New here, Converting to Catholicism soon

[Aaron780]

Hi everyone im new to this site, this is my first thread and I just need help with something. I live down under, Im 35 and have been going to a local Parish for the past 9 months and seeing the Father on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week, He said in the next couple of months I can have my Holy communion, I havent told anyone till recently what im doing, My mother and father are both protestant but not practicing, they havent been to church in years, They divorced when I was 9, ive told them and they are supporting me and dont have a problem in what im doing, Anyway my mothers husband just found out and when I went to my mums I just copped a slagging of him, He sprayed all his opinions at me about the Catholic church,and I was stunned at his reaction, The ignorance of what he was saying was unbelievable, Hes from Scotland so I thought he would be ok with it, I told him thats his opinion and I dont force my opinions onto you, So why this? and walked straight out, Someone at my work also had a go at me for it but nothing like this! I think my mums husband now hates me over this and it could affect things with my mum because he is always there.

What I want to ask is, Is this what I should get ready for? Mind you this only strengthens my resovlve to become a Catholic, I love the Catholic church so much, It just feels so right for me, Why is that so bad? I even call myself Catholic even though I havent been converted yet, Ive only been tought about Love, God and Jesus, And I dont judge anyone else in what they want to do, or force them to become Catholic, I just feel a bit down right now after what he said, I really like him but now Im sure he hates me now, Hes protestant but I never knew he was so passionate about it!, We both still believe in the same Jesus! Anyway looks like this is what ill have to expect when everyone finds out, Some wont care but others will have a different opinion of me I guess, It wont stop me becoming a Catholic.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Hi everyone im new to this site, this is my first thread and I just need help with something. I live down under, Im 35 and have been going to a local Parish for the past 9 months and seeing the Father on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week, He said in the next couple of months I can have my Holy communion, I havent told anyone till recently what im doing, My mother and father are both protestant but not practicing, they havent been to church in years, They divorced when I was 9, ive told them and they are supporting me and dont have a problem in what im doing, Anyway my mothers husband just found out and when I went to my mums I just copped a slagging of him, He sprayed all his opinions at me about the Catholic church,and I was stunned at his reaction, The ignorance of what he was saying was unbelievable, Hes from Scotland so I thought he would be ok with it, I told him thats his opinion and I dont force my opinions onto you, So why this? and walked straight out, Someone at my work also had a go at me for it but nothing like this! I think my mums husband now hates me over this and it could affect things with my mum because he is always there.

What I want to ask is, Is this what I should get ready for? Mind you this only strengthens my resovlve to become a Catholic, I love the Catholic church so much, It just feels so right for me, Why is that so bad? I even call myself Catholic even though I havent been converted yet, Ive only been tought about Love, God and Jesus, And I dont judge anyone else in what they want to do, or force them to become Catholic, I just feel a bit down right now after what he said, I really like him but now Im sure he hates me now, Hes protestant but I never knew he was so passionate about it!, We both still believe in the same Jesus! Anyway looks like this is what ill have to expect when everyone finds out, Some wont care but others will have a different opinion of me I guess, It wont stop me becoming a Catholic.

I think your experiences would certainly be common in many places around the world. But in the U.S. this type of thing would be more rare but they were common, even here, until the 1960s. And since about 2100 it seems to be coming back.

I will say that since the Reformation, the Scotts have been very hostile to Catholicism. So this may explain the particular hostility of your Father-in-Law.

But remember Our Lord’s warning about how the world will treat his disciples - and that means you and me. Don’t let it bother you, rejoice that you have been worthy to suffer for the Lord. Linus2ndd

 

[Used2beSherryG]

Welcome home to the Catholic church! Your assessment of this situation is accurate except for one aspect: your own mother loves you and her husband’s hostility toward you in this matter will resolve over time (between them). You are correct to keep your eye on the prize of receiving Christ into your heart and entering His own one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. The blessings God has bestowed on you will enable you to cope with this type of situation. I understand your shock at discovering a person so hostile to Catholicism in your close family circle. Jesus has given you your first cross to bear in love in the form of your step father. You can begin to pray for his conversion today, then turn him over to God. Meanwhile, continue to learn and grow in your faith. We will all be cheering for you!

 

[Aaron780]

I think your experiences would certainly be common in many places around the world. But in the U.S. this type of thing would be more rare but they were common, even here, until the 1960s. And since about 2100 it seems to be coming back.

I will say that since the Reformation, the Scotts have been very hostile to Catholicism. So this may explain the particular hostility of your Father-in-Law.

But remember Our Lord’s warning about how the world will treat his disciples - and that means you and me. Don’t let it bother you, rejoice that you have been worthy to suffer for the Lord. Linus2ndd

Thanks for your reply, Ive been a bit down after what has happened, And yes you are right, The Scotts dont like Catholics at all for some reason, I thought they did, Ive had a hard lesson on that tonight, I also found out tonight (which I never knew) is that his mother converted to Catholicism and his family disowned her! How harsh is that?! And what hope have I got of him talking to me again if he could that to his own mother? Not much. The change of attitude towards me after knowing him for years was scary, Its not like im converting to scientology lol, Its sad when people are so bitter and hatefull about things, I still love him, and ill prey for him, even though he probably hates me now…

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

What I want to ask is, Is this what I should get ready for?

It is very possible that you will encounter this. Not all people who hate the church will be so openly hateful, many prefer to be passive aggressive about it. I’ve heard about all sorts of things that were said behind my back by tolerant, open minded people. It is the world we live in

I really doubt this will affect your mother. She loves and supports you - that is important. Try to educate her about the church so she doesn’t get crazy ideas from her husband. Be preemptive about it.

God bless you on your journey.

