Blessing of the Catechumens…

Yes Jennifer, here is the blog you’ve been waiting ever-so-patiently for.
After 25 years of being raised a Jew (really 19, and I was also raised by a another parent who was Southern Baptist, but that’s another blog in itself) , I am converting to Catholicism. I begin my RCIA classes tomorrow night. A good friend of mine, Michelle, is my sponsor.
Jew to Catholic? How?
I’m married to a cradle Roman Catholic. He never pushed me to convert, and even when we got married 6 years ago, I made it CLEAR to him I had no interest in his religion. He didn’t care because his annulment from the Church hadn’t been started on yet, so having another Catholic wedding was the furthest from his mind (if you haven’t caught on by now, I’m a second wife, but first love . The annulment has since gone through, but I digress.
Before we got married, I did agree to raising what children we would have in the Catholic church. I hadn’t had any positive memories of religion growing up, so I knew raising our kids Southern Baptist or Jewish was out. I knew how important it was to my husband’s family as well, to have strong faith in the catholic religion (notice, that is little c).
Never did it cross my mind that I would have interest in the Catholic faith, let alone decide to convert.
About 8 months ago, I was going through a very tough time. John and I were fighting constantly, and I was all-around unhappy. It wasn’t because of anything else that someone had done. I just was a hateful person. It’s very hard to understand unless you’ve been there. Finally one day, John asked me if I had ever heard of the “Footprints” story. I hadn’t (for the obvious reasons). So, he told me the story- and every bell, whistle and light went off inside of me. It was THE answer I had needed in my life, and leave it to my wonderful husband to lead me to it. He suggested that we start attending Mass as a family. I don’t remember what was said during that first Mass. All I remember is that it touched on how I felt at that particular point in time. I was lost, and needed to find my way. I needed to open myself to His will, and live my life in a better way. I took the cues, and called the education office in the Rectory. They put me in touch with a “Why Catholic” group in my area that gets together every Tuesday night. I’ve been attending on a regular basis, and enjoy it very much. They are a fantastic group of people who don’t mind my constant questions. In fact, I think they enjoy them.
But what I didn’t know at first is that the group leader runs the RCIA program at our church. She has now deemed me “ready” to enter the Catholic faith. I will be baptised at Eater Vigil 2010.
So please, keep me in your prayers as I start this new journey. I’m excited, but a little nervous at the same time!