Should I keep trying?

[PeterJohn]

In the past year or two, I’ve come back to the church after 9 years away. Gotten married, was blessed with a Wonderfull son. Ive learned a lot about the history of our faith as well as clarified my cafeteria catholisim and obtained a much better knowledge on where the church stands on issues and it’s teachings on many issues. I’ve read in the past months articles about how the church’s main role is evangelization. I’ve attended a bible study where my bishop issued a study course that talked about the importance of evangelizing in our community’s. I’ve read from pope John Paul ii that this is the age of re-evangelization. So, after a couple months of trying to do these things, I’m being mocked behind my back. My priest doesn’t seem to take me seriously. I feel very alone and my own brothers and sisters who never left the church, are resisting me and my brothers are resisting my efforts at bringing our common friends into the faith. Please advise me on if I am trying to hard. Or if I am in the wrong, I will relax and worry about my own soul and let the priests and bishops worry about everyone else’s.

 

[the_phoenix]

:clapping:

:tiphat:

Praying for you from today’s Liturgy of the Hours:

Psalm-prayer

God, King of all peoples and all ages, it is your victory we celebrate as we sing with all the skill at our command. Help us always to overcome evil by good, that we may rejoice in your triumph for ever.

…

Help us to work with you to make this world alive with your Spirit,
and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.
– Lord, renew us in your Spirit.

…

Enlighten,
O God of compassion,
the hearts of your children,
sanctified by penance, and in your kindness
grant those you stir to a sense of devotion
a gracious hearing when they cry out to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

 

[PermanentMarker]

Given what we know about the state of American Catholicism today, it is not surprising that your fellow Catholics seem to be unresponsive and even resistive of your more evangelistic approach. On the other hand, I also wonder if the impression you give to others might be hindering your efforts. It is a shame that such things should matter among Christians, but we are not angels. I am sorry that they are mocking you.

Without more detailed knowledge of your situation, it is difficult to advise you, but I say that that working smart is just as important as working hard. Spend your time productively; if what you are doing now is not working, you are wasting your time. I do not think you should give up, though. I think you should try a different approach or do something else altogether.

And remember, changing minds takes time and the work of grace.

 

[sfuerte01]

The church you go to seems to be very lazy and dont have the fire they should. Find a new church if you can!

 

[toasted_bagel]

Great job for evangelizing, but in what way are you doing so?
The reason I ask is because, as far as I know (PLEASE correct me if I am wrong), the main way Catholics evangelize is by being good examples by following God’s law. If you are evangelizing by other means, such as confrontation evangelism (commonly used by Fundamentalists, I think), then that may be the reason for the mocking.

 

[shangbuqi]

Without more detailed knowledge of your situation, it is difficult to advise you, but I say that that working smart is just as important as working hard. Spend your time productively; if what you are doing now is not working, you are wasting your time. I do not think you should give up, though. I think you should try a different approach orhttp://www.dubaa.info/g.gif do something else altogether.

 

[PeterJohn]

The church you go to seems to be very lazy and dont have the fire they should. Find a new church if you can!

Lazy? Yes! Conversations between me and our priest have come acrost that word. This is the only catholic church within 30 miles.

 

[PeterJohn]

Great job for evangelizing, but in what way are you doing so?
The reason I ask is because, as far as I know (PLEASE correct me if I am wrong), the main way Catholics evangelize is by being good examples by following God’s law. If you are evangelizing by other means, such as confrontation evangelism (commonly used by Fundamentalists, I think), then that may be the reason for the mocking.

I am evangelizing oth ways. To my imeadiate family, I evangelize by inviting them to church functions. Such as meatless meals but they say these functions are full of old ladies of the alter rosary. Mass during the week. A bible study we had(there were only 4 of us). I try keeping the Lords words in my mind, my mouth and in my heart. I go to
Confession more then ever in my life. All these things I invite my family with me and they mock me. To Friends I offer Christ as a possible solution to there problems. Such as depression, lonleyness. No direction in life. But I’m hearing whispers that my brothers and sisters are laughing with these people about my “gung ho Christian” life style.

 

[pablope]

I am evangelizing oth ways. To my imeadiate family, I evangelize by inviting them to church functions. Such as meatless meals but they say these functions are full of old ladies of the alter rosary. Mass during the week. A bible study we had(there were only 4 of us). I try keeping the Lords words in my mind, my mouth and in my heart. I go to
Confession more then ever in my life. All these things I invite my family with me and they mock me. To Friends I offer Christ as a possible solution to there problems. Such as depression, lonleyness. No direction in life. But I’m hearing whispers that my brothers and sisters are laughing with these people about my “gung ho Christian” life style.

God bless you for your efforts.

This is an initial reaction…but who knows what is going on in their hearts. As someone else mentioned…show it by example too…by your life, the way you live and conduct yourself.

I would recommend that you read the life of John Vianney. He experienced the same thing too in his parish…indifferent parishioners…but he persevered…and his parishioners eventually turned around. And look where St. John V is now…a saint and has an incorruptible body.

I forgot where I read or heard this…“our rewards will great by the the difficulties we encounter and the perseverance we show in overcoming these difficulties”…or something along this line.

 

[mamaslo]

In the past year or two, I’ve come back to the church after 9 years away. Gotten married, was blessed with a Wonderfull son. Ive learned a lot about the history of our faith as well as clarified my cafeteria catholisim and obtained a much better knowledge on where the church stands on issues and it’s teachings on many issues. I’ve read in the past months articles about how the church’s main role is evangelization. I’ve attended a bible study where my bishop issued a study course that talked about the importance of evangelizing in our community’s. I’ve read from pope John Paul ii that this is the age of re-evangelization. So, after a couple months of trying to do these things, I’m being mocked behind my back. My priest doesn’t seem to take me seriously. I feel very alone and my own brothers and sisters who never left the church, are resisting me and my brothers are resisting my efforts at bringing our common friends into the faith. Please advise me on if I am trying to hard. Or if I am in the wrong, I will relax and worry about my own soul and let the priests and bishops worry about everyone else’s.

What are the things you are trying? Being true and genuine to the people you want evangelized is a good start…preach always use words when necessary.

 

[mamaslo]

I am evangelizing oth ways. To my imeadiate family, I evangelize by inviting them to church functions. Such as meatless meals but they say these functions are full of old ladies of the alter rosary. Mass during the week. A bible study we had(there were only 4 of us). I try keeping the Lords words in my mind, my mouth and in my heart. I go to
Confession more then ever in my life. All these things I invite my family with me and they mock me. To Friends I offer Christ as a possible solution to there problems. Such as depression, lonleyness. No direction in life. But I’m hearing whispers that my brothers and sisters are laughing with these people about my “gung ho Christian” life style.

Sorry I didn’t read this sooner…it sounds like you are helping Jesus carry the cross while He was mocked. Despised and rejected. If they did it to him, then it will happen to you.

Offer up your suffering for their souls.