Musings of a Catholic Convert

Our new year-round RCIA is still trucking along, with a new Catechumenate period beginning tonight.  It will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes, if at all, as part of our group heads into the Catechumenate.  I still like very much the idea of having something available year round to assist men and women at the various places along their journey.  This flexibility seems to be helping, especially to inquirers who appear in March, April, or May.  As we continue to tweak and improve the system, I'm looking forward to see how things develop.  

I'm still a big fan of the year-round Precatechumenate.  If we are later able to add additional team, this will likely be a reality as well.  God grant that our RCIA team will grow as He continues to entrust us with men and women exploring the Church and the Christian Faith.

I hear nightmare stories from friends about struggling parishes.  In some dioceses it seems to be difficult to find a thriving and active community.  A caller asked me about that when I appeared on The Journey Home with Marcus Grodi.  Why aren't Catholics more energized about their faith?  I'm fortunate enough to have a strong group of Über Catholics by my side and in my diocese.  Still, I come to Mass every week and face people who look like they don't want to be there.  They would be more enthusiastic at a ball game.  They would rather be entertained.  They would rather sip coffee and discuss current events.  Anything but humble themselves and worship God in spirit and truth.  Can I see their hearts?  Nope, but I sure as shootin' can see their gestures.  They sigh and grumble when there is an announcement.  They take their purse with them to communion because their plan is to exit before Mass ends.  They fidget in their seats.  They play with their cell phones (silently).  They read the bulletin.  They sleep.  Do I need to point out more evidence?  Is it any wonder, then, why their children don't want to be there?  Is there any wonder why these kids will likely leave the Church when they are out of the house?  They have NO CLUE about what they possess as Catholics?  

Listen, Cradle Catholic, what you take for granted is that your Creator, JESUS CHRIST, is humbling himself to be with you in a way He does NOWHERE ELSE.  He wants to give to you the same resurrection life that raised him from the dead on the 3rd day.  He wants to have intimate union with you at the deepest levels.  And you would rather be somewhere else?  Are you insane?  Ask a Catholic convert if they would leave the Eucharist.  Ask if there is anything out there more exciting than to commune with God.  Ask if they would rather be some place with different music and a coffee bar instead of Mass.  You know what their answer is.  You know that in many cases they have fled these places in order to receive the Eucharist.  You know they have realized that the only true fulfillment in life is communion with God.  The Catholic convert is not perfect, but he or she does know where to go for help.  Christ in the Sacraments make all the difference in the world.  

I know several men and women who left careers, lost friends, lost family, sometimes more, just to be part of the Catholic Faith.  I think of the men who served as ministers in Protestant congregations who left not just a job, but a true ministry as leaders, their entire education and professional training, in order to become Catholic and serve God as laypersons.  Why make that sort of sacrifice unless there was something to make it all worthwhile?   

Being friends with men and women (both Catholic converts and cradle Catholics) who truly love their faith, as evidenced by their 24/7 365 life, is a great blessing.  Serving and worshipping with them in a growing and thriving parish is super.  Stepping back and looking at what God is doing among His faithful followers is nothing short of amazing.  It is truly a work of God's grace the renewal spreading throughout the Church.  If you are in a remote parish that seems to be going nowhere, remember this:  even in the coldest parish, Christ is still present in the Eucharist.  He still wants to communion with you.  He is there for you.  You are not alone.  The same sacramental grace Christ pours out in the "exciting" parishes, He has made available for all.  And when we commune with God, we commune with each other.

Today I make my appearance on The Journey Home on EWTN (8pm Eastern).  I've been looking forward to this appearance for a long time.  Let me tell you something.  When opportunities for ministry like this present themselves, SOMEBODY is not going to like it.  I've been under spiritual attack for at least two weeks now.  It's not like there wasn't already spiritual warfare going on, but it is palatable these last two weeks.  Around every turn there is an adversary for me to face or a challenge to overcome.  Needless to say I'm tired from all the struggles and I can't claim that all battles have been won.  I trust in God's grace to get me through, knowing also that this appearance must be pretty important for the Gospel or else I don't think I would be attacked this hard.  I'm anxious to see what God chooses to do tonight and I'm happy to be the weak earthen vessel for His purpose. 

I appreciate your prayers.  If you happen to be offering rosaries today, please consider adding me to your intentions.

Thanks.

Back from vacation and, as expected, I'm swamped with work.  The workday hasn't even started yet and I already feel the weight of what is about to fall on me.  Oh well.  I had a good vacation and I enjoyed seeing my grandmother.  I'm even a bit relaxed.  

NOW ARE YOU READY?

Dudes, we are in EASTER!  I would love to hear about your parish's Easter Vigil celebrations, especially from those of you who have recently been brought into the Church.  DETAILS PLEASE. I would love to hear from any "Catholic convert" out there.  What is your story?  Seriously, people, join this Catholic blog community and share your story with us.  If you know people who have just come into the Church, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask them to consider creating a free Catholic blog on this site.  Not only will it be encouraging for us to read their conversion stories, but it will be great for us to be able to minister to their families through our prayers and encouragement.

This is going to be fun!

I spoke with Jim Anderson at the Coming Home Network this afternoon.  We've put a new date on the Calendar.  Schedule your parties for Monday, April 14 at 8pm Eastern.  Barring anything unusual happening, I'll be back in Birmingham for another go at The Journey Home on EWTN.  

I've updated the countdown timer to the right so you won't forget.  

You should also know, should you ever venture to the Birmingham area, that Tavern on the Summit is a great place to eat.  Very friendly and attentive staff and reasonably priced entrees.  Not too hard to find either.  Just off the beltway and less than 10 minutes from Irondale and the EWTN studios.  It looks like there were some really neat stores as well, but we wanted to head home.