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Question
Father, I was raised up and confirmed to the Church, though with only a mild zeal. However, college life has brought me back to the ranks of the faithful. It has empowered me and given me an elevated sense of the world. But this clarity has come at a high cost.
About two and a half years ago my father and stepmother converted to Mormonism. They claimed they felt a void in their life that Mother Churh didn't seem to fill. I cannot give credence to this because they made little effort to become involved or advance their spirituality. To be direct Father, this has put an immense strain on my relationship with my parents.
Now my father has a history of jumping on band-wagons so I debate the sincerity of this conversion. However, it has come to dominate his life like nothing I've ever seen. When I was living with him he was having missionaries eat dinner four days a week with us, e reads the Bible and Mormon scriptures constantly, and constantly brags about how his church is exploding in numbers. I know he doesn't intend to make rude statements about my faith but they come out rather like the phrases uttered by a person who says "I don't mean to offend you but..."
I honestly don't know what to do about it. I ended up moving out because he ordered me to take down my crucifix, telling me that it represtented a part of Christ's life that isn't important. I worry not only because his conversion has pushed our relationship to the brink, but also because it threatens his soul. How do I bring him back to the True Faith?
Hi, Tim:
Thanks for the question.
I am very glad for you that you found a renewed zeal for your own Catholic Faith, which is the historical Church established by Jesus Christ. I agree with your decision to move out in order to preserve your own Catholic religious values - the crucifixion is the most important and central part of Christ's fulfillment of the will of His Heavenly Father. It is the very reason He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world!
Certainly pray for your parents' conversion. God unltimately is the One Who will ever bring your Father back to the True Faith. I hope your Father will some time come across and study the problems that exist with the Mormom religion at many levels. I certainly wich you the very best. Be at Peace, and while living your own life, take the opportunities to foster a positive relationship with your parents in all things that are possible. Both my parents have been prone to many phases throughout their lives... I pray daily for their conversion to the Catholic Faith.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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