I need advice from Catholics

[Seeker100]

Ok… How do I start?

I was raised in a Strong Protestant pentecostal family. My parents got divorced when I was 8 and I am now living with my mother in HongKong/China. I was raised to think that Catholics were in a false man-made church that worshiped Mary. I thought that until I started researching Church history. Church history basically yelled “The Catholic Church is the first Church!”

I was debating for many months if I should convert. I’ve prayed and prayed and God has made a way for me to get in touch with many Catholics that could help me. A few months ago I was a Sola scriptura anti-Catholic protestant, now I wear a crucifix, have icons all over my room, and pray the Rosary daily. If I could I would run off to the nearest Catholic Church and ask how I can become a Catholic. But!.. The only thing hindering me from becoming a Catholic is my extremely strict protestant mother that is very VERY anti-Catholic. I have had debates with her about the Communion of the Saints, Trinity, Mary, ect… At every argument both of us end up in tears and with hate and bitterness inside. I don’t know what to do? My mom has a home group every Saturday and all the people that go to it always have to bring up Catholics. Some even said that 50% of Catholics don’t believe in Jesus, so don’t have Catholic friends… (I know that one was made up)

Anyways… If I convert, everyone around me will dislike me and I will end up arguing all the time with my mother. And since I am not a legal adult yet, I can’t leave my mother’s house. I don’t want to disobey my mother… And in Hong Kong there are alot of protestants. Many preachers to nothing but make the Catholic Church seem like a cult… What do you say I do? I’m still surprised I ordered Rosary beads online and pray it daily without my mother knowing… What to do?

Hi, This is just my opinion. Do not break ties with your mom. In this world she is bascially the only one who will ever stand up for you. Take what is good that you have learned from the Catholic denomination. Anything that helps you love others keep. Anythng that hinders throw out. If you feel it is best for you to be Catholic be Catholic in your heart. Don’t push it in front of your mom’s face. Be Protestant with her. Whether you are Protestant or Catholic your job is the same…Love everyone you meet.

Seeker100

 

[Oumashta]

Start by doing these things (in no particular order):

1. Like someone’s already said, study the lives of the saints.
2. Meditate on the Passion of Christ.
3. Read the Bible.
4. Continue to pray the rosary and meditate on the mysteries.
5. Adore the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.
6. Pray to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
7. Pray to Mary, the angels, your guardian angel, and the souls in Heaven.
8. Ask those in this world to pray for you.
9. Offer up your sufferings. Glorify God.
10. Give praise to God for your blessings.
11. Ask the Lord for his mercy and compassion. Ask him for forgiveness.
12. Hate the devil. Hate all sin.
13. Desire perfection. Desire holiness.
14. Pray for others especially the souls in Purgatory. Pray for your parents, friends and family.

The list doesn’t seem to end. I could go on and on.
Right now it’s hard, but I think it only gets harder. But don’t worry. Trust in the Lord.

By the grace of God, He’s led you to the Church. Trust in Him and abide in Him, and He will guide you to Heaven.

Thank you I will remember that

And like another member said I will do the 30 day Saint Joseph Novena.

Ok, I don’t want anyone arguing here. I was just seeking advice and asking a few questions but I never intended this post to be a Catholic vs. protestant debate.
There is no use arguing, since we all cling to what we believe and stick to it. That is the problem with most evangelicals nowadays.

Anyways… I’ll be going to the evangelical Church my om goes to. I have to go… I don’t want to go there… sigh I can’t wait till I can go to Sunday Mass by myself.

My mom said that we can go to a Mass on Wednesday with her friend and her daughter. (The early 8:00 AM Mass) I can’t wait. Please, everyone continue to pray for me. Pray that I will be able to attend the Mass on Wednesday, and that I will be able to talk to a priest while I am there.

