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reneeville
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| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Green Valley, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 15 |
| First Name: | Renee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Raised protestant (Methodist, Episcopalian), devoted Catholic. Crossed the Tiber Easter ... |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 12:53 am |
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My conversion is not unlike many others. The search for Truth simply became more important than the entertainment value or fellowship in what was becoming the focus of worship services. This will be a loosely abbreviated conversion story. As an infant I was baptized a Presbyterian, grew up somewhat Methodist. After my mother passed unexpectedely in 1998, I moved to Arizona to assist my elderly dad, who is a Jew.
I became active with the local Methodist congregation and attended the Walk to Emmaus (I was able to fill the slot that would have been my mother's). I was 45 years old and it was during that 3 day experience (which is developed out of the Cursillo) that I experienced many things "Catholic". Now, mind you, I never would have given any thought to actually being Catholic but the rituals, the prayers really touched me.
Over the next couple of years, I became affiliated with a group called Silent No More as I really had a difficult time dealing with two abortions I had for two different husbands decades earlier. I was introduced to Fr. Frank Pavone via Priests for Life and encouraged my pastor to discuss the horrors of abortion and the sanctity of LIFE. It was much to controversial for him... that hurt as much as the abortions. I began to wonder why the clergy in my life made it so non-important, "of course God forgives you Renee" they would say (period).
Another big issue for me was "communion". The clergy would usually say the John 6 verses, this is my body, this is my blood... but for the people, it was only symbolic. There were other things, comments. Not vehement, but I heard "anti" Cathoic remarks in Bible studies; the canon of the Holy Scriptures was different, especially certain versions eliminated or changed words or meanings of the text in the protestant Bibles.
These things were building great confusion in me and the conflict was causing me great anguish. In August 2004 I entered into what would become an eight month period of contemplative and meditative prayer. My name might have well been Israel because I wrestled with God over these issues that plagued me. I waited patiently to hear His voice in my heart and yes, I did feel "comfort"; however, it wasn't until Easter sunrise service 2005 after receiving communion that I went home and lamented my sorrows and pains to the Lord... I didn't want to share "symbolically"..."where would you send me Lord?"
On that day, His answer began. My heart received the question "why are you a protestant?" and I didn't have a logical answer. That was the last time I ever had "communion" as a protestant. Right after Easter, I traveled home to Louisiana to see my first grandson baptized (a Methodist). For reasons known only to God, I flew into and out of Gulfport, MS (not normal for me) and on my way back to AZ, I connected in Atlanta where, again, for reasons known only to God, I changed my seat assignment...for a middle seat, something I would NEVER just do. So, there's a young man to my left, a young woman to my right. She fell asleep so I began chatting with the young man... who was a vacationing priest traveling to Tucson to see his brother. Maybe that was my "first" confession! Anyhoo, I felt so alive in my soul after having an almost three hour conversation. He suggested to me that I was very Catholic in many of my beliefs and that is where my heart received the answer, I had seen the sign at the local Catholic Church time and again, it said something, something... "Come Home".
As soon as I got back to Tucson, I visited the local Catholic Church where I met with the leader of RCIA who thought I was candidate material...he had me talk with a priest who validated my confliction and offered me prayer. I was invited to take home "This is Our Faith", the book that would be used for RCIA in the fall... I started attending Mass, never went back to a protestant church. November 2005 I entered RCIA and I received the Lord...body, blood, soul, and divinity at the Easter Vigil 2006.
My journey has been nothing short of miraculous... this went on longer than I hoped, there's so much to tell though. I thank you for "listening", I thank you for your prayers. My life has never been so blessed!!
Renee
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An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.
Pope Benedict XVI
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 01:08 am |
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reneeville wrote: I traveled home to Louisiana
I knew there was a reason I liked you! If you flew into Gulfport, I assume you're not from Lake Charles. Can I ask where "home" is?
Yours is a great story, Renee. We're glad to have you with us ... especially if you know what laigniappe is!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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reneeville
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Green Valley, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 15 |
| First Name: | Renee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Raised protestant (Methodist, Episcopalian), devoted Catholic. Crossed the Tiber Easter ... |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 01:17 am |
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St. Tammany Parish is home... and lagniappe is being Catholic! I raised my family in Slidell, my daughter and her family live in Mandeville, my son-in-law works for Exxon in Chalmette. I believe in "blooming" where I'm planted but I look forward to the day I may return to help my beloved Louisiana rebuild.
