Everything changed the day I set foot in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. I felt God calling me home; I knew that was where I was meant to be. Over the course of a year, I fell in love with God all over again and I fell in love with His Church. Never have I felt a community so strong and empowering. Never have I truly felt the presence of God so closely.
The Catholic Church is so often mistaken for a "non-Christian" type faith. People are accused of not having a true relationship with Christ, not understanding the meaning of salvation, not reading scripture, and so on. Honestly, I had never really formed an opinion other than "it's not for me," before attending that first mass. However, I think people are so very wrong in their assumptions of what it means to be Catholic.
Being Catholic is so much more than kneeling, burning incense, telling a priest your sins, and talking to saints. Did you know there is a liturgy (daily scripture readings for mass) used around the globe that will be spoken at mass today, tomorrow, and every day to follow? It is centered around God's holy word and is planned years in advance. If you think the Catholic Church doesn't use the Bible as a structure, you are so wrong. Every step of the mass is completely centered around scripture.
That relationship with Christ? It's found every time the bread is broken and we experience the body and blood of Christ as the apostle did. You see, communion isn't just a wafer and a sip of juice; it is literally the body and blood of Christ. The respect and love the Church shows to the Eucharist is like nothing I have ever seen before.
The Church is so loving and accepting. It is incredible the way people in the Church seem to have such open minds. Never do I feel unwanted or judged for the things I have done. Being in the Church is always like being around friends and family. it doesn't matter what church it is, I always feel loved.
Don't get me wrong, the Catholic Church is not perfect; far from it actually. But what church can honestly say it is? It has not been easy following God's call in my life, but I am reminded time and time again that I am where He has called me to be. I am reminded of that in each celebration of mass.
Last year during Lent, I was reading the New Testament. God showed me the truth in His church as I read Matthew 8; I saw an exact parallel between the words spoken by the community during the celebration of mass. "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the words and my soul shall be healed." Reading those words reminded me of two things: the first is that the teachings in mass are as true as the words of God; the second is that I am truly not worth of the mercy God has had on me and on all of us, to forgive our sins by the use of His holy son.
Joining the Church has not been an easy thing to do. It has been emotionally taxing over and over. I have questioned those around me, those who believe, those who do not. I have especially questioned God as to why He would bring me to a different religion than that of my family. I don't believe I have received an answer and I know that I might never fully understand, but I do know this is His calling for my life.
I knew going into this process that I would be faced with adversity and heartbreak. I knew there would be questions from friends and family, most of which I would not be able to answer immediately. I knew many would not understand, but that is okay; God has been doing a beautiful thing in my life. He has shown me that though I am not worthy, His love and mercy is sufficient. And He has shown me that I don't have to understand the plan to trust in Him.
Before I finish this post, I would like to thank the two strongest women in my life and the two women who has supported my every decision.
Zoe - Thank you for being so kindhearted. Thank you for the initial invitation to St. Thomas which brought me to the Church. Thank you for your unending love and support (even when I make dumb decisions). Thank you for loving me and for being my best friend and the best roommate I could have ever asked for.
Momma - Thank you for raising me to love God, but not to take everything at face value. Thank you for always loving me, even when I do things you don't fully understand. Thank you for your support in this process and for trusting in God's plan better than I ever could. I love you and I pray you will always know I am your baby girl.
I would also like to thank my beautiful friends and support system at the Association of Catholic Tech Students. Never have I felt so loved and accepted. Never have I been so comfortable around a group of people. You have no idea the impact you have had on my life and the impact you continue having on me. Thank you for giving me hope and for strengthening my heart. With the love of God, you truly saved my life.
That relationship with Christ? It's found every time the bread is broken and we experience the body and blood of Christ as the apostle did. You see, communion isn't just a wafer and a sip of juice; it is literally the body and blood of Christ. The respect and love the Church shows to the Eucharist is like nothing I have ever seen before.
The Church is so loving and accepting. It is incredible the way people in the Church seem to have such open minds. Never do I feel unwanted or judged for the things I have done. Being in the Church is always like being around friends and family. it doesn't matter what church it is, I always feel loved.
Don't get me wrong, the Catholic Church is not perfect; far from it actually. But what church can honestly say it is? It has not been easy following God's call in my life, but I am reminded time and time again that I am where He has called me to be. I am reminded of that in each celebration of mass.
Last year during Lent, I was reading the New Testament. God showed me the truth in His church as I read Matthew 8; I saw an exact parallel between the words spoken by the community during the celebration of mass. "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the words and my soul shall be healed." Reading those words reminded me of two things: the first is that the teachings in mass are as true as the words of God; the second is that I am truly not worth of the mercy God has had on me and on all of us, to forgive our sins by the use of His holy son.
Joining the Church has not been an easy thing to do. It has been emotionally taxing over and over. I have questioned those around me, those who believe, those who do not. I have especially questioned God as to why He would bring me to a different religion than that of my family. I don't believe I have received an answer and I know that I might never fully understand, but I do know this is His calling for my life.
I knew going into this process that I would be faced with adversity and heartbreak. I knew there would be questions from friends and family, most of which I would not be able to answer immediately. I knew many would not understand, but that is okay; God has been doing a beautiful thing in my life. He has shown me that though I am not worthy, His love and mercy is sufficient. And He has shown me that I don't have to understand the plan to trust in Him.
Before I finish this post, I would like to thank the two strongest women in my life and the two women who has supported my every decision.
Zoe - Thank you for being so kindhearted. Thank you for the initial invitation to St. Thomas which brought me to the Church. Thank you for your unending love and support (even when I make dumb decisions). Thank you for loving me and for being my best friend and the best roommate I could have ever asked for.
Momma - Thank you for raising me to love God, but not to take everything at face value. Thank you for always loving me, even when I do things you don't fully understand. Thank you for your support in this process and for trusting in God's plan better than I ever could. I love you and I pray you will always know I am your baby girl.
I would also like to thank my beautiful friends and support system at the Association of Catholic Tech Students. Never have I felt so loved and accepted. Never have I been so comfortable around a group of people. You have no idea the impact you have had on my life and the impact you continue having on me. Thank you for giving me hope and for strengthening my heart. With the love of God, you truly saved my life.
