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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 946 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 28th, 2007 12:27 pm |
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With apologies to the originating author of "when one converts," I'd like to post a message for all of you who've come back home: Patience and Prayers pay off handsomely!
And even if you're a "newbie" and haven't had the opportunity to revert (by all means, DON"T create a reason for one!) crossing the Tiber is well worth the swim!
For years my lovely wife and i had some beauts when it came to in-house re-enactments of the Troubles in Ireland. She's a Yankee Congregationalist by birth and baptism, confirmed Episcopalian and now Baptist, (ABC) Over time, however, she came to realize how important my Catholic Faith was to me simply by watching me patiently and quietly pulling myself back in without trying to push and pull her along. I've always kept the welcome light "on" and the mat out. Over time I learned, however, that the only way to get the best possible results is through what St. Paul taught us in 1 Cor. 1-13.
It's not theological rocket-science. It's plain common sense and it's been around for a few thousand years. But it works all the time and I thank God that it was said by my priest at our wedding. It's humbling, and reassuring and just like its topic: it never fails!
Funny how time heals so many wounds through patience and prayers. The other night, following our attendance at the Baptist church the family belongs to, Ruth and I had a "disagreement" over whether or not to attend the local Episcopal parish we used to attend and she still loves their Christmas Eve Mass much better than the usual hymns, readings and message followed by a traditional candle-lit singing of Silent Night. W/o wanting to seem disrespectful to the Baptists, however, I simply had enough of being at a Christmas service sans liturgy (of any kind!) To make a longer story shorter, we both tussled over accomodating each other's spiritual longings and she simply said walk over to Most Holy Redeemer, the Catholic parish down the street from us here in Hadley.
So, off I went, humming "Amazing Grace," and walked under a spectacular starlit sky highlighted by a full moon. The nearby common with its old white Yankee clapboards shining and reflecting the near foot of snow made for quite a sight. I got there a little late, but was I in for a surprise. It was the first Latin Mass, with all the "trappings," the smells and bells, etc. Oh, sure, there were signs that the liberal manglings of the post Vatican II era hadn't left, but by and large, I felt fully at home once again.
When I got home, Ruth had just completed wrapping the presents and had just plunked into bed for a long overdue and well-deserved rest! It was all I could do to keep the tears of gratitude from showing.
My Christmas had already arrived.
Remember well what "Free" had to say. And remember well what St. Paul had to say.
Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and it's also my prayer that perhaps what I've shared here, and everyone else's stories will serve as encouraging sign posts along the way. Many European side-roads are blessed by road-side Crucifix/Shrines. I also like to think of the many interesting and encouraging postings I've read here at CHNI in a similar vein. I've been thoroughly blessed by the many prayers and new friends I've met here. So very thoroughly blessed and encouraged.
Thank you all and have a Blessed Christmas Season!
StevenLast edited on Fri Dec 28th, 2007 12:30 pm by Steven Barrett
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For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Fri Dec 28th, 2007 03:29 pm |
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You're a great storyteller, Steven! Thanks so much for that.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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