Family Delimna

[TheresaThoma]

In October I will be going back to Pennsylvania to visit some family. My issue is this we will be celebrating my grandmother's 80th birthday and as part of that we are all going to her Methodist church on Sunday. I have no problem with going to the service but last time I was there they had communion at the very end. All those who were baptized were invited to come up. I stayed in my seat though and prayed. This though made my mom very upset with me (my mom is anti-church and especially anti-Catholic). So now I am debating what to do. Emotions on this trip will be running high as we will have had a memorial service for my dad the day before add to that the normal craziness of getting an extended family together. I don't want to cause any trouble with my mom/family but at the same time I want to stay true to my faith. Any help here?

[CatherineM]

These kinds of things are a bit like walking in a mine field. My grandmother was a devout Baptist who looked down on my mom for marrying a Catholic. Her only nice comment was that we got really good educations at the catholic schools. She liked the nuns for some reason.

No matter what you do, you will cause a conflict by being there. If you don't attend, if you don't go to communion, it will all cause an issue. Here's how I would handle it. Talk to your mom and grandmother before you come. Remind them that as a Catholic you are not allowed to receive communion in the Methodist church. Ask them if they would prefer that you not attend rather than embarrass them by not taking communion.

That way, it is on them to decide. They can't get mad if you come and don't attend communion if they've told you that is their preference. You get the mad out of the way ahead of time so you can enjoy the day. Mostly you will be able to get past the worry right now about what to do and what will happen. That's the worst part, anticipation of unpleasantness.