Shayne’s rambling blog

   Well, I am now a menber of the Catholic church.  The Easter vigil is a beautiful mass and my confirmation and first Holy Communion made it an extra special night for me.  There were 5 RCIA’s all together and all of us have gotten to know each other, even before any of us were part of the confirmation process.  Every one of them are going to be a great asset to the Catholic community.  My wife was my sponsor and her excitement was evident as she stood at my side in front of the altar with a huge smile on her face and a tear in her eye as Father Dan introduced us to the congregation.  We went back to our seats and I watched my fellow RCIA’s present the gifts as my wife sat next to me in the pew squeezing my arm as if she thought I was going to run away, but believe me nothing was further from my mind than that.  I was going to take Communion!  I have been looking forward to this moment ever since I made that final and all important decision to become Catholic.  Now this may sound pretty silly, but after learning about the changing of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, I was relieved to find out it still tasted like bread and wine.  I felt different after the vigil was over and even after sitting there for almost 3 hours I didn’t want to leave.  I felt at home in church for the first time that I can remember.

   After congratulatory handshakes and the smiles directed my way by the members of the congregation as they filed out of the church, I was presented with a gift from the Altar Society and the Knights of Columbus.  We all waited to have our pictures taken with Father Dan and then I took my family home to bask in the warmth I felt in my heart.

   Up next, Easter Morning.

Well in 20 minutes my family and I leave for the church to start Easter vigil.  The excitement is coursing through my veins powered by the joy I feel about my confirmation and first Holy Communion.  My wife and I are looking upon this as a new beginning for me and she says she feels a revitalization in her spirit, this is a path we will share for the rest of our lives and our family is now to be one in spirit as well.  All the time I spent before on my search for a home has led to this day, stepping across the threshold and committing to the Church.  I am probably one of the most unlikely Catholics as far as my former views on the Catholic faith, but this feels right in a way nothing else has.

   Well it has been a while since my last post but the time is almost upon me.  My first confession is tomorrow and I will be confirmed on Holy Saturday.  My first time participating in the Holy Eucharist is something I have been looking forward to with joyful anticipation.

   I have been attending the Catholic church with my wife for some time and as soon as I made the decision to convert my faith started to bear fruit.  I was blessed to be asked to participate in helping our youth with the performance of the Living Stations of the Cross and it was absolutely wonderful.  I am also fortunate to have been voted into our parish KC’s, and I will be initiated on the first available date after my confirmation.  The opportunities to be in the Lord’s service is what I have been searching for all these years.  Just the few things I have been able to help with so far are filling me up in a way I have never known before.

   My joy can’t be expressed in words in the short time I have tonight.  I can only hope that someday my story can be of service to someone else, so I will set some time aside sometime soon to get it on my blog.  Until then may the Lord bless you all.