What would you do?

[ukrrom]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

 

[Annie39]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

If you are an adult you should join the Church. I don’t understand your family’s fear of your grandmother. If you are not an adult but have permission of your parents, you should join the Church.

 

[ukrrom]

My grandmother is in her 80’s and not as strong as she used to be their worried that if she found out she might have a heart attack.Shes very strong in her faith.My parents would feel guilty.As im not 18 so i cant do it.

 

[Hesychios]

Don’t ask - don’t tell

Just do it.

 

[doanli]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

Follow your conscience.

There is a passage in the Bible where Christ said that service to Him would divide families. You have to put Him above even your family.

I’ll be praying for you— hang in there, and “Welcome!!!”

 

[GaryTaylor]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

What would I do? I would go join the Catholic Faith immediatly. Because I could tell you without a doubt in my mind, that is a Grace from God. And you shouldn’t ignore it.

It is not by some vague chance that the Holy Ghost touchs you. Thats the Quickening of the Holy Spirit my friend. Embrace it, feed it. allow it to grow and bring you as close to God as possible. Follow the path it will lead you to eternal life and happiness in the Trinity and the Blessed Mother in Heaven and on Earth.

God Bless, GT I’ll pray for you

 

[5Loaves]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

I would pray “Thy will be done”.

Welcome to CAF and the Eastern Catholicism section, ukrrom.

You don’t say how long you have been worshiping and otherwise involved with this Ukranian Catholic parish. Have you spoken with the priests or deacons in the parish about your desire and this concern about your family? A spiritual father, with the Holy Spirit, is our first source of guidance in such discernment.

The Divine Liturgy is very compelling. In becoming a Catholic in whichever of the Catholic Churches, Ukrainian or another, you are accepting the teachings of the Church and the authority of the Church. Those are understood and lived out in a variety of ways by Catholics, but as an adult seeking entry into the Church one must first have a basic understanding and acceptance of these teachings and this authority, an understanding which continues to grow the rest of our lives. Your priest would be the one to determine at what point in your studies with him, or whomever in your parish does that catechesis, you’d be ready to be received into the Church, should you seek that reception.

If you have begun that period of catechesis have you found that you see and understand those concerns about your family in new and different ways? If you have not begun that process with your priest/deacon/director of religious education then I suggest it’s too early to address this.

Since you’re interested in becoming a Ukrainian Catholic you have some idea that that is different from the larger Latin Catholic Church. It’s also different from but has a significant relationship to the Orthodox. I would personally submit that anyone coming into any of the Catholic Churches needs a basic understanding of the relationships between these Churches and coming into an Eastern Catholic Church I think it’s all the more critical, as we are a minority and need to be able to evangelize about our Churches within the larger Latin Church, in my opinion. This would be part of your catechesis in preparation for reception into the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Like discernment and preparation for marraige in the Church, that discernment and preparation for reception into the Church takes time. The “tools” you gain from that preparation would also assist you in helping your family understand the Ukrainian Catholic Church and your call to be part of it.

Again, welcome and I hope we’ll hear more from you and that you’ll spend some time looking through the other older threads here.

 

[cvbs21]

I followed the call to join the Catholic Church.

My family did not support this and were not at the Easter Vigil…it was their loss.
There is family in Scotland that WILL NOT be told either of us are Catholic. Sad really!

They do know my daughter and I attend mass every week…they “jokingly” refer to us
as “the Holy Ones…or the Holy side of the Family”.

I have no regrets, it has all been a wonderful experience. I was fortunate to have an amazing Pastoral Team lead the RCIA program and have met such wonderful people at the parish and become very involved.

I converted from Presbyterian, but my 7 year old daughter converted first before I even entertained the thought. When her Dad died suddenly, the Catholic Church and his faith was something I could offer her. An ongoing connection to her Dad. It was almost 10 months later that I sat in Mass and felt the call.

When I contacted the Priest about joining RCIA in the fall, when he asked me why? I looked at him and said "it just feels right ~ I cannot explain this or put it into words. I felt a pull to the CHurch ~ a strong connection.

The bottom line…FOLLOW YOUR HEART!

 

[twopekinguys]

sometimes, for cradle Catholics (or any other religion), it is hard to understand all of the ramifications that come with converting. To many family members, it can be seen as a betrayal of the family, and it’s heritage.

I was in a similar situation as the OP.

My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister for many many years, and at the time of my conversion, he was in his mid 80’s.

My joining the Catholic Church was a big deal, especially since I used to play the organ for his church, and take him to visit his parishoners. (he was blind)

In my situation, I felt it was necessary to be 100% honest with God, my family, and myself.

I did tell my grandfather, but I did it delicately, and over time. It started off with simple conversations, and ended up getting deeper and deepr until I told him what I was doing.

I can’t say he was jumping for joy, but he understood. He could also tell that it was something that I wasn’t taking lightly, and had done some real soul searching, and he commended me for that. After he accepted it, it became much easier to deal with other family members.

Unfortunately, he passed away before I actually joined the Church, (I don’t think I killed him…), but he was OK with it, and that meant alot.

I knew he was watching me and smiling at the Easter Vigil when I made my Profession of Faith.

