Comments on La Vie Catholique - The Catholic Life: My Conversion Story

Thanks so much, Chrissy! It's such a blessing that...

2009-09-18T14:57:16.423-05:00

Thanks so much, Chrissy! It's such a blessing that your family was mostly accepting. I will certainly pray for your daughter and son-in-law. God bless!

I'm so proud of you. That's definitely not an easy...

2009-09-18T14:46:57.962-05:00

I'm so proud of you. That's definitely not an easy thing to do. I was raised CofC too and was so blessed to meet and fall in love with a wonderful Catholic man. Most of my family was accepting, only one aunt refused to come to my wedding. My mother was there when I joined the Church and has never missed a baptisim, first communion or confirmation for any of my children. My oldest married a boy from the cofc this year and he's had some problems with his family. I pray for them every day. Please add them to your prayers, too, especially since they're expecting their first child next April. Many blessings to you.

Thank you for sharing your story! I had the same ...

2009-08-17T17:42:12.586-05:00

Thank you for sharing your story! I had the same experience, only in reverse.

I remember my confirmation clearly. I was 15. I could not wait to be confirmed, because it was then that I could be acknowledged by the church as an adult. And as an adult, it was my decision to finally leave the Catholic church and never look back.

I was raised in a Catholic church that was so full of hypocrisy. My priest told me that I would go to hell for not attending CCD every single week when I was ten years old, although he was later found to be having inappropriate relationships with some of the young boys in the church. That's just one example. There were so many more.

I soured on the Catholic church for that and other reasons. Once I left it, I never looked back. I found a Church of Christ that I absolutely LOVE. Just walking in the doors I feel a sense of family and of acceptance, whereas I always feel gloom and judgment walking into the Catholic church of my youth. We know we're a bunch of imperfect sinners, but we come together every Sunday to worship God and to thank Him for forgiving us and loving us, anyway. I like knowing that that forgiveness comes straight from God and not from an equally sinful priest.

I have something now that I never had as a Catholic... a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't need to pray to angels and saints to intercede for me with God. I just talk to God directly and yes, He does answer my prayers. As a Catholic, I never once looked at a Bible. Since becoming a member of the Church of Christ, I am never far from one. I don't remember learning anything about faith as a Catholic, only about the religion, itself. Maybe that's why I didn't come to faith until I left the Catholic church.

Anyway, it's interesting to see how different people can have such different experiences of the same two religions. But like I told my senior minister the other day, my parents gave me religion, but they didn't give me FAITH. Faith and religion are totally different things. I don't question how I found mine and I don't question how you found yours... I just know that God is good and I am so glad to have Him in my life!

Thank you, Anon! :-)

2009-05-19T07:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Anon! :-)

I just wanted to congratulate you on your spiritua...

2009-05-19T00:34:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to congratulate you on your spiritual journey. I am Catholic, was born one and will die one. Your story has been inspiring and it only makes me want to dig deeper into my Faith.God bless you and your husband.

Thanks for your kind words, God bless! :-)

2009-01-30T22:48:00.000-06:00

Thanks for your kind words, God bless! :-)

Stephanie,Thank you so much for creating this site...

2009-01-30T20:30:00.000-06:00

Stephanie,

Thank you so much for creating this site. My parents were Baptis and Methodist, I grew up in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood but went to a CofC school. When I started to school, my parents converted and I was baptized into the CofC. Long story short, but I always felt a tug to the Catholic faith because of my friends (they were all Catholic). I did enjoy studying scripture throughput my CofC upbringing - that is one of their strongpoints. When I graduated college, I married a Catholic girl and went through RCIA and conveted in 1984. I finally found a spiritual home and have never looked back....until now. My 30 yr high school reunion is coming up and I am reconnecting with all my old CofC friends from high school. Their reception to my having been Catholic for over 25 yrs is mixed. Some have ceased talking to me since finding out - that is the part of the CofC that I rememnber most and miss the least - the amazing amount of judgement and condemnation. Since finding and partaking of the Eucharist, the Eucharist of transubstatiation, I cannot imagine living another faith.

Stumbling upon this web site has been a true pleasure. Thanks!

Thanks so much for your kind words! :-) I will def...

2008-12-14T15:06:00.000-06:00

Thanks so much for your kind words! :-) I will definitely keep you in my prayers on your own journey!

Wow what an inspiring story. My eyes actually star...

