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Christine Ann
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Mon Dec 4th, 2006 06:04 pm |
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Hello....
Just a note to say that I've lost my best friend. We have been very close sisters in the Lord. We've read the scriptures through together, prayed intercessory prayer for each other and others. I pray for her children, she prays for my family. We have seen each other through much spiritual warfare and joyous revelations in the Word.
The Holy Spirit impressed on me when I began this journey, that I would suffer loss and rejection. I expected that to be my family members, but that has not been the case, thanks be to God. But it hurts to lose my best friend in the Lord. She is a Calvinist and deeply devoted to her denomination, Presbyterian. She has been such an encouragement to me for so many years...I couldn't believe she would part with me over this, my heart-felt journey. I'm not well enough versed in the doctrines of Catholicism yet to discuss them intelligently with her or argue for my faith in that way. I was totally intimidated by her attitude. But I know beyond a doubt that the Holy Spirit has led me to the RCC and I continue to be stunned by all the truth I am finding and would never be able to go back. I tried to explain to her my love for Mary as the mother I'd never had and how much being able to pray to her means to me.
I tried to explain my feelings to her, but I guess I did a poor job of it. Have others lost Christian friends? Has anyone been able to win those friends to at least an acceptance of their conversion? I didn't realize how deep the hatred of Catholicism could go. I'm sure she must believe that I've not be "chosen" and that we have little in common now. She wished me well, but it didn't seem sincere at all. I am grieving.
Christine Ann
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Dec 4th, 2006 06:18 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: Just a note to say that I've lost my best friend. We have been very close sisters in the Lord. We've read the scriptures through together, prayed intercessory prayer for each other and others. I pray for her children, she prays for my family. We have seen each other through much spiritual warfare and joyous revelations in the Word.
Jesus told us we have to be prepared to give up everything for him. I'm sorry your friend is judging you so harshly. You are right to call it grieving. We grieve every loss, and your friend is as dead to you now as the man's Prodigal Son. Someday she may return, and then you can rejoice as he did.
Meanwhile, you might want to send your friend a "Missing You" card with a handwritten note that you would still like to be her friend and if she is ever willing to renew your friendship, you remain willing, but you must follow the path you feel God is calling you to. Tell her that you would like to share the journey with her as much as she will allow, and you look forward to the day you will once again be her friend, and that you will continue to pray for her and her family.
You will be in our prayers.
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AggieCatholic
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 82 |
| First Name: | Lance | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Methodist to Roman Catholic (Anglican Use) |
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Posted: Mon Dec 4th, 2006 06:32 pm |
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Since I joined the Catholic Church I have had to come to grips with losing my former church family. It was a small, very close-knit community of Methodists. These were the people that watched me grow up from first grade all the way through college. But, I understood that going in to RCIA
As far as family, there is one side that looks at me differently, almost in wonder at how I could be so deceived. I believe they are genuinely worried about me. I haven't even hinted that I may be discerning the priesthood. The shock from that might be too much.
As I've stated here before, I was in a unique position as a convert in that I was 300 miles away from where I grew up. Since finishing school and setting out on my own everyone around me knows me as a Catholic. That will be the same story when I relocate again after the new year.
____________________
What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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SBC2RCC
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 136 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 12:01 am |
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I too have lost much, or many, however one should say it.
And it hurts to go over it or dwell on it. Rather, I keep my eye upon what I have gained in the Catholic Church that I am now fully in communion with. God bless you and strengthen you, as He surely will.
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 12:19 am |
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Christine Ann, it’s breakups like this that bring sadness to the hearts of all concerned. Each of you feels that the other doesn’t understand, and there is little you can do about it until you are able to resume communications. Rick’s idea of attempting to re-establish those vital lines, even if only on a strictly human level, is probably your best chance to keep this friendship alive.
I tried to explain my feelings to her, but I guess I did a poor job of it.
It is not necessarily true that you did a poor job. I’ve discussed the matter of spiritual blindness in several recent posts here, and it is something you have to take into account when you encounter these antipathies. Oftentimes Jesus himself was confronted by this attitude, and there was nothing he — God — could do about it, for attitude depends on a person’s free will. God always respects what he creates, including free will.
Have others lost Christian friends?
Sadly, it’s the rule rather than the exception. When one goes on a journey, he must leave home behind. Family and friends usually remain behind, too.
I didn't realize how deep the hatred of Catholicism could go.
Rejection of Catholicism is the bedrock foundation of Protestantism. It is the justification for their separate existence. Some people, and some forms of Protestantism, take this very seriously.
Has anyone been able to win those friends to at least an acceptance of their conversion?
Sometimes. As I said, you can at least try to re-establish the lines of communication. Your relationship will likely not return to what it was before, but a certain amount of reconciliation is perhaps possible.
I am grieving.
Yes, you are. With resignation, prayer and patience it will run its course and you will emerge stronger and more charitable than ever. Life will continue.
I will continue to pray for you.
David
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Prodigal Daughter
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 200 |
| First Name: | Deborah/PD | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptized Catholic, received First Communion, left during Confirmation year. ... |
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Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 09:38 am |
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Have others lost Christian friends? Has anyone been able to win those friends to at least an acceptance of their conversion? I didn't realize how deep the hatred of Catholicism could go. I'm sure she must believe that I've not be "chosen" and that we have little in common now. She wished me well, but it didn't seem sincere at all. I am grieving.
Dear Christine,
Many {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}} to you! I will never forget the day when my husband and I left our evangelical church 7 years ago. I started learning about the truths of the Catholic faith and didn't have anyone to talk to about it. We were discontent at our church for other reasons and so they graciously "sent us off" on our journey to a nearby methodist church.
