Where do I begin? Discussions with a non-catholic

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trrocks03

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Hello everyone,

I am posting to try and get some advice. I am currently in a relationship with a girl I love and plan on marrying soon, which is great. However, she grew up between two houses (her parents were divorced when she was young). One side is Catholic (mother), the other side is a evangelical/non-denominational christianity hybrid thing (father). I honestly don’t know what they consider themselves. Anyway, the father’s side is very into their christianity. They know that my g/f and I attend a Catholic church, and that I am Catholic.

When we go to visit, they always bring up how the times are looking bad. They talk about how the signs are starting to match up and things are about to get interesting. They are refering to how the end times are among us and that wars are about to erupt and the great tribulation is about to happen. I am confident in my Catholic position, and realize that the end times are not to be worried or fearful about (rather we are to be as good a christian as possible daily and help others, be repentful, with the knowledge that the end could happen at any time, etc.), but when they talk about the world and the “signs”, I can’t help but get nervous. I know they read the books and magazines regarding the prophecies of current pastors or whoever, and they spend allot of time studying it. I don’t know if they are subconsciencly (sp?) using scare tactics to try and get us to start coming to their church, possibly in an attempt to “bring us catholics to the light”? However, I don’t even think they really have a full grasp on how Catholicism works. I know that they don’t really know Catholicism that well, because once he said something including “when the Roman Catholic Church does…not the Catholic Church over here, but the one in Rome…”.

What I am asking advice for is…how do I talk to them about Catholicism? I want them to be okay with the possibility of going to a Catholic church for their daughter’s wedding, and not be critical. I want to help clear up any misconceptions that they have or have been told about. I don’t know where to begin. I know they are constantly reading and learning more things about their stance, and I have not been nearly as active in the Catholic teachings. I am trying to come on here more often to learn as much as I can so I can be knowledgable, whereas the summer parties they have (which are lots of fun) include many non-Catholics. I want to be able to defend the Faith much easier than I currently can.

Any advice would be helpful. I am really looking for what topics to talk about with the family. (Ex: Misconceptions about Catholicism?, History of the Church? History of the Bible? Things non-Catholics are missing out on?)
 
Know that children most often follow the faith of their father.

When it comes to talking about the end times to folks who are caught up in these false beliefs, you need to know what they believe.

Are you a reader? For most cradle Catholics, I suggest a thin little book called “The Rapture Trap”. It gives an idea of what the beliefs are, and presents the truth.

For those who want to really engage, Currie’s book “Rapture: The End Times Myth that Leaves the Bible Behind” is very good.

Scriptural Apologetics on all the topics, the “Beginning Apologetics” series is very good.
 
My advice is that you go to youtube and subscribe to “button56”. She has filmed and uploaded some wonderful series by a guy called Vic Scaravilli. He has a great series called “Catholic Basics”. That’s exactly what it is. He is a great teacher and fun too! I would like to use his stuff in our RCIA group.

So, go to youtube and try: Vic Scaravilli
Catholic Basics
Button56

Let me know how you get on.
 
Also…

Is there a need for me to intervene with the “prophecies”? Is there anything wrong with thinking the end of the world is right around the corner? They seem like reasonable people, and don’t appear hateful or anything, but its just frightening at times.
 
Also…

Is there a need for me to intervene with the “prophecies”? Is there anything wrong with thinking the end of the world is right around the corner? They seem like reasonable people, and don’t appear hateful or anything, but its just frightening at times.
These prophecies have been predicting the end of times since the end of the first millenium. There has always been wars. There have always been huge natural disasters and there have always been events that seem to coorelate with the signs of the end of times. But Jesus said that the day will come when we least expect it so always be ready.

Matthew 24:43-44

43"But be sure of this, that (A)if the head of the house had known (**(“http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 24:43-44;&version=49;#cen-NASB-24001B”))at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44"For this reason (C)you also must be ready; for (D)the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
 
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