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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:28 am |
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Hello to all of you! I found this forum by watching the Journey Home on EWTN. I have been reading the many wonderful posts on this forum, looking for answers to the many questions that I have. I, like many of you, am being led to the Catholic faith.......my background is protestant...Methodist, Baptist, and the most recent (sixteen years), an independent charismatic fellowship. My journey mirrors many of the posters here.........I came to believe that the real presence is in communion. I would love your prayers for me, as I meet with a priest tomorrow to discuss my desire to convert. I'm nervous (almost feeling like I'm going to a job interview....I think that's my protestant background coming to the forefront.......thinking I have to put up an appearance). I'm so blessed to have found this forum.......I have asked our Blessed Mother to pray for me...that a way would open for me to come into the Church, and my prayer has been answered. I will share more about my personal journey at another time. I do covet all of your prayers at this time, because I know that I will be hindered by the evil one, every step of the way. I will make sure to share the results of my appointment tomorrow. Please pray that I will not falter in my journey.
Bless you all,
Susan
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Therese Z
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Chicagoland, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 59 |
| First Name: | Therese Z | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle, Cultural, Lapsed, Passionately Catholic |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 01:34 am |
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Meeting with a priest.....praying for the intercession of Mary....you are certainly opening yourself up for the journey. It's been my limited experience with those on the road towards a deeper faith that people like you come sliding home in a big happy pile of dust! I wish I had your courage back when I came slouching home, with a fearful and hopeful heart, to the Church.
You are very welcome here, and I hope you will keep us involved, and we'll join our prayers to yours!
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JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 857 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 04:20 am |
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Hi Susan,
Yes, I remember meeting with a priest to discuss my desire to convert. I was nervous, too! And it was a little like a job interview, actually. He was very concerned about my beliefs about Mary and I felt like I was being tested. Anyway, it was one of the first steps in a long, happy journey, which was much like Therese's description: a joyful slide home in a great cloud of dust - SAFE!! Better than the winning run in the bottom of the 9th!
Jill
____________________
"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 09:46 pm |
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Therese Z and Jill, thank you both so much for your prayers and encouragement. My appointment went very well! The priest that I spoke with was very kind and helpful. He encouraged me to begin attending Mass while waiting to start the RCIA classes in September. I've taken the first step, much to my relief. I'm very excited about beginning my journey, and I'm looking forward to being part of this wonderful forum.
Susan
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january tuesday
Member
| Joined: | Fri Apr 4th, 2008 |
| Location: | Irvine, CA |
| Posts: | 51 |
| First Name: | Karli | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Evangelical Free, Baptist, Roman Catholic (2008) |
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Posted: Fri May 30th, 2008 05:03 am |
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your nervousness about meeting with the priest reminds me of myself as well. when I met with a nun at my parish for the first time to ask about RCIA I remember this worry in my head like, what if they won't let me in? I laugh about it now 
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"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sat May 31st, 2008 01:17 pm |
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Karli, I can't tell you how relieved I am to know that I'm not the only one who thinks that way! I confess, I must have gone over that fear in my mind a million times!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Susan
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1868 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 10:26 pm |
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| Welcome Susan, and God bless you as you proceed towards the Church. I think you can see already how friendly the people here are. You'll discover many shared experiences as time goes on.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 10:35 pm |
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| God bless you Susan, The Lord is calling you to what is missing from ALL protestant worship. And what is missing is the "Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus", "the bread of life", "the medicine of salvation", which we receive in the divine liturgy as we join with all the angels and saints in a foretaste of the true worship in heaven. Welcome to the forum.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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susmarie
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| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Tue Jun 3rd, 2008 10:59 pm |
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Dave, thank you so much for your kind words. I did a lot of reading here before I joined, and as you said, the people on this forum are wonderful! I feel welcome and at home already!
Ted, your words describe exactly how I feel.....I'm looking for what has been missing. I know that I've found it in the Catholic Church, and I'm so blessed that the Holy Spirit has led me home.
God Bless you all,
Susan
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lifetone
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 4th, 2008 |
| Location: | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 104 |
| First Name: | Anne | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Methodist, Baptist, Wiccan/New Age, Pentecostal, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 12:35 pm |
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Hi Susan!!
