Why I am becoming Catholic

Seven people who will join the Church at the Easter Vigil answer the question, “Why am I becoming Catholic?”

“I am becoming Catholic because in my search for our Lord I found him in the Catholic Church. Whatever parish I am at, my Lord is there. I can feel him, I can see him and that is very special. I have never felt closer to God nor as spiritually fulfilled prior to my journey in the Catholic Church. I value the traditions of the Catholic Church and appreciate that the Catholic Church is not contemporary which is important to me because I don’t believe God changes with the times or culture.”
— Pamela Skinner, St. Joseph Church, Tontitown, Candidate

“Growing up Protestant, I was never comfortable with what I was being taught, wanting more, always craving more. Being a cynic at the time, I thought I had received all I was going to get out of religion from my past experiences. But then on Ash Wednesday of 2006, I took my daughter Elise to St. Edward’s enrolling for school. When Mrs. Hall, the principal of St. Edward’s, took us both through the church, I was able to see first hand the Holy Spirit touch my daughter with her eyes filled with wonderment and excitement. I knew then that he was also calling upon myself to know him as I’ve not known before. How can one deny the Trinity when seen for the first time in a child’s eyes? This is why I want to become Catholic, because he reached me when no other belief did.”
— Nancy Christine Wells, St. Edward Church, Little Rock, Candidate

“To become a better Christian, serve the Lord, the church and to sow seeds for others. I hope the seeds I plant will grow so others will know the Lord and have the peace I now have. I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. The process of becoming a Catholic is helping me make those changes. Reading my Bible every day and keeping up with Scriptures that go with the daily Mass has brought peace to my life. My wife, who is cradle Catholic, and I are together in church now and we were not before. I’ve enjoyed RCIA class and have learned so much and grown spiritually. I enjoy attending Mass and helping out wherever I am needed in the church. I’m looking forward to my first Communion.”
— Mark S. Saala, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Pocahontas, Candidate

“About a year ago my mother started going back to the Catholic Church after 30 years. I was so proud, inspired and loved the glow I saw in her. Throughout my life I have gone to different churches, and tried different religions and I never felt like I belonged. My mom was interested in going to RCIA and asked if I wanted to go with her. I figured, why not, it can’t hurt. If I don’t like it I won’t continue. But the first time I went I really enjoyed it. Listening to all the teachings, I realized I had never gotten so much from religion before. The teachings inspired me and touched my heart and soul in a way that brought tears to my eyes. For the first time I had found a home and a place to belong. I feel joyful and pure love. I only pray and hope everyone finds a peace like I have with the Catholic faith.”
— Donna Kay Higdon, St. Michael Church, Cherokee Village, Candidate

“When presented with the question, ’Why am I becoming a Catholic?’ I have to admit I had trouble coming up with a solid response. I kept trying to come up with an in-depth discussion of the Bible and the Catholic Church’s extensive history, but my honest answer is, ’It feels right’. I’m not the most spiritual person out there, but I am a firm believer in faith. Faith in God sometimes leads us down paths we don’t fully understand, but we choose to travel them anyway. Faith has gotten me this far, and I’m not planning to turn my back now. My beautiful wife, Susan, is Catholic, and some of the ideas and beliefs of the Catholic Church caught me off guard at first. As time went on, I began to better understand and respect her beliefs. The decision to attend RCIA quickly confirmed that the Catholic Church, with all of its tradition and history, is where I want to be.”
— Robert Cope, St. Joseph Church, Paris, Candidate

“There are several reasons why I made the decision to become Catholic. The first and most important reason is so that my family will have the opportunity to worship and pray together and practice the same faith. After being raised in the Episcopal Church and moving away from home and into a new community, I never found the church “family” that I had been looking for. With my children attending St. Mary School and becoming members of the church before me, I felt the need to learn more about this religion. I want to be able to share this experience with my children, as well as my husband, so we can grow as a family together in the eyes of God. I have made so many friends and feel so blessed to be able to take part in this special church community that has welcomed us with open arms.”
— Jennifer Giovingo, Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lake Village, Candidate

“I never will forget walking into the church for the first time. Everyone was kneeling, praying and being so reverent. It was a totally different atmosphere than the church I was brought up in (Pentecostal), yet I was in awe. I made it to my seat and for the first time in a long time I was able to take a deep breath, relax and get my mind off everything for a moment. You see, I needed the Lord in every way possible that a person could need the Lord. And he knew that. My sister-in-law passed away eight days later (from cancer). It was a tough time. There’s no other way to put it. Thanks be to God though, the story doesn’t end there. The peace that I left with that Christmas Eve night sustained and uplifted me through it all. I returned to Holy Redeemer later that month, joined RCIA and have been attending Mass ever since. And, it’s been the sweetest time I’ve ever known with the Lord.”
— Cody Manasco, Holy Redeemer Church, El Dorado, Elect

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