Share your testimony here

[BarbaraTherese]

After stopping going to mass in the early 90’s, I’ve made my way back to the Church. About 1 year ago I decided it was time to get back to my faith and started looking for the right church. I became dismayed at some of the churches I attended and was about to turn to the Orthodox church. That’s when I found a local Byzantine Catholic church and started attending. I can’t describe the conversion experience I had, but I really feel that the Holy Spirit was guiding me. After many months of understanding the Byzantine liturgy and faith, I’m happy to say that my wife & I are having our marriage validated this week. We are attending the Sacrament of Reconciliation tomorrow after a long long hiatus. I’m a little nervous but look forward to being able to receive Christ in the Eucharist at my validation.

God’s richest blessings on you both…

 

[alan1941]

I am a “womb to tomb” Catholic who has tried to continually grow in the faith. I have been divorced for 28 years and am celibate, not bragging, that’s just the way it is.I have one grandson and later this month will have a granddaughter thanks to my sweet daughter and her fine husband. I am retired and do volunteer work. My life is busy and fulfilled and I am happier than i have ever been and God is so real to me. He is with me daily and I try to yield my will to His every day. I am able to attend Mass almost every day and have made many good friends at my church. You have heard of Hurricane Ike. I have a townhouse in Houston on the southeast (Galveston) side. It has been vacant since june but the Lord has supplied money every month since then to help me get by. I was wondering what surprise he had for me this month. Today my brother who had to evacuate from Dickinson (close to Galveston) said that if their house was flooded they might want to rent if from me for a few months. I told a friend who said if my brother doesn’t need it he has a few friends who might. I am constantly amazed at God’s providence.It is wonderfully exciting to see it in action.

 

[chewchoo]

I am a “womb to tomb” Catholic who has tried to continually grow in the faith. I have been divorced for 28 years and am celibate, not bragging, that’s just the way it is.I have one grandson and later this month will have a granddaughter thanks to my sweet daughter and her fine husband. I am retired and do volunteer work. My life is busy and fulfilled and I am happier than i have ever been and God is so real to me. He is with me daily and I try to yield my will to His every day. I am able to attend Mass almost every day and have made many good friends at my church. You have heard of Hurricane Ike. I have a townhouse in Houston on the southeast (Galveston) side. It has been vacant since june but the Lord has supplied money every month since then to help me get by. I was wondering what surprise he had for me this month. Today my brother who had to evacuate from Dickinson (close to Galveston) said that if their house was flooded they might want to rent if from me for a few months. I told a friend who said if my brother doesn’t need it he has a few friends who might. I am constantly amazed at God’s providence.It is wonderfully exciting to see it in action.

welcome alan!

 

[Mandy31]

Dear friends,

I joined this forum a few months ago. I would like to share my Catholic experiences.

I am a Cradle Catholic. I find it hard to write about my life. Well anyway, I was born at my parent’s house on July 23, 1931. so you can see I’m quite a elderly lady. I have 5 children, 2 boys, one girl, and our twin boys. They are gone from home now and have their own lives.

They are all spread out in the United States. The eldest son is in an assisted living facility about 35 miles away. He developed a psychologically incurable mental problem in Vietnam.

We can’t go to see him now as my husband is quite ill with several health problems. He and I were very close being our first son. I miss him a lot.

Another son is in LA. he is married and have one adopted boy-13 years old.

Our daughter is divorced from a rotten guy she married at 21 when she got out of the army. She lives only 12 miles away. She has an adopted girl -14 years old.

One twin lives in Minn. and the other in Savannah, Ga. They are good men.

I pray for my kids every evening. I pray especially for my daughter as she never got her first marriage annulled. She got married again( in a civil service) for 20 years to a paraplegic. She waited on him hand and foot. She got divorced from him.

She is single now, But she won’t come back to the Catholic Church. I pray to St. Monica for her conversion. She won’t even come to mass with me. Would you all please pray for her?

I pray, but am unsure if God hears my plea for my daughter. I feel I’m not very near to Jesus.

Well, that’s enough for now. I hope to make a few friends on the internet.

Mandy31

 

[thiekei]

My name is Brian, I go by “BK” or “Keithie”…

I’m a 21-year-old hard-of-hearing male who is currently a second-semester freshman at Concord University in Athens, WV. I’m currently a Business major but will be changing to a double major in Social Work and English - Writing & Journalism.

I’m currently in RCIA and was baptized Pentecostal. I’m an Inquirer and Candidate for Confirmation. For the past two or three years I have been studying/investigating the Catholic Church and Her teachings…

Now, let’s backtrack…

When I was three years of age, I was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis. I lost my ability to hear, walk, and speak. After 21 days of hospitalization and physical therapy and being pumped with antibiotics and steroids, I was released. I got my first hearing aid around the time that I was four years old. I’ve been lip-reading ever since.

