Parents Have Only Negative Remarks About My Confirmation-----

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Dear Catholic Friends:

Praise the Lord, I was confirmed Easter Vigil. My parents attended, out of obligation only, I know, (Dad being a Protestant pastor)------but they had/have only negative things to say about it. i.e., “you Catholics pray to the Saints–this is completely ridiculous–don’t you know all we Christians are Saints”? --“you don’t bow your heads when you pray–“how un-religious”…“all you do is chant”…smells, bells, rigimirole, etc., and the like”…etc. “It wasn’t even a church service—just a big ordeal”, …

I am very hurt, needless to say, that after the absolutely beautiful evening Easter Vigil was, with the Holy Spirit so prevelant, with parents attending, and then cooking a beautiful Easter meal, they came over, on Easter afternoon, did not say one thing, until I asked them how they liked the Easter Vigil, and thus only negative comments come flowing out of their mouths. Nothing postivie. Telling me, I “need” to encourage my husband and children to go to this awful Protestant Church down the street, etc…And that “it is wrong I attend the Catholic Church”…that I should be concerned for my sons" that “they need to get fed-----at the Protestant Church”…I cannot believe such words! but it really does not surprise me. I had no idea, my parents were really so “anti-Catholic”!!! What a disappointment! Why they did not even have even 1 kind thing to say about the Easter Vigil, and now they’re phoning all the relatives telling them all—“I’m off my rocker”…I said, why my husband and children are free to attend whereever they want, and they said: “no, no” “YOU need to encourage them to attend the Protestant Church”…they of course shoved the program of Easter Sunday on our Easter Table in front of everyone-------ranting and raving how wonderful it was…and how I was missing the boat, so to speak.

So what? I’m a strong person, and really think it is so sad how our “separated brethern” think they are in the truth, where their little churches, all doing their own thing, for a few years, think they know better. What they are missing—how sad indeed! isn’t it?

I wrote my folks a thank you note today for coming for Easter dinner, coming to my confirmation, etc., and simply said: I’m so happy I have found the fullness of our Christian Faith. What else can I do or say? I’m afraid my own parents, and family, (a huge Protestant one) are in the dark. They are so anti-Catholic. I had no idea, but do see now, this is how they are. Pray I may be a light, just with my life, for Christ’s one Catholic, Apostolic Church. Any advice anybody has is also most helpful! What a shame, yes, they will not embrace the fullness. But what else is new really? This is typical, isn’t it?

God Bless–
 
Christ Is Risen!

sparkle,
Welcome home.

It is a shame but at least your parents where there for you.

I fully entered the Church at the Easter Vigil of 2000. I was confirmed (chrismated) then.

My parents are non-practicing catholics.

There were 5 of us who entered the Church that night, myself and woman were confirmed, another woman was conditionally baptized and confirmed, and the first woman’s two younger children were baptized.

Our parish set aside a pew for each family at the front of the Church. No one came with me so I had a pew to myself. Very sad…
 
I’m very sorry to hear that they are not being kind about your Confirmation. Just forgive them and lead by example. Throwing it back at them will somehow prove their point. Pray that they can be converted. A little apologetics never hurts, either 👍 . I’m very happy to hear that you have enter the Church.

Eamon
 
I was confirmed last year at Easter Vigil and not one member of my family came. They are all Protestants and very anti-Catholic and wanted nothing to do with it. My husband and his parents came, though, and I was grateful for that.

Sometimes when my family makes rude and mean comments against the Church I just try to remember that they’re speaking out of ignorance. They only know what they’ve been told by others who are also ignorant to the true teachings of the Catholic faith. They only know what they’ve been told, and most of that is false.

I don’t know if that’ll help you, but it does help me quite a bit.

I’m so glad you have joined the Church. Continue learning all you can and we praise God that He has brought you to the fullness of the Faith.

God Bless.
Scout :tiphat:
 
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sparkle:
Dear Catholic Friends:

I’m so happy I have found the fullness of our Christian Faith. What else can I do or say? I’m afraid my own parents, and family, (a huge Protestant one) are in the dark. They are so anti-Catholic. I had no idea, but do see now, this is how they are. Pray I may be a light, just with my life, for Christ’s one Catholic, Apostolic Church. Any advice anybody has is also most helpful! What a shame, yes, they will not embrace the fullness. But what else is new really? This is typical, isn’t it?

God Bless–
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Sparkle, I wonder if I would be kinder than your parents if my daughter were to go and get herself baptized at the East Halleluia Apostolic Pentecostal Gospel Church . . .

I wonder if you contacted Kimberly Hahn, and told her your story, might she put your parents in touch with her parents? Her dad is a Presbyterian Pastor, and I believe her mom and dad have not converted . . . They were at her confirmation also but clearly very sad to be experiencing this thing that was separating them so decisively at the place they had shared so deeply all their lives: The Lord’s table.
 
I am so sorry to hear about your expierence…HOWEVER; you have a family here who will support you… Welcome to the Catholic - Christian Family.
 
Thank you all, for your replies so far. Scout, I know what you say, when some people speak, they are speaking merely out of ignorance, as I know now, despite my prominent father and all his affiliation with many churches, still, is only speaking out of ignorance, all the same. WOW–what an eye-opening experience for me.

