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lil_flower_luv
Guest
Such a sweet testimony! :bighanky: Thank you for sharing, dnar.
How good God is! His comfort is all we need.
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How good God is! His comfort is all we need.
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Teresa_Higgins
Guest
It has been so comforting for me to read this thread, and I think you may be the people who can help me.
My sister and I were both raised Catholic, but with a very, very thin understanding of the Catholic faith. (Unfortunately, the 1960s and 1970ās werenāt the best years for Catholic formation for children.) She in her 20ās, and I in my 30ās, we both fell away from the faith.
I went off searching for what was missing in the world of New Age. My sister moved to Texas and became involved with a āBible Church.ā I donāt quite know what religion that is affiliated with, so I place quotes (she calls it āBible Churchā).
My sister kept prodding me to stop what I was doing - she challenged me to consider how much time I spent reading what she called my āgarbageā and spend equal time reading the Bible. She sent annual Christmas letters talking about her faith and letting everyone know that we were all going the wrong way. Note that the letter went not only to me (I really WAS going the wrong way), but to my mother, who is a practicing Catholic, and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins - Lutherans, Methodists, etc.
Finally tired of her harrassment, I picked up the Bible and started readingā¦with full intention of finding what I needed to prove her wrong. I was certain I could disprove her āOne and Only Godā claim quite quickly and quite simply. Then, lo and behold, the One and Only God threw me a big fat curve ball. Through a series of events that can only be described as divinely inspired, I found myself on my knees at the Catholic Church, very sorry, very shamed, and very, very grateful for Godās Mercy and Love.
That was about seven years ago. Today, I LOVE my Catholic faith. I have learned so much, and Iām even involved in helping with RCIA! I hope to go to Lay Formation next year when my youngest son graduates from high school. I find it really ironic that my sister, who is now intently ANTI-Catholic, was one of the key people playing a part in my return to my Church. Iāve shared the irony with her, and thanked her for her advice.
Iāve also asked her to stop sending her Christmas letters. I saw how they hurt our mother, and they eventually offended me to the point of tears, too. I asked her to instead write letters that tell me what her children are doing, how she is doing, and how well life is treating her. While my request didnāt go over real well, she did comply. We had a good dialog; we have agreed to disagree and pray for each other.
My problem is now thisā¦as I grow in my faith, and read Catholic Answers threads like this, I feel compelled to reopen dialog with my sister about how are faiths are alike - and how they are different. I know I have to be truly open and non-judgemental. I must accept the fact that only God can covert her heartā¦but I also know God did use her to convert my heartā¦ What do I do? Or more importantly, what do I be sure NOT to do?
I think the people who read and write this thread may have some good advice for me. I welcome whatever you have to offer.
The advice Iād like to offer goes to those who expressed sadness at not feeling welcomed at a Catholic Mass. I felt that way, too, when I first came back. I felt so disconnected from everyone there; the sadness and emptiness was so deep, I nearly gave up. Sometimes God empties us out before he fills us up again. Please have faith and hang in there. Keep going. Also, may I suggest a wonderful book called āThe Lambās Supper - Mass as Heaven on Earthā by Scott Hahn? May I also suggest asking the pastor, deacon, or RCIA director to explain the Mass, step-by-step? Understanding what is happening is central to fully receiving the gift of the Mass. It is such a rich and meaningful Sacrament!
Thank you, and God bless all who participate in Catholic Answers!
My sister and I were both raised Catholic, but with a very, very thin understanding of the Catholic faith. (Unfortunately, the 1960s and 1970ās werenāt the best years for Catholic formation for children.) She in her 20ās, and I in my 30ās, we both fell away from the faith.
I went off searching for what was missing in the world of New Age. My sister moved to Texas and became involved with a āBible Church.ā I donāt quite know what religion that is affiliated with, so I place quotes (she calls it āBible Churchā).
My sister kept prodding me to stop what I was doing - she challenged me to consider how much time I spent reading what she called my āgarbageā and spend equal time reading the Bible. She sent annual Christmas letters talking about her faith and letting everyone know that we were all going the wrong way. Note that the letter went not only to me (I really WAS going the wrong way), but to my mother, who is a practicing Catholic, and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins - Lutherans, Methodists, etc.
Finally tired of her harrassment, I picked up the Bible and started readingā¦with full intention of finding what I needed to prove her wrong. I was certain I could disprove her āOne and Only Godā claim quite quickly and quite simply. Then, lo and behold, the One and Only God threw me a big fat curve ball. Through a series of events that can only be described as divinely inspired, I found myself on my knees at the Catholic Church, very sorry, very shamed, and very, very grateful for Godās Mercy and Love.
That was about seven years ago. Today, I LOVE my Catholic faith. I have learned so much, and Iām even involved in helping with RCIA! I hope to go to Lay Formation next year when my youngest son graduates from high school. I find it really ironic that my sister, who is now intently ANTI-Catholic, was one of the key people playing a part in my return to my Church. Iāve shared the irony with her, and thanked her for her advice.
Iāve also asked her to stop sending her Christmas letters. I saw how they hurt our mother, and they eventually offended me to the point of tears, too. I asked her to instead write letters that tell me what her children are doing, how she is doing, and how well life is treating her. While my request didnāt go over real well, she did comply. We had a good dialog; we have agreed to disagree and pray for each other.
My problem is now thisā¦as I grow in my faith, and read Catholic Answers threads like this, I feel compelled to reopen dialog with my sister about how are faiths are alike - and how they are different. I know I have to be truly open and non-judgemental. I must accept the fact that only God can covert her heartā¦but I also know God did use her to convert my heartā¦ What do I do? Or more importantly, what do I be sure NOT to do?
I think the people who read and write this thread may have some good advice for me. I welcome whatever you have to offer.
The advice Iād like to offer goes to those who expressed sadness at not feeling welcomed at a Catholic Mass. I felt that way, too, when I first came back. I felt so disconnected from everyone there; the sadness and emptiness was so deep, I nearly gave up. Sometimes God empties us out before he fills us up again. Please have faith and hang in there. Keep going. Also, may I suggest a wonderful book called āThe Lambās Supper - Mass as Heaven on Earthā by Scott Hahn? May I also suggest asking the pastor, deacon, or RCIA director to explain the Mass, step-by-step? Understanding what is happening is central to fully receiving the gift of the Mass. It is such a rich and meaningful Sacrament!
Thank you, and God bless all who participate in Catholic Answers!
P
peary1
Guest
Yes, I have. Unfortunately, and sadly, you canāt fix stupid.
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