Honour Posted June 18, 2005 Posted June 18, 2005 I was soooooo worried about telling my Dad I had been going to mass, and reading Catholic books, and thinking about converting. He is a baptist minister, and I thought he would freak out. He always told me that most Catholics worship mary and purosely sin all they want because they can go to confession and wipe it clean... Well I called him up and took this approach.... "Dad, I want to talk to you abuot Catholicism.....I've been going to mass and doing some research and I want to tap into your knowelege on the subject." We had a good talk, I basicly asked him why he felt the way he did, and felt him out to see just how much he knew, and where he'd got his information. He brought up some stuff but I didn't give the Catholic side of anything he brought up like sola scriptura. I just asked if he knew of any resources, and I asked if I could call him with specific questions. Now he knows where I am at, and hes looking into it! I had thought that I would have to be absolutely sure Catholicism was right and have all the answers when I told him....but now I see that this was sooooo much easier....let him warm up to the idea....and I have someone to help me get to the bottom of this. I can see how if I said Dad, the Catholics are right and I'm converting, hit me with your best shot or just accept it. (I would not litteraly say that), it would have been bad. Yea! God is great! sorry this post is soooo long...but I'm happy!
philothea Posted June 18, 2005 Posted June 18, 2005 Smart approach. I wonder if he will find anything that makes [i]him[/i] reconsider Catholicism too...
journeyman Posted June 19, 2005 Posted June 19, 2005 sounds like a good beginning . . . is it time to change your sig to the present tense? i am not catholic....but i was [color=blue][i]am[/i][/color] begining to think i should be
journeyman Posted June 19, 2005 Posted June 19, 2005 hey . . . I'm working on mind set here . . . if Honour "am" thinking, isn't that better than "was" thinking? I may not know theology, but I like positive thinking
Mickey's_Girl Posted June 23, 2005 Posted June 23, 2005 Honour! I am SO PLEASED to hear this! Praise God! (Very keen approach, my friend! Not only is he disarmed by your request for advice, but now HE has to look into it seriously--hee hee! As my friend and I always say, Jesus is sneaky like that! ) Keep us posted on your journey. Please know that I pray for you often. MG
Honour Posted June 24, 2005 Author Posted June 24, 2005 [quote name='journeyman' date='Jun 18 2005, 08:22 PM']sounds like a good beginning . . . is it time to change your sig to the present tense? i am not catholic....but i was [color=blue][i]am[/i][/color] begining to think i should be [right][snapback]615693[/snapback][/right] [/quote] You are very right....I'm off to fix 'er up! And I wasn't trying to be sneaky about it, its just the way it turned out. I felt like I had to talk to him, especially if I end up in RCIA sometime soon. We haven't really talked about it in depth since then. I want to though, I think its very interesting that he listed sola scriptura as his prime reason against Catholicism, and thats the biggest flaw I see in what I was taught. It just doesn't make sense to me. It seems almost...silly. But I'm not good with theology and doctrines. I'm struggling with this research!
Fides_et_Ratio Posted June 24, 2005 Posted June 24, 2005 [quote name='Honour' date='Jun 24 2005, 03:12 PM']You are very right....I'm off to fix 'er up! And I wasn't trying to be sneaky about it, its just the way it turned out. I felt like I had to talk to him, especially if I end up in RCIA sometime soon. We haven't really talked about it in depth since then. I want to though, I think its very interesting that he listed sola scriptura as his prime reason against Catholicism, and thats the biggest flaw I see in what I was taught. It just doesn't make sense to me. It seems almost...silly. But I'm not good with theology and doctrines. I'm struggling with this research! [right][snapback]621910[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Wow, that sounds like such a mature decision. I think it will prove immensely helpful in your discovery of Catholicism. Very brave, and very smart. I think your discussions with your father will help not only you in your future embrace of Catholicism (I'm being hopeful!), but also your father's acceptance of your decision. Being open and honest with parents is always the best way to go. Kudos to you for getting things going on the right foot!
journeyman Posted June 25, 2005 Posted June 25, 2005 "sneaky" is such a loaded word . . . let's use "indirect" I passed on the first invitation to join RCIA because I wasn't ready . . . the next invitation was less direct, and it wasn't until I was present that I realized exactly what was being asked . . . that time, I said to myself, why am I resisting this . . . it is something I've acted for years, why hang on to a label indirect approaches can get us past hurdles we didn't realize we were raising to progress
Honour Posted June 28, 2005 Author Posted June 28, 2005 [quote name='journeyman' date='Jun 24 2005, 08:08 PM']"sneaky" is such a loaded word . . . let's use "indirect" I passed on the first invitation to join RCIA because I wasn't ready . . . the next invitation was less direct, and it wasn't until I was present that I realized exactly what was being asked . . . that time, I said to myself, why am I resisting this . . . it is something I've acted for years, why hang on to a label indirect approaches can get us past hurdles we didn't realize we were raising to progress [right][snapback]622216[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Please tell my you don't [i]have[/i] to be invited to RCIA? Because everything says if you are intrested you can come to learn, and I kinda already called a deacon at the church to see if I could register, he said he would put me on the list.
journeyman Posted June 28, 2005 Posted June 28, 2005 I don't think so . . . I was more reluctant to act, and it took an invitation to get me to move . . . the pastoral coordinator could see something going on, and was providing me a vehicle to see if it was a "Catholic" something . . . or something else . . . You're doing better than I was in realizing that this is something you want to explore. When the Deacon calls you back, tell him you want to learn about the Church and dive in.
