Converts: how do you feel after several years?

[wmscott]

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.

I converted from Southern Baptist over 28 years ago and have not regretted it one bit. I for the life of me cant imaging being anything other than Catholic, lock, stock and barrel. I love this beautiful Catholic faith.

As to your question, instead of being a church hopper maybe it is the Holy Spirit tugging at you to seek out the Catholic Church. You have some praying to do and let the Holy Spirit lead you, wherever that may be.

 

[Hboggs]

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.

My wife and I also came in in 2003 both from Southern Baptist backgrounds. I continually am amazed at what I learn about the faith and the early church.

The best decision I’ve ever made in my life regarding anything!

 

[minkymurph]

I became Catholic in 2003. I’m not in a good place at moment were my faiths concerned, so it’s probably best I don’t offer advice. However, I’ve no regrets about becoming Catholic.

 

[CompSciGuy]

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.

I have only actually been Catholic for three or four months now so I may not meet the standards of this thread, but I was looking into Catholicism for about two years before actually finally coming into the Church. It was a difficult road, and full of doubts and concerns and still I find myself with lots of doubts and concerns. But I know very, very well that I am home. I don’t know how to explain it to you other than the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist. These things really, really anchor you into the Catholic Church once you join. Even now sometimes I get angry and think why does the Church teach X or Y, but I just stick with it; it’s like when you were growing up you would be upset with your parents about some rule, but you wouldn’t run away from home, you would still love them. This is how it has been for the two years I was looking into it, and every time I think that I would want to leave the Church I just have to think, where else would I go? And I know I would come back eventually. Of all other choices I’ve made in life none has ever felt so right as this one. Only when I visit other churches do I ever feel like I am missing something.

 

[workingman]

I converted a little over two years ago. I do not regrett it. I will not lie its not easy. I am struggling with it right now. I came from a Lutheran back ground and before that was raised conservative Baptist. My wife reconciled with the Catholic Church the same time I converted. Do I sometimes question it? Yes. Do I regrett it? Absolutly not. God lead me to the Catholic Church. I will stay and accept the teachings and practice them. Unless God loops me through the nose with a ring and pulls me out. God gave me a reason to be here and I will see it through. It can be a tough spiritual battle though.

Good for you for deciding to go through RCIA. There is so much to learn. God’s peace and blessings to you on your journy.

 

[Marie5890]

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

If there were a couple of bits of wisdom that I learned that I could share with you it would be

1. remember the foundation of faith should always be Christ and our relationship with Him. If that is weak, it’s harder to build on this faith journey.

2)As human beings it’s natural to have doubts, concerns, fears, anxiety, skepticism, cynicism (at least I did) in our faith journeys. I was very open about this to the Lord. I held nothing back. If I doubted a particular doctrine or whatever, I told Him “Not sure that I buy that. Not sure I could ever believe that”

The sense I got during those prayers was the He understand and could handle by doubts, concerns, skepticisms and cynicisms. He just wanted me to keep an open mind

So, in one hand I held all the above. In the other hand, I kept an open mind.

In time, I would find answers or graces given to me that washed away my doubts.
If anything, those areas that I held the biggest “yea? really? Uh-huh” doubts are now those areas that I have humble devotions and appreciations…

God Bless.

 

[valient_Lucy]

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 sorry to hear that you are unhappy. Can I ask for more details? Why do you find it all so terrible? Why don’t you change denomination? Just interested. Thank you.

Thanks for your concern. I’ve decided not to derail the thread with my woes, but I really appreciate your sympathy.

 

[Frankyh]

Thanks to all who have posted here. I really appreciate his wisdom. I hope others will continue to show. I have the intention to attend RCIA classes beginning in September and suggested someone give me time. Tera Money Tera Gold

 

[PaulDupre]

I have only actually been Catholic for three or four months now so I may not meet the standards of this thread, but I was looking into Catholicism for about two years before actually finally coming into the Church. It was a difficult road, and full of doubts and concerns and still I find myself with lots of doubts and concerns. But I know very, very well that I am home.

I came back to the Catholic faith about 11 years ago. One of the great things about being Catholic is that we can doubt and question and nobody gets upset about it or puts us down for it. We’re all on a journey and the Catholic faith is big enough and true enough to absorb the doubts, fears and other normal feelings that all we fallen, broken humans have from time to time.

One thing I love is standing in line for confession, and the kind smiles from the others in line that seem to say “I know, I’m broken too”.

God love you,
Paul

 

[manualman]

Thanks for your concern. I’ve decided not to derail the thread with my woes, but I really appreciate your sympathy.

It’s good to see you hanging in there though. I remember you’ve discussed your struggles in other posts. Know that people pray for you.

 

[lutherlic]

17 months Catholic so far myself. My only regret is not becoming Catholic sooner, but I just need a smack in the head to come to my senses…

One important point: conversion is not a an event but something that continues throughout your life. Growing in faith and closeness to God is ongoing.

 

[rawolfe77]

glad to hear others have the same feelings of being drawn to the catholic church. instead of thinking about it every year i finally called the parish office to get myself & kids set up for rcia.

 

[saramichelle6]

So glad you are joining RCIA

I was reconciled to the church in 2008 after attending protestant churches for 20+ years. I learn something new every day and feel more at home and at peace than I ever did in another church.

Best of luck to you!

 

[zipperc98]

I wanted to throw my sentiments in…

I did not grow up in any religion, though I always had a Christian faith. When I was 19 after a series of events I became LDS. For 12 years I lived in that faith, 10 years very faithfully, including going to the temple.

