My friend appears to be losing his faith in the Church

[robwar]

You are joking…right?
Please tell me you’re joking…

this thread is not about one’s opinions of guitars in the church. this is about someone who is leaving the Catholic Church. The reasoning whether you like it or not is due to boredom or an emotional disconnect with the mass. This is a serious issue because the church looses too many of our young for these reason. You can think it is a laughing matter but it is not. Arguing between each other of having “folk masses” or youth oriented masses does not answer the problem. Thinking that if only they would be taken to a Latin mass and then they will be fixed doesn’t solve it either. If someone is rejecting OF mass, they more then likely will reject a mass in Latin, no matter how beautiful you think it is. It will be tougher due to the language itself and thought of going to something they won’t understand at first. Attempts to have outreach to young adults need to be encouraged instead of laughed at in order to help them stay with the Catholic Church instead of loosing them to the down the road friendlier, livelier, more exciting (on the surface) Protestant church.

 

[robwar]

The type of music being used at Mass is not a doctrine, nor is it essential to salvation. You may not prefer it, but by no means is it something that makes one a heretic or send people to Hell.

The deacon Deo Gratias42 is referring to is no different than extreme traditionalists who takes things too far. One man playing a guitar and giving bad homilies does not automatically mean that 100% of guitar playing is terrible.

The issue the OP’s friend has is the externals. I’m not sold on transferring his reliance on one set of externals to another. Perhaps instead, he needs to look at the interior.

Guitars at mass have been discussed on other threads. I am tired of the bashing of Guitars. We have a guitarist sub in for our regular organist. It is done very peaceable and reverently. the most beautiful Christmas carol is Silent Night, written for a guitar because the organ was broken. The bigger issue is Catholic young adults leaving for what is perceived to be more lively, exciting and friendlier Protestant services. This is a problem. The rest is just opinions that are meaningless when compared to the bleed of people leaving.

 

[Armor_of_Light]

this thread is not about one’s opinions of guitars in the church. this is about someone who is leaving the Catholic Church. The reasoning whether you like it or not is due to boredom or an emotional disconnect with the mass. This is a serious issue because the church looses too many of our young for these reason. You can think it is a laughing matter but it is not. Arguing between each other of having “folk masses” or youth oriented masses does not answer the problem. Thinking that if only they would be taken to a Latin mass and then they will be fixed doesn’t solve it either. If someone is rejecting OF mass, they more then likely will reject a mass in Latin, no matter how beautiful you think it is. It will be tougher due to the language itself and thought of going to something they won’t understand at first. Attempts to have outreach to young adults need to be encouraged instead of laughed at in order to help them stay with the Catholic Church instead of loosing them to the down the road friendlier, livelier, more exciting (on the surface) Protestant church.

You are correct. I didn’t want to derail the thread. I wasn’t really ‘bashing’ guitars per se…just a little surprised at their involvement with the homily.

I think it is important to keep discussing this issue in relation to the age bracket we’re dealing with. 18-25 if I’m understanding correctly. There is a natural ‘honeymoon period’ for most converts, reverts, etc…God bless those who don’t ever feel lukewarm! I think that is more what the poor fellow is going through. After the initial impact and glow wears off…how do we keep the fire alive? Just like marriage! We are the bride of Christ after all…It is a decision of the will not rooted in ‘feelings’. DeoGratias had it right though…we are talking about eternal salvation and it is not to be taken lightly.

In general, the problem with trying to attract and hold onto young peoples affection for Holy Mother Church with current fads and gimmicks is one of authenticity. The universal and timeless nature of the Mass is comprimised and people smell something a little ‘off’. Which leads to exactly the predicament this young man finds himself in today. Think how silly a youtube video of some of the shenanigans would have looked 100 years ago…500 years ago…100 years from now.

Our Lord gave us something eternally beautiful. We mess it up and see the effect.

 

[englishredrose]

this thread is not about one’s opinions of guitars in the church. this is about someone who is leaving the Catholic Church. The reasoning whether you like it or not is due to boredom or an emotional disconnect with the mass. This is a serious issue because the church looses too many of our young for these reason. You can think it is a laughing matter but it is not. Arguing between each other of having “folk masses” or youth oriented masses does not answer the problem. Thinking that if only they would be taken to a Latin mass and then they will be fixed doesn’t solve it either. If someone is rejecting OF mass, they more then likely will reject a mass in Latin, no matter how beautiful you think it is. It will be tougher due to the language itself and thought of going to something they won’t understand at first. Attempts to have outreach to young adults need to be encouraged instead of laughed at in order to help them stay with the Catholic Church instead of loosing them to the down the road friendlier, livelier, more exciting (on the surface) Protestant church.

