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Amy
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Hi, guys —
I am currently attending RCIA classes and feel I have finally found my home! My husband was raised Catholic and I was raised Baptist. Neither of us were practicing after we were adults but
I have always found God calling me to find a church. I didn't realize it was the Catholic Church until last Easter when we attended Mass and I felt like God was telling me this is where I needed to be.
My three young adult children were baptized in the Baptist church as was I, but my youngest child, who is fifteen, has not been baptized. I worry for her soul and don't know how I can lovingly guide her, without forcing it upon her, to seek Jesus Christ.
- Do I force her to attend Mass with us?
I don't want her to hate Church because I forced her to go especially after all the years we never attended church. I feel like I completely failed her as a parent.
Amy
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{
Now that I've been drawn to the Church, how do I persuade my 15-year-old without forcing her? }
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Bob replied:
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Hi Amy,
You should have a conversation with your daughter from the heart explaining why you want to do this new thing but you should compel her to go because you have only got a very small window left where you can exert your parental guidance.
You can tell her the decision to become baptized and live a Christian life is hers to make but she cannot know whether to choose it or not without the exposure to it.
Finally, it will be your witness to her in the days and hours in your domestic church that will be most effective in opening her mind and heart. Above all, love her and put her into the Lord's Hands. It is His Spirit that moves any of us to move toward God.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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Amy replied:
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Bob,
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly!
I have talked to my daughter and explained to her that we want her to attend Mass with us on Sunday mornings. She didn't argue or give us a hard time. I think we kind of expected that.
Please pray for us that we may set a good example and lead a faithful life of doing God's Will and please pray for her that she opens herself up to hearing God's Word and finds her way to Jesus.
Again, thank you so much for your advice.
Amy
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Mike replied:
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Hi Amy,
I used to run a free program that sent Catechisms to seeking Protestants and non-Christians but no longer have the financial or operational means to do this anymore.
Seeing that you have started RCIA classes, I would encourage you to consider buying a cheap copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn everything we believe as faithful Catholics. If you, or any visitor, has been helped by our work at AskACatholic.com, consider financially supporting us today. If you can't right now, check out our Click To Support program.
Mike
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