Dear 1ke,
You should know that nothing in a journey of faith, particularly a Catholic one happens over night.
For many of us who come from devout Catholic families, who have had mothers who taught us the rosary before we could read, Farthers who took us to early morning mass every day, who have wittnessed disapointments and joys in there lives and watched as children, when they have turned to the church in hope, sorrow, joy and pain. Have shared thier unbrideled optamism in the early days after Vatican 2, have watched on as young kids as thier dads brother was ordained, celbrated mass in the round on our own farm on christmass day with family and friends. And as we have grown into young adults shared our own stories with each other, looked on as contempories of ours have left the church, as drought has driven our parrents insane with disspare. Those of us who have rebelled against a God and a Church who no longer seemed to care. And me who,s mother so despratly wanted for the priesthood only to return from a ten year stint over sea’s playing in rock bands, which was only ment to be a year, with a Gypsie wife in tow.
Dear 1ke,
Not all of us are good Catholics but we are still Catholics wether or not you good Catholics want us or your don’t, we are still here and we are still part of the Catholic family.
And for non of us, is it an overnight thing.
If I could turn my back on God and the Church I would, my life would be so much easier, but I can’t God and the Church keep calling me back, keep pulling me in, Like St Peter I yell and scream at God " Leave me alone, leave me to myself for I am a Sinner" but he wont, and here I am.
I am nearly 50 now and the surprises and blessings, dissapointments and joys that God keeps showering my life with never scease to amaze me.
And no, none of it has happened over night.