Converts: how do you feel after several years?

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This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?

I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
 
pkrjenkins said:
This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?

I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
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I converted in 1995, by going through our local RCIA program.

Now I am the lay director of the program.

Like you, I did alot of church shopping/hopping, but when I joined the Catholic Church, I new I was home, and haven’t even thought about shopping around.
 
I joined the Catholic Church over five years ago, and it still is home to me. I quit attending Protestant Churches, even my father’s (he is a SB minister) because of their hateful attitudes towards Catholics, while Catholics pray for them. They talk about taking Song of Solomon and James out of the Bible! When I cannot attend church without coming home upset, there is something wrong. And that never happens in the Catholic Church.

My advice, go to RCIA, they won’t pressure you to convert. It takes a quarter of a year before you even become elect. If at that time, you still are not sure, then I wouldn’t do it. I prayed hard, and God answered my prayer for a home. 😃
 
pkrjenkins said:
This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?

I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
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Best thing I ever did was become a Catholic at Easter vigil 2008.

What I would suggest is that you join RCIA. That is the inquiry process and you will learn about the CC and what it teaches. There is never any pressure to join the Church but it is really helpful in finding out if you are really being called to become a Catholic.

I joined RCIA before I went to my first Mass. It was after my first Mass that I knew that Catholicism is where I belong.
 
pkrjenkins said:
This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?
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I converted from liberal Protestantism about ten years ago, after a period of about 17 years of inquiry, and haven’t really looked back. The Catholic Church has more than met every one of my spiritual needs. 🙂

At first, I thought that I would be going to my Protestant church on Sundays in addition to the Catholic Church, for the music and preaching, but once I actually became Catholic and started participating in the Sacraments, I found that I really didn’t miss those things any more.
I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
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My suggestion to you would be to take it slow and easy. Give yourself all the time you need. There are many things in the Catholic Church that take a great deal of getting used to - so give yourself the time you need, to get used to them.

Go to Mass at least every Sunday (without receiving Holy Communion yet, of course - your First Holy Communion will take place when you are received into the Church), and if you can, go to daily Masses as well. This is where you will meet the people who will really help you on your journey of faith.

Become involved in the ways possible with your parish - as a non-Catholic, you can help make the coffee, attend Bible study classes, help fold bulletins, or even just hang out and introduce yourself to people after Mass. Get to know people. Make friends. Let it “get old” for a while. See how it goes. If you still feel drawn to it after a year, join the RCIA, and then see how that goes. Keep praying for God’s will to be done in your life. Don’t ask for or expect anything in particular - just pray to God that He leads you to where He wants you to be.
 
I am not a convert, I am a 62 years experienced Catholic.
So, may I answer what i feel after all these years?

  1. *]I feel that you make the right choice in choosing the Roman Catholic Church
    *]I feel that you should come with body and soul and jump into the sea not looking back.
    *]It is as adventure like marriage. You will have to discover step bye step, as God leads you and no other marriage will serve you as beacon, as God has got a project for you and he is jealous, He will let no one lead you but Him and He will want your love for Him with total dedication.
    *]You are looking for “feelings” and faith is not about “feelings” it is about truth. So you may come to the Catholic church not feeling anything but for It is the Best Choice.
    *]There are hard times in the Catholic Church. St Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross call them the “night” where God does not show His Presence and we only feel doubt, darkness and loneliness. Yet, we stick to our God, for He is The Only One, The Truth, The Wisdom, The Glory and Our creator and The One Who has Words of Truth.

    It is the right choice. In 1000 years, I guess, the Protestant churches all will be gone, but the Catholic Church will remain as solid as It was 2000 years ago.

    Will you repent? Maybe, there will be times when you will doubt. There is no one here, I guess, who hasnt had any doubts.

    Will you be better off in another Church? Definitely no. Unless it is God’s will that you do not enter the Catholic Church.

    So, I would say, follow your heart.

