Question for converts: What's your story?

[Memaw]

This is one of the best explanations for a convert (or nominal Catholic) I have ever read. I would encourage you to expound on this and put in booklet form or something and offer for your church’s resource table, or whatever they have for that kind of thing…OR maybe send off for publication. It answers clearly the hurdles for those of us who ask and really want more than “just accept it, you don’t have to understand it.” The more I dig into the history of the saints, the “whys” as to the traditions, and especially the way God has held the CC together for lo these many years, my eyes become more and more and more open to the beauty of His Church.

It’s funny. My son loves basketball, and on one of his Celtics DVDs one of the players speaks of their HUGE victory and turnaround for the championship in 2008, from “bottom of the ocean” for so many years then back to being #1. He says that there’s an “ancient” known fact in basketball: **“Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” **" About a week ago the thought ran through my mind as this could also relate to the big-name televangelists, the ones who later were found out to have taken lots of $ or have fallen morally or this or that, and that the Christian big names may draw crowds, but if you simply look at the 2000-yr old CC hanging in there still, it speaks volumes to those who simply look at it.

So VERY true, God Bless, Memaw

 

[usemelord]

Thank you Moen for your kind comments. I am deeply humbled. As as matter of fact, I did write my own conversion story about six months after I came into the Church at the Easter Vigil, 2005. It turned out to be a mini-autobiography/conversion story so the reader could understand how I got from point A to point B, from fundamental Protestant to undeniably, totally Catholic. You mentioned televangelists and in my conversion story I touched on that very subject. I wrote that my RCIA retreat experience a month before the Easter Vigil “should not be confused, not for a moment, with the kind of whipped-up frenzy so often seen on so-called ‘Christian’ television with imitation pastors screaming and hollering, coupled with music unrecognizable as being Christian, stirring up well-meaning people to an almost trancelike state. …they get caught up in the moment, believing that they are having a ‘religious connection’ of sorts with God. Then it’s over…until the next time the charlatan preacher roils the emotional juices once again. It is transitory at best–fleeting sensory overload.” This also should not be compared to celebration of Mass at what some people describe as a charismatic Catholic Church. The two are universes apart. At any rate, I did have my 38 page story spiral bound and shared it with about fifty people at work as well as family and friends who were on the outside looking in when I was on my journey. Now some of my dear brothers at Christians In Commerce have encouraged me to send it to The Journey Home at EWTN because, as they have said, “My story is everyone’s story.”

 

[LegoGE1947]

Thank you Moen for your kind comments. I am deeply humbled. As as matter of fact, I did write my own conversion story about six months after I came into the Church at the Easter Vigil, 2005. It turned out to be a mini-autobiography/conversion story so the reader could understand how I got from point A to point B, from fundamental Protestant to undeniably, totally Catholic. You mentioned televangelists and in my conversion story I touched on that very subject. I wrote that my RCIA retreat experience a month before the Easter Vigil “should not be confused, not for a moment, with the kind of whipped-up frenzy so often seen on so-called ‘Christian’ television with imitation pastors screaming and hollering, coupled with music unrecognizable as being Christian, stirring up well-meaning people to an almost trancelike state. …they get caught up in the moment, believing that they are having a ‘religious connection’ of sorts with God. Then it’s over…until the next time the charlatan preacher roils the emotional juices once again. It is transitory at best–fleeting sensory overload.” This also should not be compared to celebration of Mass at what some people describe as a charismatic Catholic Church. The two are universes apart. At any rate, I did have my 38 page story spiral bound and shared it with about fifty people at work as well as family and friends who were on the outside looking in when I was on my journey. Now some of my dear brothers at Christians In Commerce have encouraged me to send it to The Journey Home at EWTN because, as they have said, “My story is everyone’s story.”

Have you noticed videos of rock concerts and how they differ very little with the atmosphere created by some Televangelists? Both events get people whipped up as you say into almost a trance-like state making the audiences think they are having some sort of “experience” with God. Then when it is all over and the people have to go back to their everyday existance it is like “Why don’t I feel ‘God’s presence’ anymore?”
So they have to go to the next big “salvation show” and get another dose. It’s almost like being addicted to some drug.

 

[moen]

Hi converts, almost-converts, old converts

(Has everyone else got a new screen color? Is it greyish/whitish? Hmmmmmmmm. I’ve also stopped receiving emails from the threads. Anyone else?)