 

[paul_c]

Hi, This is just my opinion. Do not break ties with your mom. In this world she is bascially the only one who will ever stand up for you. Take what is good that you have learned from the Catholic denomination. Anything that helps you love others keep. Anythng that hinders throw out. If you feel it is best for you to be Catholic be Catholic in your heart. Don’t push it in front of your mom’s face. Be Protestant with her. Whether you are Protestant or Catholic your job is the same…Love everyone you meet.

Seeker100

Seeker, this is a very Protestant thing to say. You are asking him to set himself up as the arbiter of Truth between the Catholic Church and the Protestants. Frankly, the truth is the truth and its been taught by the Catholic Church for 2000 years. Anything that deviates from that eternal truth is a lie, by definition.

That said, your advice for him not to break with his mother is of course correct. There is no reason to do so. He’s 14 and of course is in a hurry, as all 14s are. But he has time. If his faith is strong, and it seems to be, it will only grow with prayer and learning. I would not be shocked if a year from now his mother is going with him to mass. You can already see the trend. It will happen in God’s time and as he sees fit, but not without some struggle.

 

[paul_c]

Thank you I will remember that

And like another member said I will do the 30 day Saint Joseph Novena.

Ok, I don’t want anyone arguing here. I was just seeking advice and asking a few questions but I never intended this post to be a Catholic vs. protestant debate.
There is no use arguing, since we all cling to what we believe and stick to it. That is the problem with most evangelicals nowadays.

Anyways… I’ll be going to the evangelical Church my om goes to. I have to go… I don’t want to go there… sigh I can’t wait till I can go to Sunday Mass by myself.

My mom said that we can go to a Mass on Wednesday with her friend and her daughter. (The early 8:00 AM Mass) I can’t wait. Please, everyone continue to pray for me. Pray that I will be able to attend the Mass on Wednesday, and that I will be able to talk to a priest while I am there.

Just be patient. Prayer and learning will get you where you need to be. And it will be done in God’s good time. Your mother will eventually follow. The trend is already there. She is letting you go to mass. Just keep sharing what you learn with her. She is probably already trying to understand what is pulling you so strongly this way. So she is opening up. It may not seem that way now but remember, she has more invested in her church than you do, so it will be harder for her to convert. Again, be loving and patient with her. the rest will follow in time.

 

[the_7th_one]

Thank you I will remember that

And like another member said I will do the 30 day Saint Joseph Novena.

Ok, I don’t want anyone arguing here. I was just seeking advice and asking a few questions but I never intended this post to be a Catholic vs. protestant debate.
There is no use arguing, since we all cling to what we believe and stick to it. That is the problem with most evangelicals nowadays.

Anyways… I’ll be going to the evangelical Church my om goes to. I have to go… I don’t want to go there… sigh I can’t wait till I can go to Sunday Mass by myself.

My mom said that we can go to a Mass on Wednesday with her friend and her daughter. (The early 8:00 AM Mass) I can’t wait. Please, everyone continue to pray for me. Pray that I will be able to attend the Mass on Wednesday, and that I will be able to talk to a priest while I am there.

God is good, just remember to repect your Mother’s authority as you are on this journey. It is God who is guiding you to the truth, and the best wittness to that you can give her is to be respectfull loving and kind to her.
Also, the Priest may be reluctent to do anything right now ( that is bringing you into the church) since you are not legaly and adult. So seek information for an inquiery into the Catholic faith. Above all else, pray for your Mother, pray for her friend and for your search.God will bless a faithfilled heart like yours

 

[TLM08]

That is a blatent lie and a bigoted, anti-Catholic slur. Prove Catholicism used the Bible as a suppliment to the teachings of men.

“Bible based” Christianity does not follow the word of God. It makes things up to follow, changes the meaning of the words of Scripture and attaches interpretations of them which are not found in Scripture. “Bible based” Christianity, sola scriptura, sola fide, OSAS and any number of protestant inventions originate in the 16th Century and were handed down to you from a gang of ex-Catholic heretics. Among the inventions is the anti-Catholic bigotry you live by.

