Thomas John Confused

[Thomas_John]

I am a practicing RC I attend Mass every day I pray the Rosary at least once a day,
I have very few friends simply because my believes are so different from anybody else that we simply have nothing in common.

I do have extended family cousins, To the best of my knowledge not one of them practice although they where all baptized into the faith at least most of them.

The few cousins I manage to stay in contact with do not practice, They all know very well I am a little bit different then they are but for the most part they tolerate me and I get to see them a few times a year,

When you speak of Evangelicalism it bothers my conscience because I don’t dare say anything to my cousins because I already know what the reaction would be and I don’t want to lose them being the only family I have…

Is it okay If I simply pray for them to come back to the faith? If I must speak up and lose what family I have left I will do it but then I would have no family left?

What is the right thing to do. It must also be said I am very shy, not good at any kind of confrontation, but do try and get involved in Parish activities.

There are times when I feel I am living in a world gone mad.

Thomas John Hughes

 

[Theophorus]

I am a practicing RC I attend Mass every day I pray the Rosary at least once a day,
I have very few friends simply because my believes are so different from anybody else that we simply have nothing in common.

I do have extended family cousins, To the best of my knowledge not one of them practice although they where all baptized into the faith at least most of them.

The few cousins I manage to stay in contact with do not practice, They all know very well I am a little bit different then they are but for the most part they tolerate me and I get to see them a few times a year,

When you speak of Evangelicalism it bothers my conscience because I don’t dare say anything to my cousins because I already know what the reaction would be and I don’t want to lose them being the only family I have…

Is it okay If I simply pray for them to come back to the faith? If I must speak up and lose what family I have left I will do it but then I would have no family left?

What is the right thing to do. It must also be said I am very shy, not good at any kind of confrontation, but do try and get involved in Parish activities.

There are times when I feel I am living in a world gone mad.

Thomas John Hughes

Prayer is always the place to start, and indeed without prayer any other form of evangelisation is unlikely to get you very far. I understand your shyness and reluctance to speak out but some times living the Christian life well can be the best form of evangelisation. Getting involved in your parish life even is small ways can lead to meeting good Catholics who you can make friends with and who you can discuss the faith with.

The world is a mad place but you don’t live here alone, your a member of the Church in communion with Christ and as such you are never alone.

God Bless

 

[puzzleannie]

I When you speak of Evangelicalism it bothers my conscience because I don’t dare say anything to my cousins because I already know what the reaction would be and I don’t want to lose them being the only family
Thomas John Hughes

the best book I have ever seen with good advice for people in this situation (including me) is Search and Rescue by Patrick Madrid, helps you know what to say, when to say it, and what not to say.

 

[Thomas_John]

Thank you for your reply I now have a better understanding of Evangelism. I will look up the book you recommend
[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

 

[Holly3278]

I am a practicing RC I attend Mass every day I pray the Rosary at least once a day,
I have very few friends simply because my believes are so different from anybody else that we simply have nothing in common.

I do have extended family cousins, To the best of my knowledge not one of them practice although they where all baptized into the faith at least most of them.

The few cousins I manage to stay in contact with do not practice, They all know very well I am a little bit different then they are but for the most part they tolerate me and I get to see them a few times a year,

When you speak of Evangelicalism it bothers my conscience because I don’t dare say anything to my cousins because I already know what the reaction would be and I don’t want to lose them being the only family I have…

Is it okay If I simply pray for them to come back to the faith? If I must speak up and lose what family I have left I will do it but then I would have no family left?

What is the right thing to do. It must also be said I am very shy, not good at any kind of confrontation, but do try and get involved in Parish activities.

There are times when I feel I am living in a world gone mad.

Thomas John Hughes

I believe it is okay if you simply pray. Remember that quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi that says “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary.”? Well, that basically means that it is best to evangelize through your actions. So yeah, keep living as a faithful Catholic and pray for them and maybe eventually God will give them the graces they need to become faithful Catholics.

 

[Trishie]

**You know what Saint Francis of Assisi said?:

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”**

In other words, preach the gospel with how you live as a Catholic.

Our love “is not to be mere words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth.” [John 3:18-19Paul exhorts, “Do not let your love be pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other…If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you must make hospitality your special care.” [Romans 12:9-13]

 

[fred_conty]

That is a tough question to answer. A lot of people are in that situation more often than not. I think it takes the right moment and good judgement. It also depends on the closeness you have with them because that can cause a strain which some relationships are not strong enought to bear. It is a different kind of conversation face to face than it is on CAF. It isn’t that that they might alienate themselves from us, but that the conversation might alienate them from Christ. At least that is what I fear more than lossing their friendship. It is about damage control as much as anything else.

I can remember one time when I felt the need to say something to a couple and I did because the right moment presented itself. That was years ago and to this day I do not know if it did any good or not. But I did what I felt at the moment I should do. These opportunities only come but once in a while. You do your best and let the rest up to
Jesus.

Just a thought.