Just wondered if you all could keep me in prayer as I begin to slowly share my converting news to people. I told my sister, and she was somewhat neutral, knowing I was singing at a CC and leaning towards its, so no big news to her. But i am not so sure about close friends. Some of them are quite anti-Catholic , and I’m not looking forward to this. I used to be in leadership in a particular denomination in this area, in a couple of different churches. When word gets around it may be extremely difficult. BUt maybe it will also begin to simply cause them to think. THey know I am a truth seeker, so who knows…

Thank you!

 

[luminoushope]

Hi converts, almost-converts, old converts

(Has everyone else got a new screen color? Is it greyish/whitish? Hmmmmmmmm. I’ve also stopped receiving emails from the threads. Anyone else?)

Just wondered if you all could keep me in prayer as I begin to slowly share my converting news to people. I told my sister, and she was somewhat neutral, knowing I was singing at a CC and leaning towards its, so no big news to her. But i am not so sure about close friends. Some of them are quite anti-Catholic , and I’m not looking forward to this. I used to be in leadership in a particular denomination in this area, in a couple of different churches. When word gets around it may be extremely difficult. BUt maybe it will also begin to simply cause them to think. THey know I am a truth seeker, so who knows…

Thank you!

Hi Moen,

Yes, I have a new screen color. I actually like it better. I still get emails.

I’m right there with you when it comes to sharing the news. So far, it has been easier than I expected. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like you, I have been involved in other churches, and word is getting around our small town. Someone I know I hadn’t told, asked me how I liked the Catholic Church! Of course, I told her I love it. Another person insisted that I sit down with her before I make any decision. I could tell by her face what she was thinking, and said as gently as I could, “You think you’re going to talk me out of it, but you’re not.”

Be not afraid, the action we have taken will cause people to think. Have courage, dear Moen, as we are willing to sacrifice ourselves and accept some persecution for His sake, it will not be for nothing.

God bless,

L.H.

 

[marcylee]

Hi converts, almost-converts, old converts

(Has everyone else got a new screen color? Is it greyish/whitish? Hmmmmmmmm. I’ve also stopped receiving emails from the threads. Anyone else?)

Just wondered if you all could keep me in prayer as I begin to slowly share my converting news to people. I told my sister, and she was somewhat neutral, knowing I was singing at a CC and leaning towards its, so no big news to her. But i am not so sure about close friends. Some of them are quite anti-Catholic , and I’m not looking forward to this. I used to be in leadership in a particular denomination in this area, in a couple of different churches. When word gets around it may be extremely difficult. BUt maybe it will also begin to simply cause them to think. THey know I am a truth seeker, so who knows…

Thank you!

Thanks, Moen! I thought my computer was going nuts. I also had alot of virus notifications tonight, so I thought it might have something to do with that. Thank goodness for spyware or antivirus stuff. I will pray for you. I know some Protestants have trouble accepting that their dear friends and relatives are “going Catholic.” But you will get through it, believe me. You just have to remember that you are doing the right thing, and you might lose some “friends.” But your true friends will stick with you because they will wonder why you are doing what you are doing. Just stay faithful, pray the Rosary, go to Mass as often as you can, and don’t listen to the naysayers.

Love ya! Marcy Lee

 

[Ganyssa]

Here’s my story, as well as a question at the end:

I was raised nothing particular, my father is atheist, my mother Church of the Nazarene (middle-of-the-road fundamentalist, basically). My father was pretty strident, so my mother didn’t try to teach me much of anything, and she’d drifted herself. My first brush with any particular religion was helping a friend do her catechism homework in second grade. It made me ask my great-grandmother (the only religious person I knew) for a Bible, which made my dad yell a lot and threaten to take it away, but he let me keep it after I told him he was ‘acting like those book-burner people.’

I eventually starting going to a Protestant church (Nazarene) with my great-grandmother when I was 15, but I knew I wanted to be Catholic. However, my grandmother was convinced Catholicism was a cult, and I didn’t want to upset her, so I kept going as I was. The church didn’t make me happy, so I left.

I was Wiccan for a while, the rituals were pretty, but I just felt stupid, and a lot of people were living in ways that made me not want to be around them (polygamy is apparently not my thing). I tried Scientology for a few months, but I just couldn’t believe what they were telling me, and 15 years and two address changes later I still can’t get off their mailing list.

I was Buddhist for a while, still not working. I went back to the Protestant church I started with, still wrong. I tried a more liberal one, the music was nice, but they told me stuff the Bible says doesn’t work that way. I tried a more conservative one, it was in a gym somewhere and they never had Communion, and it didn’t matter anyway, because I can go buy a loaf of bread at the bakery and hand it out.

I tried a friend’s church, and it was nice, because it was an older one that was actually pretty and had some ritual to it, but my daughter’s best friend ended up being a kid with two moms, and I had no idea how to explain that, or why the church had married them.

