Other People & Catholicism

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nqes7t9

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Howdy CAF!

Quick question, what’s my true role in helping other people to become Catholic Christian?

The vast majority of my relationships with other people seem to have nothing at all to do with Catholicism. I’m thinking of my relationships with people I meet in the supermarket, on the streets, in a car or not in a car, even co-workers and “drinking buddies.” I try to be an all-around good person.

I do admit I sometimes experience an urge to “make other people be Catholic”. For example, I have a friend who I’ve told explicitly a couple times something like, “I think you should be a Catholic.” Usually I don’t say that to people, but sometimes I do say that.

Very, very occasionally I will encounter a person who mentions some kind of interest in becoming a Catholic, or another kind of Christian, on their own. For example, I once heard someone express an interest in confession. Another person told me of a decision to become a Christian.

So, Catholic Answers Forum friend, what would you say about this? How would you say I should interact with other people about this sort of thing?

n
 
nqes7t9 said:
Howdy CAF!

Quick question, what’s my true role in helping other people to become Catholic Christian?

The vast majority of my relationships with other people seem to have nothing at all to do with Catholicism. I’m thinking of my relationships with people I meet in the supermarket, on the streets, in a car or not in a car, even co-workers and “drinking buddies.” I try to be an all-around good person.

I do admit I sometimes experience an urge to “make other people be Catholic”. For example, I have a friend who I’ve told explicitly a couple times something like, “I think you should be a Catholic.” Usually I don’t say that to people, but sometimes I do say that.

Very, very occasionally I will encounter a person who mentions some kind of interest in becoming a Catholic, or another kind of Christian, on their own. For example, I once heard someone express an interest in confession. Another person told me of a decision to become a Christian.

So, Catholic Answers Forum friend, what would you say about this? How would you say I should interact with other people about this sort of thing?

n
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Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning, leanings, and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better know when to speak and when to be silent.

Saint Ignatius

Then you should know about the Faith in order to answer.
A book I would recommend is
Christian Apologetics by Fr. Devivier, SJ(available from the Internet Archive) .

Start with questions about what they believe about God and work your way upward from there.
Another way is to discuss current world events and then go further.

You could try giving out Holy Cards, Miraculous Medals etc as gifts.
 
nqes7t9 said:
Howdy CAF!

Quick question, what’s my true role in helping other people to become Catholic Christian?

The vast majority of my relationships with other people seem to have nothing at all to do with Catholicism. I’m thinking of my relationships with people I meet in the supermarket, on the streets, in a car or not in a car, even co-workers and “drinking buddies.” I try to be an all-around good person.

I do admit I sometimes experience an urge to “make other people be Catholic”. For example, I have a friend who I’ve told explicitly a couple times something like, “I think you should be a Catholic.” Usually I don’t say that to people, but sometimes I do say that.

Very, very occasionally I will encounter a person who mentions some kind of interest in becoming a Catholic, or another kind of Christian, on their own. For example, I once heard someone express an interest in confession. Another person told me of a decision to become a Christian.

So, Catholic Answers Forum friend, what would you say about this? How would you say I should interact with other people about this sort of thing?

n
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I like that you occasionally say to others that you think they should be Catholic. Putting those little suggestions out there may cause them to think about it… You might also say that being Catholic is cool! Because it is!!! 🙂 Oh man there are so many things about our Church that really is exciting! Just think of the beauty and the grandeur of our Church buildings alone and so rich in history! I met one man who studied anthropology in college yet didn’t study Catholicism at any length even though Catholicism caused so much impact on who we are today!.. How does that happen when anthropology is the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures? What about the music, medicine, architecture, language, art, humanities and all that has been influenced by the Church in its 2000 year history? 🤷 Just thinking about it really is profound. Okay sorry I’m really getting carried away…lol

I might also suggest finding opportunities to talk about your faith and the Church. One thing I wear is a crucifix which often times brings up a conversation about my faith or the Church. You might also add to a conversation like as you said someone expressed an interest in confession and you might say why you like going to confession. There are all sorts of opportunities when you think about it to strike up a conversation about our faith. Good question! And always remember to pray for their conversion because ultimately it will be the HS leading them to the truth found in the Catholic Church…🙂
 
nqes7t9 said:
I just happened on this thread: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=493312

Do we Catholics not proselytize? Or is that thread just something about that forum?

