Suggestions For Someone Considering Becoming a Catholic

[stove]

I have a Non Catholic friend who has asked me to take her to Mass with me as she has been looking for a religion and thinking of possibly becoming a Catholic. I am very worried that the way I go about introducing her to the Church and explaining it and trying to get her to join will make or break her decision to join. Basically I dont want something I did do or did not do to be responsible for her not joining. So what should I do? Maybe buy her a book?

I took her to Mass already once and told her I would be willing to attend RCIA classes with her and I gave her a copy of the Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I also gave her a rosary and a few books on the rosary with meditations for the mysteries (She asked for the rosary which was a great sign). I just don’t know how to proceed. Here are some facts:

1. She has no previous experience with organized religion.
2. She said what appealed to her about the Church is its tradition, (with a lower case t).

Can you suggest any books I might buy to give her or some other ideas on how to proceed? Thanks for the help and suggestions and God Bless.

In Jesus through Mary
Steve

 

[otjm]

Ask questions; ask lots of questions. And don’t get on a soap box and give an oration.

When you do not know an answer, or are not sure, say that you would like to get back to her with a better answer than you can give off the top of your head. Then do so.

Don’t try to go technical on her. That is, don’t give a theological dissertation when a short answer will suffice.

There are any number of good sources; one is Catholicism for Dummies, by two priests; well written, solid information. Another is Catholic and Christian by Alan Shreck. Either you, or she, or both of you, would do well to read either or both. In fact, if you ;and she have the time, it might be a good idea to do a book study of either one of them, and then discuss it chapter by chapter.

 

[freudmacher]

the Baltimore Catechism III

There are 4 volumes. The first is for kids and so on.

It is in question answer format, which is easy to read and understand. It is not a big book, nor does it take long to read. They give a lot of scriptures that back the answers, which is good for protestants and people that don’t have a good back ground with the Bible. Plus, if they wanted even more information they could get the IV volume. Oh, and they deal a whole lot on the tradition.

 

[Rolltide]

For someone with NO background in organized religion, Catholicism for Dummies would be a very good choice. It’s an excellent book.

 

[Brennan_Doherty]

I have a Non Catholic friend who has asked me to take her to Mass with me as she has been looking for a religion and thinking of possibly becoming a Catholic. I am very worried that the way I go about introducing her to the Church and explaining it and trying to get her to join will make or break her decision to join. Basically I dont want something I did do or did not do to be responsible for her not joining. So what should I do? Maybe buy her a book?

I took her to Mass already once and told her I would be willing to attend RCIA classes with her and I gave her a copy of the Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I also gave her a rosary and a few books on the rosary with meditations for the mysteries (She asked for the rosary which was a great sign). I just don’t know how to proceed. Here are some facts:

1. She has no previous experience with organized religion.
2. She said what appealed to her about the Church is its tradition, (with a lower case t).

Can you suggest any books I might buy to give her or some other ideas on how to proceed? Thanks for the help and suggestions and God Bless.

In Jesus through Mary
Steve

If you have a TLM with Gregorian chant available that is well done I would suggest taking her to that, even if she can’t follow along. Especially since she is interested in tradition. The beauty of it can help open her heart.