As I stood there in front of 300 people who had prayed with me through my single years, whose children I babysat and taught Sunday school to, who saw me through marriage to a grieving widower with two young boys, all I could do was weep. I wept because I knew that when they found out about my newfound beliefs they would reject me, I wept because my husband didn't understand why I was "going Catholic." I wept because I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to return to the Catholic Church (which I left when I was 10) and receive my Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. I wept because I never felt so alone.
As I said, that was 7 years ago and many miracles have happened since then. The greatest one being that my husband came back to the Catholic Church with me 2 and a half years ago. Since that time I have slowly begun to make some wonderful Catholic friends and have come to "an understanding" with my Evangelical friends. I still grieve because we do not share the same "spiritual bond" that we used to, but true friendship is able to withstand life's changes even a change as drastic as Catholic conversion. Many blessings to you on your journey and please feel free to join us for the Wednesday night chat.
____________________
"Man should tremble, the world should vibrate, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest."
St. Francis of Assisi
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Christine Ann
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 03:24 pm |
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Dear friends in Christ,
Thank you all for your sincere responses...I know that others have suffered more loss than I, and I believe I may suffer some more. But this was the first I had been so rejected and coming from so close a friend is painful. Each of your answers to my e-mails were filled with comfort, truth and empathy and I thank you so much.
If I can lean on your deference further, I must now ask my sister to be a witness to my Declaration of Nullity petition. She is the most knowledgeable person about my life's journey and I really need her responses. But she is an Evangelical Christian who has believed the misperceptions concerning the Catholic Church. She is concerned for my soul, I know, but I fear she will deny me her permission on the grounds of her beliefs. I'm telling you all this because I long for prayers, and to those who have been praying throughout this effort, I thank you and ask for your continued prayers.
This has been a lonely journey for me until now, and I'm not complaining, because I am overjoyed with the truths the Lord is allowing me to understand and any sacrifice at this point will be accepted by me. My Lord and Savior has been so good to me, and I am deeply touched and grateful to Him. But a special blessing has been the loving support of those on the Forum. I don't feel so alone. May God bless you all.
Also, is there anyone out there who has responded to Mary in the manner I have? I was not mothered and she is miraculously answered prayer for me. I am just beginning to pray the Rosary, but I experience such love and soothing comfort present in it. I am often led by t he Holy Spirit to pray the prayers of the Rosary; even before I fully have it memorized or am able to deeply meditate. Isn't God Good???
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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inept_apologist
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| Joined: | Sat Nov 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 8 |
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Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 04:50 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: Also, is there anyone out there who has responded to Mary in the manner I have? I was not mothered and she is miraculously answered prayer for me. I am just beginning to pray the Rosary, but I experience such love and soothing comfort present in it. I am often led by t he Holy Spirit to pray the prayers of the Rosary; even before I fully have it memorized or am able to deeply meditate. Isn't God Good???
At first, when presented with the whole idea of Mary's immaculate conception and perpetual virginity, I was more resistant to it than any other Catholic doctrine. But, once I came to understand and accept it, it has been one of the greatest blessings of being a Catholic. 
I also lost two of my very best friends when my family converted. But, I think God allows it because he wants us to draw closer to him and not depend too much on other human beings. He is the one who will never leave us or forsake us.
Matthew 5:10-12 ~ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I will be praying for both you and your friend!
Pax Christi,
~Sylvia
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http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thecatholicapologist
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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 01:19 pm |
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Dear Sylvia,
Thank you for your message. I understand what you mean when you say that the Lord doesn't want me depending on someone else too much. I've even considered that family members or my husband could reject my conversion as well. I didn't know what the Lord would ask of me in order to become Catholic and participate in the sacraments. But I've been willing to release whatever He asks.
Thanks also for the scripture...I hadn't thought of my friend's rejection in this way...it has helped me to keep faith and hope because of the promises in the scripture you quoted.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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nonsumdignus
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 7th, 2006 |
| Location: | Phoenix, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 33 |
| First Name: | Jay | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, "ex-static" to be Catholic! |
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Posted: Fri Dec 8th, 2006 12:25 am |
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Former Nazarene pastor Doug Gonzales' wife walked out on him and took their children. He later regained custody of the children and is raising them as a single parent. He says, "The Eucharist is enough."
Mr. Gonzales was featured on the Journey Home program on EWTN, and again on the 25th anniversary of EWTN held in San Francisco. It was the SF event where he told of the loss of his wife. You can play the videos and hear his story first-hand on your computer.
But as former Pentecostal pastor Alex Jones put it in his book and video of the same name, "No Price Too High." He lost many members of his church, but 54 of them came home to Rome with him!
Don't give up, though. The Holy Spirit is at work. My fallen-away, bitterly anti-Catholic mother had a major fit when I became Catholic, but both she and my seriously anti-Catholic father died in the arms of Holy Mother Church. Hallelujah!
Jay
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"All the waters of the Elbe would not yield me tears sufficient to weep for the miseries caused by the Reformation." Philip Melanchthon, Luther's cohort, Epistles, Book IV, Ep. 100
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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Fri Dec 8th, 2006 10:44 pm |
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Jay...
Thank you for your sharing the end result of seeking the Truth. It helps to remember that with God all things are possible, sometimes very surprising things. I'm so glad for you and your parents. You've helped me look down the road a little to the possibilities. Certainly it will not all be loss. I am devoted to the desire to become Catholic...that won't be changing; no question about it.
You know, for the first time in years I feel spiritually alive in a way I haven't experienced since my original conversion. I look forward expectantly to the RCIA meetings. I can't take in all in fast enough! I've been starved for decades....How I long for Holy Communion!
Thanks for responding...
Christine Ann
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