I was mainstreamed into the public school system and after third grade I no longer needed speech therapy nor classes for hearing impaired children… I never had an interpreter and was an A/B honor roll student… and graduated high school with a 3.45 GPA and in the top 25 of my class.

I’ve also practiced/dabbled in the occult and have lived an active homosexual lifestyle… Shortly after my baptism I realized that I truly wanted to be Catholic and gave it up although I’m still tempted and daily ask St. Michael to intercede for me along with the Blessed Mother and Holy Spirit.

Now I’m on my way to becoming a Charismatic Catholic and cannot wait to see where my journey with God is going to take me until I enter the gates of Heaven to be forever with the Holy Trinity, Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the angels and saints…

 

[Roza]

Welcome to all of you. Getting close to 2 yrs ago (give or take a few months) I was given the link to Anti-Catholicism on the main site. I was an angry fallen away Catholic. Back then I was wondering why am I looking at a Catholic site? It’s been a journey of getting rid of my own misconceptions, qualms and excuses for leaving but I’ve been back a year now. Still seem the foreigner at times but I’m sure that will pass.

God bless

 

[chewchoo]

Dear friends,

I joined this forum a few months ago. I would like to share my Catholic experiences.

I am a Cradle Catholic. I find it hard to write about my life. Well anyway, I was born at my parent’s house on July 23, 1931. so you can see I’m quite a elderly lady. I have 5 children, 2 boys, one girl, and our twin boys. They are gone from home now and have their own lives.

They are all spread out in the United States. The eldest son is in an assisted living facility about 35 miles away. He developed a psychologically incurable mental problem in Vietnam.

We can’t go to see him now as my husband is quite ill with several health problems. He and I were very close being our first son. I miss him a lot.

Another son is in LA. he is married and have one adopted boy-13 years old.

Our daughter is divorced from a rotten guy she married at 21 when she got out of the army. She lives only 12 miles away. She has an adopted girl -14 years old.

One twin lives in Minn. and the other in Savannah, Ga. They are good men.

I pray for my kids every evening. I pray especially for my daughter as she never got her first marriage annulled. She got married again( in a civil service) for 20 years to a paraplegic. She waited on him hand and foot. She got divorced from him.

She is single now, But she won’t come back to the Catholic Church. I pray to St. Monica for her conversion. She won’t even come to mass with me. Would you all please pray for her?

I pray, but am unsure if God hears my plea for my daughter. I feel I’m not very near to Jesus.

Well, that’s enough for now. I hope to make a few friends on the internet.

Mandy31

hi mandy31
you have blessings in your family and you have sadness in your family.
keep praying and we’ll pray with you.
we all have to remember that people come back in their own time frame (which is guided by God)
chew

 

[chewchoo]

My name is Brian, I go by “BK” or “Keithie”…

I’m a 21-year-old hard-of-hearing male who is currently a second-semester freshman at Concord University in Athens, WV. I’m currently a Business major but will be changing to a double major in Social Work and English - Writing & Journalism.

I’m currently in RCIA and was baptized Pentecostal. I’m an Inquirer and Candidate for Confirmation. For the past two or three years I have been studying/investigating the Catholic Church and Her teachings…

Now, let’s backtrack…

When I was three years of age, I was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis. I lost my ability to hear, walk, and speak. After 21 days of hospitalization and physical therapy and being pumped with antibiotics and steroids, I was released. I got my first hearing aid around the time that I was four years old. I’ve been lip-reading ever since.

I was mainstreamed into the public school system and after third grade I no longer needed speech therapy nor classes for hearing impaired children… I never had an interpreter and was an A/B honor roll student… and graduated high school with a 3.45 GPA and in the top 25 of my class.

I’ve also practiced/dabbled in the occult and have lived an active homosexual lifestyle… Shortly after my baptism I realized that I truly wanted to be Catholic and gave it up although I’m still tempted and daily ask St. Michael to intercede for me along with the Blessed Mother and Holy Spirit.

Now I’m on my way to becoming a Charismatic Catholic and cannot wait to see where my journey with God is going to take me until I enter the gates of Heaven to be forever with the Holy Trinity, Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the angels and saints…

hi keithie
WELCOME HOME!
glad to hear that your hearing loss has not slown you down in life.
my friend had a similar hearing loss illness when she was in college, today she is a mother and a veterinarian.
we’re glad that you’re a member of the forums
chew

 

[chewchoo]

Welcome to all of you. Getting close to 2 yrs ago (give or take a few months) I was given the link to Anti-Catholicism on the main site. I was an angry fallen away Catholic. Back then I was wondering why am I looking at a Catholic site? It’s been a journey of getting rid of my own misconceptions, qualms and excuses for leaving but I’ve been back a year now. Still seem the foreigner at times but I’m sure that will pass.

