how do you get the wife of a pastor closer to the Catholic Church?

[kooldood]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

 

[Trishie]

I guess you already know, above all pray and trust in God.
It’s the Holy Spirit’s initiative and task to grant her the graces that God desires for her. It is, after all, a complex situation, considering that she is a pastor’s wife. Her possible conversion may impact on her marriage relationship and her husband’s work and congregation. May the Holy Spirit guide everything.

God bless you for your witness.

 

[prodigalson12]

Perfect book for this situation is Scott and Kimberly Hahn as the authors Rome sweet Home. The beauty of this one, it tells Scott’s story and how he came to become Catholic while his wife was still protestant for quite some time. It is filled with a lot of facts as well, and the fact she’s already interested in the rosary, makes it that much easier, since that tends to be a stumbling block for many protestants.

 

[JRKH]

I’m sure you’ll get a lot of good answers and tips, the only thing I can offer is to say that I think you are already on the right track.
Just be there as a good witness to Christ and to the teachings of the Church.
Answer the questions and concerns as they come up and if you don’t know an answer don’t be afraid to say so.
Then go and get the answer from your pastor, or the catechism or from here.

AND Pray…

Peace
James

 

[Rachel_1]

Perfect book for this situation is Scott and Kimberly Hahn as the authors Rome sweet Home. The beauty of this one, it tells Scott’s story and how he came to become Catholic while his wife was still protestant for quite some time. It is filled with a lot of facts as well, and the fact she’s already interested in the rosary, makes it that much easier, since that tends to be a stumbling block for many protestants.

I have to agree!
I came from paganism to the church, I’m now in RCIA and know I’ve found my home.
I started myself with the Rosary a strong urge to pray it for a reason I still don’t understand, except that it was the Holy Spirit drawing me. After a week of praying it, I read Scott Hahn’s conversion story, within a few days, I had the biggest, strongest urge to go to Catholic mass and become Catholic. I ignored it for a few days, then the dreams started, every night. After a few nights of this, I just randomly showed up at the local Catholic church and told them I need to be Catholic. The woman I spoke with that happened to pull in the driveway just after me said she wasn’t even supposed to be there, she ended up becoming my sponsor

 

[Kirk_O]

I have to agree!
I came from paganism to the church, I’m now in RCIA and know I’ve found my home.
I started myself with the Rosary a strong urge to pray it for a reason I still don’t understand, except that it was the Holy Spirit drawing me. After a week of praying it, I read Scott Hahn’s conversion story, within a few days, I had the biggest, strongest urge to go to Catholic mass and become Catholic. I ignored it for a few days, then the dreams started, every night. After a few nights of this, I just randomly showed up at the local Catholic church and told them I need to be Catholic. The woman I spoke with that happened to pull in the driveway just after me said she wasn’t even supposed to be there, she ended up becoming my sponsor

I am so happy for you. I love hearing stories of how the Holy Spirit works in drawing people back to God or even better back to the Church. I have a saying “I have always heard Him calling. I’m so thankful I now listen”

 

[Rachel_1]

I am so happy for you. I love hearing stories of how the Holy Spirit works in drawing people back to God or even better back to the Church. I have a saying “I have always heard Him calling. I’m so thankful I now listen”

You know what else is cool?
I’ll be just like sitting here working or something and things will just “hit” me.
For instance, I’d heard a thousand times before that Jesus died for us right, well, one day I was in the kitchen making food for my grandkids and it ‘hit me’ that Jesus died for us! Like really hit me… I was like WOW, I finally understood it ya know.
It seems to happen all the time anymore. Like things are hitting me that we haven’t even covered in the Catechism yet, like the Real Presence and the Sacrament of Confession and Marriage and stuff.
When I go to Mass (which I haven’t missed one since I went to the parking lot that day and sometimes I go several times a week), it’s like I understand even more, and it hit me about telling Jesus that I can’t receive Him in the Sacrament yet, but I want to… and I found out after doing that for weeks that it’s called Spiritual Communion.
I also started having this feeling like I am supposed to be a nun or something about 1 1/2 months ago… really strong. I know I can’t be though because I’m married… and guess what, it hit me again what I’m supposed to do… I’m supposed to be an oblate (I didn’t even know what that was and had to look it up lol). I don’t know where I’m supposed to be one yet though, but I assume I’ll figure that out later on, I have some time still
Anyway, I’m just super grateful to God for all He’s doing in my life

