Help! I'm becoming Catholic!

[Pixie_Dust]

Your wording of “separate” caught my eye. Don’t you think that this would be one of the last things that God would want to happen in our families, especially a marriage? Our faith should bring us together, not separate us.

God Bless!

Luke 12:51-53 (D-R)

51Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.

52For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.

53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

 

[dessert]

Hi M W,
I think your idea to say the Our Father is a good one and you are certainly considerate of your wife. Try asking her if you can pray the meal prayer and make the sign and just say if anyone likes to join in they can. I sometimes pray the Our Father at the table.I think she will be glad you are standing up as the husband and being gentle and patient. You must study so you can have the correct answers for your children when they as questions and if you don’t have the answer tell them you will seek the answer, but ask her and don’t do it secretly, or make a scene but tell her when she is ready, sometimes it is a little scary at first but if you are committed she will eventually follow it may take a year, look how long it has influenced you and made sense using your reason. Blessings

 

[mercygate]

Thanks jmcrae for the information. I really am pretty disappointed about the last paragraph. I understand the reasoning, but it’s still difficult. That would further separate us as a family (sigh).

Peace…

MW

This can depend on the person and the circumstances. Scott Hahn attended an evangelical church with his wife after his conversion because of the very same issues you mention. This would be a pastoral decision made in consultation with your pastor or spiritual director.

But you definitely would not receive their communion.

 

[Pier]

Will light a candle for you and your family, Mystic Warrior…

Want to say that I haven’t read all the posts in this thread, but did want to post here yesterday. Want to suggest that you watch EWTN on Sunday nights at 9PM ET - the show is called GK Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense. It is on most Sundays, which will give you (and your family) the delightful opportunity to watch together (eventually, if they’re not interested initially)…

Chesterton was a writer and Catholic convert a hundred years ago. He became a Catholic despite the fact that his wife Frances (at first) was not (she did convert a couple of years later). He wrote a book before his conversion, called Orthodoxy, which you might like.

Have to go, but want to add that if you click on the top link in my signature (the one that ends with the word “Chesterton” - it will take you to the EWTN audio library file of the show - you can listen to the actual show, hosted by the wonderful Dale Ahlquist (President of the American Chesterton Society) - while surfing the net. Just open another tab or window to do so…

God bless you!

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Thank you mercygate, Pier, Dessert, Pixie Dust and Gabriel of 12. I will try to respond back individually to you later when I have a moment. I just wanted to acknowledge your posts and thank you for your prayers and advice.

Peace…

MW

 

[jmcrae]

This can depend on the person and the circumstances. Scott Hahn attended an evangelical church with his wife after his conversion because of the very same issues you mention. This would be a pastoral decision made in consultation with your pastor or spiritual director.

But you definitely would not receive their communion.

He was also released from the obligation to fast on Holy Saturday (converts are ordinarily supposed to fast from Good Friday morning until the end of the Easter Vigil) - his pastor told him to take his wife and children out for a picnic.

Most of us are not Scott Hahn, though. But definitely, Mystic, speak to your pastor, keep him informed at every step of the way about what’s going on, and then follow his advice.

Once your pastor has spoken, we here in the “peanut gallery” have no say - all we can do is recount our own experiences, for whatever they may be worth.

 

[mercygate]

He was also released from the obligation to fast on Holy Saturday (converts are ordinarily supposed to fast from Good Friday morning until the end of the Easter Vigil) - his pastor told him to take his wife and children out for a picnic.

Most of us are not Scott Hahn, though. But definitely, Mystic, speak to your pastor, keep him informed at every step of the way about what’s going on, and then follow his advice.

Once your pastor has spoken, we here in the “peanut gallery” have no say - all we can do is recount our own experiences, for whatever they may be worth.

Affirmative. Roger. OK. NOBODY is Scott Hahn, but I say Mystic is not your average convert and maybe a little pastoral guidance could help him work WITH his family rather than against them.

SEE YOUR PASTOR, MYSTIC!

 

[beckycmarie]

You’ll have to give up ‘exorcising’ demons you realize?

… but I’m sure you already knew that.

Actually, he doesn’t have to totally abandon helping folks who are demonized. He could just Catholicize what he’s doing and maybe get some training from a Catholic deliverance ministry.

 

[beckycmarie]

Does the church have “lay-exorcists”?

Laypersons cannot perform solemn exorcisms; only a priest appointed by a bishop can do that.

Lay persons can participate in deliverance ministries like the one I do volunteer work for, and counsel and pray for people who are having issues of demonization.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Good point. If our only family time together is at church, then I need to start with some additional activiites to help us bond together more.

Thanks!

Peace…

MW

if you avoid arguments with your family about the faith, things will work out well.
has your wife ever attended mass with you?
show the joy of being a catholic to your family without preaching to them.
say things like: today we talked about this and that. watch if she shows interest.
God guide you through your journey as you find His Truth.*

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

This can depend on the person and the circumstances. Scott Hahn attended an evangelical church with his wife after his conversion because of the very same issues you mention. This would be a pastoral decision made in consultation with your pastor or spiritual director.

But you definitely would not receive their communion.

Thanks mercy. I do think every person’s conversion involves a little different circumstances that the Church understands. Of course there are certain requirements, but God is also merciful and I expect His Church to be also.

