|
Featured Resources
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
(back)
A Valuable Life Experience
Deacon Mike McCabe was a short, plump man with thick white hair, rosy red cheeks and deep blue eyes that peered into mine while asking, "Why choose this path?" My initial reaction of "I don't really know" wasn't going to cut it, so I began to explain to him my family's history and why I had so eagerly come to him on this day.
My mother, a non-practicing Jew, and my father, a non-practicing Catholic, had brought me up so that I could choose my own religion. I celebrated Christmas every year while at the same time I visited my mom's family for the Jewish holidays. Deacon McCabe smiled as I explained that I had always felt a connection with God but never understood the Catholic religion. For the next 7 months, every Thursday night, Deacon McCabe and I met to discuss the Roman Catholic religion, Jesus, and how I fit in to all this.
When I was younger I had no real knowledge of religion at all. But as I got older I became curious. I attended church several times with friends and frequently asked questions about God. Deacon McCabe answered my every question and guided me down the self-paved path of receiving my sacraments. Choosing a faith gave me a sense of belonging as well as security. I felt much more comfortable knowing that I had somewhere to turn when I needed help with something in my life. I had not expected the strong support that I received throughout the community. Many friends and neighbors congratulated me on my decision and at the same time I met several people who had done the same thing when they were my age. It was comforting to know that so many people realized how much of an accomplishment this was for me. The impact that my decision made on my life did not quite hit me until several months afterwards. I realized how much I needed the feeling of belonging to a group or community. Many friends of mine who had been brought into a religion from birth often complained of having to go to church or temple. I enjoyed attending church because it was something I rarely had a chance to do.
After talking with my parents on the night before I received my sacraments, I thanked them for giving me the chance to choose my religion. I feel it gave me an opportunity to treasure what some take for granted.
On the night before Easter of the year 2001, I watched from the alter in my white robe as my mother cried in the pew and my father smiled with pride. I stood there as I received first the sacrament of baptism, then the sacrament of communion, and lastly the sacrament of confirmation.
As proud as I was of myself, I dreaded seeing my mother's side of the family the next day. As proud Jews, I had received unkind words from them as to my decision to convert.
Despite all of this, a year later my younger brother followed in my footsteps as he received his sacraments as well. And this Thursday my mother sat down with Deacon Mike McCabe. His deep blue eyes peered into hers while asking, "Why choose this path?" I'm sure my mother answered the question in a way very similar to my own.
This April, the night before Easter, I will proudly stand beside my mother at the alter as her sponsor. This experience has taught me so much about myself as well as the importance of religion in my life. Article provided by 
|
|
|