We think someone has it all together, because of their position, their particular church affiliation, etc., and then we find they might have it ALL entirely wrong. The whole entire thing. That their power, affiliation, etc. might just be the wrong road, as Marcus Grodi points out in his marvelous tape, “What is Truth?” Many might have been tying their shoes wrong for years, and passing on the wrong answer on to children, etc., THIS fact is a complete WOW for me, especially. Yes, I was raised in a wonderful Christian Home, for sure, learned all the gospel message, gone to Christian camp, to church, etc., but wow have I learned that the Protestant formula is indeed the wrong one. That not 1500 years later did they get it right. That it was “right” all along. Sure much is screwed up and still is, along the way, but that the Church, is one we can count on, always have, always will. That “Protestantism” is the wrong answer.

Thank you all for your kind replies. For your much needed encouragement. And also pray for my husband and children. I am the only one in my family that encourages going to church on Sundays. If I didn’t insist on it, hubby and sons would just be watching sports the entire day Sunday, the Sabboth. My prayer is now, that God will work in them, possibily through me, IF it is His will. I continually pray so much for my husband of 15 years, and my sons, that God will touch them. I pray my teen sons will be open to the confirmation class this fall. Perhaps hubby too, but all is in God’s time, isn’t it? Pray for me friends, that I may be an instrument and an example to my family, now as a new Catholic.
 
I was raised Protestant as well and it wasn’t until I decided to attend a Catholic Church that I learned my Grandmother was anti-Catholic. My Father had a few reserves as well “You know Catholics worship Mary” I love them very much and I know they are just saying the same rhetoric they hear from others/tv. Although my Grandmother does not care much for Catholocism she stilll went with me and I was thankful for that. I hope your parents come to accept your decision

The nice thing is you have this forum to come to. I am greatful for this forum because the people have helped me much and answered many questions that I had.

Congradulations on becoming a Catholic!
 
Welcome to the Catholic Church!

Your parents may have been a bit overwhelmed by the Easter Vigil. It is such a powerful service! I bet it was like no church service they’ve ever been to before now. If your parents thought the Catholic Church didn’t read the Bible, they probably had that misconception corrected.

You joining the Catholic Church brings up issues they probably never faced. Have they ever considered even the possibility that they didn’t have the fullness of the faith? With your dad being a pastor, he knows that his church and your church can’t both be right. No one wants to believe they spent their whole career being wrong about something they thought they were an expert at.

Pray for your parents. This is probably a difficult time for them. It’s admirable that they went to your confirmation and that they held their mouths until you asked what they thought.

My in-laws are just begining to express concern six years after my husband joined the Church and if we can keep this civil, we hope to convert the whole group!
 
Hi Sparkle, and welcome to the Family Of God. At least your folks went. Not one person in my anti-Catholic family showed for my confirmation. Like **ByzCath, **my entire pew was also empty. Not even my husband came. After hearing your story though, I think, in retrospect, it was a better thing. At least I didn’t have to listen to all the anti-Catholic **** on my special day that I have to listen to when around them.
 
I am not a convert, but I’ve had a number of “reversion” experiences…some small, some large…each that have drawn me closer and closer to living out our faith.

I was fortunate to be raised in a Catholic home with practicing parents, but there are aspects of the faith that they are not educated about and tend to disagree about (due to the widespread misinformation that is out there) with me (and really, the Church). My siblings are helter-skelter and sort of all over the spectrum when it comes to living out their faith and understanding their Catholic beliefs.

I found that when I was going through a reversion time in my life, I would feel on fire for the Lord and as if the Holy Spirit had personally lit a fire under my butt, so to speak. 🙂 I would want to share all my joy and sometimes it would be a little overwhelming to the recipients, who would then get annoyed and it would sometimes end up driving them further away.

It took me awhile to realize that just because we find our joy in being Catholic, the gift of faith is not one that all of us choose to receive from God. Many of us reject it for some time before our hearts are able to open up and see all that is out there for us as a Catholic. However, being Catholic does not solve all of our problems. Jesus told us to EXPECT to be persecuted. To be denied, rejected, scorned. All because of Him.

As I’ve become more and more aware of all the lies that are out there in the world, and as I draw more and more inward and try to live out my faith to every capability…I realize that faithful Catholics are a minority and I just have to get used to being continually challenged and confronted about my beliefs and actions as I walk the road toward sanctification.

Let the comments from your parents roll off your back. I know it hurts, but you are a married woman with beautiful children. Their approval is no longer what matters. You live for God and His approval only. Besides, if you reap your rewards here on earth, you won’t be storing up treasure in heaven. 🙂 Take the persecution and be serene in the knowledge that you have come home where you belong.
 
Welcome to the Catholic Church. Like many others I was completely alone except for my new Church family when I was recieved into the Church. Not one family member came, They are all protestant. That was 20 years ago and my parents have mellowed somewhat. BUt I can tell to this day they all wish I would return to the protestant side. I can tell you that the growing has not stopped in twenty years. I am just excited about mass as I was on that first saturday back in 1985. I am so happy fpr you. Pray for your family that they will be shown the truth somehow like you were.
 