:bowdown2:

 

[Hisalone]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

My hunch is the is reading these books not so much for herself but to help lead you to a fuller faith.

 

[JRKH]

My hunch is the is reading these books not so much for herself but to help lead you to a fuller faith.

I think you may be right.
In giving time and energy to this person kooldood will undoubtedly gain new insights into his own faith. I have always found this to be true.
Even after one is in full communion with The Church, which contains the fullness of faith, there is so much depth and breadth that it can hardly be imagined.
What a blessing to be fully Catholic again.

Peace
James

 

[kalt]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

Though I think that most people don’t really want advice when they ask for it - they really want us to confirm that what they want to do is OK - I’ll give my advice anyway.

Refer this woman to a priest and then MYOB. This is their marraige, and religion is a big part of a marriage. Everyone knows, or should know, that having two faiths in a marriage is a challenge. Let this family work it out for themselves.

My advice: MYOB

 

[Lapey]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

Just remember the most important thing she will need is your support and understanding. Her husband is a pastor, in most of the Protestant world this is a paid occupation. This is his livelihood, so the chances of him taking news of leaving his job to convert to Catholicism will put her in a precarious position. Chances are she will face harsh opposition from his spiritual side (his faith) and his worldly side (his job).

Be prepared to pick her up when she stumbles and in general be there with support and love, like Christians are called to do for all.

This type of situation can lead to serious issues within a marriage. A lady I know who has been Catholic her whole life, married a Baptist and they have two kids. Both kids were brought up Catholic and left the Church because of their father in their late teens. It has really stressed their marriage and I’m not sure where it will end up. Just be ready to support them both.

I almost forgot. Pray for acceptance on your part if things don’t go the way you see they should. You may not like the result but you will need the Grace to accept it.

 

[yellowbird]

My hunch is the is reading these books not so much for herself but to help lead you to a fuller faith.

Isn’t it awesome how God can work in every situation!!! This was my reason for talking to a Catholic friend… and God used my misguided motivations to lead me right home to His Church! Now I receive Jesus - body & blood in the Eucharist at every single mass. Talk about fuller faith… THANK YOU Jesus!!!

To the OP - the books others suggested really helped me. And I agree - PRAY PRAY PRAY for your friend. Don’t worry that her husband is a Pastor, and it’s his job… blah blah blah… let God work out the details.

 

[Lapey]

Isn’t it awesome how God can work in every situation!!! This was my reason for talking to a Catholic friend… and God used my misguided motivations to lead me right home to His Church! Now I receive Jesus - body & blood in the Eucharist at every single mass. Talk about fuller faith… THANK YOU Jesus!!!

To the OP - the books others suggested really helped me. And I agree - PRAY PRAY PRAY for your friend. Don’t worry that her husband is a Pastor, and it’s his job… blah blah blah… let God work out the details.

Don’t think God wants to work out the details of a broken marriage. The way we measure if something is of God is by the fruit it produces. A broken marriage is not good fruit. A unified couple coming into His Church is. All I am saying is dont force it, and support God’s work on His time clock, and all will be good.

 

[JRKH]

Just remember the most important thing she will need is your support and understanding. Her husband is a pastor, in most of the Protestant world this is a paid occupation. This is his livelihood, so the chances of him taking news of leaving his job to convert to Catholicism will put her in a precarious position. Chances are she will face harsh opposition from his spiritual side (his faith) and his worldly side (his job).