Actually, that what I was trying to say in different words but with the reality still in mind. The reality is that he still has God. I know the way he has God is not popular on this board but be greatful he still has God. People leave the Catholic Church because they do not like what the Church teaches per se. The trimmings to Roman Catholics and the Trappings to Non Roman Catholics. We can’t seem to be pleased/happy that he still is with God as seem to think he isn’t with God via Protestantly ways or something. I am not arguing with anyone becasue whilst one or two posters do not really want to understand what I tried to say, they can say it as much as I can say it and I’m not going to go through with a fine tooth comb and pick an argument back. People are indeed leaving the Church and if the Church really cared then they would be working out quite why they are leaving. What is is that is putting them off. Style of service is just cosmetic and an easy one for all sides to swiftly gloss over. But there is a whole lot more why people are leaving the Church and why some of us choose not to be Roman Catholic. Agreeably the Church shouldn’t necessarily change just to be accommodating but somehow they need to do something to encourage rather than discourage. If it was just the style of Mass I could convert any day. But it isn’t. There is a whole lot more and those are the reasons why I am not converting and will never do so the way things have been and are. This young man is sadly atypical example of why the Church never learns what to do to keep their members active in Catholicism rather than going elsewhere.
But there again, there are many rooms in Our Fathers’ House are there not and the front door is through Jesus Christ and that could be a way of looking at this passage to help accept that everyone is right as Christian if they are accepting Jesus Christ.
I can understand people being upset that we are not all Catholic but life isn’t going to be like that as it is now.

peace
xxx

 

[october_baby]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Protestant services don’t hold a candle to the Catholic Mass (NOT “service”). We don’t need all the "PRAISE JESUS! HALLELUIAH!’ and animated “praise and worship”. During the Mass time stops and we are back on Calvary. Jesus’ sacrifice is re-presented in an unbloodied sacrifice, and he is made present on the Altar.

We don’t go to Mass for the homilies, the music, to socialize, etc etc. We go because of the Most Holy Sacrifice on the altar.

Do you have a traditional Latin Mass you could take your friend to? Sometimes a good ol’ traditional High Mass with all the smells and bells can help those who may not fully understand the importance of Mass to grasp a better understanding and get a better hook on being Catholic.

You could also have a Mass offered for him and invite him to do really Catholic things like go to Adoration, benediction, confession, daily Mass, etc.

:newidea::newidea:

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Dear OP, please remember to capitalize the proper noun, “Mass,” not “mass.” When you write simply “mass,” the definition is closer to: The physical volume or bulk of a solid body.

As for your friend…Chalk another trophy up to Campus Crusade for Christ. They LOVE to target Catholics and convert them. Too bad someone didn’t warn him of their huggy-lovey-warm-and-fuzzy all-inclusive brainwashing techniques.



I advise his parents to engage the services of a cult remover ASAP.

 

[robwar]

Dear OP, please remember to capitalize the proper noun, “Mass,” not “mass.” When you write simply “mass,” the definition is closer to: The physical volume or bulk of a solid body.

As for your friend…Chalk another trophy up to Campus Crusade for Christ. They LOVE to target Catholics and convert them. Too bad someone didn’t warn him of their huggy-lovey-warm-and-fuzzy all-inclusive brainwashing techniques.



I advise his parents to engage the services of a cult remover ASAP.

The OP didn’t mention Campus Crusade for Christ. It sounded like a Charismatic Church. Instead of embarrassing the OP over the capitalization of Mass, maybe it would be more considerate if you pm him privately. I am sure that OP did not mean it and it gets off topic when posters have to make comments like this. These types of posts does not bring someone into the Church or even back into the Church.

 

[robwar]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Protestant services don’t hold a candle to the Catholic Mass (NOT “service”). We don’t need all the "PRAISE JESUS! HALLELUIAH!’ and animated “praise and worship”. During the Mass time stops and we are back on Calvary. Jesus’ sacrifice is re-presented in an unbloodied sacrifice, and he is made present on the Altar.

