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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 07:45 pm |
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I wanted to let you all know that today I made my profession of faith and was confirmed today at noon in a beautiful little chapel in the Shenandoah Valley.
I attended the Presbyterian Church as a child and teenager and was baptized in that Church.
About two weeks after my eighteenth birthday I converted to Mormonism and my immediate family (parents and siblings) followed me shortly thereafter.
I helped in the conversion of my future wife, served as a missionary for the LDS Church, married in the temple, and up until three years ago was fully active. I stopped attending LDS services with my wife since the beginning of September after she released me from a commitment I voluntarily made to attend with her and my family. She and my children despite hurt feelings and difficulty understanding my decision have continued to be loving and supportive of me. I am greatly blessed.
I feel as though I have wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. I'm almost fifty-eight. Along the way I've made many wonderful friends and served with hundreds of kind and loving people. My wife and I have four great adult children who are caring and giving plus four beautiful grandchildren. There have been many ups and downs, as well as times of heartbreaking sadness and tremendous joy. I have no regrets.
Yet all these years there was something missing and through the example of a few Catholic friends who despite their weaknesses genuinely strove to live their faith and serve the Lord I found it -truly a Pearl of Great Price
My friends were respectful of my faith, but more than eager to share the beauty of the Catholic faith when I was ready to listen. For that I am most grateful.
There is much more I could say, but I don't want to make this overlong.
My wilderness wandering has ended. I have crossed the river and have now
entered the Promised Land. A truly great adventure has just begun and for that I praise the Lord.
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Ken Follis
Member
| Joined: | Thu Oct 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 40 |
| First Name: | Ken | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Charismatic Episcopal Church; Roman Catholic Church (1999) |
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Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 08:08 pm |
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Bob,
Welcome home! 
____________________
Jer. 6:16 "Stand, Look, Ask and Walk!"
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 09:18 pm |
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Pioneer wrote: My wilderness wandering has ended. I have crossed the river and have now
entered the Promised Land. A truly great adventure has just begun and for that I praise the Lord.
It is a joyous day in heaven. One of the lost sheep has returned! Congratulations, and be sure to add "Catholic" to your Faith History!
____________________
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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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 349 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 10:17 pm |
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Welcome home, Bob!
I very nearly became LDS when I first began my journey- I had met with the Missionaries three times and would have continued had it not been for the fact that I was not yet 18 and I did not have parental consent. As I continued along my journey (in my mind, waiting the year before I was legal to join the LDS), I was brought to a different path than I had foreseen, home to Rome, so to say.
Glad to have you here at CHNI, and congratulations!
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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thiscatholicjourney
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 7th, 2006 |
| Location: | Reno, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 34 |
| First Name: | Amber | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | From non-denominational to Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 03:45 am |
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Congratulations and welcome! May God continue to bless you and your family on your journey!
____________________
Proudly entered the Catholic Church in 2007!
Learn about my journey!
http://thiscatholicjourney.com/blog.htm
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Bart Burk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Osceola, Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Bart Burk | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 11th, 2007 11:08 am |
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Welcome home! I'm in the same boat as you are. I'm 54 and converted to Mormonism at the age of 19. My wife is a convert to Mormonism from Catholicism (before we met each other). My wife and children are still dedicated to the LDS Church, but I joined the Catholic Church at Easter 2006. I still attend the LDS Church with my family, but recently was asked to resign from the LDS Church so am no longer a member.
The joy of Catholicism especially during this Advent season is overwhelming. The services are so full of meaning compared to the fare we get at the LDS Church. My parish has special Advent prayer services during the week which really are preparing me to welcome the Christ child at Christmas.
Once I fully understood the Book of Mormon wasn't true I went looking for other churches. I just never found Christ fully in the various Protestant churches I attended. They didn't seem to be very stable when it came to moral issues like abortion and marriage. Their doctrines were all so different from each other.
When I began attending mass and realized what was happening in regards to the Eucharist, I was ready to become Catholic. And there was real authority that guarded the moral teachings of the Christian faith. It's been a great journey for me even though I think my family thinks I'm crazy.
Last edited on Tue Dec 11th, 2007 11:10 am by Bart Burk
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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 14th, 2007 12:37 am |
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Thanks, Bart. Glad to meet a fellow traveler from Mormonism to Catholicism. It is quite a journey and great adventure especially at our ages.
My family has no doubts I'm crazy.
So far the local LDS Church authorities have taken no action.
I have the great blessing to work with my dear wife in a Catholic Bookstore that she and I have recently opened with a couple who are cradle Catholics.
It is a wonderful way to witness to those who visit our store - a tool of evangelization.
I pray your journey will continue to be blessed.
May God greatly bless your family as well.
By the way if you don't mind me asking. Did you serve a mission?
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Bart Burk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Osceola, Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Bart Burk | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 14th, 2007 05:39 am |
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I served a mission in Venezuela in the 1970s. I had joined the LDS Church at 19 so my parents probably thought it was a little nuts! My wife converted from Catholicism when she was 21 and served a mission in Argentina. I currently have a son serving in Mexico City, and had two other sons serve in South America -- Chile and Uruguay. We speak some Spanish in our house!
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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2007 12:31 am |
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I served in western North Carolina. I was originally called to Italy, but because of health problems I was transferred. So I still know a little Italian.
My dear wife is struggling. She's where I was three years ago. Despite the initial shock and hurt she has continued to be loving and supportive. She works with me in the Catholic Bookstore for goodness sake.
Two of my four children are no longer active in the LDS Church, but are not interested in any other Church.
