Setback.

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

Well, I told my parents that I want to turn Catholic. Let's say it didn't go over well. I had no idea my parents were so strongly anti-Catholic. Now, I'm not sure that I'll be able to become Catholic until I turn 18. I'm deeply saddened. Any advice?

InnerPhyre · Jan 17, 2005

There are several people around your age in the same boat who post here on OBOB. I'm sure they can help you and tell you how they are managing to get by when their parents won't allow them to join the Church. Don't lose hope! This is nothing more than, as you said, a brief setback. God knows your heart and your desire to join the Church. Peace be with you.

Tulip · Jan 17, 2005

Hang in there. Maybe you can't be officially received before you are 18 years old, but in the meantime (two short years) live as a Catholic. Go to Mass, study the Faith, pray, pray the Rosary, read the Bible and otherwise practice the Catholic Christian faith.

Many of us, even us "old" folks, had Journeys that lasted from a year to several years.

Pray a lot

black_rain · Jan 17, 2005

I kind of know the feeling. I am, thankfully, old enough to do whatever I want, but I have not yet told my family that I am joining the Catholic church. I will actually probably do it some time in the next week or so. My father told me the other day that he could not tell me what I HAD to believe, when I posed a "hypothetical" situation. Unfortunately, the rest of my family (aunts and grandparents) are all VERY close and we all know pretty much everything that is going on in one another's lives. And quite frankly, I am very much dreading telling them about it. They are not going to be happy. (They are all hardcore Protestants) So, although I can't offer you any advice, I offer my prayers and understanding.

Skripper · Jan 17, 2005

traviscatholic12 said:
Well, I told my parents that I want to turn Catholic. Let's say it didn't go over well. I had no idea my parents were so strongly anti-Catholic. Now, I'm not sure that I'll be able to become Catholic until I turn 18. I'm deeply saddened. Any advice?

Hang in there, trust in God, and be patient. "Honor thy father and mother." Your time will come.

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

Yeah, I suppose I'll live Catholic for the time being, and at 18 officially join. Because I just don't ever picture my parents coming around to the idea. I mean I just told my mom, who I didn't think would care all that much, and boy, it didn't go over well. So I can only imagine what my dad would say, I mean he's hard core protestant fundamentalist. One more question though, should I continue to go this Baptist youth group I've been attending for the last several years? I mean, I might no longer agree with that church, but at least I'm getting some chruch in. I have to continue going there for at least the next couple weeks because I'm set to get baptized there, and I would ask to get baptized Catholic, but that's not going to happen. I think when it warms up a little bit ( it's fridgid here in MN lol) I'll just walk to the local Catholic Church. And thank's for all of the help, you guys are the best. And I'll continue praying that it all works out.

Dream · Jan 17, 2005

You aren't the only one like this, Travis. There are at least two other people here who want to become Catholic, but have to wait until they are away from their parents to do so.

Stay strong, my friend. Even if you aren't able to make it to Mass, you can still learn about Catholicism, pray the Rosary, and discuss any issues here on OBOB. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into making the right decisions.

You are making the right choice by converting to Catholicism. You are becoming one with Jesus and His Church. Don't ever forget that.

Carrye · Jan 17, 2005

traviscatholic12 said:
I have to continue going there for at least the next couple weeks because I'm set to get baptized there, and I would ask to get baptized Catholic, but that's not going to happen.

Is there any way not to be baptized right now, Travis?

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

clskinner said:
Is there any way not to be baptized right now, Travis?

I'm not sure if I can get out of it. I mean nothing is officially set yet, but my mom and youth pastor are all excited for me. I mean, I know it would be easier to become Catholic if I got baptized Catholic, but right know, it looks as though I'm going to get baptized very soon. On Wendsday my youth pastor is going to announce to the whole youth group that I'm getting baptized, and ask for others to do it with me. Gosh, I wish my parents weren't so set in their pre-concieved notions.

Carrye · Jan 17, 2005

As you said, your parents probably aren't going to allow you to be baptized in a Catholic church. I was just wondering whether you might be able to hold off entirely? Especially now that your mom knows you're considering Catholicism.

It's not that one baptism is better than another, but that you're professing a belief in what you're doing. If your heart really is with the Catholic Church, then you have a right to say so, and not to be baptized now. Part of making the baptism valid is you supplying the faith ... but it's not just faith in God.

stray bullet · Jan 17, 2005

traviscatholic12 said:
I'm not sure if I can get out of it. I mean nothing is officially set yet, but my mom and youth pastor are all excited for me. I mean, I know it would be easier to become Catholic if I got baptized Catholic, but right know, it looks as though I'm going to get baptized very soon. On Wendsday my youth pastor is going to announce to the whole youth group that I'm getting baptized, and ask for others to do it with me. Gosh, I wish my parents weren't so set in their pre-concieved notions.

No offensive to our Baptists friends, but I find this very ironic, that Baptists are pushing, almost forcibly, their child to be baptized.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Remember though, that God has a timing. The Lord could have waited until you were 26, 36 or 106 to guide you.

Irenaeus · Jan 17, 2005

stray is right.

I am a spoiled one, myself. All I had to do was to go to Confession to return home. You have to go through all the works.

I will be praying for you, personally.

Pray the Rosary. Our Lady can do anything by her intercession. Our Lord has a tender heart for his Mother.

Arm yourself with patience, and all things will turn out to your good.

