Question For People Who Weren't Always As Catholic As You Are Now.

[missionseeker]

I have a question for those of you who went through either conversion or a not so Catholic stage in your life.

My coworker was baptized Catholic, but never had any other Sacrament. Never even been to Mass. He was at Mass today, and I tried to show him what was going on, but it's difficult to explain it, AS it's going on. He's gonna keep coming, but I told him I would try and find some books or something that explains the Mass and what's going on, so he can read them.


Any suggestions?

Edited October 24, 2011 by missionseeker

[Vincent Vega]

How intellectual is he?

[missionseeker]

I am not sure. He's not stupid. But I doubt he could tackle Aquinas.

[brandelynmarie]

Uh, noooooo, most definitely not Aquinas (not yet at least ). I am fond of videos, especially this one that explains Holy Water from Outside da Box. It is for teens, but it is brief, concise & well-made.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/user/OutsidedaBoxNFP?blend=23&ob=5"]http://www.youtube.com/user/OutsidedaBoxNFP?blend=23&ob=5[/url]

[brandelynmarie]

Oh & there is a video for purchase at catholicmass.org that I think would be helpful. I am a convert & a prodigal daughter, but I was mostly self-taught as a convert & was welcomed into the Catholic Church by receiving my first Holy Communion & Confirmation on July 22, 1990.

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Is your co-worker likely to read a book? Perhaps it would be better to make yourself available to answer questions and discuss your faith. Do you belong to any groups at church? Perhaps you could invite your co-worker to a meeting to see what the group does. I think the personal touch is generally the way to go.

You might also want to talk with him about RCIA so that he could complete his sacraments of initiation. You could even be his sponsor!

[Papist]

Ditto. I would be available to him and encourage him to enter a RCIA class.

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='missionseeker' timestamp='1319432183' post='2326136']
I have a question for those of you who went through either conversion or a not so Catholic stage in your life.

My coworker was baptized Catholic, but never had any other Sacrament. Never even been to Mass. He was at Mass today, and I tried to show him what was going on, but it's difficult to explain it, AS it's going on. He's gonna keep coming, but I told him I would try and find some books or something that explains the Mass and what's going on, so he can read them.


Any suggestions?
[/quote]
don't underestimate yourself and your witness. Maybe talking about it would be good too?

[Lisa]

Offer to go out to lunch afterwards to talk about it. Explain what the Mass means to you. Eucharistic adoration was one of many things that made me fall in love with the Church again, so maybe you could find a Perpetual Adoration Chapel and go with him. If that would be awkward, maybe get a group of friends to go.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Lisa

[BG45]

I'd encourage RCIA also, and I know you're knowledgeable and would make a good witness. I know Missy was to me.

Scott Hahn's Rome Sweet Home has a small section on the Mass when he attends for the first time where you could lift it word for word and serve as a really brief explanation of the bare bones basic (with some stuff many Catholics don't realize about the liturgy).

[Brother Adam]

Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly
The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn
Compendium of the Catechism
A Map of Life by Frank Sheed

[the171]

Pray. Pray. Pray.
Invite.
Read.

[MissyP89]

There are some great resources out there on Youtube for someone who might not be inclined to sit and read a whole book, though if I were to recommend just one, Hahn's [i]The Lamb's Supper [/i]is about as epic as it gets.

Hit me up later and I'll dig up some stuff for you.

[Basilisa Marie]

Have you thought about picking one of the books mentioned above and reading it too, and then discussing it over coffee or lunch? Might be a good way to help get him to actually read it (if he's not the super into reading type) while also instilling that personal touch.

[Eternal CB]

There are some GREAT resources from Lighthouse Catholic Media. Honestly, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be the Catholic I am today. The two productions from them that really contributed to my "coming home" were: "The Truth" by Fr. Larry Richards, and "Best Version of Yourself" by Matthew Kelly. Also conversion testimonies and stories helped me, and they are also found in LCM, for example "Gangland to Promised Land" by John Pridmore and "No Turning Back" by Fr. Donald Calloway.

http://lighthousecatholicmedia.org/

"Catholics Come Home" is an organisation devoted to exactly the type of Catholic your coworker is. This would also be useful, here are some links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6qZd_xP1w and http://www.catholicscomehome.org/

I hope this helps and I will pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you and for the conversion of another precious soul. God Bless!