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Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I
Date: 6/26/2008
Subject: Telling people about my faith

Question
QUESTION: Hi George,
I'm a Catholic trying to become a better christian and a better person. I know there is a God and I love him. And I want to tell people about my faith. Telling classmates and friends is easy. But, it is difficult to talk to my family members about these things, specifically my dad and my older brother. Well, they really don't have strong faith. In fact, my brother has once said that he doesn't believe in god at all :/. I'm afraid of what they'll do if they find out about my quest to become a better person and about how important my faith is to me. I shouldn't be afraid. But, I am. How do other people deal with situations like these? How should I deal with it?

Thanks. Anything will help :).

ANSWER: Peace

dear Matt,

  The first, I say I am glad that your are striving to grow as a person.

Suggestions: Pray and Study the Faith, perhaps dealing with issues that those around you seem to have trouble with. So you can be a strong witness to them and perhaps they will the see the beauty it brings to your soul. Another suggestions, read about the saints, especially of martyrs that you can relate to in some way.

                 in my Prayers and His Sacred Heart,
                         George

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,

Thanks. I'll try that. Well, as you know I'm trying to better myself. And I'm doing this by putting Jesus' teachings into practice. And it does make a difference! It's amazing :). But, I keep getting off track. I mean there are days when I just don't seem to be the best person I could have been. I'll give into temptation and do bad things (nothing extremely bad, but still wrong). Today is actually one of those days. How can I overcome temptation?

Thanks again.

ANSWER: Peace

dear Matt,
   One of the things, that I learned to help me to over-come "daily" temptations I learn from my saintly father. He suggested when I was tempted, to say a short one line prayer or simply the name of Jesus.

One of my favorite, I got from the Divine Mercy visions: Jesus, I trust in Thee. Others I like:

Praise Be God and Bless His Bride, the Church.
My Lord and My Savior
Your Will not mine

Another, if its the same type of temptations/sin, try to avoid be in places and persons that lead you into them. For example: getting drunk is your problem, don't go to bars or maybe not go to them with others who go to them just to get drunk.

And perhaps find a priest that can be your confessor. A confessor is a priest that you go to confession regularly verse whatever priest is available. Confessors can help you see patterns to your temptations/sins that you might just not see or think are just bad habits. They can also give you other specialized advice for you needs. For most people, their pastor or other priest at their parish would be fine. Or perhaps the chaplain for a group you belong to.

                         your servant but Christ's first
                                      George

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again :),

I don't want to bother you, but I have another question. Whenever I go to church, I wonder how many people attending mass are 'pew-potatos' -- meaning they sit there and vegetate and only go for the sake of going. And I wonder whether or not they take all of this stuff seriously. I wish they all would, but I have the feeling some of them don't. And I also wonder how many of the kids who were confirmed with me are taking their faith seriously. I have the feeling a lot of them aren't either. Why do some people take their faith seriously and some people don't? I see signs of God all around me. Do other people not see them? I don't understand this. And why are some of the kids who were confirmed with me not taking their faith seriously?Confirmation was a life-changing experience, and it upsets me that some kids seem unaffected (not that I actually know they're unaffected and not that I'm trying to think badly of them). Why are some people religious and some people aren't?

Thanks and sorry to bombard you with all of the questions.

Answer
Peace

dear Matt,

  First, its not a bother to an answer your questions. I have had any questions, so I was starting think I was avoided because of the rumors that say I have the plague. hehehehe.

The simple and yet the complex answer to your question is: free will. Its an awesome give. Its awesome for it allows us to love God. Its also allows us to reject His love.

Instead of worrying over other souls, be concerned about other soul. There is a difference. By concern, I mean you perceive a possible problem and seek a way to cure it. Perhaps pray for such souls. Ask your pastor if you might be of use, in his desire to reach a group of souls in your parish. That's how at the age of 15, I helped establish a special youth program in my parish.

Another way is join a solid Catholic society, like the Knights of Columbus or Opus Dei or Secular Franciscan or Catholics United for the Faith. Most of these you need only be Catholic, Confirmed and 18, and in good standing with the Church. If you are not old eught perhaps one of them can help you find something for your age or more closer to your spiritual charisma, found in your area. I am a member of K of C, Secular Franciscans, and Catholic United for the Faith.

                           Your friend but His first
                                  George

PS. Here a favorite quote from Pope John Paul (II) the Great:
     Fear not to Keep the Faith joyfully

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