Freedom&Light · Jan 17, 2005

I also haven't told my parents- my mom is so much anti-Catholic that even mentioning things I'm learning or showing any support (like, "Wow, Mom. My Catholic friends on my message board are great at explaining why baptism is necessary for salvation!" Now, this is a theological stand that she agrees with, but because she is so anti-Catholic, she scoffs and asks "Do they use the Bible or just conjecture?" *sigh*) gets a negative response.

But, while your baptism would be valid in the Church, it wouldn't be for the same reasons. Are you ready to see baptism as redemptive? It's not just a symbolic thing in the Church- it is a grace-giving act of faith, one that cleanses sin. This is a very different view from Baptists.

I would hold off. I know it would be hard disappointing everyone, but until you learn what it is really for, it might be best to wait.

(And I have never, ever told anyone to wait to get baptized. Heh.)

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

Freedom&Light said:
I also haven't told my parents- my mom is so much anti-Catholic that even mentioning things I'm learning or showing any support (like, "Wow, Mom. My Catholic friends on my message board are great at explaining why baptism is necessary for salvation!" Now, this is a theological stand that she agrees with, but because she is so anti-Catholic, she scoffs and asks "Do they use the Bible or just conjecture?" *sigh*) gets a negative response.

But, while your baptism would be valid in the Church, it wouldn't be for the same reasons. Are you ready to see baptism as redemptive? It's not just a symbolic thing in the Church- it is a grace-giving act of faith, one that cleanses sin. This is a very different view from Baptists.

I would hold off. I know it would be hard disappointing everyone, but until you learn what it is really for, it might be best to wait.

(And I have never, ever told anyone to wait to get baptized. Heh.)

I do know personally what it's for, the Church would differ from me on that one. I'm not afraid of disappointing everyone, I'm afraid of letting everyone know why I'm putting it off. You have to understand, I live in a heavily anti-Catholic community. I'll just continue to pray for strength, wisdom, and pactience.

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

Irenaeus said:
stray is right.

I am a spoiled one, myself. All I had to do was to go to Confession to return home. You have to go through all the works.

I will be praying for you, personally.

Pray the Rosary. Our Lady can do anything by her intercession. Our Lord has a tender heart for his Mother.

Arm yourself with patience, and all things will turn out to your good.

Thank you, that means very much to me.

Dream · Jan 17, 2005

Travis, people like you amaze me. You grow up in an anti-Catholic community, but at such a young age, you are able to distinguish the Truth. Many people don't realize this until twice your age. Many people don't ever realize this. But very few take the initiative you are taking at age 16.

I applaud you, Travis. God bless.

traviscatholic12 · Jan 17, 2005

DreamTheater said:
Travis, people like you amaze me. You grow up in an anti-Catholic community, but at such a young age, you are able to distinguish the Truth. Many people don't realize this until twice your age. Many people don't ever realize this. But very few take the initiative you are taking at age 16.

I applaud you, Travis. God bless.

Thank you very much. One day I just decided that I was going to research other denominations, because I've always been trained in the baptist school of thought, and wanted to put my beliefs to the test. I decided to start out with Catholicism, figuring that I would totally not agree with anything. I men my parents and youth pastor had to be right. Right? Wrong. The more I looked into the Catholic faith, the more I realized how much I agreed with it. I mean any church founded by Jesus has to be correct.

stray bullet · Jan 17, 2005

traviscatholic12 said:
Thank you very much. One day I just decided that I was going to research other denominations, because I've always been trained in the baptist school of thought, and wanted to put my beliefs to the test. I decided to start out with Catholicism, figuring that I would totally not agree with anything. I men my parents and youth pastor had to be right. Right? Wrong. The more I looked into the Catholic faith, the more I realized how much I agreed with it. I mean any church founded by Jesus has to be correct.

Welcome to the club

One day I became interested in learning more about Catholicism out of the blue... which I take as an indication it was the right time.

The more I learned about it, the more I realized how obvious, logical and theologically sounds it all was

"This make perfert sense"

Freedom&Light · Jan 17, 2005

traviscatholic12 said:
I do know personally what it's for, the Church would differ from me on that one. I'm not afraid of disappointing everyone, I'm afraid of letting everyone know why I'm putting it off. You have to understand, I live in a heavily anti-Catholic community. I'll just continue to pray for strength, wisdom, and pactience.

I didn't mean to infer anything- I just remember reading a post you wrote about baptism, and I wanted to make sure you knew the Catholic view.

And I do totally understand the anti-Ctholic sentiment- I live there myself, brother. I come from a Church of Christ background.

I'll be praying for you! I'm walking the same path as you- it would be good to walk it together.

Mystery5 · Jan 18, 2005

Dear Travis,

Your parents are going to be disappointed in your choice no matter what. It might be better to just break the news to them now, instead of going through this whole Baptism, which it sounds like you are being pressured into.

You can't always live up to the expectations of others. Believe me, I'm just learning this now and I'm 47! It doesn't pay off or make anything any easier to just go along with stuff only to please others. It's actually dishonest. People always end up feeling more betrayed and angry, it seems. You are leading them on only for a greater disappointment down the road.

I would liken this Baptism to a Marriage. Let's say you realized that the girl you were planning to marry was definately not the one for you. Yes, the wedding day was planned, the reception hall booked. So, what would be worse, to disappoint everyone and cancel the wedding, or to marry her only to end up divorced?

Your parents are going to be angry and disappointed. But, if I were you I would grit my teeth and tell them that you do not want to be baptised in the Baptist church at this time. Be nice but prepare for the worst.

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