Worried about my family

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Sgt_Sweaters

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So, I’m going to convert to Catholicism, and have been intending to do so for a couple of months, I suppose. One thing I’m apprehensive of is my family. Save a few members, they are very Protestant, and will be less than supportive when they find out I’m converting. As an example, one of my brothers tried to convince me that the Orthodox use of icons is idolatry. He also wanted me to read The Gospel According to Rome. :eek:

My parents aren’t stupid, and I’m sure they know where I’m headed, but haven’t addressed it to me yet. I’m wondering whether I should bring it up? If so, how? Has anyone else had to deal with this?
 
I haven’t been through exactly what you’re going through, but I just want you to know that I admire your courage of conviction. I know how families can be and how draining it is to have to defend your position every time you turn around.

Anyway let me just say welcome, stay strong and I’ll pray for you and your situation. I think they’ll come around eventually.

We’re glad to have you.
 
Hello SGT,
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I know exactly what you are going through.  I have a sister who keeps inviting my children to the Christian church.  I am the only Catholic.  They (brother and sisters) have a hard time when I say, "I converted because this is where I found God."
If you need to talk, please drop me a line…SGT - Army?
 
Sgt Sweaters:
So, I’m going to convert to Catholicism.
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Welcome home! That’s so great.
I haven’t had quite the same problem, since I’ve got one Wiccan brother and two others of no faith. The response I got from my mom (an Episcopalian) was basically, “That’s nice, dear.”
My inlaws on the other hand are worried for my salvation, but don’t say much.
You could agree to read your brother’s suggested book if he reads Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home. Then you could discuss them both. To your parents, I’d just say, “by the way, I’m joining the Catholic church. I hope you’ll be happy for me, because I feel like it’s where God wants me.” (Or whatever you do feel about it.)
I’ll pray for you.
 
Blessed are the persecuted. Pray for strength and pray for your family so they can join you here in the Church!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne
 
Sgt Sweaters:
So, I’m going to convert to Catholicism, and have been intending to do so for a couple of months, I suppose. One thing I’m apprehensive of is my family. Save a few members, they are very Protestant, and will be less than supportive when they find out I’m converting. As an example, one of my brothers tried to convince me that the Orthodox use of icons is idolatry. He also wanted me to read The Gospel According to Rome. :eek:

My parents aren’t stupid, and I’m sure they know where I’m headed, but haven’t addressed it to me yet. I’m wondering whether I should bring it up? If so, how? Has anyone else had to deal with this?
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God Bless you on your journey, as someone once said, " a constant drip wears a hole in a stone". Probably better to feed it to them in small doses, Rosary beads here, a prayer card there, 😉 get the picture.

:blessyou:
 
STIOFÁN:
God Bless you on your journey, as someone once said, " a constant drip wears a hole in a stone". Probably better to feed it to them in small doses, Rosary beads here, a prayer card there, 😉 get the picture.

:blessyou:
Click to expand...
a scapular here, “Triumph” there . . . 😉
 
Praise God for your journey home!

My advice is taken from various saints, and from Our Lord himself:

Pray for your family, hope for your family, but don’t worry.
Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.
Always be prepared to give an explanation for your joy.
You must be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.

So, in a nutshell, live your life joyfully and with great devotion. Let your ongoing transformation in words & deeds as a Catholic be the example that draws them. Pray before get-togethers, that the Holy Spirit always guides your words & deeds, and opens the door for ongoing evangelization.

Don’t get bogged down in debates about “small” stuff like icons, etc., (relatively speaking). Stay with the big picture: that you have finally found your home in the one true church that Christ founded.
 
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UKcatholicGuy:
a scapular here, “Triumph” there . . . 😉
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Yep, you’ve got it in one, you have to crawl before you walk.
 
Hi Sarge!

Y’know, people say some really weird stuff about the Catholic Church, as you well know so far. I reserve the right to refuse to read anything that I know is going to be rabidly anti-Catholic, mainly because it is such a pain to read things that I know are lies. Having “reverted” to the faith 3 years ago after over 34 years of being “Jesus Freak”, Southern Baptist, Assembly of God, and non-denom, I have pretty much heard it ALL, and what little I hadn’t heard, then I have read and heard since, so as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, “there is nothing new under the sun”. All I can suggest is that you know your faith as well as possible and know both the Biblical and historical evidences for it so that you can give a good answer with a (Big) smile on your face. (See 1st Peter 3:15 and context for details).

Most people who attack the Catholic faith, don’t really know it. What they “know” is what they have been told by others who themselves either don’t know what they are talking about, or (sadly) are just outright lying to them. One of the very best resources that I have found for all this is the Beginning Apologetics booklets from San Juan Catholic Seminars. You can get them here from Catholic Answers bookstore shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-B0400.html?L+scstore+mdct4531ffafbeaf+1118167685
They are inexpensive (about $45.00 for the whole set) and have been one of my best resources. I have read every single one with a highhlighter in hand and my copies are all marked up and even have some notes in the margins. There is tons of scripture as well as other notes and sources that support the faith. I strongly recommend them to you and to your personal study, since you are already facing a-C attacks and they are likely to become more heated yet.

Speaking of heat…learn to walk away when the other person is derisive or insulting, or when you can sense emotions clouding people’s responses (especially your own). If your own heart is racing…that’s a good tip off. Time to walk…

NEVER fail to pray for the other person. My own favorite is the Divine Mercy Chaplet as well as the Rosary. Find and keep on hand good Catholic tracts. One of the very best is OSV’s “Ten Questions…” catalog.osv.com/Catalog.aspx?ProductCode=P9
I like it because I can give it to them and tell 'em to please read it and if they still have questions to bring it back and we’ll go through each one by itself and without the heat, since no one is listening at that point anyway. It worked great with one guy, who is now on his way into the church. 🙂
You are in my prayers Sarge.
Pax tecum,
 
Thank you all so much for your support and answers. I love this forum!
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dhgray:
They (brother and sisters) have a hard time when I say, “I converted because this is where I found God.”
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Some of my friends have gotten offended when I’ve explained that I began my road to Catholicism the moment I decided to be honest (the implication being that they are not being honest). Others are scandalized when I explain my conversion with the words using the words of G. K. Chesterton. When asked why he converted, he explained, “to get rid of my sins.” The truth hurts; go figure! 😃
If you need to talk, please drop me a line…SGT - Army?
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Thank you much. And no, not army, it’s just a nickname from so far back (I really like sweaters).
 
STIOFÁN:
God Bless you on your journey, as someone once said, " a constant drip wears a hole in a stone". Probably better to feed it to them in small doses, Rosary beads here, a prayer card there, 😉 get the picture.

:blessyou:
Click to expand...
I’ve been using that approach. I think if my parents were of a more sensitive nature, they might have heart attacks. 😃

Scapular, medals, candles, Catechism, apologetic books, missals, rosaries…
 
🙂 Hi sgt.
i wanted to tell you about some webpages that might help. one is called biblechristiansociety.com and they are actually a Catholic apologetics site that sells tapes for $1.00 each. also chnetwork.com is the coming home network for helping people converting to Catholicism and I think they find people in your area who have gone through the same thing. it is started by Marcus Grodi who also has a show on Monday nights on EWTN at 7 pm central time. It is called the Journey Home. It has people come on and tell their story of coming home to the Catholic faith, most are protestant converts. It is my favorite tv show and has some very holy people on it. I hope this helps.
 
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