So I was flipping through the yellow pages trying to find another church to try again. I want my daughter raised in church like I wasn’t, so she doesn’t have to spend her adulthood searching for He who was there all along. And I’m trying to figure out what all the denominations mean, and suddenly I think, why do you never try a Catholic Church? Grandma’s been gone for 20 years, and even so, she can’t run the life of a 39-year-old woman.

So I checked the diocese website, found my home parish, and went to Mass the next Sunday. And we are home.

So here’s the question - what am I? Are you only Catholic after Easter Vigil? Because of when we started going, I’m starting RCIA in the fall, and won’t make First Communion until 2010. Or can you be a practicing Catholic prior to that?

I’ve answered that question ‘Christian’ in previous incarnations of my life. But most people assume Protestant when you say that, and I don’t want them to do that anymore.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Welcome home!

Although you are not officially Catholic yet, you can live and worship as one while you are in RCIA, except for receiving the Sacraments.You can go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (every day really) and participate in everything but receiving Communion. You can say the Rosary, make Novenas, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet or any other devotion, etc.

My suggestion is to learn the rosary and say it regularly, and when you are at Mass, make a “spiritual Communion” with Jesus. Also learn as much as you can about Catholicism and read the Bible. Start participating in the life of the parish and make friends there. Your journey will be a wonderful one.

One thing confused me about your post, though, and that was the reference to previous incanations. I am not sure if you used to believe that, or if you still do. Catholics definitely do not believe in reincarnation. Also, Catholics are definitely Christians.

God bless you abundantly.

 

[Ganyssa]

I didn’t mean incarnations like I believe I’ve lived before, I don’t. I meant that the other periods of my life. I didn’t meant to choose a word that could be misconstrued. Sorry about that.

I do realize that Catholics are Christians. I just know that many others do not.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Hi converts, almost-converts, old converts

(Has everyone else got a new screen color? Is it greyish/whitish? Hmmmmmmmm. I’ve also stopped receiving emails from the threads. Anyone else?)

Just wondered if you all could keep me in prayer as I begin to slowly share my converting news to people. I told my sister, and she was somewhat neutral, knowing I was singing at a CC and leaning towards its, so no big news to her. But i am not so sure about close friends. Some of them are quite anti-Catholic , and I’m not looking forward to this. I used to be in leadership in a particular denomination in this area, in a couple of different churches. When word gets around it may be extremely difficult. BUt maybe it will also begin to simply cause them to think. THey know I am a truth seeker, so who knows…

Thank you!

I noticed the new color too yesterday.and I also have stopped receiving emails. So you’re not alone. I also have got some strange reactions from people regarding my conversion. A few years ago my wife and I were attending a pentacostal church and the preacher said in one of his sermons "If you find more truth in another church go there, so , we did. The church we moved to was the catholic Church. Unfortunately in the intervening years my wife came to the conclusion that the Catholic church was NOT true so she left and dragged me along. But something has been drawing me back to the Catholic church and so I have started attending alone

 

[Memaw]

Hi converts, almost-converts, old converts

(Has everyone else got a new screen color? Is it greyish/whitish? Hmmmmmmmm. I’ve also stopped receiving emails from the threads. Anyone else?)

Just wondered if you all could keep me in prayer as I begin to slowly share my converting news to people. I told my sister, and she was somewhat neutral, knowing I was singing at a CC and leaning towards its, so no big news to her. But i am not so sure about close friends. Some of them are quite anti-Catholic , and I’m not looking forward to this. I used to be in leadership in a particular denomination in this area, in a couple of different churches. When word gets around it may be extremely difficult. BUt maybe it will also begin to simply cause them to think. THey know I am a truth seeker, so who knows…

Thank you!

Yes, you are in my prayers and pray for them too. God will see you thru these difficult times and others may see your sincerity in seeking the Truth and follow you. You can explain to them that what they believe about the Catholic Church is not true. God Bless, Memaw

P.S. Mine is gray too and I received my first email in days, this morning.

 

[Memaw]

Welcome home!

Although you are not officially Catholic yet, you can live and worship as one while you are in RCIA, except for receiving the Sacraments.You can go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (every day really) and participate in everything but receiving Communion. You can say the Rosary, make Novenas, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet or any other devotion, etc.

My suggestion is to learn the rosary and say it regularly, and when you are at Mass, make a “spiritual Communion” with Jesus. Also learn as much as you can about Catholicism and read the Bible. Start participating in the life of the parish and make friends there. Your journey will be a wonderful one.

