Catholics With Unsupportive Families or Friends

SilverCamellia,
I am sorry to hear about your struggles with your father. I am so happy to hear that you are thinking about returning to your Mothers religion. There may be many things behind your fathers bitterness toward the Catholic religion and God in general. Most likely he didn't like how your mother's faith caused her to want to live by certain standards that he didn't want to live by. At one time I too was an agnostic and I too was bitter toward religion. I felt that non religious people were just as good as religious people. Besides, they were trying to FORCE me to live by some kind of moral code and MAKE me feel guilty for doing things that I wanted to do. Deep down I think I wanted to be able to sleep around with women without any moral obligation to them. I wanted to do what FEELS GOOD with no concern about anyone else's feelings or the pain I might cause them. In reality, it was my own God given conciense making me feel guilty. I have seen that this supposed 'care free' lifestyle is very empty and hurtful life style. Just look at so many media stars that die young after living life doing what FEELS GOOD. That reminds me of an incident several years ago when the leaders of the largest Athiest organization took off with the groups money, then killed each other fighting over it. I am not saying your father is like that, many like your father are very good people but for some reason just don't believe in God. During my agnostic time, I remained a good person by the worlds standards. My concience just wouldn't allow me to do the things I wanted to do but I was a lot closer to falling into sin then I am under Gods guidance.

Hi BLP,
Thank you so much for your prayers. Actually, at this point I do feel the work of the Holy Spirit on me. As I said, when I read the Bible and I find some interesting doctrinal truth, I check the Catholic beliefs and they are exactly as the Bible said. I really believe it is Holy Spirit guiding me. I do yearn for going to mass and rejoining the Catholic church but for now I just feel so blessed to have the other Catholics like you who are so supportive, Bible, the gift of conversing with God through prayer, forums like this, and Catholic websites. I will try to answer your questions. I will take them one at a time.
1. You said that priests told you prayer didn't work? Really?
Yes, I was just about 15 years old and he was a recently ordained priest. He had lost a friend whom he had prayed for during the sickness, and yet the friend died. I suppose it was a difficult time for a priest but I don't think our young minds could handle his own struggle with his faith. He may have had a deeper message about how God answers prayer etc but it came across as 'prayer doesn't work'. I now know that God answers prayers in ways we may not understand at the time, but prayer definitely works. I can attest to that with how God has helped me recently with my search for his true religion.
2. I'm a convert to the church and don't have any idea what it was like during the Vatican II turmoil. Was this a common belief then or just a priest you talked to then?
Answer: No, it wasn't a common belief, but for a 15 year old, it was a perfect excuse to run a bit wild. You have to understand that the just because the Catholic church as a whole is guided by God and has kept the same core teachings for 2000 years, Satan can influence individuals within the church to have false beliefs and even do wrong. We all know about the recent scandals the media loves to continually stir up, but as Jesus said, 'And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.' Remember, Judas, taught directly by Jesus, still turned to Satan.
Thanks again for your prayers and may God Bless you

Thanks! It started when she said she would come to mass with me but i told her she couldn't receive communion. She got highly offended but i said you're not Catholic and reject their teachings! She said that wasn't right. I told her I wouldn't take communion in her church either. Then she said I couldn't because I wasn't born again because my baptism wasn't by immersion. Whatever. I feel a change on the inside.

SeekNFind i know how that can fell. just stay true to your faith and I'll pray for you and your family.

i wood like to know if there is any bady that lives in Arkansas that comes on here like i do. And thanks to all of you that have played for me.

Just when I think I'm making progress with my family, my mother tells me that I'm not "born again" because I was not baptized by immersion. *sigh*

I know this is false but older people are set in their ways and in their beliefs. I need to stop trying to educate her.

Prayers for each of you who are going through persecution. The Holy Spirit will help you. For those of you who are Catholic, continue to go to church so the Eucharist can keep you strong. For those of you who can not make it to mass, ask the Holy Spirit to confort you. If you were baptized Catholic, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are with you!!!!

Saying a prayer for all of you. It's right some people think they know all about the Catholic Church and they don't they have never lived it and practised it. When my husband used to something he had read in his magazines I used to tell him this and it's true they really don't know they get gists of things and the think they no it all. I have read a lot about the J.W.s on my I pad wish these had been out years ago I could have stood up to them better, Thankfully at72 we live in peace with each other but every so often I get down about it all. I find receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist helps, I could never leave although I did waver once or twice. God Bless all, keep strong, praying for you.

To St Donatus, I'm very curious about something you said. You said that priests told you prayer didn't work? Really? I'm a convert to the church and don't have any idea what it was like during the Vatican II turmoil. Was this a common belief then or just a priest you talked to then?
I'm very sorry that you and others here are going through such a difficult time. I will pray for you all.

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I am finding out about Catholicism for the first time.

I was baptised Catholic, with a Catholic mother, but I was raised agnostic by my family, as my mother died when I was a baby, and I attended a Protestant school.

I am 27 and have recently moved from my dad's home for the first time. He is controlling and I am enjoying my independence, but I am certainly not looking forward to asking him for my Baptism certificate, because when he finds out I am interested in Catholicism, he will be angry and horrified. He has told me before that Catholics are 'a hateful bunch' and has sneered at all the people at the Catholic church on Sundays, calling them 'do-gooders' and 'hypocrites'. I think he had a bad experience with the RC church at my mother's death.

I have to keep reminding myself that it is my life and it is up to me which religion I choose, and that it has nothing to do with him.