Telling the Parents

[rtconstant]

I told my parents. We argued for about four hours going over Doctrinal point by Doctrinal point as it pertains to Catholic teaching. Saying it did not go over well would be an complete and total understatement. I believe that I defended the Catholic position to the best of my ability. Not to seem egotistical but I think I am very well studied regarding Catholic teaching, but even I was not ready for this. They want me to talk to a Baptist minister and “get straightened out.” I am way past the point of no return, but I don’t think they completely realize it. Either that or they don’t want to. I fear that Christmas has been ruined. My Dad even told me that “he failed me as a Father,” and my Mother told me I “was a disappointment.” Please pray for me.

This breaks my heart. I’m the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. My folks took it hard as well, but they are getting better with it all the time. To them the difference was made in the fact that they recognize that my life has been much improved by my experiences in the Catholic Church. Just follow the Lord and trust Him. You’re in my prayers.

 

[Cairisti]

I’m sorry to hear it didn’t go well. Sounds like what happened when I told my parents I was in RCIA (though we didn’t get into a long debate.) . Being a former Southern baptist as well, I can imagine how prickly it was!)

As others have said, just show them you love them and pray for them.

 

[mary_bobo]

I don’t think your parents “failed” you - if anything, it was their own faith that brought you towards the Fullness of the Faith in the Catholic Church. This is your way of honoring them. I hope you can help them see that.

God bless you on your journey home.

Beautiful thought. OP, you will be in my prayers.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I think your parents reaction is probably very normal. They will naturally go through a denial; I hope that eventually they work through it all and come to if not understanding at least an acceptance. But it will take time. They still love you. Pray for them; and ask them for they’re prayers as well.

Peace

 

[CarrieH]

SemperFidelis, how are things going today? Stay strong! Praying for you.

 

[daeve]

I’ll be praying for all of you too. I can understand how your parents feel. Neither of my sons embraced the faith at all. Their father is an atheist and they both decided religion was a bunch of baloney. I fear for their souls everyday, and say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily for their eyes and hearts to be opened to the truth. I imagine your parents feel the same way. From their point of view, you knew “the truth” and now turned to some false religion. Of course, they’re hurt. But you will stand your ground, knowing that we’re all behind you in spirit, and that you’ve now found the fullness of faith. Be patient with them. They still love you more than anyone else on earth.

 

[SemperFidelis]

Today has been much of the same in comparison with yesterday. Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers. They are most definitely needed. I promised my parents I would meet with my former pastor and talk to him this week. I am preparing diligently so that I will be ready to defend the Church I so strongly believe in. I hope what I do and say to him will provide a strong witness in support of the Church. Pray for me that my convictions will not fail, and that perhaps even he too will have a change of heart.

 

[adam_in_ohio]

Our 4 year old son let the cat out of the bag for my wife and her parents. My mother in-law called my wife crying asking if she had already converted.
Lots of stress since then, but over all prayers are being answered.
Keep strong my friend. May the Lord be with you.

 

[FCEGM]

Today has been much of the same in comparison with yesterday. Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers. They are most definitely needed. I promised my parents I would meet with my former pastor and talk to him this week. I am preparing diligently so that I will be ready to defend the Church I so strongly believe in. I hope what I do and say to him will provide a strong witness in support of the Church. Pray for me that my convictions will not fail, and that perhaps even he too will have a change of heart.

May you be blessed with a measure of His strength and wisdom as you celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord! My prayers are joined with others for you and your parents.

 

[JRKH]

Today has been much of the same in comparison with yesterday. Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers. They are most definitely needed. ** I promised my parents I would meet with my former pastor and talk to him this week. I am preparing diligently so that I will be ready to defend the Church I so strongly believe in. ** I hope what I do and say to him will provide a strong witness in support of the Church. Pray for me that my convictions will not fail, and that perhaps even he too will have a change of heart.

I’m glad to hear that you will be speaking with the pastor of your parents’s church.
Please be sure that he knows up front that you are firm in your conviction to join the Holy Catholic Church, but want to talk through with him how you can help your parents accept the decision.
Then as you and he discuss the various issues calmly and intelligently, he will hopefully see that your decision is not taken in darkness or misunderstanding. Rather it is a well reasoned and logical conclusion to your spiritual journey.
Of course there is the additional point that you may be able to correct some mis-understandings that he has of the church.

Remember that, while preparation is good, trust to the Holy Spirit to provide you with what to say.

Peace and Welcome

James

 

[RAGGANDI]

“When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say.
For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” " Luke 12:11-12

 

[DustinsDad]

…Remember that, while preparation is good, trust to the Holy Spirit to provide you with what to say…

Amen to that!
And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:11-12)

 

[Alexius]

Amen to that!
And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:11-12)

Yes! Amen!

