Fellow Converts

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

Hey I was wondering if there were any converts to the Church here. If so I would love to hear your conversion story. Well here is mine.

I am 18, and my family is not Catholic. I started attending a Catholic youth group at age 16. and one of my friends invited me to a Mass one Sunday before youthgroup, and i was reluctant at first, but i said yes. So I went and was really confussed. But i asked tons of questions and I got tons of answers. So on Sundays instead of going to my Methodist service, I went to Mass (even though I could not receive the Eucharist.) Something about the Mass kept drawing me in. So by the age 17 i was pretty sure I wanted to convert, but i was still skeptical about the real presance of Christ in the Eucharist. Then one night when I was praying infront of the Tabernacle, I asked for a sign that Christ was trully present; and right then I started to cry. At first i didn't know why, but then i realized that that was my sign. So it was then that I started taking classes, and on Jan. 31 The Church received another member of the mystical Body of Christ. It was probably the best time of my life, and at the same time most difficult time.

Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

or if you have been in the Church since birth, and have an amazing faith conversion experience, feel free to share.

Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy

[littleflower+JMJ]

wow thank you so much for sharing that with us! :group:

that was beautiful! i know there are several converts to the catholic faith here at PM.....

God bless you for coming home to Rome, for submitting to Truth and for having the couragous to learn and seek.....

converts amaze me soo very much!!!

jess had been compiling convert stories from PM to maybe have a section devoted to it, since convert stories can be soo powerful...but that was a long time ago...

i think we all need to share...because its good to build that connection that make us the one, true faith in the Catholic Church. :wub:

great thread....im bumping!!

[homeschoolmom]

I will be happy to add mine here. (I was thinking of making a thread like this, but didn't...) Anyway, I will have to type it up and add it another time. It's kinda long and complicated.... Anyway, for now I'll just say, "bump."

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

Sorry, I'm not down with the hip-hoppin' lingo, what's "bumping"?

Pax et Agape per Maria.

Also, yeah, please share your story even if you aren't a convert. Blessings

Edited March 28, 2004 by thywillbedone7

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote name='thywillbedone7' date='Mar 28 2004, 10:52 AM'] Sorry, I'm not down with the hip-hoppin' lingo, what's "bumping"?

Pax et Agape per Maria.

Also, yeah, please share your story even if you aren't a convert. Blessings [/quote]
LOL oh bump or "bumping" just means by posting in the thread your moving it to the top of the front page where more peeps can respond to.

take for example....this


BUMP

[homeschoolmom]

bump... i mean to get to it, and don't want to forget.

[FaustinaVianney]

Alrighty, my story is kinda long because it started from the time I was 5 and I am now 23, but I will try to just give highlights...

