A Gradual Turning to Christ
I grew in Tucson, Arizona with my parents. My mother went to the Baptist Church on special occasions while my father was against organized religion.
I went to Christian private schools through high school. After my mother passed away in 1993, I decided to explore different Protestant churches. I started to hang out with the Seventh Day Adventists, but realized that they were judgemental especially towards Catholics and non-practicing Protestants. I was baptized in 1999 in a fundamental Baptist church.
I'm the type of person that connects with people that seem to be loveable in the community; however, during mission trips or evangelism opportunities, I saw Baptists as angry people condemning others to hell. I thought that God allows us to make the decision to be with Him. I was a people pleaser all my life.
Like trying on new outfits, I went from one Protestant community to another.
Majority of the communities did not agree with one another which bothered me.
In 2002, I decided to visit the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center at the University of Arizona. My Protestant friends and I were invited to a Mass during Advent. During the Mass as the priest lifted up the host, I saw Jesus. I recognized Him immediately.
There were moments that led me to the Catholic Church that made me curious. In 1993, I spoke with students from a Catholic high school after they went to World Youth Day. In 1999, I smelled roses in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City during a mission trip. I kept my desire to explore the Catholic Church a secret. For four years, I questioned everything I had learned about Christianity. I studied the Church fathers, took a few religious studies classes with a Catholic priest who was the head of the department. I took the plunge by joining the OCIA program in 2003; however, I was persecuted for becoming Catholic. I lost many Protestant friends and the Lord pruned me carefully during my young adult life. Despite these challenges, I was received in full communion on April 10, 2004.
I do not regret my decision to become Catholic. Receiving the Sacraments have become my food for the soul. I share the Gospel by words and deeds in the community. I noticed that I am less anxious since I entered the Church.
Eileen Robinson
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