 

[grandfather]

Today has been much of the same in comparison with yesterday. Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers. They are most definitely needed. I promised my parents I would meet with my former pastor and talk to him this week. I am preparing diligently so that I will be ready to defend the Church I so strongly believe in. I hope what I do and say to him will provide a strong witness in support of the Church. Pray for me that my convictions will not fail, and that perhaps even he too will have a change of heart.

Semper,
All shall be well. God will bless you. Trust Him. He will also bless your family.
Happy Nativity!

Christ is born!
Glorify Him!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Today has been much of the same in comparison with yesterday. Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers. They are most definitely needed. I promised my parents I would meet with my former pastor and talk to him this week. I am preparing diligently so that I will be ready to defend the Church I so strongly believe in. I hope what I do and say to him will provide a strong witness in support of the Church. Pray for me that my convictions will not fail, and that perhaps even he too will have a change of heart.

Remember that you only have to defend your decision to follow this path. You do not have to defend the Church or her teachings. You, may not have all the answers, to all the questions and acusations thrown at you. Don’t let that bother you. The only thing you need to defend is that you are certain that this is what Christ is calling you to do, and nothing will prevent you from listening to Him.

 

[CindiA]

Remember that you only have to defend your decision to follow this path. You do not have to defend the Church or her teachings. You, may not have all the answers, to all the questions and acusations thrown at you. Don’t let that bother you. The only thing you need to defend is that you are certain that this is what Christ is calling you to do, and nothing will prevent you from listening to Him.

OMGosh, thanks Br Rich. I too needed to hear those words before I get together with my Baptist family tomorrow. Those words to remind me that I’m not defending the Church, only that this is what Chist is calling me to do were a good reminder!! Thx again. And Merry Christ-Mass!!

 

[Legal_Eagle]

Let me turn the situation around on you and hopefully give you the advice you need as well. I am the father of two twenty-something daughters. If my daughters were to come home from college and go to Mass and receive our Lord, THEN told me they no longer believed in the Eucharist, I would be a whole lot sadder and concerned for their souls than if they had simply told me up front their reasons for not wanting to go to Mass. The Holy Spirit has called you to become catholic. He knew when he called you that there would be a certain amount of turmoil in your family’s life as a result. But you have to TRUST God. He has it all worked out. Tell your parents your reasons. It’s honoring your mother and your father by telling them the truth. I am not familiar at all with the Baptist service. Would it be ok to attend the service out of respect to your parents and not participate in the “Lord’s Supper?” Then go to Mass on Christmas Day and invite them to come along? Who knows? Maybe your conversion is the seed that the Holy Spirit has planted to bring the rest of your family to the fullness of Christ’s church.
I will pray for you and your family that, regardless of your decision, you all have a holy and blessed Christmas.

Good advice

 

[Legal_Eagle]

I told my parents. We argued for about four hours going over Doctrinal point by Doctrinal point as it pertains to Catholic teaching. Saying it did not go over well would be an complete and total understatement. I believe that I defended the Catholic position to the best of my ability. Not to seem egotistical but I think I am very well studied regarding Catholic teaching, but even I was not ready for this. They want me to talk to a Baptist minister and “get straightened out.” I am way past the point of no return, but I don’t think they completely realize it. Either that or they don’t want to. I fear that Christmas has been ruined. My Dad even told me that “he failed me as a Father,” and my Mother told me I “was a disappointment.” Please pray for me.

Please be assured of my prayers.

 

[Holly3278]

I would gently tell them that you are becoming Catholic and that because of that, you cannot receive the “Lord’s Supper” at this Baptist church.

 

[CindiA]

I would gently tell them that you are becoming Catholic and that because of that, you cannot receive the “Lord’s Supper” at this Baptist church.

I’m not sure an explanation is even needed. I attended Baptist church until nearly 30. Before communion is passed out, every church I’ve ever been to has a short period of time for you to “examine” yourself and then the warning that the Bible tells us not to take communion “unworthily.” There were many times that I just passed it by because I had some sin in my life. No one ever even asked me about it. That’s the only Baptist understanding I know of on communion. I think pretty much they all do it that way. So just skipping it shouldn’t (hopefully) cause any problems.

I hope everything went well with you. My family is questioning my “new” beliefs. But, they are at least being polite about it (for the most part) Even my Baptist brother tonight made a comment that the artistry and the bead work on the Rosaries I’m making is very good. He’s the last person I ever expected to hear a positive comment about anything Catholic. I do think that God is at work. My SIL (his wife) was also open to hearing about praying to Sts. Amazing. I explained it very calmly and very non-threatening to her. She’s extremely dogmatic and I think other than my brother, she was the next to the last person I’d expect to listen to anything Catholic. Pray for them and their family. They just got “voted out” of their church and are searching for a new one - sorta like doing job interviews, only for pastors. In my mind, what a perfect opportunity for God to lead them to Catholicism!!!