One thing confused me about your post, though, and that was the reference to previous incanations. I am not sure if you used to believe that, or if you still do. Catholics definitely do not believe in reincarnation. Also, Catholics are definitely Christians.

God bless you abundantly.

Great advice CB Catholic,
also,
Maybe you could tell them that Catholics are the ORIGINAL Christians and we still believe ALL the TRUTHS that Jesus gave HIS Church. There is a big difference in what the word christian means. God Bless, Memaw

 

[luminoushope]

So here’s the question - what am I? Are you only Catholic after Easter Vigil? Because of when we started going, I’m starting RCIA in the fall, and won’t make First Communion until 2010.

Welcome home Ganyssa! I think CB Catholic and others have given you excellent advice. I have taken most of CB’s advice and it has been to my benefit. The priest and the people in the parish have welcomed me very warmly. Most of them know that it will be a while before I can receive Communion, because my husband and I were previously married to others and we must go through annulments in the Matrimonial Court, which may be a long process.

I feel that I’m Catholic in my heart already. I’ve been encouraged to go up for a blessing, with arms crossed over my chest, when everyone is taking Communion. When the priest holds up the Host before me and blesses me, I look at the Host and am filled with the knowledge that Jesus is alive! This is something special in the Catholic church for me.

I also experimented with some of the things you did. God never let us go and continued to lead us Home to the Truth! Rejoice! As much as possible, choose to look forward and not back. Hope this helps maybe a little.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Great advice CB Catholic,
also,
Maybe you could tell them that Catholics are the ORIGINAL Christians and we still believe ALL the TRUTHS that Jesus gave HIS Church. There is a big difference in what the word christian means. God Bless, Memaw

Also if you can do so obtain a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and read it. It tells what the Catholic Church believes and teaches. Parts may be a bit hard to read but it is an excellent resource if you want more info about the Catholic Church. Best wishes

 

[usemelord]

Ganyssa, what a fascinating story. Indeed, you have traveled a circuitous route to get to the right place. Let me echo what you’ve already heard from some others and that is, “Welcome home.” I posted my own conversion story on this thread on 2/25 at 7:58 p.m. Reading it, if you haven’t already, will explain some of the hurdles I had to overcome, like yourself, before coming into full Communion with the Church. Let me offer a couple additional helpful resources that I found very valuable in better understanding the Church not only prior to coming in almost four years ago, but even afterwards. Get your hands on "The Essential Catholic Survival Guide which was put together by the Staff of Catholic Answers. As advertised on the front cover, it had the “Answers to Tough Questions About the Faith.” Also, another excellent resource is “Catholic Christianity” by Peter Kreeft. It is incredibly comprehensive and Professor Kreeft’s writing style makes even the most difficult issues understandable. May God continually bless you until your journey is complete, and ever after.

 

[Augustine]

So here’s the question - what am I? Are you only Catholic after Easter Vigil? Because of when we started going, I’m starting RCIA in the fall, and won’t make First Communion until 2010. Or can you be a practicing Catholic prior to that?

I’ve answered that question ‘Christian’ in previous incarnations of my life. But most people assume Protestant when you say that, and I don’t want them to do that anymore.

First off, I’m not sure about the norms, but you could also consider the exceptional cases that the Church herself provides.

Firstly, assuming that you have been baptized, you already are a member of the Church, though not fully.

Secondly, you are the same stage as little children, who may have been baptized around their birth, but cannot yet receive the other Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation, besides Baptism). Of course, you’re not a child, but an adult, so, even though you haven’t started to receive instructions about the faith, you may consider yourself an unofficial catechumen. And catechumens are expected to practice the Catholic faith to the extent that they are allowed.

Finally, if you were in the military or in any other profession when you could be mortally wounded and a chaplain would be provided, would you want to be attended by a Protestant chaplain or by a priest? If the latter, then tick the Catholic check box!

 

[selah603]

I am really enoying your stories. I too am a convert…2000. I didn’t go through RCIA because I had an older priest friend who had been my counselor and spiritual advisor. I was confirmed June 26, 2000. It was the most glorious moment of my life.

I had spent years being drawn to liturgical worship, in spite of the fact that we moved from church to church… from Congregationalist to Presbyterian, to Assembly of God to non-denominational charismatic. In retrospect, I think that the unsettedness was due to the fact that I knew there was more out there for…

I taught Kay Arthur’s Precept classes for several years. The more I got into the word and looked at the original Greek…the more holes I saw in protestantism. It took 2 years of fighting the Lord about a lot of the issues ( like mentioned above–I had a ton of obstacles) The Lord kept knocking them away one by one… until I had my epiphany… Once during the consecration (I was sneaking into masses) , when the priest held up the Blessed Sacrament and said “This is the body of Christ”… I KNEW… and from there on out, I could no longer not be Catholic.
I love our faith!!! I love our traditions!!!