    👍
 
pkrjenkins said:
This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?

I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
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Still on fire for Christ after thirteen years.
Rich
 
Best decision I ever made 12-13 years ago. It’s painful because let’s face it becoming catholic is like jumping into the lion pit. It seems the spiritual battle is gathering apace and it is the sacraments that console and sustain us. Come on in… The water is freezing
 
I joined the Catholic Church over five years ago, and it still is home to me. I quit attending Protestant Churches, even my father’s (he is a SB minister) because of their hateful attitudes towards Catholics, while Catholics pray for them.
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I also am exasperated by the ignorant attitude and gratuitous attacks against the Catholic Church.

I converted in 2003, one of the roughest years of being a Catholic. This isn’t such a great year, either. Nevertheless, God has called me into His Church, praise His Holy Name! I am still looking and still finding that there is nothing on earth like the One True Church of our Faith. The Church is a Godly institution, and the gates of Hell will never prevail against her.

Please join me in prayer for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
 
I’ll be odd man out.

I was Confirmed in 2006 in Roman Catholicism. I was devout Roman Catholic up until I began attending an Orthodox Parish in mid-December last year. I really mean I was devout up until - one week I was at Tridentine Mass, the next week I was at an Orthodox Divine Liturgy. I had one of those Road to Damascus moments…sort of. When I went to the Divine Liturgy I still wasn’t sure for a few months about Orthodoxy. Ultimately I was Chrismated into Holy Orthodoxy in June.

I wasn’t happy about leaving the Roman Catholic Church at first. I never thought I would love the Orthodox Church as much as I had loved the RCC. I was wrong - I do.

I did not make a mistake becoming Roman Catholic; it was very obviously a step that I had to take, I know that now. I learned the lessons in Catholicism that I needed to learn.
 
Came into full communion Easter Vigil '07.
Had been baptized as a Catholic when an infant but was not raised in the faith.
Became Mormon when I was older and was very very TBM (True blue Mormon. Been thru the temple, RS pres yada yada yada)
Left Mormonism when I just no longer believed in many of it’s core doctrines.

Had a period of time when I was agnostic. JPII death was a grace-filled time for me. He passed in Spring of '05. I started the inquiry phase of RCIA in Jan of '06. Full communion Easter Vigil of '07.

My faith journey has done nothing but profoundly deepened and increased. My relationship with the Lord more intimate. My love and devotion to Our Lady has added a dynamic I had never considered, and my appreciation of the Communion of Saints was a surprise to me.

It has to be said though, that I have a very active faith. It’s not passive. I put effort and am diligent in my discipleship with Our Lord. I spend time growing and increasing my knowledge.

It’s like an athlete. To be at the top of your game, you have to work out and go thru your training and take the field. The same can be said of one’s spiritual journey. To be at the top of your game and be “fit” you have to take the time and disciple (DISCIPLE!) to work out, and take the field.

I knew that as a Mormon and did that. Those skills came with me when I came into full communion.

I was a very good and strong Mormon, which has lead me to be an even better and devote Catholic. 👍
 
pkrjenkins said:
This question is mostly for those who have converted/reconciled to the Catholic Church. After several years did you feel you were missing something? Did you feel you still had not found what you were looking for spiritually? At any time have you felt that you made a mistake by choosing Catholicism?

I am a Protestant who has felt drawn to the Catholic Church for several years. I’ve read books about the faith, including the catechism, and have recently begun attending Mass. As a new Christian (about 37 years ago) I attended a Baptist church. Then a friend invited me to her Pentecostal church, which I attended for a couple of years before returning to the Baptist Church. About 10 years ago I left the Baptist Church. At that time I considered Catholicism, but because I didn’t think my husband would attend with me, I joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now, after about 7-8 years in this church I am feeling drawn to the Catholic Church again. My concern is: Am I 'casting about?" Have I become a ‘church hopper’ looking for something new? Am I enjoying worship in the Catholic Church because it is new? While I know no one can answer those questions for me, I would like to hear from those who have become Catholics and how they feel about it after several years in the Church.
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I joined the Catholic Church in 2004 after attending a Church of Christ (from the RM that gave birth the Disciples of Christ), United Methodist Church, and Church of Christ in Christian Union. Not once have I regretted it or felt like I made a mistake. I have a peace inside me now that I never had when I was a protestant. BTW, I felt strangely drawn to the Catholic Church beginning as a teenager. Even though I was raised to believe the Catholic Church was a false church, that draw never went away. I sincerely believe it was the Holy Spirit guiding me to the peace I now have as a Catholic.
 
