How do I handle this?

[Justin_Mee]

I have been a Catholic since Easter vigil and thanks be to God. I have never been happier in my life. I, of course, attended RCIA since Sept. of last year and have never missed a Mass since then. My wife is a cradle Catholic and attends Mass with me. We were Protestants from the time we were married until my conversion (a loooong time). My problem is that our former Protestant faith organization does not know it. They still schedule us for ministries such as cleaning the communion plates and cups. We have been doing our duty and after Mass, going to the protestant church and cleaning up after their communion service which consist of dumping the crackers and grape juice and washing the trays ( I feel funny about this after attending Mass). Apparently, no one has missed us at church. I REALLY don’t want to offend any of my friends at the protestant church, but this is getting out of hand. Also, we are still listed as members. How should I handle this?

 

[mccloud]

Be open, be honest, and those people that are true friends will treat you exactly the same as before.

 

[mark_a]

I have been a Catholic since Easter vigil and thanks be to God. I have never been happier in my life. I, of course, attended RCIA since Sept. of last year and have never missed a Mass since then. My wife is a cradle Catholic and attends Mass with me. We were Protestants from the time we were married until my conversion (a loooong time). My problem is that our former Protestant faith organization does not know it. They still schedule us for ministries such as cleaning the communion plates and cups. We have been doing our duty and after Mass, going to the protestant church and cleaning up after their communion service which consist of dumping the crackers and grape juice and washing the trays ( I feel funny about this after attending Mass). Apparently, no one has missed us at church. I REALLY don’t want to offend any of my friends at the protestant church, but this is getting out of hand. Also, we are still listed as members. How should I handle this?

They deserve to know that you are Catholic.

 

[Catholic1954]

It’s time to speak up! Call your pastor and tell him that you need to resign from his congregation and tell him why. Hopefully, he will be happy for you and you can keep in touch. Is there someone else who can take over your duties of cleaning up? Tell whoever schedules you for it that you can no longer do it, you can work for the rest of your scheduled time and then don’t show up anymore. Welcome Home!!

 

[choy]

there’s nothing wrong if you really want to help them out. as long as you are not professing your faith in their denomination, it doesn’t go against anything on your Catholic faith. but i agree with everyone else, you should be honest to them about it and let them know. but if you want to continue helping them out in this capacity, i don’t think its against Catholic teaching

 

[Trishie]

I know it’s scary to risk losing friends and to risk criticism, but chances are that sooner or later someone will find out and this may be worse for you than if you honestly and kindly inform the former pastor and community.

God is a God of truth.

Leviticus 19:11"'Do not steal. "'Do not lie. “'Do not deceive one another.”

Luke 16:10 - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

I am sad to think you may lose friends, and you may undergo some criticism, but God grant that you are strong enough in the truth to bear such losses…as Jesus also did in speaking the truth

 

[jmcrae]

I have been a Catholic since Easter vigil and thanks be to God. I have never been happier in my life. I, of course, attended RCIA since Sept. of last year and have never missed a Mass since then. My wife is a cradle Catholic and attends Mass with me. We were Protestants from the time we were married until my conversion (a loooong time). My problem is that our former Protestant faith organization does not know it. They still schedule us for ministries such as cleaning the communion plates and cups. We have been doing our duty and after Mass, going to the protestant church and cleaning up after their communion service which consist of dumping the crackers and grape juice and washing the trays ( I feel funny about this after attending Mass). Apparently, no one has missed us at church. I REALLY don’t want to offend any of my friends at the protestant church, but this is getting out of hand. Also, we are still listed as members. How should I handle this?

You needed to have put in a letter of resignation from your Protestant Church, and stopped attending, when you started your RCIA process.

I’m so sorry that no one made you aware of that.

Now that you know, just do it now. Don’t worry - your Protestant friends will cope just fine.

 

[dachsiemom2]

I would call the church office and tell them you have joined another church and that you are resigning from the congregation. If you receive calls from members of the congregation, be honest with them and tell them why you will be no longer assisting at the church. Doesn’t mean that you can’t be social friends.