Becoming Catholic

Diane is from Boston, MA, raised in the Unitarian Church. She met her husband, Ron, a devout Catholic. After knowing each other for sixteen years and falling in love, they married. “I thank God for bringing a man of such strong faith into my life,” says Diane. Then in a family with two adopted boys, Diane went through RCIA  in Annandale, VA when she and Ron were living and working there, but she “kind of didn’t get it.” She and her biological daughter were baptized into the Church about one month apart. She was active enough in her faith, managing even to teach CCD  for two years despite being a busy and distracted Mom of three kids. Then the circumstances of life, as it always does, brought changes.

“The move here to Texas awakened my faith,” says Diane. Upon moving here she was invited to Bible study where her network of woman friends burgeoned and grew and it was the Book of Acts, still one of her very favorites, that she says, “Captured my heart and changed me.” She goes on to say, “The more I study scripture, the deeper my faith. Beyond that, the group studies I attended of the writings of Thomas Merton have been so important.” She cites both the new insights from learning itself and the flourishing of deep, lasting friendships.

Connecting with others in a caring and welcoming Catholic community has been the continuous theme of Diane’s walk of faith since becoming an increasingly more active and participating member here at Good Shepherd.

“I had cancer in 2010 and more people in this Church and my small church community prayed for me and lifted me up and I’m convinced I am here today because of all those prayers,” according to Diane.

How does that flourishing continue today? “Tuesday evening Bible study – Matthew and Acts (my favorite) – Father Jonathan’s ‘Journey Through the Mass’ sessions – the opportunities are endless.”

We asked Diane what is the thing she would most like a visitor to Good Shepherd to know. Her reply is, “I’m grateful. By doing a little service, you never know how deeply you effect another. You recognize the blessings of every single day and that the Holy Spirit is with you every step of the way; He gives you infinite peace to go through whatever you need to.”

[1] The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which interested adults and older children are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life.

2 Stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, the religious education program of the Church.

Evangelizing Challenges This Week

Strike up a conversation with someone you know is a convert to the Church about what led them to the Faith and what it is like now.

Pick up a Lighthouse CD in the narthex about or by a convert to Catholicism.

Watch “The Journey Home” or another program on EWTN focusing on conversions or returns to the Church.