Easter peace dear brother~
____________________
An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.
Pope Benedict XVI
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 01:34 am |
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reneeville wrote: St. Tammany Parish is home... and lagniappe is being Catholic! I raised my family in Slidell, my daughter and her family live in Mandeville, my son-in-law works for Exxon in Chalmette. I believe in "blooming" where I'm planted but I look forward to the day I may return to help my beloved Louisiana rebuild.
Wow, a daughter on the North Shore and a genuine Chalmation! (I wouldn't say Exxon too loud, though.) I'm not too far away in Houma. We look forward to your return. Lord knows St. Bernard parish needs all the help it can get, although St. Tammany seems to be doing quite well with the influx of new residents and new tax money! St. Tammany announced today they're enlarging the airport from 45 to 360 acres to accomodate all the corporate jets for the new businesses.
I'll save you a biegnet and a cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Byzantine_Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 11 |
| First Name: | Ray | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Byzantine Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 10:20 pm |
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I spent my summers in Pass Christian, MS. Not too far from your stomping grounds. I went back recently to find nothing is left. 
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reneeville
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Green Valley, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 15 |
| First Name: | Renee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Raised protestant (Methodist, Episcopalian), devoted Catholic. Crossed the Tiber Easter ... |
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Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2007 10:40 pm |
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Pass Christian was one of my favorite spots... I lived in Bay St. Louis for three years, it has pretty much been wiped away as well. Even in the sadness... there is beauty for ashes.
Easter peace~
Byzantine_Catholic wrote:
I spent my summers in Pass Christian, MS. Not too far from your stomping grounds. I went back recently to find nothing is left.
____________________
An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.
Pope Benedict XVI
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reneeville
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Green Valley, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 15 |
| First Name: | Renee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Raised protestant (Methodist, Episcopalian), devoted Catholic. Crossed the Tiber Easter ... |
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Posted: Thu Apr 19th, 2007 01:22 am |
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Hey Rick~
My sil isn't a Chalmatian... just works there; he's a North Shore boy. St. Tammany is struggling with the influx from Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard... the storm is now responsible for a major culture shift in St. Tammany.
Are you familiar with Kitty Cleveland? cajunrick wrote:
reneeville wrote: St. Tammany Parish is home... and lagniappe is being Catholic! I raised my family in Slidell, my daughter and her family live in Mandeville, my son-in-law works for Exxon in Chalmette. I believe in "blooming" where I'm planted but I look forward to the day I may return to help my beloved Louisiana rebuild.
Wow, a daughter on the North Shore and a genuine Chalmation! (I wouldn't say Exxon too loud, though.) I'm not too far away in Houma. We look forward to your return. Lord knows St. Bernard parish needs all the help it can get, although St. Tammany seems to be doing quite well with the influx of new residents and new tax money! St. Tammany announced today they're enlarging the airport from 45 to 360 acres to accomodate all the corporate jets for the new businesses.
I'll save you a biegnet and a cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde!
____________________
An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.
Pope Benedict XVI
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Apr 19th, 2007 01:54 am |
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reneeville wrote: My sil isn't a Chalmatian... just works there; he's a North Shore boy. St. Tammany is struggling with the influx from Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard... the storm is now responsible for a major culture shift in St. Tammany.
Are you familiar with Kitty Cleveland?
No, I'm afraid not. St. Tammany is about a hundred miles and a million-plus people away from where I live.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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reneeville
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Green Valley, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 15 |
| First Name: | Renee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Raised protestant (Methodist, Episcopalian), devoted Catholic. Crossed the Tiber Easter ... |
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Posted: Thu Apr 19th, 2007 09:17 am |
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OH...mea culpa! I didn't mean personally. I don't know her either; Kitty is a cradle Catholic from N.O. who left her vocation as an attorney to sing for the Lord. When I going through the discernment and RCIA phase of my journey, I found her music and it really inpired me. She is known to cantor in parishes in the greater N.O. area. Her father, Carl Cleveland, had a remarkable story of struggle and his Catholic faith before he died last year. kittycleveland dot com.
God's continued blessings,
Renee
____________________
An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.
Pope Benedict XVI
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