I converted nearly 4 years ago (November) and while I don’t have the same emotions as I did then, I’m still firmly convinced that I’m in the right place.

Like you, I had done a fair amount of church hopping, not really intentionally, but it is how it worked out. When I started going to church in high school I went to a baptist church. In college I bounced around quite a bit, partly due to spending a number of summers and semesters in various places as well as changing beliefs. Then after college when I moved here, I was United Methodist. So when I was considering converting, I too was a bit worried about if it would “stick”. But it has.

When I was trying to figure out everything I got to the point where I was convinced of the Truth of the Church. I was pretty sure that this is where God was leading me, but figured that if for some reason I was wrong, God would be able to sort it out later. But I don’t see any signs of that happening. 😉 😃
 
Have been attending mass with some friends. Truly an experience.
 
Thanks to all who have posted here. I really appreciate your wisdom. I hope that others will continue to post. I am planning to attend RCIA classes that start in September and as someone suggested, give myself time. I am also praying for God’s guidance. Since I have been reading a lot about the Catholic faith, I’ve discovered that many of the questions I had no answers for are found in the Catholic Church. Reading the Catechism was a real eye opener for me. Any Protestant who has anything to say about Catholicism should read the Catechism first. It will really give them something to think about.

Again thank you so much 🙂
 
I converted in 2002 at Easter Vigil.

I would attend different Ordinary Form Masses (church shopping) but after 6 years, the novelty wore off.

Because of some posters at Catholic Answers, I was thinking of becomming Orthodox. However, the Catholic to Orthodox posters here are admonished with, “You should have learned what the Catholic Church REALLY teaches…”

So, I decided to do that. I decided to go to the Extraordinary Form Mass for one year before I begin to look into Orthodoxy.

That was back in 2008 and I am still going to the EF Mass, because I still don’t know all what the Catholic Church teaches or has. Just today I saw a…solomnizing of an engagement, I think, after Mass.

Might I recommend that you forgo RCIA and go to a FSSP or ICK priest and get catechisis from him? You will find out, without question, what the Catholic Church REALLY teaches.
 
My husband and I converted to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism in 2004.

Our older daugher converted a few years after us.

We all still love being Catholic.

I think that ex- evangelicals are less likely to become disenchanted with Catholicism over time.

As an evangelical Protestant, I was raised to eschew emotions and never base faith on feelings. We were taught to not seek to live experientially, always looking for that next “mountaintop.”

Instead, we were to study and learn and base our faith on the truth, not music, men, miracles, or manifestations.

So even though our initial “warm fuzzies” over becoming Catholic have long since de-fuzzed and we are no longer floating in the clouds, we are still thrilled in our souls with being members of Christ’s Church here on earth.

We still continue many of the disciplines that charmed us when we first began looking into Catholicism. We always attend weekly Mass and whenever possible, attend daily Mass. (We both work.) We continue to receive the Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Holy Communion. I pray the Rosary almost every day, and have recently started praying the Divine Mercy chaplet everyday (on my way home from work at 3:00 p.m.!). I also visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at our 24/7 Adoration Chapel several times a week during most weeks–I love being with Him!

