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New members share their journey into Catholic Church |
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By Maria Wiering
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Tuesday, 06 April 2010 |
In the March 25 issue, The Catholic Spirit asked those who were joining the Catholic Church during this year’s Easter Vigil to tell us about their journey toward Catholicism.
Father Patrick Hipwell, pastor of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, confirms Rachel Schmitz during Nativity’s Easter Vigil April 3, as her husband, Cody, prepares to receive the sacrament next. “It was a very moving and profound experience,” Rachel said, of the final step in her journey toward becoming Catholic. Added Cody: “I’m just very thankful for God’s grace being with us during this time.” Read previous stories about Rachel and Cody and their RCIA journey. Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Boyfriend helps end spiritual life search
Growing up, I never went to church and never felt I was missing anything. When I was about 16, I went to church for the first time for an actual service and not just a funeral or wedding. Since then, I have been searching for some kind of spiritual life.
Having been to many churches, none were what I expected in a place of worship. There were small churches where I received funny looks and large ones where no one made eye contact with me at all. Then my boyfriend, Andy Korth took me to a service at St. Odilia’s. There, I felt a welcome I hadn’t been expecting.
Father Phillip Rask and Father Nels Gjengdahl give amazing homilies and the parishioners are all very friendly. The feeling of belonging made me want to learn more about a faith I had heard a lot about but knew very little about its official teachings.
Through the RCIA process, I learned a great deal about Catholicism and the misconceptions that people have about the beliefs and teachings of the faith. To my surprise, I agreed totally with what was discussed.
I had always suspected I would follow a Christian denomination, but I never dreamed it would be Catholicism. The church’s teachings of respect for all life, all faiths and a desire to better our human community make becoming a Catholic seem like the right choice. I am looking forward to growing in faith in such a joyful and supportive environment.
Elizabeth Kahl joined the Catholic Church at St. Odilia in Shoreview.
Spirit guides journey
The thought of becoming a Catholic was unimaginable to me for 50-plus years. I was, after all, dedicated to my Lutheran roots.
Our Lord truly does work in mysterious ways. The Holy Spirit has led me on a journey toward truth and beauty that far surpasses anything I previously understood.
As with everyone, I suffered personal losses and transformations, which made me look to God for guidance and comfort. I don’t think it’s been wisdom of old age, but the Holy Spirit who led me to look back in time to find out why things that were once considered to be great offenses against God, are, in today’s society, somehow miraculously acceptable. I always believed that God’s Word was the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Period.
Sacred Scripture and sacred tradition, as passed on through the magisterium, made perfect sense. A once misunderstood idea that the saints, sacraments and devotion to Mary were just Catholic ideas have evolved into a belief that Jesus revealed to be truth. Knowing this, it became clear what I needed to do, which brought me to RCIA.
I desired to receive the Eucharist in order to fully experience Christ’s presence. As a Catholic convert, through the grace of God, this has become a reality and complete immersion into the truth. Who would have thought?
Barbara Humburg entered the Catholic Church at St. Mark in Shakopee.
A pleasant surprise
Originally, my husband and I wanted to learn more about the Catholic Church because we were exploring the option of sending our kids to a Catholic private school. I was surprised at how many misconceptions I had about the church. Through the RCIA process, along with reading “Surprised by Faith” by Patrick Madrid, I learned more than I ever imagined. I have learned to worship Christ in a whole new way, and I am so excited to join in receiving the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. I believe I have found my way home.
Rita Weaver joined the Catholic Church at St. Michael in Prior Lake.
Pain leads to joy
It was a little over six months ago that I found myself at the bar again. Having a couple drinks and then pushing away my last one and heading out.
After a few miles of celebratory driving I ended up being pulled over but I went over a curb. At that point I was engulfed in flames and thought for a moment, “Am I going to die?”
After being arrested, I had realized the actions I had taken that night were of poor judgment. One of the poorest decisions I have made in my entire life. I was in jail for a few days and on one day, I was walking in the jail on the upper deck and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a light blue book, a book I know all too well.
I raced downstairs and saw that it was indeed the book I thought it was, “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.” I tried going on a path of sobriety once before but this time something switched on inside of me and another switch turned off. I started reading and praying heavily.
I realized I needed help and that I wanted to be sober and a better person all-together. I asked for help from God and my family. After being released, I went to treatment at Hazelden. There I learned more about myself in 28 days than I had learned in 15 years of therapy. I came out with a better understanding of myself and what I need to do to live a sober life.
After coming home, I started to pray more and seek God’s will to be shown to me. Over and over, things kept changing and getting better in my life. I started to notice the more I let go and let God run my life, I was becoming more of the man I was supposed to be.
I found myself capable of standing up for what I believed in, able to live a life without alcohol and drugs. I kept being more and more hopeful for the changes to come.
I was becoming the believer I always said I was, but this time, I was truly practicing what I preached.
I started confirmation classes and here is where I found the most exciting transition. I had finally achieved the faith that I needed to complete my journey toward being an actively involved Catholic and practicing Christian.
The events of my life have led me to the following belief: God does have a plan for everyone, although many may not like what they must go through to see it. I see now that these were the occurrences I had to live through to become the man I am today and to find my way to God.
Tyler Wilsey entered the Catholic faith at Assumption Church in St.
Paul.
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