First of all, my mother died when I was 3 and she was only 21 and my fahter was 20. Because of this I became an incredibly independent person. After my mother died I usually spent the weekends with one of my grandmothers. Well when I was five my Gramma Helen (my maternal grandmother) took me to her nondenonminational church one Sunday. I fell in love with Jesus that day. I always wanted to go back. Well, in most Protestant churches they have an 'adult' service and a 'children's' service. Well, one Sunday I refused to go to the children's service for some unknown reason deep inside, but after attending the adult service I figured out why. I seen someone being baptized. I asked what it was and believed it to be something very important and wanted it done to me. However, I was told I was too young to understnad what it was. At this same moment I felt a call to Rel Life. I had no idea what that was! I did not even know a single Catholic and was taught to hate Catholics. Well, after that my father got remarried and I moved to the neighboring town at which time my stepmother forbade me to visit with my maternal family. I ended up finding a Baptist church, which I completely loved. My parents were not the church going type, so I would ride the church bus each and every sunday morning, which meant I had to be my own alarm clock and get ready all on my own. Well, a few years later I had had enough and had to be baptized. My pastor came to talk to my parents about this leap of faith I was wishing to take and my stepmother said no. If I was to be baptized it would be in a Weselyn church like she was. I tired her church, but it was ALL wrong, so I got angry with God and walked away from praying and from Him. When I was in high school all my friend were in youth groups at there churches and I was so jealous of them, but I thought God rejected me. I also wanted to learn about Catholicism, but I still did not know a Catholic and I felt a call to Rel Life. (Yeah, Rel Life and I was not Catholic, but I said NO I am having sex and a family). I went to Indiana Universtiy where I wrote a letter to my maternal grandmother telling her I was at school and would love to see her and the rest of the fam. My aunt ended up calling me and we have became great friends. I had some partying those first two years. IU is not one of the party schools for nothing! The second semester of my sophomore year my aunt called me up and talke me she was entering the CAtholic Church. My first thought was 'WOW! Finally I am gonna meet my first Catholic and go to a Mass. Wait a second wher did that come from!?' Well, it was a few months before I was able to go to Mass, but I had decided to take a semester off of school because I wanted to transfer out of the IU 'hell' I was at, but did not know where. I went to Mass in September and fell in love, but that same day my father who was 37 had a heart attack. So I thought well maybe the Catholic Church is not for me.. But, the moment my father told me he was on his way to the hospital because of a heart attack I literraly dropped to my knees and prayed. to our astonishment he no other damage and was gonna be fine after giving up smoking all that greasy food. I started to go to Mass on Sundays when I was not working and asking my aunt and her sponser all these questions and they started to become pretty deep theology and they could not answer them, so they started to talk to Fr Tony. They told me he wanted to chat with me about the Church, but there was no way on God's green earth that I was about to do that! (Of course now, I email him everyday! He is like an adopted father to me because my own father rejects me and I used to be quite close to him) Somehow, I am still not sure how, but I ended up at the Christmas midnight Mass. After that Mass I had to meet with Father. Well, I met with him and the next day I arrived on the campus of XU and inquired about the RCIA program. The RCIA progarm sucked and I did not learn anything aobut how to be a Catholic, but that summer I read a book or two a week on apologetics because I knew I had to defend my faith to the people in my hometown who knew nothing about Catholicism. (ya know they think Catholics worship Maryand bread, that your works save you, etc. There are no CAtholic Churches in my hometown to tell them what is right, so who can blame them?) Well, the end of the summer (after I had already gone back to XU) I emailed asking Father if I had to wait until the Easter Vigil to enter and he said no, but we would talk about in October when I would be home for fall break. September I struggled because the RCIA driector on campus told me I could enter the Church outside the Vigil since Iwas an adult and she got the Pastor of her Church and a few others to go against me. I trully did not know what to do I did not want to go against the Church in any way. All this grief made me say 'I do not know if I ever want to enter.' I went home for fall break and told Father I had no desire to chat with him. He said, 'I will always be here for you whether you enter the Church or not.' Those were powerful words and the first time in my life that I felt that I was going to be loved no matter what my decision was. I spent a good five hours or so in front of Jesus exposed on the altar that weekend and found that He fought so hard for my little soul and He wanted me in HIS CHURCH, so I told Father and we set a date. So, November 29, 2002 I entered the Church upon receiving all three initiation Sacraments. It was the happiest day of my life! My parents who refuse to see me as a Catholic were there even though my maternal fam was there as well. My parents reject me in more ways than one, but the Catholic issue is very sensitive because they see it as me rejecting the very basis of who they are, but I always pray for them, so I know God is working on them.
I had mentioned earlier that I felt a call to Rel Life since I was five, but was still denying it in every way. The summer before entering I had a friend ask me if I was studying to become a nun because of all the Catholic books I was reading. I screamed No to him, but that question kept repeating itself to me. In August I decided to defeat this idea and write to communities and say look at their life it is not for me. But, the more I learned about them the more I fell in love. Jesus was slowly sweeping me off my feet and I did not even know it! I told Fr Tony and he was not surprised in the least! I was shocked! Actually, no one I know was shocked, but more like 'well it is about time you realized it.' So, in Jan after entering the church I started visiting communities and found my 'home' in April. Now, there are rules that you must be Catholic for 2 years after entering the Church before entering Rel Life, which are good rules, but at the same time totally smell of elderberries! I am over the half way mark, but I was hoping to enter right after graduating college, which is in May, but I must wait until the fall before I can even apply. God willing I will become a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia Congregation (Nashville Dominicans) in Aug 2005.

