I was baptized, raised, and married in the Methodist Church.  My husband and children are also baptized Methodist.  So why then did I go to the Catholic Faith?  All I can say, it was His Will.  Jesus led me to His Church when I thought that all that was my faith was lost.  Not my belief in the Lord and His teaching, but in the Methodist Faith. My journey started after we rejoined the church that I was raised. I would take my Mom to church and members of the church that knew us both would shake hands and talk with Mom, but totally ignore me. This happened several of times, not just once. I can truly say that I was hurt. I felt like I was unwanted.  I truly felt that there was something wrong with me, but what?  All that I tried to do to fit in to be a part of the church did not help.  I didn’t feel like I was in my true home with my spiritual family. I didn’t belong there anymore. I did not stay away from attending church during this time. I went to several other little churches, but I could not find what I was searching for. What I needed. I did not find the church that God was leading me to. Shortly after my Mom past on in 1997, I went for a short visit with my cousins in Erie.  While away, our grandson that was just a few months old became very ill. (He turned blue and lifeless for the baby sitter, and had to be rushed to the hospital.  It turned out to be that he had a bad reflux that was never diagnosed till then.)  I was beside myself with grief and guilt over Mom’s passing and now to know that your grandson was ill.  I didn’t know what to do.  I couldn’t do anything at home for the baby, so my daughter insisted that I stay with my cousin.  My cousin and her husband are Catholic, and they asked if I would like to go to Mass that evening.  I can’t explain the feeling of comfort that I felt when I entered that Church.  And also the friendship that was there.  After Mass, my cousins offered prayer to Our Lady for the baby.  And I, never before thinking of praying to Mary and still more, kneeling before a statue, knelt in prayer.  I asked Mary to pray for our little one, for Her to ask God to give His aid to the doctors and nurse. And comfort to our family.  I knew that She had heard my prayers and that the baby would be better. (I have to tell you here, that I truly believe in the power that God gives to His angels.  I believe that Our Lord gave the baby my Mom for his guardian angel. This might not be truly theologically possible, but this is my own feeling.) While I remained with my cousins, we went to Mass together and I discussed my feelings with them.  Also asked a lot of questions which was pouring into my head.  After I returned home, I did a lot of thinking and praying about what happened, and my thoughts about converting.  I also talked to my husband and family about possible converting and what they thought about this.  I found that they were supportive.  Now to be really sure, I wanted to know that this was not just a ‘passing fancy’, so I prayed more. And attend Mass when I was again visiting my cousins.  It was from August till February till I decided that I was going to make an appointment with a Priest to see what I had to do to convert.  Another big question was which Church?  Our town has three Roman Catholic parishes.  Which one?  The smallest one, there would be less people at Mass, and maybe I won’t feel anxious.  The largest one, it offers more Masses and it is such a lovely Church, (Not that the others are not equally beautiful) but there are so many people that belong to this parish. So which one?  I did not decide until I was in the car and told my daughter that I was going to stop by the one Church.  It was the biggest one. When I met with the parish Pastor, his very warm and cheerful attitude made me feel calm and at ease.  I felt that I knew him for a long time, and that I could talk to him about anything. We talked about my religious up bring and I think one of the first questions from the Priest was “Why do you want to become a Catholic?” And “Are you sure?”  My response to him was “Yes I am sure that I want to become a member of the Catholic Faith because the Lord has lead me here and I want to do as He wills.” After a more questions and answers I was told that I would have to wait till September when RCIA classes begin again.  In the mean time, I was encouraged to attend Mass, but was not allowed to partake of the Eucharist (communion), and to read the booklet on the Catholic Faith that I was given. It was sort of a question and answer type book, which to me was very fascinating. One of the first Masses that I went to was Ash Wednesday.  The friendship and love that I experienced there, in a Church which I did not know the people was wonderful.  People talked with me and were truly friendly.  They congratulated me and hugged me when I told that I was starting my journey of converting.  I knew that I found my religious home and I thanked God for all that He had done.

music playing: "Here I Am Lord" Daniel L. Schutte, SJ Verse 1 I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save I who made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright Who will bear My light to  them Whom shall I send? Refrain Here I am, Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord, if You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart Verse 2 I, the Lord of snow and rain I have borne My people’s pain I have wept for love of  them, they turn away I will break their hearts of stone Give them hearts for love alone I will speak My word to  them Whom shall I send? Verse 3 I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame I will set a feast for them, My hand will save Finest bread I will provide Till their hearts be satisfied I will give My life to  them Whom shall I send? midi:    http://members.tripod.com/~kcrowell/christian.html lyrics;     http://yfcmelb.tripod.com/music/hial.html