I believe you are right in regards to her thinking that she considers Catholicism a religion unto itself. She said a lot of negative things to me. Part of me thinks she doesn’t understand so she reacted they only way she could. I am also having problems with Honar thy mother and father. Im very stubborn……I don’t to contact her. I feel she should contact me.

Hi Bobby,

I had a very similar experience.  Raised in a Catholic home, attended a Catholic school, and had an uncle who was a Catholic priest and another relative who was a Catholic nun.  And we could trace our family lineage back to generations of Catholic martyrs in Korea.  I was also an altar boy :)

So you can imagine the uproar when I started going to "Protestant" churches and fellowships...

I still remember the look on my Mom's face when she saw me reading the Bible on my own when I was home from college... as religious as my family was, you'd never catch us reading Scripture for ourselves :)

I respect and admire many things about the Catholic Church.  But it wasn't for me.  I don't think it was really for my parents either.  I can't recall a single meaningful conversation in my parents' household about this Jesus we so religiously worshiped at Mass every Sunday.  It's fair to say we were Catholic Christian in name only...

Good luck on your spiritual journey.  From what I hear about Calvary, it sounds very much like the church I go to now.  And I thank God that I found a church where I can explore and grow in my faith...

I also told my biological father of my decision of leaving the Catholic Church. He was disappointed and he told me he would pray fro me. I told him I can use all the prayers I can get. He offered the same sentiments as my mom. A friend of mine emailed me and said, “You don't need to defend your position to her, or try and convince her through words.  Just live it in front of her.  Then God and the Holy Spirit will speak to her and draw her to truth as you pray for her.  Prayer is your most powerful tool, for breaking the lies and deception that your mother has been raised to believe.”

I found those words comforting. I really didn’t know how to handle this with her. I’m letting God direct me.

Blessing to all

Bobby

Sister Mary Ann………that’s hysterical

Bobby,

 I grew up in the Catholic church as well, but I have to say that I'm blessed with a Catholic Mom who is a Christ Follower, so she's really fine with C3, and actually attends many C3 functions.  I have met others in her church, though that see Catholicism as the one true religion (I attended a Purpose Driven Life study at her church and listened as one of the church members asked the nun who was teaching it "You're going to teach this the right way, right?  The Catholic way...."  Sister was flabbergasted and really struggled to answer that question honestly without losing attendees.)  So, what I'm trying to say to all you bloggers is that there are Catholics (and Catholic leaders) who understand the real basis of their faith and are Christ followers and even evangelicals and do have more of a God's eye view.  Bobby, perhaps you and your mom know one who can help you two out. 

I'll be praying for you and your mom, and that you can be given the desire to just continue to just be a Christ following son to your mother without your defenses up. That really is the best testimony.

Bobby, my wife went through a similar experience long before I met her. She is gone right now, but I will ask her to post here later.  End result is that her parents saw a real change in her that they couldn't deny. I am not saying they would come to church with us now where we dance and worship freely, but they are understanding and supportive.

Great post and thanks for sharing...

I broke down and called my mom today. I kept it sort and sweet. I told mom that I was thinking of her and wanted to let her know that I was well. I made no mentioned of our last conversation. I can tell it was a strain for her to talk to me. But I asked myself, what Jesus would do. He would reach out to her and love her, no matter what she felt. As a Christian I knew that was what I needed to do. I reached out to my mom and told her I loved her. I pray in time she will see how much I have changed. I want to thank you for all your words of encouragement. It has been a blessing to me.

Bobby

She didn’t say anything…..I held the conversation….i could tell she didn’t want to talk to me. I told her I loved her and that I was thinking about her. She said she was doing weel and that she was getting ready for work. The whole conversation lasted less than 2 minutes.

Last night I had a weird dream.  I was an adult but I was home in the house I grew up in Nevada. My parents and I were eating dinner. I knew my mom us still upset about me leaving the church. She treated me very bad in my dream. I know it was just a dream but it was weird non the less.

to Bobby and to all of those who have not received the fullness of Christ while in the Catholic Church:

I as a Catholic kneel before you and ask you to forgive us.

Forgive us for many times lacking horribly in charity.
Forgive us for many times getting caught up in "religion" and not telling you about Jesus.
Forgive us for the long boring non-important homilies
for the cold shoulders at church
for our lack of community
for our lack of zeal
for our sinfulness
for our laziness in study of Scripture
For not teaching the faith clearly and relevantly.

Mike n Lau, when you say:

"A couple of thoughts if I may share too. It seems to me that your mother considers Catholicism a religion unto itself (like Judaism), rather than just another Christian "denomination". I've felt that way too for a long time, though I wouldn't argue the point. So she is reacting to your leaving the religion, rather than merely switching churches. So for her it is a big deal. At least that's my read."

You are so right. That's why we mourn so profundly when someone leaves the Faith. Even though we do believe that other christian communities do follow Christ and most of them with amazing zeal our hearts break profoundly because we know that a personal relationship with Christ inside the Catholic Church is so deep, profound, and real in a way it cannot be anywhere else....

but we have no one to blame except ourselves. It is my lack of zeal, my lack of charity, my failure to explain the faith.

Even though I have no authority to say this... in the name of all catholics...

I am sorry for failing you.

May you keep walking with Christ and may He in His Love, guide you to all Truth and Joy.

I want to thank you for your kind words. I felt a lot like you while being a Catholic. I never understood how Christ’s death and resurrection applied to me. When I told my mom that I join a new church she informed me that my church was “fake” I was deeply hurt by her comment. I felt that my parents raised me to be a good judge of character. I enter this church with an open mind. I was careful not to make any quick judgments in regards to what kind of church Calvary was. I found out that Calvary was a gospel based church. I found peace there. I found home

 I have never had this type of relationship w/ Christ before. I feel his presence in my life. I feel like a small child who’s ashamed of himself when I sin. The only thing I felt in the Catholic Church when I sinned was Catholic guilt.  I know my mom and this will take a long time for her to accept this. Until then I will continue to be the faithful son. I will love my mom and pray for her. I will continue to email her and call her. I hope in time she will see what my walk in Christ has done for me. God Bless you all.

Howdy Bobby,

I'm praying for you! 

Jess 

Cathy has a point I believe my kids are a bit more mature than Mary Ann……….LOL……..I’m kidding of course…..Lunch would be nice….Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I emailed my mom and said hello to her. I also told my mom that in times of conflict we need to ask ourselves what would Jesus do.  I told her there lies the answer. I have yet to hear back from her. Have a great week. Bobby

Dudette……I was joking as well……I did say I was kidding

Michael and I are so glad you found C3! Your positive and cheerful attitude along with that HUGE smile are only more assets to Calvary Community Church! Thank you! You are our fellow brother in Christ and we love you!! With time and prayer, I'm sure your mom will come to realize that as well.
Rebecca

I thought I should tell you that my mom and I are talking once again. We seemed to have ironed out our differences I don’t think she is thrilled I left the Catholic Church, but she accepted it. I want to thank everyone for their prayers. God Bless you all.. Bobby

I'm glad your mom and you are talking agin.  I know the emotions that she was feeling.  You see my mom left her Catholic faith and I was mostly bitter towards my step-dad for it.  My mom is one of the most loving people I know (always has been and continues to be).  When my wife became Catholic her mom, who was raised Pentecostal was not happy.  So I'm sure it goes both ways I guess.  God Bless.

Josh from Ohio