We don’t go to Mass for the homilies, the music, to socialize, etc etc. We go because of the Most Holy Sacrifice on the altar.

Do you have a traditional Latin Mass you could take your friend to? Sometimes a good ol’ traditional High Mass with all the smells and bells can help those who may not fully understand the importance of Mass to grasp a better understanding and get a better hook on being Catholic.

You could also have a Mass offered for him and invite him to do really Catholic things like go to Adoration, benediction, confession, daily Mass, etc.

Sadly, stating that Protestant services don’t hold a candle to Mass (EF or OF) is not going to bring someone back to the fold. This person obviously stopped believing that. Yes, we go for the Holy Sacrifice on the altar but it is not done in a vacuum and the other things you are dismissing do add or are important as well as the community where the Mass is at.
Boldly coming on here and preaching to the choir does not solve the problem of Catholics that leave for Protestant churches. People leave for as many reason as there are people.
Yes, it can be very much do to a lack of understanding. But sometimes, the bigger issue has been a lack of community, emotional and spiritual disconnect and badly behaving Catholics. Reaching out in love instead of having an attitude of superiority is the better approach and might win more back to the fold. Simply going to a Latin Mass is not going to cure him if he has already dismissed the Mass in general.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

The OP didn’t mention Campus Crusade for Christ. It sounded like a Charismatic Church. Instead of embarrassing the OP over the capitalization of Mass, maybe it would be more considerate if you pm him privately. I am sure that OP did not mean it and it gets off topic when posters have to make comments like this. These types of posts does not bring someone into the Church or even back into the Church.

Gee, I wasn’t aware that one of my posts was going to be responsible to bring someone into the Church! I make posts not just for the OP but also in case our silent readers (lurkers) forget to capitalize Mass. I can’t send them PMs but I can remind our posters to take a minute and treat the word “Mass” as a proper noun.

CCC is very well represented on must college campuses. They hold all sorts of activities and have a dedicated conversion team. Many times, they are the first group a new freshman encounters on campus. It can be hard to resist them, and they are charming and know what college students like. It is good to know what to watch out for when students go to college.

 

[SecretaryMonday]

Well we have both contemporary and traditional mass.

Contemporary is with guitars, drums and background music for homily.

Oh, sorry, I thought you were being tongue-in-cheek when you mentioned drum music during the homily.

 

[Crescentinus]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Protestant services don’t hold a candle to the Catholic Mass (NOT “service”). We don’t need all the "PRAISE JESUS! HALLELUIAH!’ and animated “praise and worship”. During the Mass time stops and we are back on Calvary. Jesus’ sacrifice is re-presented in an unbloodied sacrifice, and he is made present on the Altar.

We don’t go to Mass for the homilies, the music, to socialize, etc etc. We go because of the Most Holy Sacrifice on the altar.

Do you have a traditional Latin Mass you could take your friend to? Sometimes a good ol’ traditional High Mass with all the smells and bells can help those who may not fully understand the importance of Mass to grasp a better understanding and get a better hook on being Catholic.

You could also have a Mass offered for him and invite him to do really Catholic things like go to Adoration, benediction, confession, daily Mass, etc.

 

[the2112]

Well I talked to him over Facebook today, and one of my assumptions was correct. He said he was receiving the spiritual growth he needed with this Protestant group that goes to some non-denominational church, which he wasn’t receiving from the local Catholic church. He likes the way this church worships more because they have a greater variety of music to worship with, more ways to praise God, more songs to sympathize with people’s problems, and more songs of lamentation. He also says that our Catholic group’s Bible Study conflicts with his schedule, while this Protestant group’s doesn’t.

So, my assumption that he wants to be “entertained” was right. Not only that, he also said “God took me by the hand to Mercer Creek.” So my assumption that “God led me to this new faith” was also sort of correct.

Anyway, how should I respond to him? BTW he was confirmed into the church just last April, and basically left the church in the middle of September. This is extremely disappointing to me, as he was EXTREMELY faithful in the Church, and was heavily involved in our group. And while I know this is a bad comparison, I feel like he’s gone all Darth Vader on the Church.

