My sister's "not Catholic anymore"

105lynne · #1 Jan 17, '12, 9:58 am

My sister was once a VERY devout Catholic. She's been through a great deal in the past few years and told me last night that she isn't Catholic anymore. She doesn't want to teach her kids no birth control because she no longer believes in that. She said that if she attends Mass, it's basically living a lie. I gently encouraged her to attend Mass anyway, even if she didn't go to confession or communion just yet. I encouraged her to pray. She wants no part of it, even though she admitted that she was happier when she had an active prayer life. I'm so afraid for her and her kids. Please pray she finds her way home! She has it in her heart....I know it!

marco3847 · #2 Jan 17, '12, 10:15 am

I will pray for her to return to the Church and the sacraments. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on her. Immaculate Heart of mary, pray for her.

Pfaffenhoffen · #3 Jan 17, '12, 10:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 105lynne

My sister was once a VERY devout Catholic. She's been through a great deal in the past few years and told me last night that she isn't Catholic anymore. She doesn't want to teach her kids no birth control because she no longer believes in that. She said that if she attends Mass, it's basically living a lie. I gently encouraged her to attend Mass anyway, even if she didn't go to confession or communion just yet. I encouraged her to pray. She wants no part of it, even though she admitted that she was happier when she had an active prayer life. I'm so afraid for her and her kids. Please pray she finds her way home! She has it in her heart....I know it!

When things go well, we think ourselves as Catholic. Sometimes when in trouble we think that we are Catholics no more. We think that when the "feeling" is not there, then faith is not there any more.
But feelings are not faith. It is not because we suffer, we doubt, we are disappointed with God because we think He should do things different ways that we lost our faith.
Jesus, in His passion, said: "My God, my God, why did you forsake me?". And He was Jesus.
I think you could be a precious help for your sister, being at her side and distinguishing between "feelings" and faith.
St. Theresa of Avila talked about the dark night of the soul when everything is black and we think that everything is lost.
It is then that we are closer to God, though we do not feel it. We are close to God through faith and not through feelings. We cling to God no matter what, without seeing anything.
I think your sister is through a crises. You could be an invaluable help if you distinguish between faith (she has it, she said that it was much better with it) and pain, sufferings and doubt (the birth control).
May god help you both.

Kilo1Mike21 · #4 Jan 17, '12, 12:24 pm

Praying for your intentions….

Lord Jesus, You have said, "Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." With confidence in Your loving heart which offers rest to weary souls, we come to You in this time of special need. In Your unfailing love, read the prayer that is written on our hearts, and grant the grace that we ask of You, in accordance with Your holy will. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Snugglebugmom · #5 Jan 17, '12, 12:40 pm

I will be praying for her.

GoldenLight · #6 Jan 17, '12, 1:19 pm

..

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

**ready** · #7 Jan 17, '12, 1:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenLight

..

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Amen.

**Trishie** · #8 Jan 17, '12, 2:55 pm

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

blue · #9 Jan 17, '12, 4:20 pm

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us form the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy. Amen.

**the phoenix** · #10 Jan 17, '12, 5:35 pm

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Anathama Sit · #11 Jan 21, '12, 8:24 am

Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kindgom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliever us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

DaddyGirl · #12 Jan 21, '12, 8:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 105lynne

My sister was once a VERY devout Catholic. She's been through a great deal in the past few years and told me last night that she isn't Catholic anymore. She doesn't want to teach her kids no birth control because she no longer believes in that. She said that if she attends Mass, it's basically living a lie. I gently encouraged her to attend Mass anyway, even if she didn't go to confession or communion just yet. I encouraged her to pray. She wants no part of it, even though she admitted that she was happier when she had an active prayer life. I'm so afraid for her and her kids. Please pray she finds her way home! She has it in her heart....I know it!

Does she say WHY she "no longer believes" and why she "wants no part of it"?

Is it only because she's "been through a great deal"?
(In my experience, that often brings people closer to their religion...)

Or is there something specific about the religion that she disagrees with?

It may be easier to help her if you isolate the root of her decision to not be Catholic anymore.

DaddyGirl · #13 Jan 21, '12, 9:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfaffenhoffen

When things go well, we think ourselves as Catholic. Sometimes when in trouble we think that we are Catholics no more. We think that when the "feeling" is not there, then faith is not there any more.
But feelings are not faith. It is not because we suffer, we doubt, we are disappointed with God because we think He should do things different ways that we lost our faith.
Jesus, in His passion, said: "My God, my God, why did you forsake me?". And He was Jesus.
I think you could be a precious help for your sister, being at her side and distinguishing between "feelings" and faith.
St. Theresa of Avila talked about the dark night of the soul when everything is black and we think that everything is lost.
It is then that we are closer to God, though we do not feel it. We are close to God through faith and not through feelings. We cling to God no matter what, without seeing anything.
I think your sister is through a crises. You could be an invaluable help if you distinguish between faith (she has it, she said that it was much better with it) and pain, sufferings and doubt (the birth control).
May god help you both.

I think feelings are important, too, though...they are a signal for what is going on inside a person and attention must be paid to them. They must be heeded and examined, definitely not ignored. Not that you are saying to ignore them (I'm sure you are not, right?)

**244Rocket** · #14 Jan 21, '12, 9:02 am

Praying hard.

RubyT · #15 Jan 21, '12, 9:09 am

Oh Sacred heart of Jesus please send your Spirit to lift the OP's sister out of her darkness. She loves you but is distraught right now. Childrens souls are in jeopardy; we call for your help in this situation. Send your Holy Spirit to guide her through this time and forever. This I pray in Jesus name.
Amen.