Sorry it is so long, but there are many more things to say about how I was called to the Church it is hard to highlight just a couple, but ultimately I made it home...

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

WOW!...That's amazing... I have a few questions. 1) My family also didn't fully agree with my decision to join the Church, but I feel as if I may be called to the priesthood...can you give me some advice on how I can get the strength to tell my parents... Thanks.

Pax et Agape per Maria. Andy

[homeschoolmom]

Wow!

[stargirl3:16]

I have an awesome story as well, but it may have to wait for now.

[FaustinaVianney]

I think I used the word well enough..hehe

hmm strength to tell your parents... I am looking for that as well. I do not live with my parents, so I have not told them about me entering Rel Life. I no longer even live in the same town as they do even when I am on break. I am the 'homeless' girl that hangs around Church all the time. Now, I am homeless because I never know where I will be staying from night to night, but I have friends in the Legion of Mary that are old enough to be my mother that make sure that I no longer sleep in my car. I am going to tell my parents sometime fairly soon though whether it be when I go 'home' for Easter break or this summer I do not know. The first thing you must do is pray about it. The second thing I am gonna say is that sometimes people get the many graces of entering the Church confused with the call to Rel Life or the priesthood. Now, I am not saying this is you. I have met plenty of Rel that were new converts upon entering, but this something you def should discern.
The third thing is that you should learn more about the priesthood if you feel that God is calling you to such a life. I mean you can ask your parish priest questions and other things without having to go through the grief of telling your parents when you are unsure of your vocation as well. You seem to be at the beginning stages of discernment, so if you think your parents will not be supportive of you entering the priesthood or even thinking about it I would wait to tell them until you learn more about the priesthood. Discerning can be difficult at times and the devil plays many tricks, so always be on your toes! Your parents may be more open than you think. I mean they did allow you to enter, which is much more than my parents. I was not even allowed to attend another church when I was under 18. My prayers are with you!!

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

Thanks...and my prayers are with you and your family.

Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy

[Catholic_4_Life]

OMG!!! Faustina, you must be close to me!! :wave:

Fr. Tony is da BOMB! :thumb: I love him! I haven't seen him since he left St. Joe's here in Jasper, but we used to be close. Fr. Burns and I aren't as close, but we still are good friends. I'm hoping to see Tony on a Cruise next January. Fr. Burns was going to go this past year but was unable to make it at the last minute. (The Cruise is the "Deliver us from E'ville" vacation - Evanville of course). Most of those who go are in Evansville, but quite a few go from here too.

Anyway, PM me if you want! I would love to talk to you. And if you talk to Fr. Tony, tell him that Steven Dunn says hey, and don't be such a stranger!

[FaustinaVianney]

Yep, I am a member of St Joseph's! Fr Burns concelebrated at my initiation Mass and Mr Dabrowski was the altar server! It was great. I email Fr Tony all the time. He helps me out a lot. He is gonna help me find a good spir dir after I graduate. (I would ask him, but he is sooo busy helping others and I figure one of the monks at St Meinrad will be good.) I am glad he is planning on going on that cruise. (I have heard about it.) He gets so stressed out during the winter months! Too busy helping others! I am good friends with Ali, so you can ask her about me...

[FaustinaVianney]

Ali Kramer that is....

ThyWill...you have an awesome story as well, sorry if I did not mention that earlier...I actually have my entire story written out and it is 19 pages singled spaced!

I love hearing others' stories..I hope more will share!