This is funny because yesterday I had two stressful things, a job interview and a meeting with a priest to discuss some things I felt led to share about in more detail from my past. I wasn't sure which I was more nervous about, probably meeting with the priest, cuz possible future temporal career versus eternal destiny. No contest.  In retrospect the job interview was worse just because the priest was so nice, not because the topic matter was easier.
LOL at being afraid they wouldn't let me in too. Apparently much like their Founder they're pretty good at accepting anyone who comes earnestly. Go figure. I'm still not sure how this happened. I was accepted into Full Communion at the Easter Vigil this year.
Mary is an awesome friend. I can't ever love anyone as much as I love God but I'm starting to "get" why God chose her to be the Mother of His Son.. And I love her as my Mother - me and my mom don't get along so well, so it's interesting having a mother.. It's kinda nice.
People here are really nice. Do come by and vent anytime. I did that quite a bit when things got heavy like..
I'll pray for you. I'm praying for you right now that you continue to grow in Him and in the knowledge of Him through His Church.
Nice to meet you by the way.
Anne
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susmarie
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| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 01:33 am |
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Anne, thank you so much for your prayers.....I am deeply moved at how caring and loving everyone is here......I am so thankful to have found this forum! I share your feeelings about our Blessed Mother. I had many rough times with my earthly mother, and Mary became the mother that I felt I had never had. The beautiful thing about it is that after forming a relationship with the Blessed Mother, I found myself praying regularly for my own earthly mother. I prayed for peace in her life, because that's something that I think my earthly mother was lacking......she knew very little personal peace. It's just amazing that God can bring about such changes in our feelings and emotions. I was able to love my own mother in a way that I had never known before. Again, I am so thankful for your prayers, and it is wonderful to meet you!
God Bless you,
Susan
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1323 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 05:34 pm |
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Welcome, Susan! It's great to have you as a part of the forum.
You will be in my prayers, and I look forward to the blessing of sharing in your journey.
Grace and peace,
Becky
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 07:49 pm |
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Becky, thank you so much for the warm welcome! Everyone on this forum is so nice, and so very encouraging........I'm so blessed to have found such a wonderful, and devoted group....thank you for your prayers......I know i'll need lots of them on my journey ahead, and I can't think of anyone I would I would rather have to walk me through my journey than this great family!
God Bless you all,
Susan
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1188 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 02:05 am |
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Welcome aboard. Fasten seat belts, read your safety card (Catechism) and always follow the directions of the pilot wearing the white uniform, or his co -pilots and navigators wearing black, and red. And of course, we've got some pretty good lay stewards helping out, too. Gas prices don't affect this airline and peanuts and soda is still free. Masses can be said at all times even in turbulence because this plane and all the souls on it are bound for glory.
Steven
PS: Nobody gets raptured, though. We have a No Passenger Left Behind policy.
Last edited on Sat Jun 7th, 2008 02:08 am by Steven Barrett
____________________
"This Old House's" motto is "Measure twice, cut once." My new motto is THINK at least twice or thrice, then you only have to write once, and maybe apologize nonce.
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rbo4u2
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 16th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sunnyvale, California USA |
| Posts: | 475 |
| First Name: | Rich | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Formerly Christian & Missionary Alliance then became Presbyterian |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 02:35 am |
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Welcome Susan. As everyone has said, we have a loving family here. Some of us are still on our journey and still need to cross some hurdles, but we still love. Welcome to our friendly household of crazies mixed with a few saner folk.
God bless
Rich
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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1479 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 02:52 am |
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| Welcome Susan, it's so good to hear how you are moving along in your steps toward the church. How did it go with the meeting and the priest? We're praying for you! God bless
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 12:26 pm |
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Steven Barrett wrote: Welcome aboard. Fasten seat belts, read your safety card (Catechism) and always follow the directions of the pilot wearing the white uniform, or his co -pilots and navigators wearing black, and red. And of course, we've got some pretty good lay stewards helping out, too. Gas prices don't affect this airline and peanuts and soda is still free. Masses can be said at all times even in turbulence because this plane and all the souls on it are bound for glory.
Steven
PS: Nobody gets raptured, though. We have a No Passenger Left Behind policy. Steven, I just love your post! I'm going to share this with my sister, who converted years ago. Your humor reminds me so much of her....she would really get a kick out of reading this! I especially love the No Passenger Left Behind policy. Thank you so much for welcoming me.
