Sharing a genuine belief

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dcharlesworth

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I am a recent convert to Catholicism. When I started out in the RCIA it was only a fact finding mission, my girlfriend was Catholic and I was Lutheran. Realizing the biased view of Catholicism I had I decided I wanted to get stratight goods.

I have come to believe that the Catholic Church teaches the truth, and now I want to share it with my folks. They supported me the whole way, however it was sort of agreed that I wasn’t going to try and convert them due to friends of ours that we know a son becamce Catholic, then started out like a lunatic telling his parents they are doing everything wrong.

My parents are good Christians, however don’t experience the fulness of faith the Catholic Church has to offer. Any ideas on how to best share the genuine belief I have come to? Or is it best to leave things to settle and just try and lead by example?

Thanks.
 
Hi! I am in a similar boat, I am converting to Catholicism. All of my family and friends are wonderful Christ-centered people who have led me in faith to where I am now. I have a deep respect for all of them - but I’m also so excited about Catholicism that I want to share it with them everyday. What a quandary.

I recommend the book “Search and Rescue” by Patrick Madrid. It has the best advice I’ve found so far! Some of the key points: Pray, speak from love, never to get a notch on your belt, pray, read many many good books so that have have an answer, remember that there always is an answer, pray, and pray.

Good luck!
 
I wouldn’t set out to try and convert your parents.

I find it offensive when people try to tell me I’m wrong because I’m Catholic and should join their church instead. I don’t want to take that stance with someone else.

What I think is respectful to everyone involved is to share your experiences. Not in the sense of “this is what you should do” but in the sense of “this is what happened to me.”

If you went to Mass and heard a great homily, you might share something of that with your family. If you had a wonderful prayer experience, you might share that with your family.

Sometimes I find myself bubbling over with things and can’t help but share them. “We had a baptism at Mass today and I got totally choked up. When we sang the Litany of the Saints I was so aware of how connected we are with those who have gone before us in faith as well as those we were with in church.” At that point if someone wants to ask about how we’re connected with the saints or why we baptize babies or whatever, that’s fine. And if they don’t, that’s fine too. I’m not pushing anything, I’m simply talking about what’s important to me.
 
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what to say and how to approach them. Let them see the radiance in your face when you have been spritually nourished with the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus. Since God is love, always approach the subject with great love-first for the loving God who created us-then for the loving parents He gave you. When you were small you learned by watching them. Now that the role is reversed, let them, with childlike wonder, learn from you. When you have the chance, gently remove the falsehoods about the faith that they have assumed are true. Let love rule and the truth will shine.

May the Lord bless you.
 
Thanks for the great replies. I am in a very similar situation. The hillarious thing is that my family are all Catholics, of the Cafeteria varaiety. I almost wonder sometimes why they still call themselves Catholic if they don’t believe any of it at all and are generally just disgruntled about the entire Catholic Church. Of course I keep these thoughts to myself and pray that more honorable thoughts about my parents and loved ones replace these. I actually have a personal issue with them even receiving the eucharist, especially when I know how long it has been since some have even thought about receiving penance. I really love J.C. and pray that he gives me some guidance. I kinda have this feeling of wanting to protect him as well. Isn’t it an act of desecration to receive his body, blood, soul and divinity in the eucharist if you have sin in your heart? I know from my own experiences, when I receive penance then eucharist immediately following, my soul is definately lifted and I really am new. For real. No Joke. Thanks be to God! I just wish all the people I love so dear could feel the same way. Bubbling over and all.

Thanks CAF!

God Bless you all!!!
 
St Francis of Asissi said, “Preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.”

In other words, keep living a good Christian life as an observant Catholic and pray that you will know what to say and do when an opening comes up.

Search and Rescue is an excellent book.

Common Ground is a wonderful DVD! I just viewed it last wk. Go to Nineveh’s Crossing. You can sample a bit of it there, too! The priest on the DVD has a wonderful testimony.

God Bless, and Welcome Home!!
Mimi
 
Thanks for all the support and (name removed by moderator)ut. I shall put it all to good use.

Last night I was to share my testimony at a Catholic group for the first time since converting. I can already see fruits coming from it, and hopefully with a lot of prayer, and the Lord willing things will continue to happen.

Gods will, Gods way, in Gods time.

Blessings.
 
dcharlesworth,

Praise the Lord God that the fruits of your faith are being revealed to you. If you have spent time in adoration, bless you!
If not, you will be amazed at the peace, insight and wonder that are present. Personally, some minor miracles have occurred while I was before the Blessed Sacrament.

He is such a wonderful and loving God that I can not bring my eyes to even look at him! I know he is there. That is enough.

The Peace of Christ be with you.
 
I think many have mentioned the most important thing and that is to speak through charity/love. Nothing worse than just starting arguments – that goes no where unless it goes in reverse.

I think one of the best things is to just share the things that converted you, especially since you are indeed a convert.

If they know you and know your life they will be very closely in touch with the things you share since they already share your life.

With people who do not know you it’s a bit more of a challenge - then it’s sort of standard procedure: charity, prayer, know the faith, ask the Holy Spirit’s help.
 
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