[allis-challmers]

[quote]Yep, I am a member of St Joseph's![/quote]


[quote]OMG!!!  Faustina, you must be close to me!!  [/quote]



Faustina and Cathlic 4 life who are both of you, are you both from Jasper I am from Schnellville. I didn't know that many people from Dubois County went on Phat mass

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

I love you guys!

Pax et Agape per Maria, Andy.

[dramaqueen]

I liked reading these stories. They give me chills. It is funny how so many of us "converts" have had these attractions that we can't explain long before we realize it. I have always been attracted to the reverence and the beauty of the Church. My parents never really took me to chuch. When I was little 3 or 5 or so We went to the Lutheran Church by my house because I think my Dad's family might have been Lutheran. I liked it and I remember the Sunday school teacher asking who wanted Jesus to be thier friend. I raised my hand (insert AWWWWWs here ) and all growing up I have had this pull and this love for the Lord. I did go to vacation Bible School every summer at that church and I think it probably put some of the reverence in me to start with.
As I got older, in Jr. High, I asked to go to church with my friends who were United Methodist. I din't know a thing about Protestant or Catholic, I just knew it was Church and I could go visit God. I chickened out being bapitized and confirmed when I was in 8th grade because (how stupid is this) I was afraid to be in front of everyone. It just wasn't time for me.
High school is when I really started to feel the pull. I was a photographer's assistant and we did weddings in Catholic Churches. This one in particualr was GORGEOUS! I remember being so in awe and so curious I even "snuck" a bunch of literature home in my pocket. You see, I only knew one Catholic and she never talked about it. All I ever heard was from my mom about how WRONG they are and how they are all GOING TO HELL! (LOL hey mom...guess what?! )
Her grandma had been a BIG TIME fundamentalist so you can imagine that her mind was not quite open. I always defended the faith though. It didn't seem right to knock it-it bugged me down deep.
I got out of HS and then went to college, I "found religion" again and went back to the only church I knew and FINALLY got baptized and confirmed in the methodist church of my home. I was 21 at the time.
I always had been close to God even when I had lived in ways contrary to his Will. I always sort of knew but never KNEW. I talked with Him and listened the best I could. I always felt I was destined to be or do something great. It was when I was 23 that He urged me to move from my home in Michigan to California.
I did and reconnected with a cousin who led me back to religion again...only this time I found FUNDAMENTALISM! WOO HOO! I loved the "rules and the certainty" of it all. I felt like this was finally the place I had found God. I got "saved" and all was right with the world. Until I fell away time and time again. I just couldn't live right enough or do good enough. I turned into a judgemental, holier than thou type. I knew with great certainty that I knew who was going to heaven and who wasn't. A litlle voice kept nagging me in the back of my mind..How can you be so sure? Are you GOD?
It was around this time that I met my best friend, sister in Christ-Sponsor and my "Jesus with skin on". Guess what she was???? Yep, a cradle Catholic. Man, she didn't stand a chance against my great Bible quoting skills! I remember even laughing at "her Bible" with the "extra" books in it! I challenged her on the usual. (Why do you need a priest? was the the biggest one since I really didn't know anything about the rest of the beliefs) I took her to Church with me so she could get "saved" from the awful religion (at least that was what I was told, but there had to be something going for it if it could produce a 24 year old virgin). I mean, she didn't do things like me so it had to be wrong.
I am so ashamed of this time in my life. It is a true testament to what a great person she is to have stayed friends with me. The whole time she walked quietly beside me living her beliefs and never saying much. I found out later she had been criticized when I wasn't around by the people at the other church. That would have been the last straw. Catholic or not she was by buddy and you just don't talk to her like that. (*DISCLAIMER* there were actually some very nice people there too)
I became disenchanted when I saw myself in these other judgemental people and I tried to find a new church. I went to several and never went to hers. I mean, it wasn't even an OPTION. (guess someone forgot to mention that to GOd )
So many things happened around this time I am hard pressed to recall them all in a coherent fashion. I had been praying and seeking. I wanted truth. I wanted God's love in me more than anything.
