targeted it would seem to your immediate needs.

The book has BTW tow chapters on Prayer:thumbsup:

GREAT POST REPLY JohnR77! THANKS

GBY

Patrick [PJM here on CAF]

 

[Bookcat]

I was received into the Church when I was 18…



So many years ago…

In Jesus Christ and thus in his Church is* true life*.

He is the pearl of great price…one sells everything for…

 

[PJM]

I was received into the Church when I was 18…



So many years ago…

In Jesus Christ and thus in his Church is* true life*.

He is the pearl of great price…one sells everything for…

AMEN! and Thank you!

Continued Blessings

Patrick