 

[Trishie]

Well some Scots anyway. I’m Australian but my maternal and paternal families who emigrated from Scotland in the early 1800s as early settlers are from families of a large Scottish clan that was Catholic throughout many generations and remains so.

It was rude of the man to speak as he did, and not unreasonable to remind him that he should respect boundaries. Just because people have opinions, doesn’t give them a right to disrespectfully impose them upon others. Remember that it’s his problem not yours. (Yours only to pray for him, and to live your life as a true witness of Christ.)
It’s a blessing that your parents are supporting you.

May God continue to bless you.
Kind wishes,
Trishie

 

[Aaron780]

Welcome home to the Catholic church! Your assessment of this situation is accurate except for one aspect: your own mother loves you and her husband’s hostility toward you in this matter will resolve over time (between them). You are correct to keep your eye on the prize of receiving Christ into your heart and entering His own one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. The blessings God has bestowed on you will enable you to cope with this type of situation. I understand your shock at discovering a person so hostile to Catholicism in your close family circle. Jesus has given you your first cross to bear in love in the form of your step father. You can begin to pray for his conversion today, then turn him over to God. Meanwhile, continue to learn and grow in your faith. We will all be cheering for you!

Thankyou! Dont worry nothing will stop me from becoming Catholic, NOTHING… My Mother and Father and girlfriend are supporting me 100%, its just my Scotish father in law who has a massive problem with it, Even though I walked out hurt, My feelings for the Church just grew stronger, Not long now I hope till the Father thinks Im ready for my Holy Communion, I cant wait for this day!!

 

[Aaron780]

Well some Scots anyway. I’m Australian but my maternal and paternal families who emigrated from Scotland in the early 1800s as early settlers are from families of a large Scottish clan that was Catholic throughout many generations and remains so.

It was rude of the man to speak as he did, and not unreasonable to remind him that he should respect boundaries. Just because people have opinions, doesn’t give them a right to disrespectfully impose them upon others. Remember that it’s his problem not yours. (Yours only to pray for him, and to live your life as a true witness of Christ.)
It’s a blessing that your parents are supporting you.

May God continue to bless you.
Kind wishes,
Trishie

Hes a very opinionated person anyway, but on this occasion he gave me an almighty spray of hate, Like I said I was taken back by it and so was my mother who didnt look too impressed with at all, Anyway like you said this is his problem not mine, Maybe one day he’ll get over it, But after that I can take anything I reckon lol

 

[Christy_Beth]

If he gave you one spew of hate, he’s likely to give you more in the future. Pray for him, but keep your distance. Stay in contact with your mom, don’t let this affect your relationship with her. If she has a problem with him, I’m sure that she will keep her support for you strong. Never give up hope that this may be the thing that brings them home to the Church.

 

[Quaesitor]

But after that I can take anything I reckon lol

That is the attitude to have

 

[Steveabrous]

Hi everyone im new to this site, this is my first thread and I just need help with something. I live down under, Im 35 and have been going to a local Parish for the past 9 months and seeing the Father on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week, He said in the next couple of months I can have my Holy communion, I havent told anyone till recently what im doing, My mother and father are both protestant but not practicing, they havent been to church in years, They divorced when I was 9, ive told them and they are supporting me and dont have a problem in what im doing, Anyway my mothers husband just found out and when I went to my mums I just copped a slagging of him, He sprayed all his opinions at me about the Catholic church,and I was stunned at his reaction, The ignorance of what he was saying was unbelievable, Hes from Scotland so I thought he would be ok with it, I told him thats his opinion and I dont force my opinions onto you, So why this? and walked straight out, Someone at my work also had a go at me for it but nothing like this! I think my mums husband now hates me over this and it could affect things with my mum because he is always there.

What I want to ask is, Is this what I should get ready for? Mind you this only strengthens my resovlve to become a Catholic, I love the Catholic church so much, It just feels so right for me, Why is that so bad? I even call myself Catholic even though I havent been converted yet, Ive only been tought about Love, God and Jesus, And I dont judge anyone else in what they want to do, or force them to become Catholic, I just feel a bit down right now after what he said, I really like him but now Im sure he hates me now, Hes protestant but I never knew he was so passionate about it!, We both still believe in the same Jesus! Anyway looks like this is what ill have to expect when everyone finds out, Some wont care but others will have a different opinion of me I guess, It wont stop me becoming a Catholic.

There are Protestants that can agree to disagree but still recognize Catholics as Christians, and then there are those who are rabid anti-Catholics.

My mother in law was one such. She would often spray her objections at me. I would say “I’ll look that up and see.” And I would. I would then correct her on her errors. She stopped giving me objections and now we just agree to disagree.

If your step-father truely hates you because you became catholic that’s his problem. And quite frankly it’s none of his business. You might tell him that.

 

[Charlemagne_II]

My great grandfather, a Canadian French Catholic, courted the daughter of a Protestant Scottish Canadian. The Scot horsewhipped by great grandfather off his farm. It didn’t stop him from courting the Scot’s daughter. They married. Love conquers all. Love your stepfather and he will come around, no matter how hateful he seems at present. So will all the others, if they are human.

 

[snarflemike]

Hes a very opinionated person anyway, but on this occasion he gave me an almighty spray of hate, Like I said I was taken back by it and so was my mother who didnt look too impressed with at all, Anyway like you said this is his problem not mine, Maybe one day he’ll get over it, But after that I can take anything I reckon lol

Keep in mind that the Catholic Church stands in silent judgement over the entire Protestant enterprise. If she if true, Protestantism must be false. This is a strong incentive for many Protestants to find fault with the Church, or to make up fault. Read John Henry Newman’s “Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England” for a good understanding of the phenomenon.