God bless

hi roza
God works in mysterious ways! and we’re glad that you’re here
chew

 

[thiekei]

hi keithie
WELCOME HOME!
glad to hear that your hearing loss has not slown you down in life.
my friend had a similar hearing loss illness when she was in college, today she is a mother and a veterinarian.
we’re glad that you’re a member of the forums
chew

Thanks very much…

I always tell people… even if it’s just joking around… “I’m Deaf, not dumb!”

And it’s the truth… too many people get put down because of their disabilities or circumstances and they have just as much capability to do anything they want… just with some limitations… but we all have limitations and disabilities… some more visible than others… that’s how my mom and dad raised me and that’s how I adapted and survived my childhood and teenage years…

 

[Mandy31]

ChewChoo,

Thank you for the kind words. I guess I’m lucky compared to some people who have posted on this thread. I think I’m depressed at times and also lonely. We live in a rural area near Columbia, SC. The neighbors are few and far between.

We go to Mass at 5:00 pm. Have a nice Sunday.

Mandy31

 

[christlight]

hi this is the first time im writing here- pray for me ok?

 

[chewchoo]

hi this is the first time im writing here- pray for me ok?

welcome to the forums christlight
prayers for you.
you may want to start a prayer intentions thread for yourself too.

 

[Mandy31]

Hi Christlight,

Thanks for writing to me. I’m glad you joined the group. I haven’t been very active in the group. But I really appreciate having some friends. How did you think of such an unusual name, Christlight?

I’m sure you’ll benefit from joining us.

I have posted only a few times. I’m like you. I don’t have any friends since we live in a rural area in South Carolina. Where do you live?

I’m a cradle catholic and have not been to other churches. We don’t know many people in our Church. It used to be that, as Catholics, we were discouraged from going to any church but ours. Do you remember that or are you too young?

In 1962-3 we had a lot of changes on account of Vatican 11. Before the change after Vatican 11, the Masses were all celebrated in Latin. There were a lot of changes made with in the
Church at that time. We started having Mass in our English Language.

Have you ever read about the changes that were made. The old Catholic hymns went by the wayside. I really miss those hymns.

I am a mother of four sons and one daughter and have two adopted grand kids. My twins were just here visiting for one day.

I am seventy-seven years young. married in the church, since 1990. Both our mates have passed away. I’m glad I found this gentleman. He had left the Catholic faith when he married his first wife in 1950 and had been going to Baptist services for years.

Now he was confirmed Catholic in 1990 and we go to Mass almost every Sunday.

I might be the eldest member of the group. I am learning a lot of things I had forgotten about religion. I hope this post isn’t too boring.

In Peace,

Mandy31

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Hi Christlight,

Thanks for writing to me. I’m glad you joined the group. I haven’t been very active in the group. But I really appreciate having some friends. How did you think of such an unusual name, Christlight?

I’m sure you’ll benefit from joining us.

I have posted only a few times. I’m like you. I don’t have any friends since we live in a rural area in South Carolina. Where do you live?

I’m a cradle catholic and have not been to other churches. We don’t know many people in our Church. It used to be that, as Catholics, we were discouraged from going to any church but ours. Do you remember that or are you too young?

In 1962-3 we had a lot of changes on account of Vatican 11. Before the change after Vatican 11, the Masses were all celebrated in Latin. There were a lot of changes made with in the
Church at that time. We started having Mass in our English Language.

Have you ever read about the changes that were made. The old Catholic hymns went by the wayside. I really miss those hymns.

I am a mother of four sons and one daughter and have two adopted grand kids. My twins were just here visiting for one day.

I am seventy-seven years young. married in the church, since 1990. Both our mates have passed away. I’m glad I found this gentleman. He had left the Catholic faith when he married his first wife in 1950 and had been going to Baptist services for years.

Now he was confirmed Catholic in 1990 and we go to Mass almost every Sunday.

I might be the eldest member of the group. I am learning a lot of things I had forgotten about religion. I hope this post isn’t too boring.

In Peace,

Mandy31

Hi Mandy…Not boring at all !!! While I really love having all the prayers and Readings of The Mass in english and I can clearly understand etc., there is much about the Latin Mass pre Vatican2 I really do miss including Gregorian Chant and some of the oldie hymns whose lyrics I still recall well and the tune (though I find with singing staying in tune is not my gift ). Perhaps we might be able to bring some of these hymns back…I am not up on all the rules and regulations on liturgy in The Church.

