Telling family about my conversion

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I admire and congratulate you on how seriously you took that written agreement. As an “I used to thank God I was born into a Baptist family” adult, I can appreciate your struggle to honor God, your parents, your commitments, and to come through to the Catholic Church. He was with you each step of the way, guiding your foot steps along the journey.
 
My desire is not to bash my school. I am thankful for the Christian education they gave me.
However, I must say that the irony in all this is that before the university bought the campus, the campus belonged to the Brothers of the Holy Cross. One Catholic friend of mine said that perhaps the reason some of us students have converted to Catholicism is because of the prayers of the saints who were affiliated with the campus when it was Catholic.
 
Well, I know God wanted be to become Catholic, but there are days when I wonder if I went about it all wrong. I feel I dishonored the agreement. Some have counselled me to be cautious get my education and remain quiet. Others have said that remaining silent was a form of dishonesty. I feel quite confused really and am praying for direction. I want to be honest with my parents, but they are going through so much right now, I’m afraid to put what I know will be a heavy burden on them.
 
You probably should not speak of your conversion to your parents, now. If possible wait for them to bring up the subject. But be ready to discuss it!

As to the school situation, some posters have brought up the possibility that you got the idea of their ‘Baptist only’ policy from a story, probably partially true, that may have been floating around campus, for years, or even generations; A student, being supported through school by her parents, signs all forms, but becomes a catholic, or joins another ‘unapproved’ church…parents find out, withdraw all financial help, and student ‘disappears’ from campus, without having told anyone else she was leaving, or why. Rumors begin. Since students must agree to only attend certain churches, it is largely believed that parents withdrew support, probably for religion issue. Mind, the only thing known for sure is that she was attending unapproved churches, and she disappeared from campus. The possibility of illness, (of herself or parents), financial reverses, elopement, just not wanting to go to school anymore, are quickly considered and discarded. Once the student’s former classmates have graduated, her particulars are forgotten, and the story becomes a campus ‘fact’. No one questions the administration, for fear of being too closely watched, and/or considered a ‘troublemaker’. Once a generation passes. it becomes assumed that the story is unquestionably ‘true’.

Just think…how did you find out about these policies? How did the people who told you find out? For an accredited university, it seems unlikely…especially for them to be able to take away credits for work already done.

…continued
 
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OP, have you ever consulted a lawyer? Many law firms give free, one-time telephone cosultations. These policies just don’t seem…well, legal, in the educational field. I only knew of a friend who graduated from an unaccredited, four-year, Bible college. And he did find a difficult time finding a job, in this field.(He, and the school,were nondenominational Protestants). To their credit, they never called themselves a seminary, or offered ordination.

I suggest consulting a lawyer because the school could be getting by on a rumor…or other questionable tactics. And, there are certain things they have to agree with, in order to get any help from the government. Offhand, are the 'community churches on the list recent additions? Because, they were probably the first churches to perform, and recognize gay marriage!

I think that any college not limited to theology would get in trouble for that. I’m no expert, but I can’t imagine a baptist church (or seminary, or theological school) agreeing with tolerance of gay relationships. I’m probably getting kind of obsessed with this whole thing, and I won’t be offended if you don’t answer. However, you should think seriously about how the agreement you signed was presented to you, how you found out about their ability to deny you credits you earned, and just how legal this is…or can be! I think you’ll feel better about keeping some things back, once you find out the true legality, the truth in general about what you were told. There are many things a lawyer can tell you, even in a quick, free consultation, that the rest of us…face it, we just couldn’t.

I wish you the very best, in your catholic conversion, and, your nursing career.

God Bless!
 
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I see where you are coming from. Rumors can definitely spread. However, the student I referred to was a classmate of mine. This individual was forbidden to attend Mass, which he did for a bit, but then went back. Lol. Also, the handbook of the university is very clear regarding the church attendance policy. Again, contractual law allows for them to hold us to an agreement previously signed even when that agreement is dealing with church attendance.
 
I did not personally contact a lawyer, however I was speaking with a counselor last semester. She asked my permission to consult a lawyer friend of hers about my general situation. She didn’t share details obviously because of HIPPA. The response she received was that if I signed an agreement to abide by the rules of the school, I am held to that agreement. Its contractual law. So yes, its legal. I had every freedom to not agree to it and attend a different school, but becoming Catholic was the farthest thing from my mind when I signed that agreement 4 years ago lol! I suppose I could have left, but transferring clinical credits between nursing schools is not easy. One end up needing to repeat some in many cases.
The school is accredited. No problem there.
They do not support gay marriage by any stretch of the imagination.
Perhaps community church is the wrong term. I just remember 2 churches on the list weren’t Baptist, but there didn’t appear to be any clear denominational affiliation.
Hope this makes sense!
 
Thanks for answering. And, so quickly! (I was still editing the second part of my post when I got notified!). If whoever told your friend that mass was forbidden is a member of the administration, i.e. ‘had authority’ I’m suspecting the school will be facing some challenges.

I’m really surprised this can happen. But, just thank God that you’re finished. Again, may you have a long, fulfilling, and prosperous career. And may your choice of church keep you fulfilled, spiritually.
 
Well, I answered quickly because my goal is not to bash my school. I simply wanted to present my personal concerns.

Thank you! I’m thankful God has brought me home to the Catholic church. It is rich, logical, and beautiful!
 
@treadingtiber, your journey to the Catholic Church is your journey, no one can say you you did it right or wrong. You had many aspects to consider and I know you prayed about it along the way. God will give you the words to share with your family when the timing is right. It may come at the most unexpected time. Remember that these past years seemed like an eternity to you, but in God’s timing, there were just a blip in time.

Just FYI for some posters: the Baptist College in my town requires students and faculty to sign a no alcohol agreement. It was strictly enforced until about 5 years ago when they changed it. Also, our local diocese terminated the contract of a coach at our Catholic High School when they entered a same-sex ceremony. Bottom line - if you sign, you are bound. This is what is bothering the OP - not whether it was a legal or just rule. The OP felt bound by honor.
 
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