2008-12-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

Wow what an inspiring story. My eyes actually started watering while I was reading the part about your family being so...adverse...when you went to tell them. I plan to have the talk with my parents soon, and I really hope they don't react the same way. Lol-because I'm still going to need money for college.

I've actually been on your coctocatholic blog a lot and I really want you to know that it is definately being used by the Holy Spirit to help people during their journies.

By the way-I have a title for that book you wanted to write: "Why I Am No Longer A Member Of The Church Of Christ." I have a copy of that book "Why I Am A Member Of The Church Of Christ," and I think it would be good to just reprint it in it's original format but with catholic responses to each of the points made.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks Brian! I know, it's always amazing how simi...

2008-10-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks Brian! I know, it's always amazing how similar the stories are. Good luck with your family and prayers for your journey of faith! If you ever feel like chatting about it, do stop by my forum for CoC-Catholic converts.

God Bless!

What a story, I was raised in a strict CoC family ...

2008-10-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

What a story, I was raised in a strict CoC family as well. As I was reading your story, I was like uh huh, uh huh, uh huh. It sounds all to familiar. I am just now beginning my journey of faith in the Catholic Church, so I have not even gotten around to telling my parents yet. Although, I am a bit older they will still take it a little rough, I think.

Hi Hannah!Thanks so much for stopping by! Wow, to ...

2008-08-05T13:15:00.000-05:00

Hi Hannah!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wow, to think that just 9 years ago (ack! I'm starting to feel old!) I was exactly where you are now!

As for books about the origins of the Church, I honestly don't think I read a compiled-in-one-place book on that. I searched Catholicism more by topic, if that makes sense, and then looked at each topic in history. Books that helped me do this were Karl Keating's Catholicism and Fundamentalism, and Steve Ray's Upon This Rock (which took a historical look at one of the biggest issues for me, the papacy.)

But I did a quick search and I did find one that looks like a good overall view of the early Church, it's called One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic: The Early Church Was the Catholic Church. Obviously the book doesn't claim to be an unbiased look, lol, but if our view of the origins of the Church is what you're looking for (with plenty of scripture references and citation of other writings in the Early Church) that looks like it would do it!

Good luck! And if you ever have any questions about anything at all, do feel free to stop by my forum, CoC to Catholic with other CoC-Catholic converts who will get where you're coming from. :-)

Hi Stephanie,I really find your story fascinating,...

2008-08-05T00:23:00.000-05:00

Hi Stephanie,

I really find your story fascinating, and I was hoping if you could help me out a little. I myself have grown up in the Church of Christ (17 now, leaving for college in the fall).

Right now, I have a very strong faith in my beliefs, but I can't help but always be curious about what others are doing :). You may already have this somewhere else on the website, but I was wondering if you could me advice on certain books to read on the origin of the Catholic Church.

I guess I've just always been annoyed with anyone who only considers their point of view, so I at least want an unbiased explanation for many of the questions I have towards Catholicism. I guess it's my ultimate hope to find out why Christianity has had to split up so many times and know the basis for everything other religions believe.

Thanks so much!

Thanks for stopping by Cristan! I know, it's so ha...

2008-05-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

Thanks for stopping by Cristan! I know, it's so hard to break away from the fear and guilt from our parents. Hang in there, prayers for you on your journey! If you ever want to talk to other CoC-Catholic converts, feel free to stop by my board, CoC to Catholic! God bless. :-)

I enjoyed reading your conversation story. I grew...

2008-05-13T16:05:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed reading your conversation story. I grew up in a similar CoC in GA. About age 13 I started questioning their beliefs, specifically that they only called someone a "Christian" if they attended a CoC. I refused to be baptised because I did not want to join their "club". It took until I was 26 to realize I was being baptized into Jesus, not the CoC, but for my family's sake I was immersed in a CoC, even though I attended a Baptist church.
Now after many year of being afraid to, I'm finally attending Mass at my local parish church, and soon I hope to gather the courage to attend RCIA. Isn't it sad that I'm 32 and still afraid of what my mom will think?

Hi Laura, Thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you...

2007-10-26T07:46:00.000-05:00

Hi Laura,

Thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you and your husband as y'all go through RCIA. I'll definitely drop by your blog, I love hearing about RCIA and re-living it myself. ;-)

God bless!

hi stephanie,thanks so much for your story!i was b...

