Confidentiality Apparently Means No One Knows Unless They NEED to Know

[T_Hope]

I work in an odd sort of situation and due to the nature of our work, co-workers are like family. Now, that has its good side and bad, particularly since about 85% of our staff is Mormon. Used to be a higher percentage, until I began learning about Catholicism. And now, another of those Mormons knows of my intent to become Catholic.

Honestly, I’m going through a rough time. All of the changes in my life are overwhelming, but as I’ve posted before, I can’t talk about this stuff with my co-workers because so much of it relates to this huge change that I’m going through. As a result, I’ve become uncharacteristically quiet at the office. About 1-1/2 weeks ago one of my co-workers (and friend), asked what was going on. And I decided things could not get much worse and I really do need someone to talk to, so I told her about my conversion. At some point, people are going to find out, but still, I asked her to keep it to herself.

Yeah, who was I kidding?

I think confidentiality, particularly in my experience with Mormons, means “I won’t tell anyone except those who NEED to know.” Another co-worker came back from vacation this morning and I cannot be certain, because I was not a fly on the wall, but when the conversation “next door” turns to a whisper so that those in closest proximity (me) cannot hear, you can bet who they are talking about. I heard bits and pieces. And frankly, I know these women. I am not complaining. In this situation, it is actually very sweet. But I can feel the missionary effort to save me from this huge mistake taking form. And I know who the contact person with me will be (that’ll be the person I confided in), because of course, I am not supposed to know that anyone else knows. And at least one other woman will be told, probably tomorrow.

So, here we go. Just what I need, huh?

Well, my life is anything but dull right now.

Hope

 

[Rawb]

You seem to be taking it in a good form. They are going to try and persuade you to stay Mormon, because they apparently do care about you and that’s what they think is right. Good intentions however aren’t necessarily going to help you work out your salvation.

It might be tough for a while. If you don’t have any visible Catholic friends to talk to and encourage you, you’ll have to rely on the Saints and Our Lord. Remember, a Catholic is never alone.

I’ll pray for you. Many come here to vent and share frustrations, so feel free. Of course, welcome home! We’ve been waiting for you!

 

[HeavenlyRoses]

Perhaps yours will be the missionary effort that saves them.

 

[dcrowmik]

Perhaps yours will be the missionary effort that saves them.

Ah, yes – a very good point. Plus what better way to help you more deeply learn the faith than to share it with others as you are learning it. As they throw objections at you it will force you to dig deeper into study and, most importantly, heavy duty prayer.

 

[T_Hope]

You seem to be taking it in a good form. They are going to try and persuade you to stay Mormon, because they apparently do care about you and that’s what they think is right. Good intentions however aren’t necessarily going to help you work out your salvation.

It might be tough for a while. If you don’t have any visible Catholic friends to talk to and encourage you, you’ll have to rely on the Saints and Our Lord. Remember, a Catholic is never alone.

I’ll pray for you. Many come here to vent and share frustrations, so feel free. Of course, welcome home! We’ve been waiting for you!

Thank you!

Well, how else can I take it? It’s like the gossip channels are being opened and I’m just waiting for the onslaught of missionaries to come badger me.

Funny, as she had a dream about my becoming a nun … I decided to attempt talking to the very same co-worker about the most wonderful Saturday I’ve had since - I don’t know when. I spent this past Saturday completely engaged in activities with and for a neighborhood parish, which incidentally, is not my own. I studied her face as I talked about it and couldn’t help but see the almost visible screen she used to shield herself from the poison of hearing about a day a wayward Mormon spent with a bunch of Catholics.

It seemed apparent that this woman, who I have known for almost 14 years, does not want to hear about what is going on with me. She just wants me to come back to where she really thinks I belong.

Today I’ve been indexing a sort of “mini journal” I’ve kept this past year. It includes a whole lot of time prior to my stumbling upon the Catholic church (this past February). And I’ve been really awed at how the Lord prepared me, taking my hand without my knowing it. Honestly, if this woman could only understand that those questions I was asking and talking to her about a year ago were now finding answers in the most unexpected place!

WHO am I? WHAT is my purpose? I learned about FORGIVENESS and felt the guilt taken away although consequences remain. And I learned the importance of FORGIVING others. I felt strongly that my strength to find the answers and to find consolation needed to be in the Lord, not other people. I wrote last year “I must find strength within myself this time. Not to hide from anyone, not to shut anyone out, not to call upon anyone else but Heavenly Father for help. This may be the essence of growth that has the intrinsic ability to change my life.” And it has.

The Mormons answer those sorts of questions, but their answers were no longer satisfying. They did not fulfill my life. I found myself last year where I was 10 years ago. No change. Stagnant life. I was terribly unhappy. She knew that. So I imagine now she thinks I’m going through some sort of phase that I’ll snap out of sooner or later. No. Not going to happen. As a Mormon I believed in Christ, but I did not know Him. I am learning to know Him now and to trust Him, and to follow Him. And He has led me to the Catholic church. My life is no longer stagnant. My life is changing. And she does not understand how this could happen. But I do.


Hope

 

[T_Hope]

Perhaps yours will be the missionary effort that saves them.

That’s a nice thought, except Mormon ground is generally not fertile enough soil in which to plant a seed of truth.

On the other hand, I prayed for help to the only God I knew. I didn’t ask to be taught “the truth” or for Him to help me find a new church. I thought I belonged to the only right church in all the earth. However, He heard my prayer for help, and took me by the hand and carefully and gently, led to the Catholic Church wherein I have found the help I sought. It is everything to me.

So, perhaps you are right. After all, as my life is a miracle in the making, I of all people should believe in miracles, shouldn’t I?

Hope

 

[T_Hope]

Ah, yes – a very good point. Plus what better way to help you more deeply learn the faith than to share it with others as you are learning it. As they throw objections at you it will force you to dig deeper into study and, most importantly, heavy duty prayer.

Truly, I have found that as I study I cannot help but compare what I am learning to what I was taught as a Mormon. Perhaps when I am stronger in my faith and understanding I will be able to stand up to their objections. But, Mormons cling to what they know, and find it difficult to allow themselves to hear anything that is contrary to their latter-day revelation, which is contrary to what has been taught in the Bible for centuries. True Christianity is a hard sale to a faithful Mormon.

Hope

 

[Prague]

May God continue to give you His strength and continue to hold you in His hands.