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 12:30 pm |
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Rich, thank you for welcoming me to the household......this is indeed a very loving family here! I'm delighted to be a part of it.
God Bless,
Susan
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 12:56 pm |
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Hi Marsha! My meeting with the priest went very well......I realized, once the priest began to talk with me, that I had absolutely nothing to be nervous about. He was very very kind, very warm and friendly, and he put me at ease immediately. He carefully explained all that I needed to do...how to begin the paperwork process from a very brief marriage many years ago. I was worried about that before I went to meet with him, but he assured me that although the paperwork process could be lengthy, it could still be accomplished. I will begin the RCIA classes in September, and God willing, will be coming into the church officially at Easter time. He also encouraged me to bring my husband to the classes with me, just so that he could get an idea of what my becoming Catholic would mean. I would love for my husband to come, and at the same time, he just might get hooked in! I very lucky in that my husband has not opposed my conversion at all, although he has looked a little puzzled at times.....probably wondering if I had lost my mind or something. We've always attended church together for most of our married life (27 years), until about four years ago, when we both just kind of drifted away from the chuch where we had been members...an interdenominational charasmatic fellowship of about 500 people or so. I stuck it out a little longer than he did, but finally admitted to myself that it just wasn't where I needed to be. So, the past few years have been spent searching and trying to figure it all out. I happened to come across EWTN while looking for some Christian programming that I might could relate to. I had never realized that there was a Catholic channnel on dish network! At first, I just watched Mother Angelica.....then I gradually started watching some of the others........before I knew it, I was totally hooked, and watched EWTN every chance I got. My first challenge came in the form of , what if the Catholic Church is right about communion being the real presence? I remember telling my son later that I thought that the Catholics might be correct about their teaching on communion, and if so, then we'll all need to convert! Thank you so much for your prayers....I know how much I need the prayers of everyone here, and I'm so thankful to you all for your kindness.
God Bless you,
Susan
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Pani Rose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 601 |
| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 01:06 pm |
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Welcome
One nice thing, the Catholic Church is the largest Charismatic Church in the world  So, you can have the Real Presence, and the fellowship too.  Our God has such an awesome meal planned for you next Easter, it's out of this world.  Enjoy your journey home.
OK enough, I didn't sleep much last night.  The faces seem so cute this morning.
Last edited on Sat Jun 7th, 2008 01:07 pm by Pani Rose
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 04:20 pm |
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Thank you Pani Rose! Gosh, there's just no end to the precious and friendly people here....I believe that our God must be so pleased at the wonderful ministry going on here. I've never been so warmly welcomed anywhere in my life.....and I just love those little faces too!
Blessings,
Susan
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Cathcon
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| Joined: | Fri Feb 29th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 31 |
| First Name: | Marie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | I am now Catholic but used to be Dutch Reformed |
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Posted: Sun Jun 8th, 2008 02:25 am |
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Hi, just came across your post - will offer my hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament this evening for you and your intentions. I teach RCIA and love the process -
God bless
Marie
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Sun Jun 8th, 2008 04:33 am |
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Thank you Marie....I am moved beyond words....thank you so much....your kindness means more to me than you could possibly know! I feel so certain now that I will make my journey home successfully.....there is no way that I could fail with so many devoted servants of our Lord holding me up in prayer and being there for me when I have questions or doubts.
God Bless you,
Susan
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Cathcon
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 29th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 31 |
| First Name: | Marie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | I am now Catholic but used to be Dutch Reformed |
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Posted: Sun Jun 8th, 2008 07:22 am |
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You are very welcome - if there is ever anything I can help with in RCIA I will be happy to. I have now been Catholic for 30 years this year and I could never imagine myself as not being Catholic ever again.
God bless
Marie
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jun 8th, 2008 11:53 pm |
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| Susan, We thank God and bless His Holy Name for you. All the angels and saints in heaven rejoice in you as you journey home..
____________________
"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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susmarie
Member
| Joined: | Tue May 27th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
| First Name: | susan | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist, Interdenominational Charismatic Fellowship |
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Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 05:33 pm |
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Thank you Ted......I attended mass for the second time this past Sunday. I just loved being there! Again, thanks to all of you for the wonderful encouragement and support.
God Bless,
Susan
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