2007-10-25T21:14:00.000-05:00

hi stephanie,

thanks so much for your story!

i was born and raised Baptist in the Midwest ... i married a Catholic boy who came back to faith through the Episcopalian church ... and now we are going through RCIA together. it's been an interesting road. it's always good to hear other people's stories -- esp. those of folks like you who grew up in protestant backgrounds somewhat similar to my own.

i'll be blogging about RCIA a bit if you ever want to drop in.

all the best,

laura

www.oakies.wordpress.com

Thank you so much for your kind words, Mr. Bonner!...

2007-08-21T22:20:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much for your kind words, Mr. Bonner! Indeed, Camille and I are aware of the brilliant Jacques Maritain, but I wasn't aware of the book by his wife. I'll be adding it to my every growing list ASAP!

And of course I'll include this petition in my prayers, it's certainly a worthy intention. Thanks for stopping by!

God Bless!

I read every word and was edified. I'm a 70-year ...

2007-08-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

I read every word and was edified. I'm a 70-year old born Catholic. Over a long life I've learned volumes about my faith by reading the adventures in grace of many who have made the arduous spiritual journey. "Adventures in Grace" is the title of a beautiful memoir by Raissa Maritain, spouse of Jacques, the illustrious philosopher. about whom I'm sure you and Camille know much.

I will treasure your narrative. May I ask that you include in your prayers a petition to Our Lord through Our Lady that beloved family members who have fallen into indifference may recover their faith. Thank you.

Daniel F. Bonner

Bonjour Michele! How cool, I'll definitely be chec...

2007-08-16T22:21:00.000-05:00

Bonjour Michele! How cool, I'll definitely be checking out your blog :-)

God Bless!

I loved your conversion story! I posted it on my o...

2007-08-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

I loved your conversion story! I posted it on my own blog, Catholic and French-American, so you see we have a couple of things in common (see my signature).

Many thanks again for your story and for your love of Apologetics.

May God help us all in spreading the Good News,

Michele
Szekely

A worldview anchored in faith, love and reason,
and a voice articulating it in French and in English…
http://www.leblogdelabergerie.com/index.htm
Si les langues de choix sont l’anglais et le français,
la vision du monde est basée sur la foi, la charité et la raison…
sur Le blog de la Bergerie !

Hi, Becky, I'm sorry to hear you had to endure suc...

2007-06-08T14:54:00.000-05:00

Hi, Becky, I'm sorry to hear you had to endure such clearly unscriptural treatment in the Church of Christ, and that you left the church afterward. Most people in the Church of Christ I know that have their heads on straight realize that when someone sinfully divorces someone, the other party is innocent. But there are plenty of idiots ready with hurtful "takes two to tango" comments and other such hateful lunacy.

My dad's divorced, so I've been there, although I didn't see it directed at him as much as I have some other people.

Anyway, I don't think this is a letter of the law problem, since the letter of the law doesn't hold anyone responsible for their spouse divorcing them.

Thanks for stopping by, Becky! I'm sorry about you...

2007-05-31T12:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks for stopping by, Becky! I'm sorry about your frustrating situation, but I can certainly understand! It can be hard trying to talk to CoC family.

God Bless!

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog. I'm a form...

2007-05-31T10:20:00.000-05:00

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog. I'm a former CoC member (raised in it, went to Harding U, married by a CoC preacher) then my husband left me and my large extended family who are all CoC members condemned me because "God Hates Divorce!"

I hate divorce too, by the way. I was already heartbroken and felt that I might as well be dead, since my future was ruined.

This just is another time that it has been emphasized to me how the CoC is about the Letter of the Law, instead of the Spirit of the Law. And often it's not even biblical law; it's a law they made up! How does it justify ignoring some sins (say, gluttony), and being so conscious of others that it makes some things that aren't sins into sins? My guess is the CoC does that so that it's harder to commit the "big" sin. (Like the CoC made drinking a drop of alcohol a sin, because you might get drunk, which is DEFINITELY a sin. With that argument, eating a bite of food should be a sin because it might lead to gluttony.)

I find speaking with my family and other members of the CoC frustrating. It's as if they turn their brains off at a certain point, and they just refuse to think beyond it.

Thank you, Farrell! I'd love to read your story, I...

2007-05-15T16:49:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Farrell! I'd love to read your story, I'll look for it! And also, you're welcome to stop by my board, the CoC to Catholic board, where there are many of us who have walked the same path.

God bless!
Stephanie