Thank you for the very warm welcome. I am very impressed with the site as far as design and content.

I don’t think that I can say that is just one thing that draws me to the Catholic Church.

First and foremost, I believe it is the work of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of our Almighty God. I was so involved in that non-denominational church that I completely rejected Catholic teaching. I believe God knew that I needed to be brought through stages and stepping stones to the true faith and knew that leading me straight to the Catholic Faith would have caused me, out of ignorance, to reject it.

Another is the very history of the Church. The history of the Church is like a broad tapestry of God’s Salvation for mankind and I think it is so wonderful to be a part of a Church that can traces it’s roots to the very Apostles, and especially Jesus Christ our Lord!

The love that I’ve been shown from the Catholic Church is also a major reason. Maybe I’ve had a more positive experience than most, but I’ve felt very welcomed and accepted at the Catholic Church. I found that I has many misconceptions, which were not helped by my Catholic friends who had no clue about the faith (which isn’t entirely their fault). Once I found out what it was all about, I truly admired the church.

Another reason is the Sacraments. I think Reconciliation is a wonderful sacrament. A person can get full confidence and assurance that their sins are forgiven by God, and advice and resolve to change into the person God wants them to be. What’s there to fear. Sometimes, Catholics don’t know what they have.

That’s enough for now since you probably wanted a quick answer.

Well I like the site the way it is.

What my parent’s church teaches can be classified as an Ultra-dispensationalism. It is a group that split off from the Baptist church. You can find more info (that is if you want to) at:

http://www.ggfusa.org

They actually have some strange beliefs when compared to the Catholic Church. They believe that when Jesus came, it was for the Jews only. Then the Jews rejected Jesus and killed him which was God’s will. Then Peter called the Jews to salvation through Jesus, and they rejected Peter. So, according to Paul’s letter to the Romans, God set the Jews aside in his plan of salvation and offered it to the Gentiles through St Paul. They point out a lot of passages from the Bible, but as we have seen since the Reformation, the Bible can be interpreted to say anything you want. They don’t believe in Baptism (only for Peter and the Jews) nor any other Sacrament. They believe that a person is “saved” once and for all, by “accepting” Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and there is nothing you can do to change that.

They would speak out against the Roman Catholic Church… they are Protestants of course! I used to think the Catholic Church was full of a bunch of hypocrites or superstitious people (remember my friends who didn’t know anything about the Church?)

My parents and family really do love God but are very misguided. They would probably say the same thing about me if they knew I was converting to Catholicism. They were against me getting baptized in the Episcopal Church so they would definitely be upset if I were becoming Catholic.

It’s sad but I don’t think they would ever understand my decision. I’m the only one out of my siblings that are baptized.

Well, my parents knew I was going to the Episcopal Church and were not happy with that. Then when I left home and started to live together with my wife, I also left the Episcopal Church soon after that. I was drawn to the Catholic Church and I really think this is where I belong. I’ve been going consistantly and I just finnished my second week of RCIA tonight.

My Mom has asked since I’ve left the house, if I was going to any churches and, unfortunately, I told her a lie out of fear. I said I was looking around at all types. She asked were if Catholic was one I was considering and I say yes I just went to one. She asked how I liked it and I said I think I like it a lot. She didn’t say much about it after that, but I am scared to tell her I am converting because I know the arguments that will start (just like when I told them I was going to an Episcopal Church).

My parents believe that Catholics teach things contrary to the Bible. I know they were very uncomfortable and unhappy when I was baptized. I know this makes them sound like a cult but their really good people who love God but are certainly misguided.

Eventually, they’ll find out and I know that will happen soon I’m sure. I want my children baptized (which I don’t have yet), but it makes me sad to not be able to envite my family out of fear. Is there anything that you suggest?

[quote:rr9pvfxs][b:rr9pvfxs]Jon:[/b:rr9pvfxs] It may cause division initially, but perhaps if given time your story of faith will move others in your family to follow in your footsteps.

Perhaps you will have the strength one day to be a witness to your parents and share the good news of the Catholic faith.[/quote:rr9pvfxs]

That would certainly be amazing and I will always look forward to the day. My parents are very wonderful and loving people but are very set in their beliefs. I would like them to at least understand what I see in the Church but I don’t think that they will ever become Catholic.

Dispite all of this, I feel that I need to do what’s right.

I’m not living in fear of my family or of separation, but I know it will certainly make them upset. They will always love me and they will always believe that I will love God.