Catholic Singles

Dear Father Jim,
Congratulations on your ten year anniversary as a priest.

I have a question that I hope you can provide some comfort on. My son, though a good man, is no longer a practicing Catholic. He believes in God but not organized religion. He is also living with the lady he is engaged to. I believe that God is loving and forgiving. Can you give me any solace that he will be saved? Thank you for your response.

Thanks for the anniversary greetings and your question...

Can I give you any solace that your son will be saved? 

- Psalm 130 - The Lord is Kind and Merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness...

- Luke 15 (read the whole chapter, it's short enough and worth the read)

I appreciate your concerns, and your legitimate sadness.  Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism for hundreds of babies over these last ten years, I can't imagine how difficult it is for those parents who are serious about their faith, who worked hard to be good models and examples and truly worked to "keep the flame of faith alive in [their children's] hearts" to feel that their children have abandoned that faith.

But don't give up on your Son, or yourself!  If we truly believe that the Holy Spirit has come upon all of us in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and "made us temples of the Holy Spirit" - then  we have to believe He never abandons us (even when we might abandon Him) - and as soon as that flame of faith, that you so lovingly lit years ago starts to flicker again - the Spirit will be there to take your Son close to Jesus, who brings us to our Loving Father.

On Pentecost, we lovingly cried out "Come Holy Spirit Come" - let's not forget, He's already here with us!

In Christ's Peace,

Fr Jim