Marieteresa Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Hey folks this is my first time posting on Converts anonymous, although I have been on PM since April. Well I entered the church Easter 2004 and I have told my brothers and sisters about my conversion. My question is my sister is very open to the catholic church but she sees some road blocks. Such as her previous marriage, She sees no reason for an annulment and the other issue is the church environment. She tried to attend a Catholic Church but said that she didnt feel welcome there. My question is how do I help her there?? I would so love for her to join the Church but it seems almost impossible now. Any suggestions would help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 (edited) One thing to remember is that a Catholic church is not [i]the[/i] Catholic Church. Obviously, individual parishes vary greatly! Your sister could check out the next parish down the road and have a completely different experience. In any case, ones particular parish environment shouldn't be the deciding factor; it is the religion, the [i]faith[/i], that is the thing. We must first fall in love with the faith, not a parish community. I would get her a couple of good books about Catholicism, that explain the faith and showcase its beauty. Ignatius Press is a great place to look. [url="http://www.ignatius.com"]http://www.ignatius.com[/url] Edited January 5, 2006 by Nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avemaria40 Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 I say the same thing as Nathan, get her to another Catholic parish because one parish is not the entire Church, pray for her, and get her books on the subject. Don't force it o her at all, but always be there for her if she has questions, and stay active in your Catholic Faith so you can be a good example to her. Also, have her ask a priest about the annulment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marieteresa Posted January 6, 2006 Author Share Posted January 6, 2006 You guys have given some good suggestions but my question is how do i get her to go to another parish if I am a thousand miles away? I live in Florida and she lives in NY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesChristi Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 [quote name='Marieteresa' date='Jan 5 2006, 09:28 PM']You guys have given some good suggestions but my question is how do i get her to go to another parish if I am a thousand miles away? I live in Florida and she lives in NY. [right][snapback]847411[/snapback][/right] [/quote] You can check out [url="http://www.masstimes.org"]www.masstimes.org[/url] to find out what other Catholic churches are located near her and suggest that she check them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MParedon Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 One good thing to do would invite/suggest for her to go during Easter or even better yet Ash Wednesday (I've read that even though Ash Wednesday isn't an obligatory holy day, most people go to it and it seems that many conversions are a fruit of it) My suggestion is to live out your Catholic life and let that reflect in your e-mails and phone conversations, not to mean to force Catholic conversation on her (not that you would) but don't hide it or try to curb it too much. If the topic of annulment comes up, be sure to say something like this.. 'Wow, actually I was thinking about that and found this great radio show/book/explanation about it and I'll send it to you when I go to the post office next time ' Of course before this, it would be pertinant to find Catholic Answers radio shows that talk about it (you can find them archived and if they aren't MP3ed yet you can play them on the computer and record on a regular tape) and look for good book resources that explain it. Same thing goes for unfriendly parishes. If she comments on the unfriendly atmosphere, tell her that actually some people have had a problem with this and there's this great talk called "I'm not being Fed" (Jeff Cavins) that looks into this and send it to her. Also explain that there are drastically different things about a Mass and non-Catholic service. Outside of Mass there is plenty of opportunities for fellowship but inside Mass it's considered rude to talk and interrupt others prayer time (for some it may be the only hour that they have during the week to pray in quiet and lay their sorrows, struggles, trials at the foot of the cross), You might consider googling her Diocese and Parish near her. Look up what ministries that are offered, especially fellowship ministries and be sure to be able to talk about them if the situation comes up. Basically, what I'm trying to get across is...be prepared. The achilles heel of most every Catholic (cradle or otherwise) is to be left standing with no responce to an arguement or obstacle even though you know that there is one. Living a full and joyous Catholic life will lead to questions about it and evangelical opportunities. Hope I helped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tojo Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 They are totally right about how the focus needs to be falling in love with the Catholic faith, and not with a Catholic parish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marieteresa Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 good news, My brother wants to attend Catholic church but doesn't understand the Our Blessed Mother. How does one help someone from a protestant background understand ones devotion to Our Blessed Mother? Any good books out there that deal with an intro to Marian devotion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopeful1 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I would suggest Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn. He was a convert to Catholicism himself and came from a very antiCatholic, Protestant back ground, so he understands the stuggles protestants have with mary. He also explains things in a very biblical and covanant theology perspective, and it's written in a way for the laity to understand it, so it won;t go over anbody's head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marieteresa Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 Thanks for the suggestion...I am really looking for some stuff that breaks thinks down into simple terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Get her a copy of [i]Catholicism for Dummies[/i], an excellent book in spite of its name. One difference between catholics and protestants is in the area of emotion. We do not go to church to feel better, or have an emotional high, enjoy the music, or be transported by the sermon. Those are great but they are extras. We go to be with Jesus Christ thru Holy Communion. Many of my protestant friends will tell me they didn't feel like going to church on such and such a day, so they don't go. There are many morning s I do not "feel" like getting up either, but its not a matter of emotion, I am going because God expects me to, its in the requirement dept. not under suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trfr415 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Marieteresa, A great book is Matthew Bunson's "A Guide to the Catholic Church". It is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 everyone here as already given great advice, i will just say i will pray for your family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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