Hey Sparkle! I am soooo sorry to hear this - that which should have been a joyous event.

Heaven is singing even if your Earthly family is not.

Did you ever think that maybe the enemy is trying to steal your new found joy so soon? He uses those close to us to steal any flicker of joy we have from God. And now you are that much more of a spiritual threat.

No - you are on the right course and your thank-you note to your parents was kind and charitable. Nice job.

I am happy for you and I have continued to keep you in my daily prayers - for your husband, children, family and for you to meet more Catholic friends. You are one in a million, Sparkle!

Welcome.
Your sis in Christ,
Jen
 
Welcome Home!

My father is also a minister; he has been in on the Evangelical field since he began singing on the radio at age 9. While never Anti-Catholic, they are not Catholic. Through my conversion, thank God, they have loved me and shown that love. I’ve been very careful to do nothing that would give them the impression that I’d turned my back on the faith they instilled in me. When we visit, we attend both Mass and services at their home non-denom church (in fact, now we end up attending my in-laws Methodist services as well – we get a lot of churching when we visit the old homestead!) It was so neat when my parents went to Russia on a mission trip and mom brought me back a lovely icon of Mary.

When any of our families have a question about Catholic things, we are ready to answer – of course, our family has many, many spiritual and religious discussions – I’ve never had a true “apologetics” session on any topic with any of them without that family member bringing it up. We can discuss things of God all day long in just what we have in common.

I’ll be praying for all of you!
 
Heck, my parent’s are Catholic (I use this term very loosely) and didn’t come to my Confirmation this past Saturday. I didn’t care, I’d much rather have people come who are genuinely happy to be there for my special day. Therefore, I sat with my beautiful and loving Byzantine Catholic wife, who also was my sponsor, and really basked in the glow of finally being received fully into the RCC at the tender age of 37.
 
John Joseph:
Heck, my parent’s are Catholic (I use this term very loosely) and didn’t come to my Confirmation this past Saturday. I didn’t care, I’d much rather have people come who are genuinely happy to be there for my special day. Therefore, I sat with my beautiful and loving Byzantine Catholic wife, who also was my sponsor, and really basked in the glow of finally being received fully into the RCC at the tender age of 37.
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Well, welcome home to you as well!
 
I am thankful that you came home to the Catholic Church! My family also was confirmed and my daughter baptised during the Easter Vigil service. It was the most profoundly moving service of our lives, but alas not one of my family members or even a Catholic friend found it important enough to attend. In fact, we received none of the usual phone calls from friends and family members. Our usual Easter tradition of having dinner with relatives in a neighboring community was canceled for no clear reason this year, but we think it is because my family is concerned that we might pose a “bad influence” to their kids. My father hates the Catholic Church, and our relationship is suffering.

All that being said, it was still one of the best Easters of my adult life. We had dinner with Catholic friends and spent the whole day talking about our new church home and our new theological perspective. I guess my only advice would be to look to the Catholic community for your support and not your own family. It will be a tough road at times for folks like us, but what a blessing that we have the opportunity to sacrifice something of personal value in order to follow where Christ is leading us. Take heart and blessings to you and your family!
 
Dear Sparkle,

Welcome to the Catholic family…I converted several years ago.

Converting is only the first step in the process. Now you need to continue to grow spiritually. There is a Vatican approved Catholic based family ministry called Couples for Christ (CFC). (I may have written you before about the CFC, and if I have I am sorry if I sound redundant.)

I converted but never really felt complete until my family joined the CFC. The CFC help us grow individually and as a family. You mentioned you boys. My oldest daughter belongs to the CFC-Youth ministry and is growing spiritually stronger every day.

My wife no longer has to beg us to go to Mass, we look forward to it. Over Easter, our children quietly sat through 4 masses in 4 different churches in 4 days.

My family is in Ohio and flordia and my wife’s family is in Texas and California and we live in Illinois. CFC has become our family, or brothers and sisters.

If you would like to know more about CFC, please let me know where you are and I’ll find a group closest to you.

May the Peace of the Lord be with you - ALWAYS.
 
Welcome and congratulations. I too was brought into full communion this Easter Vigil. I though, was baptized too.

My mother came to church with me. She doesn’t go to any church. I am pretty sure she believes in God. What she said to me…after the Litany of the Saints “I didn’t think they were ever going to stop”
I said mom that wasn’t even half of them.

I pray that you can be the example your family needs. Just live your life that way Christ wants. Lead by Example. Volunteer with your Parish, get involved. Go to Mass. Live a Holy Life and they will see.
May they be given the Grace you have received.
May you be able to answer there questions or comments with reverence and peace. Of course I myself have ‘dumbeddown’ Catholicism to but it on a level they may understand.
Here’s an anser I use when I get this “You pray to the Saints”, “no dear I ask them to pray for us. Just like when you ask a fellow church friend to pray for you, We ask the Saints in Heaven to pray for us. They can do nothing for us but pray. I figure, hey they made it heaven so why not ask them to pray for us?”
 
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