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I am convinced that the Catholic Church is true in what it says and does. I go to a non-denominational church now (I am a baptized christian), but feel that I must stop going because I disagree more and more with what they teach. My wife still goes and doesn't like the idea of me becoming Catholic very much. I have 4 kids in ages from 1 year to 8. My life is very busy with work and family life and I am not sure that I can make a commitment of this magnitude right now. Would it be right to wait until my life slows down a bit? I also feel like I am called to join and waiting would be an act of disobedience to God. I am not sure if I should join or not (at least right now) and I am worried what this could do to my peaceful family life. What to do.....

2007-05-22 14:26:40 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

27 answers

First, God bless you and welcome home!

I think if you wait you're only going to cause yourself more stress. Not following the call in your heart would be like living two separate lives. On the one hand you're afraid to upset your family, on the other you're wanting - NEEDING - to be part of God's Church. Eventually the internal stress with catch up to you and effect your family.

My advice would be to put it off no longer. Speak with a priest, attend RCIA. The best time is now. You life might slow down, it might not, heck, it might get worse. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

Are you going to Mass? If so, pray on it there. Work and schedules change, but the Faith is constant. The Faith is the center. Get that under your belt and things will flow better. I went through RCIA two years ago at the age of 30 and life hasn't been the same since. I can't tell you the joy I've come to know by finally being home.

God bless, and welcome home.

2007-05-22 14:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by Danny H 6 · 5 0

I for many years was on my own path to God. Never followed a religion and went to dozens of churches. In the last part of 2006 the Lord showed me the Catholic Church and in December the Lord told me to go to the Catholic Church. Right then and there I did. That day I was enrolled in RCIA(which is the adult education , it is one day a week for a year I go at night). I will be baptized and confirmed on Easter 2008. But let me tell you this. From the moment I walked into the church(my first Mass) it felt like home. In all the different churches I went to previously I could never feel the presence of the Lord, never did their teachings match what the bible says. All I found was disappointment in every church I went to. Until that day back in December. I feel the Lord's very presence in the Catholic Church, the teach the fullness of the Lord.They treat you like family. And Iam so glad that Iam now home and in the very presence of the Lord always. Email me if you have any questions

2007-05-22 15:48:25 · answer #2 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1 0

Go and discuss this with a priest but do not put off what God is calling you to do. I am a convert as are many Catholics here. I was a Protestant for 50 years before I converted, 25 of those as a minister and attended some of the finest Protestant seminaries. Over the years the Holy Spirit showed me the truth of Catholicism and I simple woke up one day with the epiphany that I was a Catholic. I was shocked as were all my friends. My conversion is the best thing that ever happened in my life and has been like walking from the darkness to the light. God bless you on your journey and welcome home.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

2007-05-22 14:35:58 · answer #3 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 4 0

First, going to a Catholic church is no more of a commitment than going to any other church. You can attend, you could even join the music ministry if you wish. You simply can't receive communion at this point.

The first thing that I would do is to contact the religious education office and find out what sort of commitment you would need to make to actually receive the sacraments and decide then if it is something that you are capable of.

Too, you'll see a lot of people here telling you how Catholicism isn't really Christian. These people, IMO, to a man, have failed to fully investigate Catholicism. It is as scriptural as any other Christian sect. Don't let Chick tracts persuade you otherwise.

2007-05-22 14:33:21 · answer #4 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 6 0

By waiting you are denying yourself sacramental grace that comes only through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you continue to wait for your life to slow down, that day may never come. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Purhaps if you join the Church your wife will come around and realize the truth of the Catholic faith and join the Church with your children as well. What a blessing that would be.

God bless,
Stanbo

2007-05-22 14:37:34 · answer #5 · answered by Stanbo 5 · 6 0

Pastor Billy says: welcome home, yes this is a big step spiritually however when you are called to truth you begin opening up to what is supernatural. Your family are very important and the Church realises this as it teaches unity. Being the head of your household you must ultimately make the choice and what better person than you to take the first step. Involve your wife if she resists give her time and be patient with her and request patience from her. Please contact the Coming-Home network

addition: it amazes me how ignorant some people can be and how fearful they can be. Some of the answers clearly are exhibiting this in regards to you becoming Catholic. "be not afraid". To the woman advising find a bible church, no better one than the Catholic Church.

2007-05-22 14:36:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4 0

If you are really being called by God, then do it. Ask your wife about why she doesn't like the idea. How will your children be raised? Work this stuff out.

Life doesn't slow down, so don't wait for it to. You gotta do what you gotta do. Explain to your children that you're doing this because it's what you believe you must do - that your wife doesn't agree doesn't make it wrong or right. They may just come out of this respecting others' beliefs and practices.

Good luck to you!

2007-05-22 14:34:21 · answer #7 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 3 0

If you believe God wants you to do something, then you should do it. Ask Him to help you make the time and ask Him to help you maintain peace in your family. Obviously, He wants both those things, too. Just set the fear aside and walk in faith. BTW, you have to take a class called RCIA to become Catholic, and that takes several months. It's not like it's an immediate thing. Ask your wife to attend the (free, weekly) class with you so that you can discuss the merits/faults of Catholicism with her and thoroughly investigate what it's really all about. (That's what my husband convinced me to do and we entered the Catholic Church together in 2003.)

2007-05-22 14:37:31 · answer #8 · answered by sparki777 7 · 3 0

One is obligated to move towards the Truth as soon as one knows so I would start taking steps as it will probably be a year or so until you may be receiving Communion. Talk to the priest in your area because I know many times something can be done for time restrictions if absolutely needed. Trust in Jesus and he will guide you and your whole family. I would like to suggest to you that you read Scott Hahn's book "Rome, Sweet Rome". It is a great book because he was a Protestant pastor that set out to prove how wrong the Catholic Church was historically and he ended up becoming Catholic and he talks about everything that has to do with your problems especially with his wife as they had the whole congregation looking up to them and she was not eager to change Churches at all but, now they are a phenomenal couple that just do so much for apologetics. Great stuff.

It will be funny now to watch just how much STUFF will be thrown at you to discourage you. Sometimes you can tell the Evil One's M.O just by how much of a hub-hub he makes over something. Shakespeare's "Methinks thou dost protest too much" is perfect here.

2007-05-22 14:35:05 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 6 0

You do have a difficult situation. Maybe you should speak at more depth with the priest or the RCIA director at your local parish. You may find that destroying your marriage may make this a conversion a void journey. The RCIA formation often takes time and the parish may have an inquirey phase just for you to learn a little more. invite your wife if she will go and maybe this will help ease some of her apprehensions

2007-05-22 14:33:59 · answer #10 · answered by Sulfol1 4 · 2 0

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