How to tell my parents that I am converting to Catholicism

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Whitwhit

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My parents are Pentecostal and I am converting to Catholicism.

I am 27 years old and I don’t live with my parents and I live a state away.

I am doing it because I feel like it would bring me closer to God. I also want to learn other ways to worshipping God . I have never attended a Mass but will be going to one next week .

I am excited because this wasn’t forced upon me and I made this decision myself without anyone pushing me. I will be teaching myself about Catholicism while researching and talking to a priest , my boyfriend and my friends for guidance and education .

My biggest fear is that my mom will disown me or hate me 😦
 
Converting to Catholicism is a big step, one in which you should have full knowledge of all the teachings. The church has a process for this called RCIA. It usually takes a year, but can sometimes take longer. Once you have become knowledgeable, you are more likely to be able to defend the faith and your decision to join. The RCIA team can help you navigate many things, but among them is sharing this decision with your family. God bless you on your journey.
 
I’d probably begin with what you’ve said here. That you are interested in learning about other Christian faiths and thinking about attending a Catholic Mass. It doesn’t sound so final. What initially interested you in the Catholic faith? Maybe mention that.

If they are committed to their faith there are not too many ways to tell them and be happy with you. If I had children I’d be devestated to see them leave the faith but I wouldn’t disown them.
 
I waited to tell other people until I was sure of my decision. By that time I had done all the research and answered all my questions. I was able to clearly articulate why I was doing it in a way that wasn’t condescending, and answer any questions I was asked.
 
My boyfriend is catholic and I feel like converting would not only make my relationship stronger with him,but with God also.

I’ve always wanted a man who has a great relationship with God who I can pray with and go to church with also .

I do want to marry this man one day . And no he told me that I should not convert for him and he is not pressuring me at all . Which I love. I have been thinking about it off and on for a while But I am starting to actually pursue it.

I need to have a better relationship with God and I want to learn about him and worship him In a different way than what I was raised since this isn’t a forced situation.

It’s of hard to explain . Sorry.
 
I asked my brother and cousin for advice . I went to one mass about a month ago. I liked it and it was very personal and peaceful.

I am talking to a priest tomorrow to answer my questions . I am going to another mass tomorrow , I will be seeking guidance from my friend who recently converted to catholic and she is being very helpful .
 
Welcome in advance and may the Holy Spirit continue to fill your heart!

The good part is that you’re not alone on the road to conversion. I’ve interviewed many people on my podcasts, some close friends of mine, and one thing is certain with change: It can be very intimidating and scary.

I wouldn’t worry so much about the disowning piece, only because your witness may spur a conversion ripple in your family, especially if you live it out with joy more than confrontation.

Anyhow, God bless.

Stay Locked, Loaded, and Ready.

http://www.wcatradio.com/fireaway.html
 
To be honest , yes I will. I really am excited about learning about Catholicism and not the stereotypes that I heard when I was younger . My friend is catholic and I am sure she will help me with my journey regardless 🙂
 
Thank you 🙂 I will be calling her next week . She is out of town at the moment . She lives in Louisiana and I am in Texas.
 
I feel as though he can help me grow spiritually. He is a great person, but not perfect. Neither am I . Being with him has taught me how important it is to keep God first .
 
My mom and her side of the family are Pentecostal. They did not take it well. My mom and I didn’t speak for 3 months. I think it would’ve been easier for her if I told her I’m atheist.
Our relationship has since been repaired, but it’s a constant struggle for me to remind myself to forgive her for the things she said and did.
 
What did she say?

Edit: I know they will think that he made me do it. But it is a lie.
If we do get married and have children they will be raised catholic.

Anymore explanation on the RCIA?
 
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I know of one case similar to yours. The person told her parents that, after years of attending services with emphasis on healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues, that she felt those things were not real as claimed by those performing them. This put the burden on her parents to ‘prove’ the reality of those ‘gifts’ which they could not. I am not saying this is the best option for you just relating an experience.
 
When you’re ready to share this news with your family, I suggest keeping in mind that they may well see this as a rejection of them and their values. You might try to show them how much you value what you’ve learned from them. They taught you to live as a Christian and gave you the gift of faith. You are not rejecting that. They led you to have a relationship with God, to pray, and to know scripture. You are not rejecting any of that. They started you on a journey that you are now continuing as an adult. These are all things to thank them for. And hopefully they will understand that now you are ready to take another step on that journey, one that takes you in a slightly different direction than they expected.
 
Thank you so much! It’s not like I completely abandoned God or turned into an atheist or Buddhist . I still believe what they believe,but worship him differently.

I’m praying it all goes well.
 
Whitwhit said:
My biggest fear is that my mom will disown me or hate me
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Not likely, they will probably just try to convince you to come back to pentecostalism.

I doubt if they will really want to argue with you.

A cousin of mine, Catholic family, joined The Way International, a cult. Just avoided talking to him about it, even after he left the cult. But he wasn’t disowned.
 
She said the usual; Catholics worship statues, it’s not biblical; they worship Mary, and she can’t stand the thought of me raising my daughter Catholic. She has decorative marbles in a bowl on her coffee table. She started mocking Catholics by pretending to worship the marbles and said how stupid it is.
 
That is discouraging and makes me sad about telling her . Sounds like something my mom would say 😦
 
Thank you so much :).

My mom reaction is the only thing that’s bothering me . Once I get it off of my chest the transition process will be a lot better no matter what she says .

I can’t make a new reply anymore because I reached my limit as a new user so I will reply with edits .
 
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