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Julia
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My DH is an atheist.
My husband and I married in 2000.
I "reverted' back to Catholicism in Fall of 2006.
Though we were married in the Church, and have baptized our son, these are the only times he has entered a church. He was raised with no religious background at all.
I would deeply appreciate support (and prayers) from other mothers who may be in similar situations, whether on this thread or through PM's.
I am feeling discouraged.
I know I can't convert my husband except through prayer and example - but some times that seems unachievable.
Teaching my son about Catholicism is challenging- it's my responsibility. I am reluctant to use the CCD program at the nearby school because it doesn't seem very strong. And there are gaps in my knowledge that are large. I am worried that I am not capable of forming a strong base of faith for my son, by myself.
And it is very hard to have this gift of faith back, and not be able to share it with my husband. He is a good person and father, and I wish this is something we could both share.
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JodieLyn
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I would encourage you to get information for you.. not just a program for your son. You'll find that when you understand something you can explain it to his level. So it will benefit both of you.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Taffy
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Julia,
Not in a similar situation but thought this essay written by Karen Edmiston might give you a little encouragement. 
God bless,
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Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
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Kathryn UK
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I understand how you feel, Julia. My husband is Jewish, which means that I am solely responsible for teaching the Faith to our children. He is supportive in that he encourages me to take them to Mass, will drive them to First Communion classes and so on, but he will not attend any Church services whatsoever. I am a convert so have no Catholic family, and our parish has nothing for children apart from First Communion classes for two years (and not much outside of Mass for adults either). I was fortunate in that we were members of a Catholic homeschool group for a few years, but now I'm completely on my own and I don't feel I'm making a good job of it 
Being a lone Catholic parent is tough and can feel an overwhelming responsibility. When you are on your own, there are factors working against you that a fully Catholic family does not have to deal with. These days I'm coming to realise that I can only do my best - or rather, try to do my best, as often I fall short. Even though it may feel that what I am doing is not good enough, ultimately I have to trust my children to God's grace. I can't do it all so I have to pray and leave it to Him to fill the gaps.
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Kathryn
Dh Michael,  Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06)  (11/07)
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aussieannie
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Julia, this book may be of interest to you The Secret Diary of Elizabeth Leseur
Here is a brief overview of her life
I really enjoyed the book, even though I do not face a similar situation, her life is just inspirational and she is known as the 'married St Therese' - I really recommend it.
Praying for you Julia!
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Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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MamaAcorn
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I'm in the same position as you.
I'll be praying for you.
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Dawn
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Praying for you, Julia. That must be awfully hard.
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Lori B
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I also married an atheist, but not in Church (our parish priest refused, and I honestly could understand his reasoning). The compromise that we have come to (for now, it's often changing) is that the kids are baptized, I instruct them in the Faith at home- but we don't attend Mass. It's not perfect, but one great thing that has come out of it is that I am learning more about our Faith as I teach the kids (I attended Catholic schools during the "Jesus Loves Me" 70's when all we learned about being Catholic is that... Jesus loves us  ).
I chose my husband for all of the right reasons, with the full understanding that he does not share my Faith- and I don't regret my choice for a moment. He is the most wonderful, supportive and involved husband and father anyone could wish for. If the only thing my kids learn from DH is how a man should treat his wife and children, they are much better off than many (most??).
I would let your husband know how much you love and appreciate him, and leave the rest to Him. I know that is easier said than done- I used to struggle with finding peace over this as well.
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22yod, 16yod (Asperger's), 14yos (dyslexia, APD, ADHD), and 11yod (JXG, glaucoma, legally blind)
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Martha
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Is your dh supportive of raising the child in the faith?
Does he ask questions, but not in a negative way about why you dothings and think things Catholics?
Does he participate in family stuff?
My dh isn't religious either,but he VERY dedicated to his family. (I had a friend say family is my dh's religion if that makes any sense.) To him, he can disagree, but as long as he feels comfortable being with us while we do it, that's a major thing for us. And we've left parishes where he didn't feel comfortable for that reason. And sadly we've not gone to some parish events because dh didn't feel comfortable going.
Prayer is really all we can do, but we can make them as comfortable being with us as we participate in our faith as possible.
Not sure this makes any sense. It's very hard to explain these dynamics. 
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Martha
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Yes, they're all ours!
