" I was taught so I do"

[Adamski]

My family (parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins) all grew up in a parish that wasn’t teaching true catholic teachings from the 1960’s until the 2000’s. We where told confession isn’t needed, all you need is faith, birth control is ok, there is no real presence in the Eucharist, missing mass is ok and so on. Long story short I found out (not until I was 33) by attending many of catholic and protesant churches that we where not taught properly. So now at 36 my family will ask me questions because I have done so much research, but sadly when I give them the answers they don’t want to here they respond with while our priest(s) told us so at “xyz” parish so that is what I was taught so I don’t have to change because he had authority. An example of this would be my father who only goes to mass less than 10 times a year and hasn’t been to confession in over 20 years. Again he isn’t the only one all of my family uses this rationale. It is hard because I did think the same way for along time because we where taught so many things contrary to catholic teaching. Anyone have any suggestions to help my family

 

[exoflare]

If they refuse to listen to you all you can do is pray for them. My family is pretty much the same way.

 

[Lawrence178]

My family (parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins) all grew up in a parish that wasn’t teaching true catholic teachings from the 1960’s until the 2000’s. We where told confession isn’t needed, all you need is faith, birth control is ok, there is no real presence in the Eucharist, missing mass is ok and so on. Long story short I found out (not until I was 33) by attending many of catholic and protesant churches that we where not taught properly. So now at 36 my family will ask me questions because I have done so much research, but sadly when I give them the answers they don’t want to here they respond with while our priest(s) told us so at “xyz” parish so that is what I was taught so I don’t have to change because he had authority. An example of this would be my father who only goes to mass less than 10 times a year and hasn’t been to confession in over 20 years. Again he isn’t the only one all of my family uses this rationale. It is hard because I did think the same way for along time because we where taught so many things contrary to catholic teaching. Anyone have any suggestions to help my family

First of all, pray for them. And then for yourself that you might be God’s tool in bringing about their conversion.

Answer their questions clearly and calmly. Lightly try and bring up Catholic subjects in conversation, but do not force.

Make them understand that a priest saying something (sadly…) doesn’t mean anything when it comes to Church teaching. Many have been taught horribly and have been influenced by downright heretical influences. You can also e-mail or write letters to your bishop and auxiliary bishops about specific subjects.

It will take time.

I will pray for them and you.

 

[mcc804]

Live the Faith consistantly and devoutly. As another poster on this board said, make sure that you share positive, uplifting stories about Mass, reception of the Sacraments and be kind and open in communication if you get a chance to answer a question. And pray.

 

[Anglewannabe]

When (imperitive word when) your family asks answer and make sure you have the source of where you found the answer. If they contradict you simply say ‘let’s agree to disagree’ and leave it at that. People who don’t want to live a true Catholic lifestyle just won’t budge from their opinions and the only thing you can do is set a good example

Angie