I must disagree with you my friend. Tradition does indeed often trump the Word of God. But getting back on topic… The original poster should study the issues that divide Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. This is going to require bible study that must be done* before *becoming catholic. Once catholic, you may still read and study the Bible but you are forbidden to interpret much of what you read. This is YOUR decision and YOUR’S alone.

God Bless.

 

[paul_c]

I must disagree with you my friend. Tradition does indeed often trump the Word of God. But getting back on topic… The original poster should study the issues that divide Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. This is going to require bible study that must be done* before *becoming catholic. Once catholic, you may still read and study the Bible but you are forbidden to interpret much of what you read. This is YOUR decision and YOUR’S alone.

God Bless.

TLM,
I don’t think you have a clue as to how Catholics read and use the Bible. I’ve been reading mine daily for 36 years, since I was 13 years old. We gain insight from it daily, just as you do. The difference, I suspect, is that we have a grounding in Catholic theology, provided through catechism and the homilies at mass, that explain how to read it and what it means. This provides the key to understanding scripture and when read with this key, all scripture flows together seemlessly. We don’t end up saying :" Salvation is by Faith alone" and then running into scriptural conflict when reading " Faith without works is dead". The church was set up by Christ to help people find the truth about salvation and also to administer the live giving sacraments he instituted. Why won’t you accept that help? Why do you think you can do better on your own?

 

[Ferde_Rombola]

I must disagree with you my friend.

Of course you must disagree with me. I’m Catholic. You’re an anti-Catholic protestant. It’s incumbent on you to disagree with Catholics.

Tradition does indeed often trump the Word of God.

Without proof, which you cannot provide, that’s nothing but an uninformed opinion and, as such, is worthless. In the Catholic Church, unlike most renegade protestant sects, nothing trumps the Word of God, particularly the words of Jesus Christ.

But getting back on topic… The original poster should study the issues that divide Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. This is going to require bible study that must be done* before *becoming catholic.

I think the young man has already considered the differences between Catholicism and protestantism. He is on a journey to which the Lord is leading him and I have no doubt the Lord will lead him to the truth.

Your ‘before becoming Catholic’ fiat is shameless proselytizing. Look where your personal ‘bible study’ and interpretation led you. And the 35-40,000 other protestant sects who all claim the Spirit is leading them.

Once catholic, you may still read and study the Bible but you are forbidden to interpret much of what you read. This is YOUR decision and YOUR’S alone.

It is the Holy Spirit who interprets Scripture for the Catholic Church. See John 16:13. You should make an effort to learn what the Church teaches before you export what you think she teaches.

 

[McDivot]

Ok… How do I start?

I was raised in a Strong Protestant pentecostal family. My parents got divorced when I was 8 and I am now living with my mother in HongKong/China. I was raised to think that Catholics were in a false man-made church that worshiped Mary. I thought that until I started researching Church history. Church history basically yelled “The Catholic Church is the first Church!”

I was debating for many months if I should convert. I’ve prayed and prayed and God has made a way for me to get in touch with many Catholics that could help me. A few months ago I was a Sola scriptura anti-Catholic protestant, now I wear a crucifix, have icons all over my room, and pray the Rosary daily. If I could I would run off to the nearest Catholic Church and ask how I can become a Catholic. But!.. The only thing hindering me from becoming a Catholic is my extremely strict protestant mother that is very VERY anti-Catholic. I have had debates with her about the Communion of the Saints, Trinity, Mary, ect… At every argument both of us end up in tears and with hate and bitterness inside. I don’t know what to do? My mom has a home group every Saturday and all the people that go to it always have to bring up Catholics. Some even said that 50% of Catholics don’t believe in Jesus, so don’t have Catholic friends… (I know that one was made up)

Anyways… If I convert, everyone around me will dislike me and I will end up arguing all the time with my mother. And since I am not a legal adult yet, I can’t leave my mother’s house. I don’t want to disobey my mother… And in Hong Kong there are alot of protestants. Many preachers to nothing but make the Catholic Church seem like a cult… What do you say I do? I’m still surprised I ordered Rosary beads online and pray it daily without my mother knowing… What to do?

