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JeffM
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| Joined: | Wed Aug 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Jeff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Protestant-left the faith- now looking for more |
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Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 05:13 pm |
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My family is most likely going to have a hard time with my exploration of the Catholic faith.
I am going to call my parents this weekend, please pray for their acceptance and understanding.
They are Evangelical Protestants, and I know they don't consider Catholicism to be valid. I could be overreacting, but a softening of their hearts would be great.
I think telling them will be most nerve racking thing about the whole conversion process 
Thanks,
Jeff
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 887 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 05:31 pm |
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| Let us know how that goes- for many of us on the list that was a huge hurdle and many many of us had familes/friends, fellow church members who have not taken the news well. Do you have a spouse or children that will have a problem with your conversion or is it your parents and extended family? Good luck either way and needless to say we are here if you need to let of some steam after you talk to the family.
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JeffM
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| Joined: | Wed Aug 1st, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Jeff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Protestant-left the faith- now looking for more |
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Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 05:52 pm |
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kimdyuma wrote: Let us know how that goes- for many of us on the list that was a huge hurdle and many many of us had familes/friends, fellow church members who have not taken the news well. Do you have a spouse or children that will have a problem with your conversion or is it your parents and extended family? Good luck either way and needless to say we are here if you need to let of some steam after you talk to the family.
Thanks you very much!
My spouse was raised catholic and wanting to start practicing again. Thank God for that, I suppose that does make it much easier 
Mostly my Parents and siblings are my main concern. Most of my immediate family is Protestant, but not as... "hard line" for lack of better words.
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JeffM
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| Joined: | Wed Aug 1st, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Jeff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Protestant-left the faith- now looking for more |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 12:58 pm |
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I spoke to my Mother last night regarding my interest in Catholicism.
She was not hostile to the idea, but of course she did not consider it the "best choice". She is worried that I will focus on the "rituals of man" and not develop a relationship with Jesus.
She is happy that I am willing to follow the Lord and overall she says that is the most important thing.
The overall conversation went very well...could of not gone much better actually.
Thank your prayers.
-Jeff
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Racaela Fultz
Member
| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 08:00 pm |
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You are so blessed! If only my mother had responded like that. No, she completely lost it and yelled and then broke down in tears. My father begrudgingly admitted that "you won't lose your salvation if you enter the Catholic church," but that was it. Mom, though, well, it's been going on for months and when she finds out I'm serious about this, that I'm not just researching, well, let's just say I don't want to be in her presence for that. Honestly, though, Jeff, that is a blessing for you and I'll continue to pray for people's understanding everywhere. Why is the world so full of misunderstandings and misconceptions?
____________________
"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 887 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 08:36 pm |
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| Racaela: Many if not most of us on the list have faced the reactions you got from your mom, whether we are 20 or 50! Try to remember on the list here that we do understand. If you see some of my first posts; the reaction form my mom and sisters was pretty extreme...
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JasPax
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 22nd, 2006 |
| Location: | North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 258 |
| First Name: | James | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Episcopal to Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 08:39 pm |
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Dear Racaela,
It is always good to take a step back and try to understand why others react the way they do. In this case, your parents.
When you take a different direction than what they expect, they feel threatened. They feel as if somehow they have failed to do their job as parents. They are hurt, and they probably see it as youthful rebellion which somehow, in their minds, they should have done something to keep that from happening. You are still their little girl that they must protect from making what, in their eyes, is a terrible mistake.
There is also the worry about how they will explain to their friends that their daughter is interested in becoming Catholic, or actually, in the process. Will that make them look like poor parents? They will think that.
I urge you to be patient with them. As much as possible avoid confrontation. Try not to react with anger even if it is thrown at you. Let them see by your demeanor that Christ truly lives in you. You are not going to win them over by "proving" they are wrong at this point. In this case you are going to need much maturity for the next few years. Be strong!
God's Blessings,
____________________
James
"Abide in me, and I in you..." John 15:4
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." John 6:56
RSV-2CE
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 09:12 pm |
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Thanks for that last advice. I have actually stopped discussing this with my mom. The last time she tried to bring it up (and it's always her bringing it up) I asked that we please not discuss it, and so she let it drop. I realized that she's not looking for arguments, so giving arguments does no good.
And honestly, I never get mad at her or at dad; just sad. I understand why they feel as they do, truly I do. But part of me wishes they'd just let go of me a little more. And hopefully they will, as things move on.
And yes, time will help. Plus, soon I'll be back at school. I'm looking forward to not having to sneak out to mass...
And yes, I know that you guys here understand. And that does help. I've talked to a good number of converts, and they do understand, not about this only, but also about a lot of what I'm going through.
____________________
"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 09:43 pm |
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Racaela Fultz wrote: I have actually stopped discussing this with my mom. The last time she tried to bring it up (and it's always her bringing it up) I asked that we please not discuss it, and so she let it drop. I realized that she's not looking for arguments, so giving arguments does no good.
Actually, the problem is that it is seldom a "discussion" or even a "debate". It becomes a lecture. Offer to discuss it with them, but remind them that they will have to be as open-minded as they expect you to be. And don't be afraid to be open-minded. You have the Truth on your side.
Perhaps if you will all come to the table without argument and with open minds, they will see that you are being reasonable. They probably still won't agree with you, but at least they may understand that you are not being brainwashed.
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Racaela Fultz
Member
| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 146 |
| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 10:32 pm |
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My thought at the moment runs thusly:
I will begin RCIA this fall and ask the priest, etc, for advice, and continue in prayer over what to do. Then, I tell my parents when I'm home at Christmas and try to get it so that we have fair, open-minded "discussions," or whatever you want to call it. I'll listen to their arguments and, hopefully, they to mine. I don't know, that's just my thought at the moment.
____________________
"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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