There is a great deal more to write about but I will stop here.

There is some great irony here… you might notice my last name is Luther (yes we are related). My mother will not forgive me for this affront (in her eyes).
And to make things really fun, I am writing for examiner.com as the Roman Catholic Examiner! God is giving me a chance to get out there. I have always wanted to write and this is my first "public attempt’

I would love to have suggestions and ideas for articles…

In the meantime, God bless you where ever you are in your journey. I will write more later

Peace

Pam

 

[Ganyssa]

Thank you, everyone, for the welcomes and encouragement.

Use me Lord, I appreciate the book suggestions, I’m placing an order today. Our Director of Religion Education gave me a Handbook for Today’s Catholic when we first met, and since it had quotes from the Catechism, I thought I’d get a copy of that and start reading everything instead of just the pieces. Some of it is easy to read, and some of it is going over my head. So I’m going to start with books by people explaining what it says before I try reading it myself again. Then I’ll go back to it and I’m sure it will work out better.

Also, great advice Augustine. I know which I would want, so I guess that puts me in the ‘baby Catholic’ box.

 

[Memaw]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, I am overwhelmed at the beautiful testimonies you all have. God Bless you all, and I can’t wait to hear the stories I know you will have to tell us about others you have helped in their “Journey Home”!! This is my favorite thread of all. God Bless, Memaw

 

[moen]

I am really enoying your stories. I too am a convert…2000. I didn’t go through RCIA because I had an older priest friend who had been my counselor and spiritual advisor. I was confirmed June 26, 2000. It was the most glorious moment of my life.

I had spent years being drawn to liturgical worship, in spite of the fact that we moved from church to church… from Congregationalist to Presbyterian, to Assembly of God to non-denominational charismatic. In retrospect, I think that the unsettedness was due to the fact that I knew there was more out there for…

I taught Kay Arthur’s Precept classes for several years. The more I got into the word and looked at the original Greek…the more holes I saw in protestantism. It took 2 years of fighting the Lord about a lot of the issues ( like mentioned above–I had a ton of obstacles) The Lord kept knocking them away one by one… until I had my epiphany… Once during the consecration (I was sneaking into masses) , when the priest held up the Blessed Sacrament and said “This is the body of Christ”… I KNEW… and from there on out, I could no longer not be Catholic.
I love our faith!!! I love our traditions!!!

There is a great deal more to write about but I will stop here.

There is some great irony here… you might notice my last name is Luther (yes we are related). My mother will not forgive me for this affront (in her eyes).
And to make things really fun, I am writing for examiner.com as the Roman Catholic Examiner! God is giving me a chance to get out there. I have always wanted to write and this is my first "public attempt’

I would love to have suggestions and ideas for articles…

In the meantime, God bless you where ever you are in your journey. I will write more later

Peace

Pam

Pam, we probably couldn’t be more on the same page! I was Lutheran, then back and forth, here and there, from church to church…now I will be confirmed in the CAtholic Church this April. I too was a leader in churches, and used to write for a computer company Before Kids. My brother-in-law’s mom is named Luthera!

I am itching to hear more from you regarding this writing stuff, as I find myself going on and on to the “flared-nostril” now-protestant, ex-Catholics (many of whom did not have good upbringings nor good spiritual guidance, etc.), and I find myself almost writing pamphlets in my mind!

To all of you: I have to share a blessing today that completely blew me away. Of course, I’d been praying for God’s help in believing some doctrinal things, that were tough to swallow fully for me. It happened today at a prayer/Bible meeting that I was able to attend, full of old friends. I have said nothing of my plans yet to any of them. One of the women studies Hebrew, as I had a bit. She happened to be talking about the root word for MANNA. The translation for it in our English version gives a very surface meaning “what is it?” Let me as you, do you Catholics want to know what it really means?

The Hebrew meaning is : A piece of Him…

I sat there stunned. One of the women said “what about the CC’s meaning as the consecrated host, etc.” Someone said, “Oh, that’s Transubstantiation…something totally different.” Then they moved on. Anyway, inside I was jumping for joy, as this is something I haven’t even heard a Catholic speak about. I LOVE looking at the Hebrew meanings, because they completely open your eyes to the full, rich intent of God’s word…and this was astounding to me God is so good to give me those little signposts along the way to confirm His handprint on something!

So glad to hear from you, Pam!