Satan at work QUESTION from Linda July 26, 1999 I am Catholic(just a year & half) I am married to a catholic, also my sister is married to a Catholic and she herself is interested in the faith. The reason I mention this is recently another sister of mine was arrested for stealing. This isnt the first time, she has been in and out of trouble for 20 yrs. she is 49. I am trying to help her spiritually and my husband has said dont give her money. The other half of the family (sister and parents) live by each other and are baptist. My sister recently needed to be bailed out of jail and my parents wanted us to give them the money to help. We said we felt Gods will was to let her deal with this herself and said no. Well the sister who is baptist said we should help out because we are family and satan is trying to devide us-baptist against catholics. Of course the catholics are wrong. My husband and I are strong in our faith and could it be that satan could be at work? My sister wants us to compormise our believes ,to help someone who has been stealing and lieing,just for family peace. We do not think it is right. So it has started arguments among family. So do you think satan is trying to divide my family? To me my Dad has not been very christain like in his attituide. The reason I brought religion into it is it just seemed weird to me that one side who is baptist believes differently than the catholic side. It seems since we decided to become stronger in our faith and helping my sister to study the catholic religion, my baptist side of the family started picking on both familys. Some times I will get a comment from my sister about the catholics worshipping idols. I know my dad hates the catholic faith. So if you could help me with this I would appreciate it. I have been writting to the one in trouble and I sent her a rosary and prayers. She said she says the rosary alot. The baptist side didnt like that eaither. If this is too long to put in the forum thats ok, but could you still help me?
Peace to you Linda
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius on August 3, 1999 Dear Mrs. Linda:
Thank you for your question and I apologize for taking so long to respond. And welcome to the Church.
What you are going through is unfortunately rather typical when someone converts to the Catholic Church. There is not much you can do. It is painful cross you must bear.
But I can assure you that it is a cross that is worth it. Jesus himself said that sometimes families will be split because some will not wish to accept the truth.
Pray for your family. Endure the hardships of prejudice that you may be exposed to. Offer up that suffering to God for the enlightenment of the hearts of your family that even if they do not convert themselves that they may at least see that the Catholic Church is a genuine Christian Church.
If you do get into conversations with them over various things, be prepared to give correct and accurate answers. They will not have a correct view of the Catholic Church, so you will have to give them the real scoop when you have the opportunity.
In the Apologetics section of this website is a book entitled, Beginning Apologetics. Read it and learn it. It will give you the basic answers to the things Protestants complain about and have misconceptions about.
Plus you have the Catechism and this Q & A Forum and a host of other online opportunities to research material.
If you don't know the answer to something, don't be afraid to admit that. But tell them you will find out the answer and get back to them.
Stand firm in your faith. The Church is here to help you, and so are we and hundreds of others.
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