For years, especially since my daughter was born, I have had many many many doubts in my faith. I had an almost agnostic view at times. I kept thinking my lack of faith was my fault, that I wasn’t doing enough. And when I first had a child, and I realized my sole purpose in life was not realized through motherhood (in other words, I truly believed becoming a mother would show me a huge and great sense of purpose). Not that I regret motherhood, just that suddenly it continued to make me doubt my faith even more so.

2 years ago…2 1/2 actually…I came in contact with an old friend, a devout Catholic, that I was good friends with in HS. I knew how strong he was in faith, I went to him seeking advice in how to regain my strength in faith. What resulted was a series of conversations. I started asking him what he believed, because I never really knew what the Catholic beliefs were.

It was a long and somewhat painful journey in that my husband is LDS and very against my choice, and we are still faced with possible separation on the subject. However despite fears of that disolvement I continued to seek out truth. I knew 2 years ago God was calling me to the Catholic Faith. It took me a while before I finally did something about it. Last fall I found myself in the office of the Deacon of a local Parish, who was informing me that the RCIA program for that year was starting the very next evening. I joined RCIA and moved forward.

I was Baptised/Confirmed and received into the Catholic faith this past Easter, 2011. I continue to deal with obstacles to reaching my full potential in my faith (I currently attend Mass once a week, and all my other contact is very limited. My biggest link to the Faith besides Weekly mass is Catholic Answers Live radio podcasts. I still continue to have great challenges…but do I regret my decision? Not at all! my Faith continues to grow in astounding leaps. My love for the Faith deepens weekly if not daily. Have I begun to notice imperfections even in the Catholic church? Of course. We are not perfect. But it doesn’t stop me from believing the Infallibility of the Catholic Church. The more I learn, the more I feel a deep love for the Church, for Jesus Christ, for the teachings. The long periods of agnostic struggles I once had especially in the LDS faith? They are few and far between, and the moments are short and fleeting, and replaced with truth in my head when it crosses my mind.

I plan on joining the RCIA team this next fall, because I want to be there to help others who are pondering entering the faith. If for no other reason but to be a witness to others who may struggle, that it is worth it! I have a good friend who struggled in much the same way I did when she entered the Catholic church…perhaps even more so. She was a very good sense of comfort for me through my conversion.

Of course this is my experience. I hope that helps…even if I have only been Catholic for a short time, the process was indeed lengthy for me.

God Bless your journey!

 

[zipperc98]

Oh, I forgot to address one thing: your question on “church hopping”…I admit I have had very similar fears. I became LDS 12 years ago, and after 10 years started looking for something else as I felt unsatisfied. I have worried that at some point I will experience a similar thing in the Catholic church. I Have no idea if that will happen or not. That being said, I will not expect it, and I truly hope I continue to always have Grace with me, so that my doubts will not creep in. I think God reveals truth to those who ask of it…I certainly sought it out. I think we are always seeking truth. I believe I have found it in the Catholic faith, and I don’t think I will find a greater truth anywhere else. We all grow as people, and this is my mature faith.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

It is the teachings of the Catholic Church, received from Christ, that drew me back to the Catholic Church. Before, I was never educated properly or by orthodox Catholics. Today, I’ve grown spiritually to the point that I can teach the teachers, bible and some theology. I’m more of an expert on scripture, but never make the claim. I believe that “experts” are frauds and twist the word of God to their own uses. I’ve seen in far too many times.

My wife has found peace in her new Catholic faith since 2007. My reversion in 2006 rekindled a certain joy in me that I never found in my Protestant church, even though I was considered a … … hum hum… mi… s…t.e.er… I found through in history, something that no educated person can take away. Truth is truth and I know that people are people whereever you go. Besides, Catholic leaders, priests and deacons in particular, can’t get away with being manipulative like Protestant leaders. One on one, maybe to some degree, but not in light of the entire congregation. Preachers get fired. Elders get pushed in and out of power. However, a priest has to make it work and the people also have to make it work because we are truly a family of brothers and sisters.

Now, scripture and history have finally come to make sense to me.

 

[HonoraDominum]

I was raised LDS, from convert parents not BIC, was a true-blue Mormon until 21, left the LDS church for a few years, came back for a few years, and finally left when I was 30 after I could no longer stomach the lies and deceit (not to mention the crippling self-esteem issues brought on by being a 30-year old single Mormon woman).

I was baptized at Easter 2006, and have had moments of both lukewarm tepedity, and great fervor. But even in my most separated, after I came into the church I always considered myself Catholic and never considered not coming back into the fold with full grace. When I started attending the EF (FSSP) mass in my town that my relationship with God changed as much as when I was originally baptized and brought into the church.

I’m grateful that the Catholic church has the wisdom to have people go through a long discernment process before joining the church. It gave me more of an opportunity to really make sure this is what I wanted to do, and gave me an even greater desire for the eucharist and the sacrament of confession.

 

[Hboggs]

There are wonderful stories being written in this section. Some I would say take the courage of a martyr. To all may I recommend a practice I started whereby daily I would read just ONE section of the Catechism after finishing the readings for the day. I began on the very first page of the Prologue and have continued on. The book itself may not qualify as being “inspired”, but it truly a gift from God!

 

[Bookcat]

I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 1989 …

many years later and indeed a degree in Theology from Steubenville:

What now do I say?

Praised be Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Risen Lord!

 

[jesuspsr]

glad to hear others have the same feelings of being drawn to the catholic church. instead of thinking about it every year i finally called the parish office to get myself & kids set up for rcia.

Welcome Home, and to CAF.

God bless you and your family.

jesus g