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Kelly
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I sympathize-I'm in a similar position with a wonderful husband who hovers between being an extremely fallen-away Catholic and an agnostic...tho he generally, ironically, does consider himself Catholic, still (which I'm glad about!!! Small victories...) but defiantly so. Occasionally he goes to Mass with us, but I never know if he's going to pull out a Wall Street Journal during Mass and start reading! Really! Once, he even left Mass and dashed home to come back with a copy of the "Economist". You gotta laugh or you cry, girl. Every time he sees our parish priest, his standard greeting is "Hi Father, how's business?" Honestly! The second great irony is that I'm a convert and I, Catechetically Imperfect Moi, have had to do all the faith formation. Like Kathryn, I don't feel like I'm doing much of a job of it---and it gets harder as the kids get older. Still, you CAN do it---one thing I would recommend is to try to incorporate the liturgical year into your daily life. Start by reading the Maria Von Trapp book about the Trapp Family Singers, then her second book, "Thru the Year with the Von Trapp Family" for inspiration. Not that the Von Trapps are the be all and end all, but it gave me-the Catholic Convert from a family of anti-Catholics (I love my sibs, we have a great family, but you wouldn't believe the anti-Catholic jargon I hear from them)- good insight into living the liturgical year and has helped me keep a "Catholic Home" thruout it all. Over the years we've incorporated many little Catholic customs that are Just the Way Things are Done at our house---from visits from St. Nicholas (in person, on his feast day), to All Souls Day Parties, to decorating the Church at Christmas and having confession that same day, as a family (less Dad, we're still working on that one!), to celebrating our various feast days with cake, to doing Posadas as part of the Christmas novena, to Epiphany parties and so on and so on. These activities, which the children all enjoy, have helped maintain that Catholic identity in our home.
Another thing we did which I HIGHLY recommend, if your husband will allow it, is to have your home enthroned to the Sacred Heart. I'm still surprised my dh permitted it, but he did, and having our Sacred HEart picture and light going all the time has always been a blessing and a great thing. Highly recommended.
Last but not least, try to stay loving and strive to have a sense of humor---acrimony will not help---stay prayerful, keep working on your own Catholic education---all these things will help when you feel like you're sliding (which is often, if you're like me!). It really is so difficult feeling like a "whole" Catholic family when your husband doesn't participate, I really do understand. It's a daily struggle, really. But you can do it!
Kelly in FL
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Cici
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I, too, have been struggling with this recently. My husband - wonderful in just about everyway - hovers between extremely fallen away catholic and "anythings okay as long as you have something all the religions are the same anyway."
I converted before our marriage (at a prodding from him!), and he's been to mass for the baptism of our three children, a few funerals - and that's it. He urges me, often, to not go to mass. Or to leave the kids at home and let them play.
It does get hard, and it has been a daily struggle for me - especially recently.
Anyway, not trying to commandeer the thread, but to say I'll keep you in my prayers. And thanks to others for their words of wisdom.
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LucyP
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Dh and I were converting together, but now he is taking a rain check and not coming into the church, this easter, though he comes to mass and gets a blessing and intends to carry on doing so. I can't imagine how hard your situation is, and will pray.
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Julia
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Thank you all, ladies, for your replies. Every one has helped me, and each given me hope.
(And if anyone, wants to continue a discussion/dialogue via PM just let me know.)
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Servant2theKing
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For all of you whose husbands are not following the same path of faith, do not ever give up hope. Keep praying for your husbands and living out your faith with love and patience. We were married fifteen years before my husband had what he now refers to as a St. Paul conversion and entered the Church. Prior to that he was a self-proclaimed "agnostic" and had abandoned whatever faith he had from his Methodist upbringing. He had severe reservations and some very negative experiences right up to the Easter Vigil Mass when he came into the Church, which I really believe, in hindsight, were the evil one's attempts to keep hold of his soul in any way possible. The week prior to my husband's coming into the Church was one of the most difficult in our entire married life.
The book aussieannie recommended about Elizabeth Leseur would be encouraging and inspiring for any of you who are not equally yoked in your faithlife. The idea of consecrating your home and family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a grace-filled one. We can never underestimate the power of grace.
Some ideas that may be helpful: Place your trust in God and know that He will bless your efforts to live your faith and teach it to your children. Pray to St. Joseph to be the foster father of your children in matters of faith! Unite yourselves with the Sorrowful Heart of Our Blessed Mother. Pray the Memorare for your husbands.
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: DH atheist or agnostic