 

[klm120861]

Maybe you could meet with him for private Bible study, or a smaller group that can match his schedule. Combine it with the Catechism. This may sound bad, but do you know how good his catechesis was when he was confirmed? When I converted from the Assemblies of God (which a lot of non-denoms are), I was given a Bible and a Catechism in RCIA, but we rarely opened either one. There are some truths he has to know, but you might need to explain it to him, gently, slowly and with love.

1. The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. It is only consecrated by a priest. Protestent communion is a symbol. It is a representation. Not a re-presentation. Jesus is not really present in Protestant communion.
2. When a Protestant becomes a Catholic, they must do a general confession. That is because Protestant forgiveness of sins (to one who now knows about the Sacrament of Reconciliation) is considered invalid. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are contrite, we confess - for mortal sin, it must be verbal and to a priest - we are given absolution and penance. In the Protestant world, it’s just a general “God, I’m sorry for my sins.” They are not named. Usually the prayer is said quietly in your heart, or whispered. There is no absolution. Because there is no one there to give it Sacramentally. No one who can give it Sacramentally. And the poor Protestant goes on his (or her) way and for the rest of their life lives with some sort of self-assigned penance, because the need to do penance for our sins is written by God into the heart of every person. And they try to not just know they are forgiven in their mind, but also to know it in their heart. And they can’t. Why? Because there was no absolution. See the Catechism: 1422-1498)

Ask yourself, what are the consequences for mortal sin? Your poor friend is being deceived that there is no difference, sin is sin and it all sends you to hell. But what really sends to hell is unforgiven mortal sin. That can only be forgiven through Reconciliation. You must tell him the Truth. It’s too important not to. For the rest of us, we must pray. It’s too important not to.
Kris

 

[robwar]

Well I talked to him over Facebook today, and one of my assumptions was correct. He said he was receiving the spiritual growth he needed with this Protestant group that goes to some non-denominational church, which he wasn’t receiving from the local Catholic church. He likes the way this church worships more because they have a greater variety of music to worship with, more ways to praise God, more songs to sympathize with people’s problems, and more songs of lamentation. He also says that our Catholic group’s Bible Study conflicts with his schedule, while this Protestant group’s doesn’t.

So, my assumption that he wants to be “entertained” was right. Not only that, he also said “God took me by the hand to Mercer Creek.” So my assumption that “God led me to this new faith” was also sort of correct.

Anyway, how should I respond to him? BTW he was confirmed into the church just last April, and basically left the church in the middle of September. This is extremely disappointing to me, as he was EXTREMELY faithful in the Church, and was heavily involved in our group. And while I know this is a bad comparison, I feel like he’s gone all Darth Vader on the Church.

Don’t so quickly assume that he is there to be entertained. for whatever reason, that church met some unmet need in his life. If you start to attack their service as entertainment you will probably just drive him away further. If you want to draw him back, it might be good just to ask questions and listen. Draw him out as to why and what he feels he is getting there as oppose to the Catholic Church. It will be tough to listen to but if he thinks you care, he might open up more. Ask him if he thought he could try again. Just because someone on the outside seems devote, doesn’t mean on the inside he was struggling with something.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Well I talked to him over Facebook today, and one of my assumptions was correct. He said he was receiving the spiritual growth he needed with this Protestant group that goes to some non-denominational church, which he wasn’t receiving from the local Catholic church. He likes the way this church worships more because they have a greater variety of music to worship with, more ways to praise God, more songs to sympathize with people’s problems, and more songs of lamentation. He also says that our Catholic group’s Bible Study conflicts with his schedule, while this Protestant group’s doesn’t.

So, my assumption that he wants to be “entertained” was right. Not only that, he also said “God took me by the hand to Mercer Creek.” So my assumption that “God led me to this new faith” was also sort of correct.

Anyway, how should I respond to him? BTW he was confirmed into the church just last April, and basically left the church in the middle of September. This is extremely disappointing to me, as he was EXTREMELY faithful in the Church, and was heavily involved in our group. And while I know this is a bad comparison, I feel like he’s gone all Darth Vader on the Church.

“Come to the Dark Side, Luke!”

