Need ideas on sharing my experience with protestant friends and family

[steph222]

My husband and I were received into the Church last month. We converted from evangelical protestantism. We are so happy!!!

All of our close friends and family are protestant. Most of them are accepting but really don’t ask questions or want to discuss it with us at all. I understand this for the most part but I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can share my experience (how amazing it is to live out the fullness of my faith) in small ways to them. By not saying anything, it’s kind of like there is an elephant in the room and it’s making us grow farther apart. Maybe this is a good thing because I have grown closer to people in my parish and Bible Study but I really don’t want to lose their friendships. I also pray and hope that one day that will come home to the Catholic Church as well…

Any suggestions?

-Stephanie

 

[qui_est_ce]

My husband and I were received into the Church last month. We converted from evangelical protestantism. We are so happy!!!

All of our close friends and family are protestant. Most of them are accepting but really don’t ask questions or want to discuss it with us at all. I understand this for the most part but I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can share my experience (how amazing it is to live out the fullness of my faith) in small ways to them. By not saying anything, it’s kind of like there is an elephant in the room and it’s making us grow farther apart. Maybe this is a good thing because I have grown closer to people in my parish and Bible Study but I really don’t want to lose their friendships. I also pray and hope that one day that will come home to the Catholic Church as well…

Any suggestions?

-Stephanie

Hi Stephanie-
Welcome to CAF and to the Church!

Everything is still new for you and for the Protestant side of your family. People might be afraid of saying the wrong thing or offending you. Also, I’m sure you realize they probably feel very hurt that you did this. Give them time to adjust to your new faith. You don’t want to come on like an ex-smoker!

I would give it time. In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach always, used words only when necessary.”

You are so blessed that you and your husband did this together. I was married to a minimally practicing Catholic for 12 years. It’s very hard, and the “marriage” didn’t last.

Keep coming to this Forum, I have learned a lot during my years here.

God bless!

 

[revert_jen]

Welcome home!

One of the things that I found my Protestant friends responding well to was knowing that I still read the Bible, still have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and still worship only God. In fact, one of the best things about coming Home (returning Home in my case) was that I didn’t have to give up anything. I loved the Bible when I was a Protestant; well, I still love the Bible, and now I get to have even more of it. (I really like Tobit and Sirach especially.) I loved Jesus Christ when I was a Protestant; I still get to love Jesus Christ, and I also get to love (in a different way!) His Mother. I loved having older (spiritually) and more holy Christians to go to with prayer requests when I was a Protestant; I still ask older and more holy Christians to pray for me, and because of the Communion of Saints, I’m not restricted only to people who are still alive.

But I’d start out with just talking about topics that are common to all Christians–e.g. “I was reading such-and-so psalm the other day and it really seemed to apply to X event in my life.” Or keep asking them to pray for you for those things that you would have asked them before–a child’s illness, trouble at work, whatever. I think the starting point has to be to let them know that you are not some weird stranger, but the same person you were before–only with added blessings from God. Then you can later go into what those new and beautiful blessings are. If you make sure to keep growing in faith and the other virtues, they will become curious and ask you about it.

Plus of course you need to pray for them, that they will understand.

God bless you!

–Jen

 

[chessmane4e5]

My mom is Protestant and when I was in College I started dating my future wife, who is Catholic. When I told my mom I was going to become Catholic, she freaked. It was all the typical stuff, “Catholics worship Mary”, “Why do you need to confess to a Priest”, there are more, but I can’t think right now, lol.

So, I would just suggest that you continue to grow in your faith, learn as much as possible. That way, when they are read to talk to you, you will be ready to answer them

 

[steph222]

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. Great suggestions and advice. I especially love hearing that people have similar experiences! Thank you so much everyone.

Revert_Jen- I LOVE your idea of talking about the similarities and how most things are the same (my relationship with Jesus and love of the Bible). That is so true and I will make a point of focusing on topics that all Christians agree on when I am discussing my faith with protestants.

Many blessings to you all,

Stephanie