Q: Since my conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism, I have been abandoned by some family members and friends on Facebook. These are cousins and friends from grade school and high school and beyond. I do not preach on Facebook, but I do express my love for the Catholic faith. Sometimes I share a reading from the Liturgy of the Hours, which I am devoted to. Each and every post is ignored and passed over by most of my family and friends. My audience has dwindled from 15 friends to only two. Most of my friends are devout Protestants. I don’t judge them, but I seek to understand why they have abandoned me. Is it normal for family and friends to reject someone’s conversion to Catholicism? Am I doing something wrong? — G.W.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

A: Without knowing more details, I’d say that your situation isn’t unusual.

As a Catholic you now have a different outlook than do your Protestant friends and relatives. You and they have chosen different paths.

Your posting of spiritual readings from the Liturgy of the Hours might come across as either too heavy for Facebook or as an attempt to proselytize them. Which might turn them off.

Moreover, given the availability of so many websites and social media outlets, people tend to gravitate toward things that reinforce their beliefs and shy away from those that challenge them.

Your Catholicism might simply be outside their way of thinking; hence, they have moved on. I wouldn’t take the online silence too personally.

My short advice is to cultivate a network of Catholic friends and get involved in volunteer work for the Church. That might give you something positive to aim at.

Count on my prayers.