Sounds like you are on the right track already. Keep praying the daily rosary. About losing all your friends, keep in mind John 6:66 - when Jesus told his followers the truth about the Eucharist many of them left him and would not follow him anymore. Also Jesus said no one can follow me unless he hates (meaning love less) his mother and father more than he loves God. Since you depend upon your mother for basic necessities and we are always called to honor our mother, I think you should obey her as long as what she wants does not cause you to sin. When you move out and are on your own you can fully join the Catholic Church that God is calling you to. Until then offer up your desires (especially to receive our Lord in Holy Communion) to God as a kind of sacrifice. Thanks for your post and I will pray for you and your mom.

 

[usemelord]

Hello Ferde and TLM. Please go back and read my post #55 and Oumashta’s post #62. Again, this post is not about Catholics versus Protestants, so if you want to engage in debate about that subject, start a new post. Please keep this thread focused on giving our friend Oumashta sound advice which is what this very bright young man asked for at the outset.

 

[BrokenFortress]

The biggest problem between the two denominations is that many of the protestant pastors will get information from other protestant pastors, twist it a little, and preach it to their congregation. This is what happened to my church.

Is your father still angry at you for converting?

You know, I honestly don’t know if he’s still angry. We just don’t talk about it. I actually had to move back home into their house after graduating from college so on Sundays it is a bit awkward at times. My parents go to their Lutheran church and I go to mass by myself. When I get back I never receive a hello or anything really, perhaps it’s unintentional but it does feel a bit strained to me.

I think he’s come to terms with it since it’s obviously happened and nothing is going to change that. Perhaps over time I’ll help him see that so much of what he believes Catholics believe is so wrong. I know I’ve already helped my sister and mom see that what they thought was true about Catholics isn’t. Perhaps my dad will see that some day…

I’ll continue to pray for you

 

[Disciple96]

I must disagree with you my friend. Tradition does indeed often trump the Word of God. But getting back on topic… The original poster should study the issues that divide Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. This is going to require bible study that must be done* before *becoming catholic. Once catholic, you may still read and study the Bible but you are forbidden to interpret much of what you read. This is YOUR decision and YOUR’S alone.

God Bless.

We are not forbidden to interpret what we read. We are, however, advised that it is very easy to be led astray when turning away from the light of Christ and His Church and entering dark alleys where there are those who lie in wait for the incautious and the insufferably arrogant who think that they are lights unto themselves.

 

[almightyservant]

Oumashta:

Anyways… I’ll be going to the evangelical Church my om goes to. I have to go… I don’t want to go there… sigh I can’t wait till I can go to Sunday Mass by myself.

My mom said that we can go to a Mass on Wednesday with her friend and her daughter. (The early 8:00 AM Mass) I can’t wait. Please, everyone continue to pray for me. Pray that I will be able to attend the Mass on Wednesday, and that I will be able to talk to a priest while I am there.

Offer the undesired experience up with joy as a sacrifice so that others may be led to the faith you’ve found.

Trust in Jesus. He will teach and shape you well to the extent that you let Him.

I pray that your love for the Catholic Church may grow, and may God be with you.

 

[the_7th_one]

Offer the undesired experience up with joy as a sacrifice so that others may be led to the faith you’ve found.

Trust in Jesus. He will teach and shape you well to the extent that you let Him.

I pray that your love for the Catholic Church may grow, and may God be with you.

 

[Oumashta]

I must disagree with you my friend. Tradition does indeed often trump the Word of God. But getting back on topic… The original poster should study the issues that divide Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. This is going to require bible study that must be done before becoming catholic. Once catholic, you may still read and study the Bible but you are forbidden to interpret much of what you read. This is YOUR decision and YOUR’S alone.

The Bible is a very simple, yet powerful book to read. Much of it does not need to be interpreted. Only the very complicated symbolic prophecies. I take the Bible for what it says and I do it. I don’t take the Bible, read one verse, and develop some complicated doctrine without reading the rest of the Bible. I have considered what is the main difference But thank you for your concern.