Why Am I Still Around?? And What Can Do to Help?

[Tonks40]

I’ve been noticing something that’s been happening lately with quite a few of my non-Catholic friends. A couple of years ago many of us had conversions/re-conversions towards Christ. We each settled into our own churches and communities, happy and hopeful with our decisions. Lately though it seems that many of my non-Catholic friends have been pulling away from their communities. One friend told me that she was so tired of the hypocritical attitudes many in her church had that her and her husband left that community and are now searching for another church to go to. Another friend of mine sighed in frustration because she said that she’s tired of all the demands and nitpicking that goes on in her church. Still another said that she’s very unhappy with the way her church demands that they give a tithe that she is uncomfortable in giving, and states that they treat people there based on the amount of money they give, and she’s tempted to find another community.

Yet here I am…still in the Church…still happy…still focusing on Christ.

What can I do to continue to encourage them? My deepest desire is for all of them to look at the Catholic Church with new eyes and come home, but at the same time, I realize that each of us are on a spiritual journey that can expand through an entire lifetime. I know that having a faith in Christ is one of the upmost important things - how can I help them deepen that faith while they’re still searching?

In the past I’ve invited them to come to a Mass…but they were pretty set in their ways at the time. I leave it up to the Holy Spirit now.

Any insight into what they are looking for in a faith from a non-Catholic perspective would be greatly appreciated!

 

[reteeks21]

I’ve been noticing something that’s been happening lately with quite a few of my non-Catholic friends. A couple of years ago many of us had conversions/re-conversions towards Christ. We each settled into our own churches and communities, happy and hopeful with our decisions. Lately though it seems that many of my non-Catholic friends have been pulling away from their communities. One friend told me that she was so tired of the hypocritical attitudes many in her church had that her and her husband left that community and are now searching for another church to go to. Another friend of mine sighed in frustration because she said that she’s tired of all the demands and nitpicking that goes on in her church. Still another said that she’s very unhappy with the way her church demands that they give a tithe that she is uncomfortable in giving, and states that they treat people there based on the amount of money they give, and she’s tempted to find another community.

Yet here I am…still in the Church…still happy…still focusing on Christ.

What can I do to continue to encourage them? My deepest desire is for all of them to look at the Catholic Church with new eyes and come home, but at the same time, I realize that each of us are on a spiritual journey that can expand through an entire lifetime. I know that having a faith in Christ is one of the upmost important things - how can I help them deepen that faith while they’re still searching?

In the past I’ve invited them to come to a Mass…but they were pretty set in their ways at the time. I leave it up to the Holy Spirit now.

Any insight into what they are looking for in a faith from a non-Catholic perspective would be greatly appreciated!

Love, grace, acceptance, a sense of purpose, a God to worship, and a God to serve. Is that to vague?

 

[grannymh]

I’ve been noticing something that’s been happening lately with quite a few of my non-Catholic friends. A couple of years ago many of us had conversions/re-conversions towards Christ. We each settled into our own churches and communities, happy and hopeful with our decisions. Lately though it seems that many of my non-Catholic friends have been pulling away from their communities. One friend told me that she was so tired of the hypocritical attitudes many in her church had that her and her husband left that community and are now searching for another church to go to. Another friend of mine sighed in frustration because she said that she’s tired of all the demands and nitpicking that goes on in her church. Still another said that she’s very unhappy with the way her church demands that they give a tithe that she is uncomfortable in giving, and states that they treat people there based on the amount of money they give, and she’s tempted to find another community.

Yet here I am…still in the Church…still happy…still focusing on Christ.

What can I do to continue to encourage them? My deepest desire is for all of them to look at the Catholic Church with new eyes and come home, but at the same time, I realize that each of us are on a spiritual journey that can expand through an entire lifetime. I know that having a faith in Christ is one of the upmost important things - how can I help them deepen that faith while they’re still searching?

In the past I’ve invited them to come to a Mass…but they were pretty set in their ways at the time. I leave it up to the Holy Spirit now.

Any insight into what they are looking for in a faith from a non-Catholic perspective would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry, no real insights. But I do know a place where they can find some quiet time to think things through. Giving them a peaceful environment would be a help.

Find a church or a chapel which has Eucharistic Adoration.
If you and your friends are going someplace, suggest that they join you in this comforting spot for 10 minutes before you reach your destination. Promise yourself that there will be no preaching.

When you enter this sacred place, sit down in the back to make your guests feel more comfortable. There is no rule saying that you have to kneel. Leave after 10 minutes exactly, without asking for their opinions. Let the Holy Spirit work.

If you run together, ask them to take a 10-minute break with you.
Seriously, I know someone who started to go to Adoration because our chapel was the nearest place with a bathroom.

Or you could say that you are having a bad day and need a 10-minute break from stress. Tears in your eyes will help.

You mentioned above about wanting to deepen their faith. You could say that you needed to deepen your own faith and ask them to come with you for 10 minutes. Because you need their encouragement. Recall past times… (It is never a lie to say that one needs to deepen their own faith–because all of us has to do that, preferably each day.)

Repeat the above as often as possible.

Note: some chapels have locked doors with a security code. So check out the place you choose for any special requirements.

We ask people to register for our security code. You could register and bring guests. There is absolutely no dress code.

We also encourage people to come for short visits. It is amazing what Jesus can do in 10 minutes.

And while you are there in the chapel, please say a prayer for grannymh.

P.S. Have you read “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn? Read it and then think about giving it to a friend.