I feel the more time I spend on CAF, the less I know about my faith. Maybe I’m just realizing how little I know.
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That was in regards to the forum you linked to which is dedicated to Non-Catholic religions. It is a place where Non-Catholics can go to discuss what they believe in, it is not a place for Catholics to post a topic with the intention of proselytizing. It has nothing to do with this topic. Of course we are supposed to share our faith and be gatherers of people to bring them into the Church…

Jesus talked about it when he sent servents out to gather people who were invited to the Kings Heavenly Banquet …Some were ill prepared, some rejected the invitation, but others were received and enjoyed the meal… Amen…
 
In addition to enhancing our command of background information for our own and everybody’s good, we can just pray quietly when around people. Maybe the conversation won’t come round to spiritual matters, while we are there. Building is a task for the many. Some sow, and others reap. A bossy bishop isn’t going to “mark us down” if we don’t “net our quota” for the year. Only God knows what people of His are going to be around for that person. He knows the way He wants to call them and what calling He has for them. Who knows how prepared the Church is to share in their calling, as yet? So our prayers prepare them and the other people around them, and the Church.

The world and the Church are going through such things. The person we meet today might be living in a different ball park tomorrow.
 
nqes7t9 said:
Howdy CAF!

Quick question, what’s my true role in helping other people to become Catholic Christian?

The vast majority of my relationships with other people seem to have nothing at all to do with Catholicism. I’m thinking of my relationships with people I meet in the supermarket, on the streets, in a car or not in a car, even co-workers and “drinking buddies.” I try to be an all-around good person.

I do admit I sometimes experience an urge to “make other people be Catholic”. For example, I have a friend who I’ve told explicitly a couple times something like, “I think you should be a Catholic.” Usually I don’t say that to people, but sometimes I do say that.

Very, very occasionally I will encounter a person who mentions some kind of interest in becoming a Catholic, or another kind of Christian, on their own. For example, I once heard someone express an interest in confession. Another person told me of a decision to become a Christian.

So, Catholic Answers Forum friend, what would you say about this? How would you say I should interact with other people about this sort of thing?

n
Click to expand...
St. Francis preach the gospel at all times but use words when necessary. I would be very careful with discussing religion with some people and claiming it is the ultimate truth
 
The most vital thing you can do for others is LISTEN. Hard these days for follk to talk about what really matters to them… I am humbled at my market stall every week … people who handle the rosaries lovingly, maybe buy something, then as they are oing out comes, “Say a prayer for me.”

All I have done is be there and listen, take a back seat and give them space; space for Jesus between us. All movement of the heart is of Him not us, We simply provide the space by our quietude
 
nqes7t9 said:
Howdy CAF!

Quick question, what’s my true role in helping other people to become Catholic Christian?

The vast majority of my relationships with other people seem to have nothing at all to do with Catholicism. I’m thinking of my relationships with people I meet in the supermarket, on the streets, in a car or not in a car, even co-workers and “drinking buddies.” I try to be an all-around good person.

I do admit I sometimes experience an urge to “make other people be Catholic”. For example, I have a friend who I’ve told explicitly a couple times something like, “I think you should be a Catholic.” Usually I don’t say that to people, but sometimes I do say that.

Very, very occasionally I will encounter a person who mentions some kind of interest in becoming a Catholic, or another kind of Christian, on their own. For example, I once heard someone express an interest in confession. Another person told me of a decision to become a Christian.

So, Catholic Answers Forum friend, what would you say about this? How would you say I should interact with other people about this sort of thing?

n
Click to expand...
Talk about the important stuff first. When you introduce somebody to a new sport, you don’t talk about the specifics, you teach the basic rules first and move on from there. Secondly, I agree with Rosebud77. Sometimes it’s important to just sit back and listen. Thirdly, please listen to bishop Robert Barron. He makes some good points in this talk: youtube.com/watch?v=DvzgnNx00k0 It’s quite long (50+ minutes), so make yourself a cup of tea and sit back.
 
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