Be prepared to pick her up when she stumbles and in general be there with support and love, like Christians are called to do for all.

This type of situation can lead to serious issues within a marriage. A lady I know who has been Catholic her whole life, married a Baptist and they have two kids. Both kids were brought up Catholic and left the Church because of their father in their late teens. It has really stressed their marriage and I’m not sure where it will end up. Just be ready to support them both.

I almost forgot. Pray for acceptance on your part if things don’t go the way you see they should. You may not like the result but you will need the Grace to accept it.

This brings up a good point and so I would like to mention the “Coming Home Network” It is run by Marcus Grodi who hosts “The Journey Home” on EWTN. He is a former “calvanist” pastor who specializes in helping other protestant pastors who are being drawn to the Fullness of Faith in the Catholic Church. He also helps the family members and those just looking into the faith.
The whole “livelihood” issue can be a big one for some people and that is part of what makes the Coming Home Network so good is that it is run by a man who had to face these same issues.
Anyway this link might be premature but it surely is worth keeping around if and when your friend’s husband comes with questions.

Peace
James

 

[Lapey]

This brings up a good point and so I would like to mention the “Coming Home Network” It is run by Marcus Grodi who hosts “The Journey Home” on EWTN. He is a former “calvanist” pastor who specializes in helping other protestant pastors who are being drawn to the Fullness of Faith in the Catholic Church. He also helps the family members and those just looking into the faith.
The whole “livelihood” issue can be a big one for some people and that is part of what makes the Coming Home Network so good is that it is run by a man who had to face these same issues.
Anyway this link might be premature but it surely is worth keeping around if and when your friend’s husband comes with questions.

Peace
James

Great suggestion! As a cradle Catholic the EWTN program, “Journey Home” has given me an opportunity to see conversion in real life. This is my favorite program on this channel.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

Give her this book:

amazon.com/No-Price-too-High-Pentecostal/dp/0898709199

No Price too High: A Pentecostal Preacher Becomes Catholic (Paperback)

Product Description
Alex Jones was an “on-fire” Pentecostal minister in Detroit who was a completely dedicated shepherd of his flock. He greatly loved his people and they loved him. In seeking to give his flock the most genuine experience of the early Church prayer and worship services, he carefully read Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and writings of the early saints. The more he read, the more Alex came to the startling conclusion that the present day Catholic Church - and the Holy Mass - is the same exact "worship service " from the very early Church. Alex began to share his findings with his parish, and eventually Alex, and most of his parish, joined the Catholic Church. This is his incredible story of a black Pentecostal minister’s challenging and dramatic spiritual journey, and the flock that followed him. Today he preaches with his usual passion about Christ - as a Catholic deacon! This book tells the story of Alex’s life from his childhood all the way to his conversion to Catholicism in 2001. It simultaneously tells the story of his wife, Donna, and her spiritual journey as well, which shows how they were not always on the same path during Alex’s preparation for entering the Catholic Church. Each had to be personally, deeply convinced that this momentous, life-changing and career-changing spiritual decision was God’s will for them. Illustrated with numerous photos.

 

[Bill_Pick]

I wasn’t so sure about placing this in non-Catholic religions, but, oh well.

Some more details on the situation…

The pastor is Pentecostal, the wife is interested (?) in the Catholic faith, she is a family friend, first she tried to “convert” us, failed. Before you know it, she is borrowing brochures on the Rosary (“its scriptural!”), and a book, Rediscovering Catholicism by… forgot the author.

So does anybody have any recommendations?

Yes tell her to buy two books :"“Catholicism and Fundamentalism”" and ‘’’ This the Faith’’’

 

[kooldood]

I actually have that book… Fundemantalism and Catholicism. Thanks to all for your help and if anybody else has an idea, feel free to share! And about some recommendations… I don’t really want to get her to buy any books right now… I might be warding her off with my “zealous” tries, (kind of like what happened the other way around some time ago). Thanks again anyway.