I agree that the Advent Season is beautiful. Sometimes I feel like a sponge. There is so much to absorb about the Catholic Church that fills my heart with joy.
Peace and blessings.
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Brenda
Member
| Joined: | Sat Dec 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Brenda | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Pentecostal, cradle catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 01:16 am |
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| It's so wonderful to read these stories. Our Catholic faith is truly a beautiful and God-given gift to us. Jesus present in the Eucharist is about as close to God as we can get during our journey through this earth.
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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 07:29 pm |
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Thanks to all for your encouragement.
Bart is you conversion story somewhere on the forum?
I'm still new to navigating here, but I would like to hear more about you faith journey.
I'm also planning to soon share the wonderful story of how our Catholic Bookstore began.
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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 07:33 pm |
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Sorry, Bart. I know you've already shared some, but what started you on the road to Rome?
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Bart Burk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Osceola, Indiana USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Bart Burk | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 06:34 pm |
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The reason I started on the road to Rome is easy -- I lost my belief in Mormonism, but I still believed in Jesus. Once I discovered the Book of Mormon was a fraud, I had to look somewhere else for Jesus. One night I was watching a Billy Graham television special and I called the number and received Jesus. That was around 1995. I didn't want to admit I was a Mormon so I said I was Catholic. The person on the phone claimed she had also been Catholic, but after receiving Jesus she started attending the Episcopal Church because it was like Catholicism without all of the teachings that made her uncomfortable. I started attending the Episcopal Church as well and really enjoyed the liturgical service more than I enjoyed the non-liturgical services at other Protestant churches. I especially enjoyed the Easter vigil at an Episcopalian Church I attended. I was unable to continue attending the Episcopal Church once it started to accept liberal positions on gays.
Working at Notre Dame, I started to attend mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus. I was completely at home, but still was a little embarrassed to go Catholic. For one thing everyone I worked with at Notre Dame tended to be anti-Catholic. The pro-life, pro-family values of the Catholic Church weren't shared by many of my fellow employees at Notre Dame, most of whom were either liberal Protestants, agnostic or liberal Catholics. At the Basilica I received good Catholic teaching. I continued to attend mass daily for a year or so, but something kept me from committing to Catholicism. That changed at the time Pope John Paul II died. At that point I was also attending a vibrant local parish on Sundays. The Friday before he died I can remember stepping into a St. Xavier's parish in Wilmette to praye the Rosary for him while my wife attended the Chicago LDS Temple. I think that was the moment when I understood it was time for me to stop worrying about what other people including my family and fellow employees thought, and to just step out in faith and embrace Catholicism with all my heart. In 2005 I began attending RCIA and was baptized in the spring of 2006 at the Easter vigil.
I suppose there is a lot more than that, but it would take a long time to go much further into it!
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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 10:11 pm |
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Isn't interesting how the Holy Spirit moves? Thank you for sharing more about you faith journey, Bart.
I believe mine started when in 1992 I read a book by a Mormon author called I BELIEVE IN CHRIST. Just two years earlier my 32 year old sister had died of cancer. It was a difficult trial for all of us. She was a widow with 3 children and striving to be a good Mormon. My parents and siblings had converted shortly after I did so the Mormon community surrounded us with love and support.
However I started to have questions and felt I needed something more and this book offered me a breath of fresh air.
My wife, children and I continued to persevere and lived our lives in such a way that those both inside and outside the LDS Church believed us to be a model family. We were even asked to give talks about how we conducted our family activities.
Then in the early spring of 1995 I received word while I was teaching that my youngest son, age 15, had to be admiited to the hospital. When I got there I learned that he was suicidal and had been placed in a youth pyschiatric ward. I won't go into all the details. Nevertheless, our son who had participated in all Church programs, was a good student, a soon to be Eagle Scout, and gave me bear hugs each night before he went to bed and said "I love you, Dad". - This beloved son no longer wanted to live.
You see, he had been trying to live a double life - a good Mormon boy and an abuser of drugs, alcohol and involved in promiscuity. He was diagnosed as bipolar and our perfect Mormon family was plunged into three years of living Hell.
Once again our Mormon friends tried to help, but this time they really didn't know what to do. My wife and other children worked harder, prayed harder, but the walls continued to tumble and I began to question everything I had ever been taught about God.
In desperation I picked up another book by an LDS author, a 12 step program, and this one used the words "my Jesus" - words from the Book of Mormon I had really never seen before. The author talked about being "born again" in away I had never heard before.
After much prayer and many tears I decided I needed to find "my Jesus", but that search led me away from the Book of Mormon and out the Mormon Church.
This past Saturday I sat and talked with my friend and partner about his gift of a rosary as my mother lay dying. I shall be forever grateful to him and other good Catholic souls who allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them as witnesses of the Truth to me.
Now I have found "my Jesus" and can receive Him in the Holy Eucharist.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2007 10:59 pm |
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Pioneer wrote: Now I have found "my Jesus" and can receive Him in the Holy Eucharist.
That is a fabulous story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
____________________
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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Pioneer
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Winchester, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| First Name: | Bob | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, LDS, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 01:31 am |
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Thanks, Rick.
I guess this makes me a terrible "name-dropper", but I'm sure she wouldn't mind.
Leona Choy, author and former Evangelical missionary to China, lives in my home area. Some of you probably saw her and heard her remarkable story on "Journey Home".She is a delightful lady.
Leona has become a good friend and attended the Mass when I made my profession of faith, was confirmed, and received my first Holy Communion.
Her faith and courage also helped give me the strength to enter the Church now despite the many obstacles.
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