We continue to seek ways to be involved with our parish, although we have definitely backed away from teaching ministries. I think it is a mistake for Catholics to put converts into teaching ministries early in the conversion. One of the things that we struggle with as ex-evangelicals is a sense of superiority. Evangelical Protestants are totally convinced that they have the Complete Christianity, the Whole Truth about Jesus. When we converted, we really struggled with these feelings of "NOW we REALLY have the Whole Truth! Aren’t we cool?!

It doesn’t help when cradle Catholics fawn all over us and tell us how lucky the parish is to have converts like us! 😊 We just get bigger heads and feel even more superior!

So I would suggest that parishes go easy on recruiting converts to help in teaching ministries.

I play piano when I am needed, and I just started taking pipe organ lessons so that I will, hopefully, someday be able to play the more traditional instruments in Mass.

My husband is an usher.

We both feel that in the last few years, something has happened in the Catholic Church in the U.S. When we converted in 2004, there was momentum. Things were happening. Conferences and seminars were being held regularly throughout the U.S., books were being written and published, speakers and apologists were doing tours and attracting thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics, musicians (Catholic) were writing songs and singing them, and media was being created and utilized to spread the Catholic faith.

Now it seems like all of this has ground to a halt. Does anyone else sense this, and does anyone know what has happened?

I think it might have a lot to do with finances; all of these things take money, and there isn’t a lot of money right now

The other possibility is that since Pope Benedict XVI has succeeded Pope John Paul II, there is a different atmosphere in the Church. There is more interest in tradition and ancient practices, rather than in modern innovations like seminars and conferences.

But I’m not sure what happened. It just seems like there is less going on in the U.S> now, and maybe this is what has caused some of the more emotion-based ex-Protestants to cool off about Catholicism and even, sadly, return to the more exciting Protestant world.

I think that my husband and I and our daughter were fortunate to have stepped through a very well-lit window back when we converted. I think that the window is now somewhat closed, or at least covered with curtains now. I think it is becoming harder for Protestants to find their way into the Catholic Church in the current atmosphere.

Yet I know that the Holy Spirit can do His convicting work in all hearts, and I pray that He will work in the hearts of evangelical Protestants.
 
I converted 5 years ago, and quite frankly, I feel terrible. I’ve felt terrible for the last year. I feel as though I rushed into marriage and then discovered my husband was a monster.

Nontheless, I made a commitment, and I don’t walk take that lightly. I’m going to stay.

Besides, who knows? Maybe next year will be better.
 
valient_Lucy said:
I converted 5 years ago, and quite frankly, I feel terrible. I’ve felt terrible for the last year. I feel as though I rushed into marriage and then discovered my husband was a monster.

Nontheless, I made a commitment, and I don’t walk take that lightly. I’m going to stay.

Besides, who knows? Maybe next year will be better.
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I’m so sorry that you are having troubles. Have you been able to talk to anyone, a spiritual director or your priest?

What do you mean by “monster”?
 
I’m a little different in that I’m a cradle catholic who went away to college and spent 4 years with an evangelical protestant college ministry called the Navigators. This group was about 70% former catholics (all college kids!) and the staff certainly taught principles contrary to the catholic faith that combined with the fellowship was VERY appealing to us poorly catechized/evangelized catholics of that era.

I loved the zeal I saw there, the fire, the committment to daily bible study, discipleship and personal accountability and spiritual disciplines. I loved that they actually sang, I learned to play guitar, and enjoyed being with people for whom Christ was a beloved person, not a distant idea - all experiences that were, sadly, foreign to me as a catholic at the time.

But I never quite converted. They all went off to their non-denom “Highpoint Church” every Sunday and I went by myself to a local catholic parish. It was the Eucharist. The evangelical church didn’t believe in the Real Presence. They considered communion a symbol practiced due to obedience. Their grape juice in disposable cups and baskets of bread crumbs just seemed shallow and meaningless. I wasn’t educated well in the faith, but I had enough in me to recognize Christ when I received Him, body and blood. I wasn’t trading that in for good fellowship and community. You won’t either.
 
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