I had been ashamed of my divorce, (I was flat out told by God not to marry him in the first place and did anyway-ironically enough..he was Catholic too LOL) I was ashamed of my past and I just wanted a clean start.
That was when I started to have..well for lack of a better word...visions. Sometimes it was feelings, sometimes it was images. Like a dream when you are awake. It was revealing to me a picture of my future one piece at a time. Who I was going to marry-was what came first. This guy, I knew of but hadn't really thougth about since we were basically strangers. (This in itsself is another story that is quite miraculous) Anyway, he was Catholic..and VERY Catholic at that. I felt sad since I could not be with him since he wanted a Catholic girl and that was not me. (again...I guess someone forgot to mention that to GOD )
September 2002 I found a book at the Public Library Bookstore about the sacraments. I was sooooo drawn to it I had to buy it. I couldn't put it down. I asked my friend all kinds of questions and the thing I got out of it most was "you mean it is just like a big family?" Of course it was and that was what I had been looking for.
It was while I was reading the book I had another very powerful vision. All I saw was light and all I felt was peace and well, basically God told me "Go to the Church down the street and you are going to be Catholic" It lasted about 5-10 minutes the peace and the light and I could only describe it like I had been taken to heaven.
I had never experienced anything like that before...it was so real.
Needless to say, I couldn't really argue with that. I marched myself down to the Church and began the process. I strated asking questions and reading like a fiend. I have a great Catholic bookstore by my house and so it helped a lot. (In fact that was how my mom found out I was Catholic LOL She was making a joke aobut it and I said..I am catholic and I shop there a lot- THAT WENT OVER WELL! LOL)
It has been almost 2 years and I have grown in the Lord and my understanding more than I can even begin to describe. I am 34 now and I will be receiving my first communion and confirmation this Easter Vigil. I can't wait to become "one of the family"
As for my family, well...my dad doesn't say much. In fact I half think he is behind me and I am not going to be surprized if he follows me someday.
My mom, well she makes her cracks and I try to educate her, but as far as she knows I bow down to bread and worship mary. She does get curious sometimes and asks questions, which encourages me.
Thing is though, I have developed a new patience with her because of it that has brought us closer. She is even arranging a celebration dinner with my 2 friends to honor my confirmation. I am truly lucky to have a family that can agree to disagree. Down deep I really do belive they will end up Catholic, but that is for God to do not me. I live my faith and give a ready explaination for what I believe but use the example that my friend did with me. Preach the Gospel...use words if necessary.
About my future life, things are becoming both more clear and less clear at the same time. I am in a place where I don't need to hear Him talking so loud and I am learning to hear the whispers and to trust. Everything He has ever revealed to me and told me about things has come true with frightening accuracy it is making people I know believe in miracles or at least be able to see God at work.
I want to sing and do a happy dance all the time about being Catholic. Sometimes I get overzealous probably. LOL It is just such a gem I am so greatful that I have been included in this family. I better stop now before I get al mushy! It truly is the best thing that ever happend to me!

[stargirl3:16]

That's cool dramaqueen!

All right, I promised you my story, so gather round everyone.



Ever since I was little, I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school. However, life wasn't easy for me. My dad died when I was two, so my mom had to raise me and my siblings by herself. (She did a good job too.) I was also teased by some of my classmates all through elementary school. After a while, being Catholic meant going to church on sunday and trying to stay awake during religion class. I had no relationship w/God whatsoever.

That changed in the 8th grade. I had heard about our church's youth group, and that it was now led by an adult I knew. I decided to try it out, and ever since then I've been going every Sunday.

I had God in my life, but it took on a greater depth when i went to steubenville. After that, I was never the same. I'm glad to be Catholic, and I thank my youth group for supporting me as well as my mom. Without them I wouldn't be here today.