Peace…

MW

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Affirmative. Roger. OK. NOBODY is Scott Hahn, but I say Mystic is not your average convert and maybe a little pastoral guidance could help him work WITH his family rather than against them.

SEE YOUR PASTOR, MYSTIC!

Thanks again Mercygate.

When I went to the priest 4 years ago he was very surprised because I came to him out of theological convictions and shared my religious devotional practices. Most people came to him out of marriage obligations and really didn’t want to convert. They just wanted to get married!

I need a lot of pastoral guidance! LOL.

He and the RCIA director were enthusiastic and seemed really willing to listen. Since my case is not that difficult with my valid marriage and valid baptism it wasn’t going to be that cumbersome to convert. Although, I didn’t have a sponsor then and I don’t have one now. They were certain that someone in the Church would help me.

Peace…

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

if you avoid arguments with your family about the faith, things will work out well.
has your wife ever attended mass with you?
show the joy of being a catholic to your family without preaching to them.
say things like: today we talked about this and that. watch if she shows interest.
God guide you through your journey as you find His Truth.*

Thanks wisdomseeker.

No, she hasn’t. I only went to mass twice and I loved it. The sanctuary was beautiful. I did go to a basilica about a year ago that is not far from where I live and it was simply a beautiful experience. One of the things that draws me to Catholicism is the ritual and the majesty of the experience.

I watch EWTN sometimes and we’ve even watched Mother Angelica with the nuns praying the Rosary. She didn’t revolt at that, so that’s a start! She actually likes Mother Angelica because she is so spunky. My wife also has watched her give a teaching also.

Peace…

MW

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Actually, he doesn’t have to totally abandon helping folks who are demonized. He could just Catholicize what he’s doing and maybe get some training from a Catholic deliverance ministry.

That’s true and I never will abandon folks who need help. The dark side should still be afraid - very, very afraid God will work miracles and healing through any person willing to be a means of His grace. I am simply a tool and wherever He sends me I will follow. Jesus is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

Peace…

MW

 

[ralphinal]

That’s true and I never will abandon folks who need help. The dark side should still be afraid - very, very afraid God will work miracles and healing through any person willing to be a means of His grace. I am simply a tool and wherever He sends me I will follow. Jesus is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

Peace…

MW

In some ways, more afraid, for now you can embrace all of the tools that a lay Catholic has

 

[Lapell]

Okay, now that I got your attention

I’ll try to be brief.

In 2004 I began to investigate Catholicism, went to see a priest and the RCIA director. My wife was not open to bringing our kids up as Catholics. She really still isn’t, but is open to me following my own path.

So, after much contention I dropped it altogether because it was causing marital problems. I went through 3 years of doubt, disbelief and utter confusion in which I even left Christianity.

So, now I’m back, more than ever finding my experiences and belief match a lot of Catholicism. I even find myself responding with Catholic answers to questions

The matter of publicly professing that I agree and follow all the Pope’s decrees seems hypocritical of me based on my disagreement with some doctrines within the Church. I just don’t want to be a cafeteria Catholic. I hope that makes sense.

I want to be able to say fully and wholeheartedly that I follow all the teachings of the Church, the magisterium and Pope at Easter and mean it.

Besides a few theological differences, there is still a family issue. We go to a Lutheran church and my wife and kids are really happy there. I don’t want us to follow two different faiths and confuse our children.

I guess I’m asking for prayer and guidance from you all. I admit that I’ve scorned the Church, even vehemently in some cases. I’m back to the confused state that I was in 4 years ago.

I just had to get that off my chest and show some vulnerability.

Peace…

MW

MW, did you communicate with Coming Home Network International? I think many people having lived similar experiences can help you there. I know it begins with www.chnetwork … is it just followed with “.com”? I am not sure… but on today’s program The Journey Home on EWTN (8 p.m. Eastern Time; 4 p.m. Pacific Time), they should be showing the e-mail address.
God bless you!

 

[Techno2000]

Okay, now that I got your attention

I’ll try to be brief.

In 2004 I began to investigate Catholicism, went to see a priest and the RCIA director. My wife was not open to bringing our kids up as Catholics. She really still isn’t, but is open to me following my own path.

So, after much contention I dropped it altogether because it was causing marital problems. I went through 3 years of doubt, disbelief and utter confusion in which I even left Christianity.

So, now I’m back, more than ever finding my experiences and belief match a lot of Catholicism. I even find myself responding with Catholic answers to questions

The matter of publicly professing that I agree and follow all the Pope’s decrees seems hypocritical of me based on my disagreement with some doctrines within the Church. I just don’t want to be a cafeteria Catholic. I hope that makes sense.

I want to be able to say fully and wholeheartedly that I follow all the teachings of the Church, the magisterium and Pope at Easter and mean it.

Besides a few theological differences, there is still a family issue. We go to a Lutheran church and my wife and kids are really happy there. I don’t want us to follow two different faiths and confuse our children.

I guess I’m asking for prayer and guidance from you all. I admit that I’ve scorned the Church, even vehemently in some cases. I’m back to the confused state that I was in 4 years ago.

I just had to get that off my chest and show some vulnerability.

Peace…

MW

angelfire.com/ca3/rafaelmarie/ThePieta/athepieta.html
catholicbooksonline.org/item.asp?PID=294
catholicforum.com/churches/cathteach/divinemercy1.htm
our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy/