April 2023

     My Christian journey began as a very young child.  At that time, my dad was a pastor at a nondenominational Christian church, and I vividly remember attending Sunday school and learning about the life and teachings of Jesus.  Even then, I felt a connection with the Christian faith.  My mom was raised Catholic by my grandmother, “Nawne,” and though I was not raised Catholic, Nawne took every opportunity to expose me and teach me about Catholicism.  She was such an inspiring Catholic, so devout and passionate about her faith. I still get glimpses of us participating in the Stations of the Cross around Easter.  At that time, I didn’t realize the wide array of religions that existed.  Naively, I just assumed everyone was Christian.  When I was around 6 years old, my mom married my stepdad, a “cradle Catholic.”  I feel this was the time my Catholic journey truly began.  We went to Catholic mass regularly, and being a naturally inquisitive person, I always had questions.  I would often turn to my dad, as he well versed on many religions.  He always provided me with insightful answers, and despite my being a different religion, he provide them in a completely non-judgmental way.  Attending Archbishop Chapelle High School was my first exposure to formal Catholic education.  I was surrounded by far more Catholics than I had been previously.  I began to wonder what it might be like to be Catholic, but converting simply wasn’t in my heart at that time.

     Fast forward a decade, and I was engaged to my now-husband, Jeff.  He was a lifelong Catholic and came from a very devout Catholic family.  My not being Catholic was never an issue, and he never pressured me to convert, as we both recognized that this was ultimately a decision I would need to make for myself.  However, when I sat down with my dad to talk about marriage, one thing he emphasized was the value of being united as a family in a single religion. Though he didn’t specify which religion, he astutely recognized that when we ultimately had children, they would have questions.  At the time, I didn’t fully understand his guidance because I was not yet a mother, but that conversation always stuck with me.  Jeff and I were married in the Catholic church, so I was further exposed to Catholicism through Pre-Cana classes and meetings with our priest, Fr. Bob Massett.  

     When we had our first child, Charlotte, we felt compelled to baptize and raise her in the Catholic faith.  A few years later, we were struggling to get pregnant, I had recently had a miscarriage, and emotionally, I was not in a good place.  I turned to Jesus for guidance and strength, and though I didn’t fully recognize it at the time, he found a way to lift me up.  After much patience and prayer, we welcomed our second child, Noah, into the world.  And now 4 years later, the pain and challenges of the time leading up to his birth seem such a distant memory.  God had a plan for us, and though it was difficult to understand at the time, it now has become crystal clear.

     From a very young age, Charlotte demonstrated a particular interest in and connection with her Catholic faith.  When she was in pre-K 3 at St. Catherine, she loved participating in the religion center in her class, so much so that she would regularly “steal” Blessed Mother medals and Jesus figurines to take home.  As she continued to learn more about Catholicism, we recognized a light in her eyes when it came to religion.  Charlotte is now in 2nd grade, and she’s continued to learn a great deal more about the Catholic faith.  With this came many new questions, and I felt I wasn’t adequately equipped to provide her with the answers she was looking for.  In a lot of ways, we’re learning more about Catholicism together.  

     I started thinking about all these experiences and people in my life that were guiding me to this moment.  It was then that I felt truly compelled and ready to convert to Catholicism.  I was attending Mass with my family regularly, and Charlotte asked why I could not receive Communion.  I had a conversation with my father-in-law about when he decided to convert to Catholicism. He was an older man with 4 grown sons when he made the decision.  I thought if he could do it, then why can’t I? So out of the blue, I told my husband I felt it was time for me to convert.  He has been so supportive, which has really helped me with this journey.  

     I reached out to the OCIA team at Saint Catherine and hit the ground running. Everyone in the organization has been so wonderfully accepting and supportive. It has been an amazing experience getting to learn about the Catholic religion. This OCIA group has been such a fun group to go through this experience with. We have all been able to grow, learn, and support each other. At the Easter Vigil, Charlotte and I were able to receive our First Holy Communion together, which was an incredibly special and emotional experience! In that moment, I knew this was the right place for me.  

Psalm 37:23-24 NIV The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.