Do you remember that or are you too young?

I remember!

Your Post was not at all boring in any way. Most interesting!

Barb
PS Welcome to all new members!

 

[KingAlfred]

I live for Christ and His Church. I’ve been evolving into a stronger Catholic Christian my entire life. I’ve now reached a place where discipleship is my first and foremost consideration in every instance. Praise God.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I live for Christ and His Church. I’ve been evolving into a stronger Catholic Christian my entire life. I’ve now reached a place where discipleship is my first and foremost consideration in every instance. Praise God.

Laus Deo!
(Praise to God)

…Barb …

 

[xmydreamsfadex]

my mom is AoG. her side of the family use to be catholic. my dad and his side is southern “everyone is going to hell” baptist.
basically, they both churches taught different things and i remember asking my parents and wondering which church is right. i never got a good answer. enter rebel teen years and i thought christianity was a bunch of bunk. i turned out to be just a godless teenager during those years doing what all the other teens were doing which was usually nothing good.
so i turn 20 and i learn that my girlfriend was pregnant. wasn’t a big deal to me. i was actually planning to keep our kid “godless”. well, i watched my son being born and that moment led me to question everything about my life. i was never baptised as a kid and i suppose by the Grace of God He was calling me to that. so i started going back to my dads church, because they didn’t act as crazy as my moms, to get baptised but my dads church hated me and my girlfriend since we had a kid out of wedlock. lived together to take care of our child… stuff like that. they even went so far to tell me to move out and have nothing to do with her!!
anyway, i stopped, again, from going to that church. i then married my girlfriend at her church but other than that i was done with the baptist faith.
some time passed, enter another Grace of God and i found this site and read the apologetics stuff. considering i was taught to be anti-catholic this was a little weird to me. what a surprise though! of all the confusion i had as a kid and teen, christianity started to make sense! after about 2 years of pondering and thinking i knew i was catholic! so i decided to talk to a priest at a nearby parish and he was SO UNDERSTANDING about my situation and was even sad when i told him about the pastors at my dads church and everything they told my wife and i. at that moment i really felt like the prodigal son because i really felt the love of the Father at that moment. my wife and i started to attend RCIA but for whatever reason she stopped going. i continued on and was baptised by the priest i talked to and welcomed in to the Church last easter!
i finally found what i was looking for as a kid and teen.

 

[Nickkname]

Hi, my name is Nick, I’m Catholic. (lol I feel like I’m at an AA meeting).

Basically I was born an atheist, and I was an atheist all the way up to the age of ten when I was visited by Jesus who told me to enter His Church and suffer for Him if I wanted to console Him in His suffering. An angel shot an arrow into my heart - it was a golden arrow - and it filled me with divine love. A Lady told me to not be afraid because she and her Son would be with me always, even at the hour of death. So I entered the Church…and here I am!

 

[spauline]

my mom is AoG. her side of the family use to be catholic. my dad and his side is southern “everyone is going to hell” baptist.
basically, they both churches taught different things and i remember asking my parents and wondering which church is right. i never got a good answer. enter rebel teen years and i thought christianity was a bunch of bunk. i turned out to be just a godless teenager during those years doing what all the other teens were doing which was usually nothing good.
so i turn 20 and i learn that my girlfriend was pregnant. wasn’t a big deal to me. i was actually planning to keep our kid “godless”. well, i watched my son being born and that moment led me to question everything about my life. i was never baptised as a kid and i suppose by the Grace of God He was calling me to that. so i started going back to my dads church, because they didn’t act as crazy as my moms, to get baptised but my dads church hated me and my girlfriend since we had a kid out of wedlock. lived together to take care of our child… stuff like that. they even went so far to tell me to move out and have nothing to do with her!!
anyway, i stopped, again, from going to that church. i then married my girlfriend at her church but other than that i was done with the baptist faith.
some time passed, enter another Grace of God and i found this site and read the apologetics stuff. considering i was taught to be anti-catholic this was a little weird to me. what a surprise though! of all the confusion i had as a kid and teen, christianity started to make sense! after about 2 years of pondering and thinking i knew i was catholic! so i decided to talk to a priest at a nearby parish and he was SO UNDERSTANDING about my situation and was even sad when i told him about the pastors at my dads church and everything they told my wife and i. at that moment i really felt like the prodigal son because i really felt the love of the Father at that moment. my wife and i started to attend RCIA but for whatever reason she stopped going. i continued on and was baptised by the priest i talked to and welcomed in to the Church last easter!
i finally found what i was looking for as a kid and teen.

what a wonderful story, dreams, i pray God bless you always!