Catholic For A Day?

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passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#1
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
0
#1
I have gone to my brother's wife's family's Thanksgiving and Christmas get together' for years. My brother and I have had bad blood between us off and on for over 25 years. I am sure that his daughter told him that I will not be attending this year.
Days ago he picked me up to go get my car after repairs had been made. He was so obliging and nice, like let me go into the house and get an umbrella for you, I believe it was an attempt to get me to come.

I began thinking if by coming would it make me Catholic for a day to them or sanctifing to me by hearing their Catholic prayer.

I acknowledge that this may be a silly thread and will catch Flac (fragments of grenade) for it.

Take it easy on me.
 
passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#2
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
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#2
I failed to say that everyone in attendance is Catholic, including my brother and his family.
 
blue_ladybug

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
#3
Feb 21, 2014
70,897
9,630
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#3
You asked for opinions, here is mine, lol. Why should YOU have to compromise your religion and "turn catholic" for them? I mean, did Jesus shed his divine powers for a day in order to be around the money changers and prostitutes? No, he didn't and you shouldn't have to pretend, just to please them. Catholics don't pray the same prayer that christians do. Don't compromise yourself or your christianity to be someone you're not.
 
passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#4
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
0
#4
If I never thought that I might be considered by them to be a Catholic for a day then I never have comprised, but from now on could be, I need to think on it.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#5
#5
Well, if you mean by simply attending, but not being required to do anything you are not comfortable with, then who cares how they view it? Their thinking it doesn't make it reality.
If you mean they will expect you do engage in things you feel would not be right for you, due to the Catholic nature of the expectation, then either go and politely refuse, or if you think that would just be problematic, then don't go at all.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#6
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#6
Maybe I'm missing something. Are they holding Mass at their house, or something? Frankly, it sounds like you are being a bit too touchy.
 
passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#7
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
0
#7
Ugly said:
Well, if you mean by simply attending, but not being required to do anything you are not comfortable with, then who cares how they view it? Their thinking it doesn't make it reality.
If you mean they will expect you do engage in things you feel would not be right for you, due to the Catholic nature of the expectation, then either go and politely refuse, or if you think that would just be problematic, then don't go at all.
Click to expand...
I am not required to do anything.

Thanks for all the replies.

It was just a thought.
 
PoetMary

PoetMary

Banned
#11
Nov 25, 2014
942
44
0
#11
As someone who was raised Catholic I can enlighten the room about how Catholics celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas...

On Thanksgiving Catholics say a prayer and eat a meal. If they're in the midwest, they're definitely going to watch football at some point.

On Christmas Catholics attend mass (sometimes they will have attended midnight mass on Christmas Eve), they gather with the family, open gifts, and eat a nice meal.

They're probably going to say grace before the meals. Here's a traditional Catholic grace:

Bless us, O Lord,
and these, thy gifts,
which we are about to receive
from they bounty,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen

So, yeah, nothing remotely objectionable to a Protestant. The Protestant can even confidently bow his/her head and say "Amen" at the end of the grace with wounding their conscience.
 
maxwel

maxwel

Senior Member
#12
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#12
I would definitely NOT become a Catholic even for one day.

However, hanging out with your brother for a day isn't going to turn you into a Catholic.

Life can be hard...
if you have a chance to reconcile, then you should.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#13
Sep 4, 2013
30,576
6,781
113
#13
maxwel said:
I would definitely NOT become a Catholic even for one day.

However, hanging out with your brother for a day isn't going to turn you into a Catholic.

Life can be hard...
if you have a chance to reconcile, then you should.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it would take at least a week or so.............
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#14
#14
1COR.9:22.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.
 
santuzza

santuzza

Senior Member
#15
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#15
I fail to see how attending an event with a bunch of Catholics makes one Catholic. I attended a Catholic university for 6 years and never became Catholic (despite my friends trying really, really hard!). I even went on a retreat with them to a friary -- never made me a Catholic. Nothing can make you Catholic except your own personal decision to become Catholic.

If you have a good time with these folks and enjoy yourself, then go!

My only question is this: if you and your brother don't get along very well, then why go (regardless of the Catholic question -- or was that an excuse to get out of the annual obligation/tradition)?
 
passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#16
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
0
#16
passing_through said:
Thank you for passing gas in my direction. I think I opened up by saying "this may be a silly thread".
Click to expand...
passing_through said:
Nothing touches your heart.
Click to expand...
These two posts of mine is bad posting because I had a bad spirit, It's about the worse posting, or close to it, since I've been here. I apologize to these two members and to the board.

Moving on.
 
Utah

Utah

Banned
#17
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
252
0
#17
Pray and ask God to grant you the wisdom to make a decision and be at peace with whatever that decision may be. Remember, regardless of where you celebrate those holidays, you're celebrating them with God. Keep that focus and you'll be all the more stronger, wiser and happier.
God bless you, Brother.
 
J

JeniBean

Guest
#18
#18
As someone who has lost one brother. I guess I would have to ask why would you want to miss anytime with him or his family? They are saying a Catholic prayer. Ok...doesn't mean you are Catholic, you are still who you are the moment you walked in the house. You are sharing a meal with them. Isn't that what the FIRST THANKSGIVING was about. Everyone gathering and sharing a meal? His faith may be slightly different then your's...but it isn't so different say a Mormon that it would cause issues. Enjoy time with your family while you have them and maintain your faith.
 
K

KenAllan

Banned
#19
Sep 16, 2014
1,278
23
0
#19
Actually this will give you a great opportunity to bring the Gospel of Salvation to your brother!

Maybe by your being there may encourage your brother and others to listen to you.

Being with a Catholic does not mean you will become one also.

Many a time i have spent the Holidays with my family who are Catholics. Because of it my Mother started listening to what i said. Later she decided to leave the Catholic Church and become a Born again Christian.

You never know what God has for you. Maybe God is working on your brothers Heart.

The decision is yours to make and its up to you.
 
passing_through

passing_through

Banned
#20
Feb 1, 2015
1,198
15
0
#20
KenAllan said:
Actually this will give you a great opportunity to bring the Gospel of Salvation to your brother!

Maybe by your being there may encourage your brother and others to listen to you.

Being with a Catholic does not mean you will become one also.

Many a time i have spent the Holidays with my family who are Catholics. Because of it my Mother started listening to what i said. Later she decided to leave the Catholic Church and become a Born again Christian.

You never know what God has for you. Maybe God is working on your brothers Heart.

The decision is yours to make and its up to you.
Click to expand...
Let me clear this up, I was referring to being a Catholic in their mind, sorry I wasn't clear.

Because I addressed his "religion" and he said that I was condemning him to hell, I think my speaking on the topic of his soul is finished.

I am still embarrassed about my posting in this thread. It all goes to show that I am still flesh.
 
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