I Really Want my Family to Convert

[andyklein]

In a few months I will officially be a Catholic, but I will be the only one in my family. An image popped in my head today where myself and my parents and siblings were receiving the Eucharist together, and I really want that to happen someday. The first issue, however, is that I am afraid to tell my parents that I am becoming Catholic. My parents are not religious people. We never discuss religion. Now I am away in college, and I discovered the one, true faith and the hope for eternal life, but they are hundreds of miles with their fates hanging in the balance. I would love for them to know and join me, but I don’t have the guts to tell them.

I think they would be receptive to the Catholic Church. One of my parents has mostly Irish blood and grew up in the south side of Chicago. Somehow his family lost the faith many years ago. The other is kind of introverted but I can sense she needs an outlet for her sentimentality.

I just feel that it would be so awkward telling them about this wonder I discovered, and I don’t know what they would initially think. Since we don’t talk about religion, there is no gateway to bring it up subtly.

This is the first time I have ever even considered telling them. It’s starting to knaw on me, and it’s only a matter of time before they find my crucifix and wonder why I can’t come home for Easter. They will really wonder the same thing for Christmas next year. Should I just come out of the blue on Christmas Eve when the whole family gets together and tell them we should all go to midnight mass?

 

[waanju]

I Should I just come out of the blue on Christmas Eve when the whole family gets together and tell them we should all go to midnight mass?

I don’t think that’s a good plan unless your family regularly does spur-of-the-moment things on Christmas Eve. It might freak them out.

However, I think midnight mass is a great idea! Just not “out of the blue”.
Why don’t you give them a call and tell them, “Hey, recently I’ve been learning more about the Catholic Church, and it’s pretty interesting. I’ve gone to a few masses, and I really like the sense of something more I get there.I’d like to keep investigating this. Anyways, I’ve heard that the midnight mass on Christmas Eve is beautiful, and I really want to go. It would be really awesome if you guys want to come with me. It’s not that long, but it’s supposed to have wonderful music and it’s rooted in so many ancient traditions that I think it’ll make Christmas Eve even more special. Will you come with me, or should I just meet you at the house with everyone else afterwards?”

Tell them now so they can get used to the idea!

 

[Regina_Love]

There is no reason you need to reveal the whole truth your first conversation, but no shame in it if you do. I’d bring up a topic that truely facinates you. Share what you’ve learned and ask what they think. It will get them thinking. Bring up a different topic each time. Let them in on the changes of heart you are experiencing, and see how it goes. They don’t have to like it, or agree, but it still good they hear how you are learning. maybe someone else in your family has been questioning too! Wouldn’t that be fun!

 

[waanju]

There is no reason you need to reveal the whole truth your first conversation, but no shame in it if you do. I’d bring up a topic that truely facinates you. Share what you’ve learned and ask what they think. It will get them thinking. Bring up a different topic each time. Let them in on the changes of heart you are experiencing, and see how it goes. They don’t have to like it, or agree, but it still good they hear how you are learning. maybe someone else in your family has been questioning too! Wouldn’t that be fun!

^ I like this idea. I was focused on the mass in particular, since it’s soon, but this approach is GREAT for easing them into the idea of you being Catholic!

 

[Catholic_Wife]

I don’t want to put a damper on things, but if your family isn’t religious and doesn’t discuss religion, don’t expect them to start all of a sudden just because you are in the process of becoming Catholic. My parents and brother didn’t care one way or another when I told them I had converted while in boot camp. They haven’t wanted to talk about religion at all, and have stepped foot in a church of any kind only a handful of times (weddings and funeral) in the past 23 years since I converted.

The others have presented good ways for you to try to get them to dialogue about your new faith, and I will pray that your family is more open to these things than mine are.

 

[hansard]

The other is kind of introverted but I can sense she needs an outlet for her sentimentality.

Okay, so… becoming a Catholic would be an outlet for her sentimentality. I wonder if becoming a Catholic might be based on some other consideration, such as faith, commitment, love of God, etc.

But, I suppose in this postmodern age where anything goes and faith is often as insubstantial as a ghost, converting as an outlet for one’s sentimentality seems just the thing to do.

 

[peace2u2]

Those who posted gave you good advice.

Basically, we cannot force people into conversion anymore than God cannot force us to love Him.

Conversion is personal and no two conversions are exactly alike although there may be similarities.

Our relationship with God is a process just like all relationships. First, we get to know the person and then the more we know about the person, we come to love them and want to share knowing and loving them with everyone we meet.

Sharing your conversion story with them can be done the same way - Yes share your story, but do it gradually and gently.

Start the conversation by asking them faith questions: Why do think people celebrate Christmas? Do you think they celebrate God becoming Man in the form of a little baby in the womb of the Virgin Mary to offer the gift of salvation to all men or do you think people today have forgotten the reason for the season of Christmas? Today it seems to be more of the celebration of self and I want this and that for Christmas not about this beautiful free gift of eternal life that Jesus offers us. I love the fact that the words Christ and Mass added together spell out the word Christmas!

You could also if they are computer literate and like to surf the internet to lead them to websites like this one and others. You could eventually share your full conversion story with them on the following link:

whyimcatholic.com/

And, pray, pray and then pray some more for their conversions and let God do the heavy lifting.

Peace