Help! Protestant Family -- New Catholic

[jennapope]

I am a relatively new Catholic. The rest of my family is a BASTION of Protestantism. Are we, as Catholics, supposed to reach out to our Protestant relatives and try to convert them to Catholicism? I want to see them in Heaven!

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jenna Pope

 

[jediliz]

what are their beliefs…OSAS, Anti Catholic (meaning catholics aren’t christian)

1. Pray.
2. Educate. Are they open to learning about what the early Christians actually believed? If so, direct them to the writings of the early church fathers.
3. Pray again

 

[Slaney]

I am a relatively new Catholic. The rest of my family is a BASTION of Protestantism. Are we, as Catholics, supposed to reach out to our Protestant relatives and try to convert them to Catholicism? I want to see them in Heaven!

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jenna Pope

Actions speak louder than words, baby steps are what’s needed, I personally would say nothing until I was asked… as I’m sure you will be in time ask you lots of questions, or ridicule you, if they do, keep a dignified silence, just like Jesus…teach by example, not by telling…

 

[aemcpa]

I am a relatively new Catholic. The rest of my family is a BASTION of Protestantism. Are we, as Catholics, supposed to reach out to our Protestant relatives and try to convert them to Catholicism? I want to see them in Heaven!

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jenna Pope

The Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is the will of God that every human person join Her, visibly, by making himself or herself subject to the Roman Pontiff.

That being said, it may be the case that their hearts and minds are closed to the true Gospel at this time, and that the only thing you can do is be a living example of holiness and of devotion to the Catholic Church. Preach nothing but Christ crucified among them, and be prepared to offer a defense of your faith whenever called upon. But if proselytism will not be well received, you might have to be more subtle until such time as the Holy Spirit softens their minds and hearts to hear the truth.

 

[cheezey]

Actions speak louder than words, baby steps are what’s needed, I personally would say nothing until I was asked… as I’m sure you will be in time ask you lots of questions, or ridicule you, if they do, keep a dignified silence, just like Jesus…teach by example, not by telling…

 

[JRKH]

Yes we are to reach out to them. But I don’t think we are to “try to convert them”. That is the Holy Spirit’s job.
What we ARE suppose to do is to live our faith completely.
Live your life in Love
Show your family that you love Jesus.
Be prepared to answer questions and correct misconceptions.
Learn to use the Bible to answer many of these questions.
Emphasize the commonalities…Christ, Faith, Scripture.

And all through this, pray for them and with them.

Peace
James

 

[aemcpa]

You can see them in heaven, even if they are not Catholic.

Maybe. All the means that God has given us for salvation are in the Catholic Church, and outside the Church the path to Heaven is perilous, fraught with danger, and there are innumerable paths that one might choose to take that lead to Hell.

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

You can see them in heaven, even if they are not Catholic.

Maybe. Only God knows. I’ll stick to the sacraments to have the best of chances though. Particularly, Confession.

 

[Arthropod]

1. Are they open to learning about what the early Christians actually believed? If so, direct them to the writings of the early church fathers. . .

“They said therefore unto Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” For He had said to them, “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto eternal life.” “What shall we do?” they ask; by observing what, shall we be able to fulfill this precept? “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He has sent.” This is then to eat the meat, not that which perisheth, but that which endureth unto eternal life. To what purpose dost thou make ready teeth and stomach? Believe, and thou hast eaten already.

Dr. St. Augustine:

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,’ says Christ, ‘and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.’ This seems to enjoin a crime or a vice; it is therefore a figure . . . .

St. Cyril of Jerusalem:

This seal have thou ever on thy mind which now by way of summary has been touched on in its heads, and if the Lord grant, shall hereafter be set forth according to our power, with Scripture-proofs. For concerning the divine and sacred Mysteries of the Faith, we ought not to deliver even the most casual remark without the Holy Scriptures, nor be drawn aside by mere probabilities and the artifices of argument. Do not then believe me because I tell thee of these things, unless thou receive from the Holy Scriptures the proof of what is set forth: for this salvation, which is of our faith, is not by ingenious reasonings, but by proof from the Holy Scriptures

Tertullian:

I revere the fullness of His Scripture, in which He manifests to me both the Creator and the creation. In the gospel, moreover, I discover a Minister and Witness of the Creator, even His Word. But whether all things were made out of any underlying Matter, I have as yet failed anywhere to find. Where such a statement is written, Hermogene’s shop must tell us. If it is nowhere written, then let it fear the woe which impends on all who add to or take away from the written word.

St. Athanasius:

Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith’s sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; . . . .

 

[BVMFatima]

I am a relatively new Catholic. The rest of my family is a BASTION of Protestantism. Are we, as Catholics, supposed to reach out to our Protestant relatives and try to convert them to Catholicism? I want to see them in Heaven!

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jenna Pope

You are not alone, my whole family is Non Denominational Protestant and they hate that I’m coming into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. What I do is pray for there conversion and go to Mass every Sunday to show that I am deep in my faith. Pray for me as I will pray for you, that our families convert to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

God Bless!
BVMFatima