Prodigal son

[puravidagringo]

My prodigal 32 year old son, the product of a failed mixed marriage and a kid who by his own hand has put his future in serious jeopardy, has recently asked me for guidance leading to spirituality. Of course, I want to help, but not in a heavy-handed way, plus he lives in Southern California and I no longer do, so I have no personal recommendations. Years ago, I used to take him to Mass with me, but that ended when he told me I’d done all I could (he was 18 then). He has a spiritual bent, and seems serious now to something, but I don’t know exactly what I might do to help him find his way in Laguna Beach. I don’t just want to say, “go see a priest,” for that would be inviting disaster. Any more creative ideas out there?

 

[John_Martin]

Okay,
How about watching a lot of EWTN, especially Monday evenings, “The Journey Home” (might be early evening in California) about people returning to the Church, many people with many backgrounds, one of which might click with his thinking.
And he should still go to Mass and see a Priest - we don’t do our Catholic lives alone, but in the presence of Jesus, walking With Him, not just thinking about Him.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Okay,
How about watching a lot of EWTN, especially Monday evenings, “The Journey Home” (might be early evening in California) about people returning to the Church, many people with many backgrounds, one of which might click with his thinking.
And he should still go to Mass and see a Priest - we don’t do our Catholic lives alone, but in the presence of Jesus, walking With Him, not just thinking about Him.

Recommend a brilliant catholic book that will point him back to the sacraments!
If he goes to amazon.com he can download the kindle app onto his phone or laptop, and then read off that. Good books:
‘Rediscovering Catholicism’ by Matthew Kelly. That book is very good, all about how we need the sacraments and the rosary, mass, adoration, and confession.
If you go to Dynamic Catholic.com and click Decision Point, and view programme. It lets you view 75 videos for free all about the Catholic Church and the sacraments, brilliant. All free.

I thought the book ‘Struck by Lightning’ by Gloria Polo (was good although it’s about a catholic woman who had a near death experience and saw heaven, and hell. Very catholic, Jesus explained all about the importance of confession and the commandments to her.)

 

[OurLadysServant]

My prodigal 32 year old son, the product of a failed mixed marriage and a kid who by his own hand has put his future in serious jeopardy, has recently asked me for guidance leading to spirituality. Of course, I want to help, but not in a heavy-handed way, plus he lives in Southern California and I no longer do, so I have no personal recommendations. Years ago, I used to take him to Mass with me, but that ended when he told me I’d done all I could (he was 18 then). He has a spiritual bent, and seems serious now to something, but I don’t know exactly what I might do to help him find his way in Laguna Beach. I don’t just want to say, “go see a priest,” for that would be inviting disaster. Any more creative ideas out there?

The best thing would be to talk to a priest one on one, get confession, start going to church on Sundays, monthly confession, daily prayers, and learning how to keep the commandments,

 

[puravidagringo]

Some interesting and thoughtful ideas, for which I’m grateful. I’m familiar with Matthew Kelly’s books and will send this one to my son. I’ve also helped him find a nearby church in which he’ll likely be comfortable, one which I formerly attended. It has a new pastor and now puts on its website videotapes of weekly masses so my son can get a feel for the pastor’s style, which is very relaxed and welcoming. And the church is in a marvelous setting – high above the Pacific with sweeping, panoramic views, very tranquil. Perfect for reflection. Like my son, the pastor plays guitar. They’ll get along. Thanks for helping bring him home.