Why I am a Catholic

I didn’t have a choice at first: My parents had me baptized a few months after I was born. I found out years later that my wife, Barbara, was born on the day I was baptized.

I was brought up that way: It became the only religion that I knew. I was brought up in the Catholic culture of the 1940’s and 1950’s. In that culture the family attended Mass every Sunday and followed the Church’s rules. I didn’t understand much as a toddler except that I was to be quiet and respectful in church. When I attended Catholic school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph, I was indoctrinated with the Baltimore Catechism.

I was encouraged by the sacraments: As part of this indoctrination, the nuns prepared us for Confession and First Communion. By that time, I had memorized all the Catechism’s answers required to qualify for those sacraments. One of the nuns, Sister Mary Benedict, impressed on us how we were to avoid serious sin and that we should destroy the white arm bands we wore with our white First Communion suits if we ever committed a mortal sin. After confessing some minor sins at my first confession, I was consoled that I could confess more serious ones as I grew older.  It dawned on me one day that when our family went to Confession together, we were without sin as a family for a least a few minutes every month. Sister also stressed how we could spend time talking to Jesus personally after receiving the Eucharist. I took her advice seriously and had a special dialogue with Jesus that day, one that I have always treasured. I have always continued to believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It would be very difficult to leave it behind by attending any other church. By now, I had freely chosen to embrace the Catholic faith.

I received the sacrament of Confirmation when I was in seventh grade. Again, I had memorized all the Baltimore Catechism answers required. I was so nervous about potentially having to answer questions from the Bishop at the ceremony that I lost focus on the ceremony itself. Later on in life, I realized I had received the gifts of the Holy Spirit that day and that I would continue to benefit from them throughout life.

I married my wife, Barbara, during a nuptial Mass at her childhood Catholic Church. We were blessed by the Sacrament of Marriage and took the motto, We Are One, from the Gospel (John 17:22). We believe we are a marriage of three: Barbara and I with God. We have experienced God’s special blessing for over 50 years.

When Barbara or I have been seriously ill, we have each received the Sacrament of the Sick and felt comfort and peace from that anointing.

I believe in the Catholic Church. I am convinced that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and has Our Father’s blessing. Years of experience living the faith, examining its teachings through personal study and sharing the teachings of the Catholic Church with others are the source of this conviction.

I am convinced by my journey of faith as a Catholic Christian. Click on the link for the details.

Every journey of faith is unique. God has always had a plan for each person to join His family in heaven. My hope is that we will all rejoice together as members of that family, share the unique way that we ended up there, and love God and one another together eternally.