Brother Adam Posted July 1, 2005 Posted July 1, 2005 Yeah, no invitation necessary, but even if it was, you're already invited. Everyone is. Come Home to Rome! Come one come all! It's great to see you making this journey Honour. From one fellow convert to another!
Cathurian Posted July 30, 2005 Posted July 30, 2005 Amen. God bless you and I'm glad things are going well with your dad.
mariology21 Posted July 30, 2005 Posted July 30, 2005 That's wonderful!! I'm so happy for you things went well with your talk with your Dad!!! It's always a big plus when the parents are open! And who knows? Maybe with helping you with your decision, he may someday think twice about possibly also becoming Catholic. Either way, it's wonderful you're able to discuss this with him in an open, peaceful, loving way!!! ~Jen
Frank Posted August 8, 2005 Posted August 8, 2005 My experience has a differnt twist with my parents. Just to give everyone a background of my situation I will share some of my information, I'm 37 yrs old happily married with 3 kids. I love my family with all my heart and would do anything for them this includes my parents. I was born into a Protestant family who are very active in the Church and reared us in the teachings of their church. Ever since I have been concious of my actions and able to analyze teachings I became more and more uncomfortable with the church teachings. The majority of my friends and family belong to this Protestant Church and I tried getting more involved with church groups, activities and responsabilities to feel part of the church but I always walked away empty inside and feeling different. After 19 yrs of trying I just gave up and became agnostic totally not believing in any church and questioning the very existence of God. My wife who is Catholic has always been an example for me and always prayed and was there for me through difficult times. and has made sure our children were baptized in the Catholic faith. Last year my wife enrolled our children for their First Communion classes and this past May they recieved their First Communion. I never told my wife but during that year my children attended their First Communion Classes and came home talking about what they had leaned I felt moved to learn more about the Church. During this investigative period of my life Pope John Paul II passed away and I found myself saddened by his death but again I felt moved by learning of his life and teachings that on the following Sunday after his death I went to Mass with my wife and children for the first time and the first time to step foot in a church in 16 years. Needless to say my spiritual hungar was awakened! I'm currentley attending Bible Classes at my Parrish and I'm enrolled in the upcoming RCIA classes in Sept. This past summer my Parents came to visit and spend time with their grandkids my wife and I. Needless to say they noticed a change in me and at first were happy but when they found out that I was visiting the Catholic Church they went ballistic and started quoting scripture and accusing the Catholic Church of being evil. They also started trying to tell my children of their church teachings and telling them that the Catholic church was wrong creating a very unstable and uncomfortable environment in my Home. Thank God for my wife and the way she was able to handle this situation nothing else evolved from this situation This situatioin has driven me closer to the Catholic Church due to the same arguments taken out of context by my parents. I have been able to dive in deeper and find solice in Gods Church and answers to questions I have had all of my life. I'm also able to see through a lot of my parents church accusations of being without any biblical backing I pray for my parents and family members daily and even though my relationship with my parents is a little strained now I love them with all my heart. Sorry for such a long FIRST post
All For Jesus Posted August 8, 2005 Posted August 8, 2005 Hi Frank, welcome to phatmass! I'm sooo happy to hear you are enrolled in RCIA! Sounds like you've had a difficult time with parents/family members...but it's great that despite the difficulties you are using the situation to strengthen your faith. Family members do not always understand about the Church and conversions...there are often pre-conceived notions about Catholicism or a general ignorance. We just have to try to teach them gently about the Truth of the Catholic Church (especially by just being there to answer questions if they want to ask.) Continue to learn all you can about the Church...it is filled with sooo many treasures. Stay close to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Have you ever been to Eucharistic Adoration? I highly recommend it. It is awesome to be able to go and sit with our Lord. Well, prayers for you and your family.
homeschoolmom Posted August 9, 2005 Posted August 9, 2005 Welcome Frank! Don't worry about the 'long' post. We love to hear other people's stories.
Lil Red Posted August 9, 2005 Posted August 9, 2005 hi frank! we love to hear stories, so thank you for sharing yours with us!
Frank Posted August 10, 2005 Posted August 10, 2005 Thanks for the warm welcome It's been great to share this experience and I will continue to keep everyone up to date...
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