Praying through it

I never experienced religious intolerance on a personal level until I became Catholic. While pagan, even Christians treated me normally. There were no jokes aimed at my faith practices directly nor indirectly.
But I have been witness to all manner of mockery and vitriol recently from people that I once considered open-minded and intelligent. These people are, for the most part, pagan themselves.
It leaves me bewildered. I understand that Catholicism has been prey to some less than desirable practices by clergy. But the attitude towards the church that the population at large seems to hold just baffles me.
At first, It left me angry. I wanted to confront these people in like manner. But that will accomplish nothing good. I realize that now. It is still a desire I struggle with, but I hope to keep it at bay.
I have decided to pray for these people instead. I just hope that is the best approach. I hope it is the appropriate response to their juvenile attempts to create strife where there need be none.