 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
Michelle1982
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 23 |
| First Name: | Michelle | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | protestant services at military chapels, Bible, Baptist, Berean, Calvary Chapel, ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 29th, 2007 03:07 am |
|
I just wanted to thank you all for the advice that I have received on my other forums.
I am going to try to stick it out. However, I need advice on a slightly different matter.
When, I first decided to become Catholic, a friend of mine said he would sponsor me.
This is was because he was the first person with whom I had gotten with such indebth conversations with about Catholocism. Plus, he is a good friend of mine.
Well, when I started RCIA, he said he would go with me to all the meetings and come to everything. Well, he ended up going to Iraq for over a month after my classes started. I understand that. My dad is retired military. He gets TDY a lot. But now, he is going to be gone again for rugby the next 2 weeks. This sun is my rite of acceptance.
He is leaving sat to go play rugby. He is on the military team. Then, in the beginning of jan, he will be TDY (temporary duty) a couple hours away for another 3 months, which will take me up to easter vigil.
He said he will be there for me as much as he can. He will even come up on the weekends when he goes TDY in jan. At first it was cool, but now I am frusterated.
We are friends with same catholic and protestant friends. He understands to a point how hard this converting is for me. My catholic friends do not have a clue, event though I have tried to explain. I asked him, if maybe I should find somebody else to sponsor me. He says he wants to. Well, on mon after RCIA, somehow, we looked for each other. When, he didn't find me, he left. Well, I had called him. I was frusterated, because that night, I had just found out he would not be there for the rite of acceptance. He started getting frusterated. Then, he said that he found someone else to stand in for me on sun. He said that if I had any questions about the catholic faith that I should call him. He started acting distant. I need moral support. I dont have any questions about the faith. I need someone there who understands what I am going through. He seems to think that all I need is somebody to help me get through it. We are really close friends.
Well, that night, I sent an email. I told him that I wasnt sure if I wanted to convert. I told him that he probably shouldnt waiste his time anymore being my friend, et......
I don't know what has gotten into me. Ever since I have decided to convert, I have been so frusterated. I sent him an email the next morning an told him that I did not mean what I said. I was just frusterated.
This morning, i sent him another email thanking him for being an awesome friend and that if he still needs a ride to the airport this weekend to let me know. He has not emailed me back. Typically, I would call him. We don't usually email each other.
I just wasn't sure if he wanted to email me or not. What should I do?
I do not want to lose the friendship. I feel so stupid.
____________________
"..............From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." Luke 12:48
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." J
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4977 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Online
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 29th, 2007 08:53 am |
|
Michelle1982 wrote: I do not want to lose the friendship. I feel so stupid.
An RCIA sponsor and a Confirmation sponsor do not need to be the same person. You need someone to walk this walk with you. Ask your catechist to recommend someone for that role. When your friend is available, he can also attend. There is no rule that says you can't have two sponsors. Your RCIA sponsor will stand with you for the Rite of Acceptance and, more imporantly, present you to the bishop at the Call to Continuing Conversion on the First Sunday in Lent.
If your confirmation sponsor is not available for the Easter vigil, your RCIA sponsor can stand in as a proxy, and your friend can still be listed as your confirmation sponsor. He can accompany you to whatever functions he will be available for, and your RCIA sponsor can stand for you on his behalf whenever necessary. If your friend is truly your friend, he will understand.
Satan does not want you to become Catholic and he is throwing roadblocks in your path. Don't let him win. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:10).
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Esther
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas City, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 148 |
| First Name: | Esther | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic 11/26/06 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 29th, 2007 09:56 am |
|
Michelle,
My take on the subject would be to find a new sponsor, not because he isn't a great friend, I am sure he is. But to have someone who will be there an able to meet with you on Sunday and hopefully even during the week. One of the biggest stresses for you seems to be friendships, maybe you can develop a new one with someone in the Church by having them as a sponsor. Rick, obviously being more knowledgeable then me on the subject, gave a great idea about having a different RCIA sponsor and confirmation sponsor. As for your friendship with this guy, if it breaks over this, I doubt it was that strong to begin with. I am sure it will all blow over.
Michelle, just a word of hope, it is worth it. If you truly believe in your heart that this is where you need to be, don't let ANYTHING stop you. I had many difficulties with friends and family. I lost all of my protestant friends. I am not saying you will. The family situation is the hardest for me. I got active in my parish and I was able to develop lots of friendships that way. (I got involved way before I joined the Church) All of that was great, and God really blessed me, but in comparison to my desire for the Eucharist and the Authority of the Church nothing else really mattered. Once my focus was on why I needed to join the Church the rest just faded away. It was still real and still hurt. But God gave me peace in the storm. The peace that surpasses all understanding because you KNOW you are doing the right thing. Pray for that peace and pray for focus on the real reasons you are converting and it will come.
God bless you!
Esther
|
|
|
Current time is 07:21 pm | |
|
|
|
|
|