I guess what I am trying to say is, don’t sell your grandmother short. She may be more understanding that some family is willing to acknowledge. Just be tactful when you do it.

 

[philochsfan]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

If I were in your position? You didn’t tell many facts. Yes, your grandmother is Protestant, and presumably very strong in her faith. Where does God tell Protestants that it is okay to hate Catholics and all things Catholic?

Does you grandmother live in the same town a you? Is the rest of your family in any church whatsoever?

I’m Catholic and always will be. If my children decide to leave the Catholic faith, I will pray for them, but I will always love them. If my grandchildren, of which I have none, left the Catholic faith, I would love them, but I would pray for them constantly.

What I am trying to say, is give you grandmother some intelligence. Perhaps she is ail, but in all my days, I’ve never heard of anyone having a heart attack over the news that someone has become Catholic.

You do know that no one dies without God, especially if that person is trying to follow Jesus as closely as she can.

Janice

 

[Annie39]

sometimes, for cradle Catholics (or any other religion), it is hard to understand all of the ramifications that come with converting. To many family members, it can be seen as a betrayal of the family, and it’s heritage.

I was in a similar situation as the OP.

My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister for many many years, and at the time of my conversion, he was in his mid 80’s.

My joining the Catholic Church was a big deal, especially since I used to play the organ for his church, and take him to visit his parishoners. (he was blind)

In my situation, I felt it was necessary to be 100% honest with God, my family, and myself.

I did tell my grandfather, but I did it delicately, and over time. It started off with simple conversations, and ended up getting deeper and deepr until I told him what I was doing.

I can’t say he was jumping for joy, but he understood. He could also tell that it was something that I wasn’t taking lightly, and had done some real soul searching, and he commended me for that. After he accepted it, it became much easier to deal with other family members.

Unfortunately, he passed away before I actually joined the Church, (I don’t think I killed him…), but he was OK with it, and that meant alot.

I knew he was watching me and smiling at the Easter Vigil when I made my Profession of Faith.

I guess what I am trying to say is, don’t sell your grandmother short. She may be more understanding that some family is willing to acknowledge. Just be tactful when you do it.

You write that you are Catholic and Protestant??? How in the world do you talk yourself into that?

 

[gmcbroom]

Annie its actually easier than you think. Technically, I grew up in a Disciples of Christ -Church. My family church if you will. As such I observed the views of that group. Even though I was never baptized until I became a Maronite Catholic and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else I still carry my experiences from my childhood with me. If anything it opens up an ecumenical door so I can freely dialog with different faiths and different Christian views. In short it helped me to learn to be more charitable. While Twopekinguys might have a different slant to his, that is how I view the phrase Catholic and protestant.

 

[Vico]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic. My immediate family is okay with it, however they do not want my grandmother (she’s Protestant) finding out. I tried to say I’d keep it very quiet (I’d only have me, them, the priest and my godparents) I would not tell any family members etc., but they still don’t want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something. What would you do if you were in this situation?

Are you currently the same religion as your grandmother?

 

[Matthew_Holford]

May be I am being too simplistic in my answer but I am not sure that I understand your issue. The actual content of your message suggests that your grandmother would be upset if you become a Catholic because she is a Protestant. This implies that you are a Protestant too and that she would be upset if you became a Catholic. However, it says that you are a Greek Catholic. I cannot understand why your grandmother would be upset about your translating from one Catholic church sui iuris to another Catholic church sui iuris. Perhaps you could clarify what Christian ecclesial community you are currently a member of?

 

[Diak]

Follow your heart and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray for your grandmother and family, especially to the Mother of God whose intercession is most powerful for reconciliation. She will still love you as a grandson.

 

[crazzeto]

I want to become a Ukranian Catholic.My immediate family is okay with it,however they do not want my grandmother(shes Protestant) finding out.I tried to say id keep it very quiet(id only have me,them,the priest and my godparents) i would not tell any family members etc… but they still dont want to take the chance that she would find out because they figure somewhere down the line someone would slip up and say something.What would you do if you were in this situation?

Perhaps I’m exposing some ignorance on my part, but I see your religion listed as ‘Greek Catholic’… Why would transfering from Greek Catholic to Ukranian Catholic be a big deal for your Grandmother?

 

[5Loaves]

Perhaps I’m exposing some ignorance on my part, but I see your religion listed as ‘Greek Catholic’… Why would transfering from Greek Catholic to Ukranian Catholic be a big deal for your Grandmother?

I believe OP told us in How could an eastern catholic baptism be preformed… that he or she is unbaptized. Unfortunately the poster hasn’t come back to respond to our questions once the threads got going. This isn’t unusual in my experience here at CAF. Someone posts and then disappears and the thread takes on a life of its own.

 

[alfonzay_123]

Well, I feel for you x
It’s easy to read and say what you SHOULD do, rather than what I would do indeed IN your situation.
But come the end of the day, I think the answer would still be the same. I fi had a strong feeling to become Cathloic, I wouldn’t let my family stop me- refusing God when He is calling probably isn’t the smartest of things =)

I think you should tell your family of how much importance it is for your Grandma to not know about this, as you wouldn’t want to disturb the peace. But if it does slip up- well, at least that won’t be on your conscience, my friend.
Just try your best.