Listen, OP, can you just talk to him and ask him about the Eucharist? Maybe he never really believed that he was receiving Jesus’ Body and Blood - because if he did, how could he leave Jesus for empty “praise and worship?” I wish he had been warned that as a new Catholic, he would have a big red target on his back that would draw these non-denominational Christians toward him…He is like a 6-point buck to them…A big trophy - “We converted a Pagan away from the Catholic Church!!” Truth. He should have had some training in what to watch for, and how to combat their enticements. But to me, it just comes down to how his conversion really happened and what he said he believed but perhaps didn’t. He still seems to be seeking, when he should have been content to have found the Truth.

 

[the2112]

I know this is a SUPER old post, but if anyone is still reading this, my friend who left the Church has basically become a total “Jesus freak” now. While I know there’s much worse things he could have become and talk about, if I’m hanging out with him and I try to start a conversation about almost anything (especially pro-life stuff, as I’m now the president of my university’s Students for Life group, and he’s sort of involved), 80% of the time he will go on a rant about how “God will take care of everything” or something like that, and will totally come off sounding like a stereotypical Bible-thumper and basically change the entire subject. He even flat-out told me to my face that he and the people at his non-denominational church believe Catholics are “misguided.”
So basically, and I know this sounds a little bit bad on my part, I find it very hard to hang out with him anymore. Again, it’s almost as if he cannot hold a conversation about anything without talking about how great God is and how he should basically be the focus of everything. While there’s worse things he could be talking about, and God SHOULD be something people should talk about (especially in this day and age), when I’m having a conversation about something, having the subject changed constantly is just annoying.

 

[fred_conty]

I’m sorry to hear how your friend has gone down a different road. It sounds like he may be a bit unbalanced and lopsided in his feelings. We are often warned that feelings can hurt a person as well as help them, since it all depends on how they are controlled and directed. The saints frequently had hard times when it came to feeling God but they persisted in carring out the Father’s will as Jesus did in the Garden. At this point, he may be a little bit beyond listening to reasons.

My suggestion is to pray the rosary for him once a week, and if possible, get his former friends to pray with you. Be persistent and stay with this plan. Grace has to penetrate his feelings to give his mind the light to see Christ’s will for him in his life.

If there is anyway at all possible, I would also recommend that he be given the Green Scapular after it is blessed. This scapular was designed and promoted by our Lady herself. She asked a sister of the Daughter’s of Charity in Paris in 1840 to give this out to people to help them.
Here are the benefits:
… Conversion of those who do not have the faith
… Reconciliation to the Church for those who have lost/strayed from the faith
… Assurance of a happy death
… Strengthening of the faith for those already in the Church
… Protection from Satan for those who wear or promote the scapular

Here is a quick story of one example of Mary backing the Green Scapular.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9630587&posted=1#post9630587

“I prayed for my husband a lot as he had been away from the Church for many years. I put a blessed green scapular under the mattress and prayed for him daily, and other family and friends prayed for him also. After several years he finally came back to the Church, and died a very happy man two years after that.”

Mary does ask us to do several things. Have it blessed. That we carry one. That we say the prayer “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death,” for the person we gave it to, and also the same prayer for ourselves. This should be said everyday. If you miss once in a while, I’m sure she understands. You may hide the green scapular somewhere around him where he frequents, so that he dosen’t have to have it on him. It is best that he does, but he may refuse it. Your friend, and mine as well since he is a brother catholic, is an evangelical and now probable against pictures, Mary, and other things catholic. But no matter, it will still carry Mary’s backing if he is around the green scapular.

One more thing is required, and that is that you trust Mary to carry out her word. That should be easy since she has always been truthful and it dosen’t seem to me she would change now.

It is one of the most thoughtful and nicest things that our blessed Mother Mary could have done for us. She is so wonderful and we are so blessed to have her with us.

She will do it, but she didn’t say when.

Just some thoughts.​

“Blessed be the name of Mary, she who trusted the love of God.” (hymn)

 

[PJM]

=the2112;9956417]Hello, I am a college student, and one of my friends went through RCIA and was confirmed this year. He grew up Catholic, but wasn’t really into it until he got into RCIA. And he REALLY got in to it. He’s one of the most religious persons I know, and was very Catholic.

Around the time he got confirmed though, he started hanging out with a Protestant group on campus (which I believe is non-denominational). I think it was because a lot of his best friends (i.e. ones that are in his major, which he is extremely busy with almost all of the time) are in this group, plus he’s extremely outgoing. I didn’t think much of it, as he was a strong Catholic and I knew he wouldn’t convert away from the church.

