How to bring my brother and his family back to the Church?

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Victor2211

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About 5 years ago, my brother stopped attending Mass. He is 50 years old and has been a Catholic his entire life. His wife left the Church about 20 years ago. My brother used to take his 2 daughters to Mass regulary. Now the girls have stopped going to Mass also. When I question my brother about him leaving the Church, he never gives me a straight answer. Although I can’t recall his words, he generally shrugs it off and acts like the Church doesn’t matter. When I have asked him in front of his wife and kids, I generally receive sarcastic smirks and laughs from all of them. His wife thinks the Church is a joke and she makes fun of me for listening to Catholic radio.

I would love for them all to return to the Church; however, I realize that is a tall order. I think my best bet is to just concentrate on my brother for now.

Can anyone suggest a plan of attack? I have been thinking about a skillful approach for over a year now and can’t really decide on a good method. He will probably not read any book I give him. I might be able to get him to listen to a CD; however, it’s got to be a really good CD since I know I will only have one shot at it. I got him to attend a men’s breakfast at my church recently. He really opened up to the group and I thought he was making progress. But he’s still not going to Mass. I have to be careful not to push him too hard. He tends to get angry if I talk about it too much. Any suggestions?
 
I am sorry but it probably doesn’t help the fact that his wife hasn’t gone in 20 years and seems to be hostile and maybe he just got tired of her nagging him and stopped going. Do you live close enough to him in that maybe he could attend with you and he won’t be alone?
You might push him away if you keep asking him so it might be wiser to back off the questions and then continue to invite him to things like the men’s conference when able.
continue to pray like you are doing which I’m sure you already are.
 
A start would be giving him a green scapular. They’re this thing Mary gave in a church-approved apparition. If a person has the green scapular in their own or wears it and they or someone else prays the short prayer written on the green scapular Mary has promised to pray for their coming closer to Christ, health, protection from the Evil One, and a happy death. The green scapular also needs to be blessed by a priest. And the effectiveness increases with the confidence it is said or was if given? :confused: Either way I’d get a few.
 
DO NOT ATTACK. for if you do, they will build walls to block you.

A famous saying that is credited to St. Francis “Preach the gospel always. If necessary use words.”

Continue your show of love to them. Gently and politely invite them toward the church and do not hurt if they reject you.

Let them see the radiant happiness in your life because of the Lord. And most of all, pray for them that they may find the Lord.
 
Prayer in a devoted sacrificial way is the best first course of action.
 
Thank you all so much for the great advice.

Mab23, thank you for the great book recommendation. I didn’t even know Patrick Madrid had written this one.
 
I have the book. Helped me with my sister! She’s baaaaaaaaaaack.😃
 
I might have to check that book out. I have several family members who have either abandoned the Church (they’ll still go to First Communions, etc. and the occasional Christmas or Easter), or have their own ideas about what being a Catholic means. Like Victor, I have more than a couple family members who would ridicule me if they knew I listen to Catholic radio, watch EWTN, listen to Christian/Catholic music, pray the Rosary, go to Bible study classes, read up on my faith, etc. I’ve run into enough issues just for going to Mass every week. I keep trying to lead by example but that hasn’t gotten the results I’ve been hoping for.
 
=Victor2211;10499512]About 5 years ago, my brother stopped attending Mass. He is 50 years old and has been a Catholic his entire life. His wife left the Church about 20 years ago. My brother used to take his 2 daughters to Mass regulary. Now the girls have stopped going to Mass also. When I question my brother about him leaving the Church, he never gives me a straight answer. Although I can’t recall his words, he generally shrugs it off and acts like the Church doesn’t matter. When I have asked him in front of his wife and kids, I generally receive sarcastic smirks and laughs from all of them. His wife thinks the Church is a joke and she makes fun of me for listening to Catholic radio.
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I would love for them all to return to the Church; however, I realize that is a tall order. I think my best bet is to just concentrate on my brother for now.
Click to expand...
Can anyone suggest a plan of attack? I have been thinking about a skillful approach for over a year now and can’t really decide on a good method. He will probably not read any book I give him. I might be able to get him to listen to a CD; however, it’s got to be a really good CD since I know I will only have one shot at it. I got him to attend a men’s breakfast at my church recently. He really opened up to the group and I thought he was making progress. But he’s still not going to Mass. I have to be careful not to push him too hard. He tends to get angry if I talk about it too much. Any suggestions?
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Just a thought [IN ADDITION TO LOTS OF PAYERS]

Ask him his views on the “End Times & things”. Heaven hell and Purgatory.

KEEP in mind CONVERSIONS are GOD"S territority. Only he can grant the ncessary graces for Faith to take root.

Our task are:

Know well our Faith

Live it Publically

Share it WHEN GOD presents the opportunity

Defend it in charity; clarity with facts when called to do so.

God Bless you,

pat/PJM
 
I think you’d have to know just what your brother actually believes and thinks of the church to make much progress, personally.

You say his wife makes fun of you. What does she say?

Edit: That’s a personal question, so I understand if you don’t want to answer. But it helps to know this, so we can give good advice on how to respond - since what she says probably impacts your brother.

If she’s skeptical about God’s existence, I’d recommend The Last Superstition by Ed Feser.
If she dislikes the Church for political reasons, it will depend on the issue. (Gay marriage, women priests, abortion, etc.)
If she dislikes the Church over the scandals, still other responses.
 
Crude said:
I think you’d have to know just what your brother actually believes and thinks of the church to make much progress, personally.

You say his wife makes fun of you. What does she say?

Edit: That’s a personal question, so I understand if you don’t want to answer. But it helps to know this, so we can give good advice on how to respond - since what she says probably impacts your brother.

If she’s skeptical about God’s existence, I’d recommend The Last Superstition by Ed Feser.
If she dislikes the Church for political reasons, it will depend on the issue. (Gay marriage, women priests, abortion, etc.)
If she dislikes the Church over the scandals, still other responses.
Click to expand...
I just told her one day that I listen to Catholic radio. And she responded by saying, “Oh no you don’t” in a tone of voice that would suggest she was disappointed in me and thought I was a religious freak or something.
 
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