Expert: Donald Higby - 1/15/2012

Question
I have five adult children all of who are not practicing the Catholic faith. One of my daughter's is in love with some one whose is a Lutheran. His mother however was a Catholic and switch to being a Lutheran. My daughter is very much in love with this man and think that she will marry him. We did asked her if she was to get married would she raise her kids in the Catholic faith. She said that she did not believe that she would because her boyfriend would not do it. Her response is that there is no difference between the two faith's and his family loves their religion while she always felt she was forced to go to church and it was something just to get over. She did say she was willing to read any book about the Catholic faith . What is your suggestion about this situation and could you recommend any books to help her better understand the Catholic faith and how it may differ from other faith's.  A friend gave me your book Homilies for 2011 . I found it very helpful. Do you have 2012 book? or books that are already written for this year's cycle. Thanks for your help.  Jean

Answer
I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  A real problem, sometimes, is that children of Catholics don't often appreciate their faith when they are children; and as time goes on, unless they make an effort to understand their faith, they lose it, even though they go through the motions.  It sounds like her boyfriend comes from a family who are very active and committed to their Lutheran faith.  And of course when you are in love, you don't make very rational decisions.  I doubt that there is much you can do to change her mind.  I have a similar situation in my own family, where my sister left the Church when she got married.  She now is a Protestant, and seems to be very happy in that choice.  All we can do, I guess, is pray for these loved ones, and hope that God, who still loves them, will help them find their way to him, which is even more important than what faith they belong to.  As for books, there are many, but I would recommend
Reasons to Believe
Rome Sweet Home
and if she's really ambitious, Catholic for a Reason, volumes 1 through 4.  These are all by Scott Hahn, and easy to read, very insightful;  he is a former Presbyterian minister and now a real blessing to our Church.  
I did not compile my sermons for 2012; there didn't seem to be much interest in the one I put together for 2011.  Hope this helps.