However, starting this school year, he wasn’t showing up to Mass on campus, and wasn’t hanging out with our Catholic group (we’re not affiliated with Newman) a whole lot. I figured it was because he was super busy with his major, and I didn’t think much of it. However, at the same time I knew he had been hanging out with that Protestant group a lot, and one night I saw on Facebook that he had posted about how much he loved this group’s bible study. Now that set off a red flag. I brought it up to a couple people in our Catholic group (including one of the student ministers), and they said I really should talk to him. So that following weekend I asked him why he wasn’t at mass. While he didn’t want to explain it at the time (it would have been a bad time anyway), he said he would eventually. But he did say the reason he’s not showing up to mass is because of this Protestant group. While I’m not sure if he’s left the Catholic Church completely, as of now, it sounds like he has.

I should note that he does seem like the kind of person who’d want to be “entertained” during a church service in that he’d want to “feel it” (one of his latest Facebook posts was “Had some of the best worship I’ve had in a while! Totally feeling in love with God right now!”). And since a Catholic service is pretty robotic compared to some Protestant services, I could see how he’d be more attracted to a “PRAISE THE LORD!” type service.

I also know pretty much all of his best friends now are in this Protestant group. He barely socializes with anyone in our Catholic group now (mostly because no one in our group is in his major, which as I’ve said he’s very busy with). He also has had at least 1 love interest in this Protestant group (even though he didn’t end up in a relationship with her). So it could be a social thing on why he’s hanging out with them now

Basically, when he finally tells me why he’s not going to mass anymore and is instead hanging with this Protestant group now, how should I approach his answer? How should I reply if he gives those two suspicions I mentioned (he wants to be “entertained” and/or it’s because all of his friends are in it)? Or, if he says something like “I had a vision of God, and He told me to leave the Catholic Church and join this Protestant group” (based on his tone and what he was hinting at when I talked to him, it sees like there’s a possibility it could be something like this).
I should note I don’t think it’s because he’s all of a sudden bitter towards the Catholic Church or anything like that (he did state he doesn’t think of the Catholic Church any different), so I don’t think it’s because he’s been turned into an anti-Catholic. I should also note that I’m almost certain it has nothing to do with the Catholic Church’s opposition to birth control, abortion, or gay marriage, as I know for certain he is very much so opposed to those things.

First Understand that this is REALLY God’s territory.

Perhaps you can run this by him and see if it “takes hold”

We believe in Only One God

That God is Good and Perfect

That One God can [and has always held] hold only One set of Faith beliefs.
THIS is provable throughtout the entire bible, both the NT and the OT

Christ founded only One chuch [Mt. 16:15-19] with One set of faith beliefs Mark 16:14-15; Mt. 28:18-20

The term “church” was introduced by Jesus Himself in founding His CC through Peter and the Apostles. Mt. 10:1-8

NO other “church” even would exist for nearly 1,000 years after Christ Death and Resurrection

God being Good and Perfect could not and certainly did not wait for King Henry; Luther, Calvin or Smith to make His One set of Faith beliefs known. Faih beliefs with actually compete with what Christ Himself taught and the CC Teaches guided by Him. John 20:21-22 and John 17:15-19.

God Bless you both!
patrick/PJM

 

[JamesATyler]

You said he converted to Catholicism before he went to the other church. I assume he has partaken of the Eucharist and been baptized and possibly confirmed. Do you think it is possible that the Spirit lead him to the other church so that he could bring the Lord’s grace to them? Since the plans that God lays down for us are not simple or shortsighted, who knows where God might lead some of them, through your friend. You said that they were talking among themselves that Catholics might be misguided. If they didn’t think that, his new group would be going to the Catholic Church. We can conclude that they are at least discussing the Catholic faith. Your friend might have something to do with that. I would not rule out the possibility that he is a missionary for God and the Church. Although he might not see it that way yet. Be patient. Share your faith with him. You still go to the Catholic Church directly so there are things that you can share with him that might be helpful to him and his group. The knowledge and wisdom and grace of the Lord flows out of the church and into the world. Pray for him and try to help him learn the truth that the Church teaches. Take him seriously and remember that he has been baptized and become a part of the Lord’s body.