Why am I becoming Catholic?

Published: April 1, 2015

“I’d have to say that there was a feeling that something was missing from our spiritual lives. We were both lifelong conservative evangelicals. As the years went by, we began to notice a definite movement away from what we considered biblical and theological truth. Then when studying history, we began to realize that the early Church, the original Church, was so very Catholic. At that point, it was the true beginning. As a couple, our decision to become Catholics was definitely mutual, but we came at it from different directions. Mine was a conviction from reading history. Sue’s was from a set of experiences in visiting her sister in southern Louisiana, a very Catholic place. She realized how special and holy the faith really was.”

Charles Lewis, Candidate

“We are both very excited about our new life in the Church. Coming into the Church is not the end of our journey, but a new beginning. Neither of us has ever felt so close to the Lord. He is truly leading us by the hand.”

Johnnie “Sue” Lewis, Candidate
Christ the King Church, Little Rock

“My husband Wade grew up Catholic. When I met him he really wasn’t going to church, but after college he started going back to church and started to get more involved. I never grew up going to church at all, so I was kind of separated from him doing that. The more I got involved going to Mass and doing things occasionally I started to see there was some kind of emptiness inside of me that I couldn’t explain. I started to realize it was a relationship with God that I was missing. I tried joining RCIA a couple of times, but we moved around so much it never worked out timing-wise. We came back to Little Rock last May and it felt like this was time to do it. Starting RCIA, I’ve become more sure what I’m doing is what I am supposed to be doing.”

Lindsay Wolfenbarger, Elect
Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

“My reason for becoming a Catholic is to be part of an organization that promotes love, family, diversity and, most of all, a dedication for Christ to be first in all aspects of our lives. Over the years I have felt Christ calling me to be a part of something bigger and the first time I visited St. Vincent de Paul Church I felt the presence of God and a calling to be part of the parish.

“St. Vincent de Paul Parish does so much for the northwest Arkansas community: supporting those in need both spiritually and financially, as well as providing basic needs to those individuals that are less fortunate in life and need support in their rough spots.

“My commitment to God and St. Vincent de Paul Parish is to give back to the community and my parish as I continue my spiritual journey as a new Catholic leading a life that my God has ordained for me.”

Joey Mixon, Candidate
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Rogers

“For years I had been going on and off to the Catholic Church with my husband, even before we were married. I felt as though I was just going through the motions and not really knowing why certain things were being done. Recently, I started attending RCIA. You could almost say that I was blind and now I see. This class has opened my eyes to a whole new world, a whole new Catholic world. One thing I find really intriguing is that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ. Also, all the questions I had, coming from a Protestant background, were answered without judgment and were followed up with supporting Scripture. I know that God has taken me from the darkness and shown me the light. I plan to continue to live my life in the light.”

Casey Jones, Candidate
St. Edward, Texarkana

“I am becoming Catholic because my wife and children are Catholic. I have two young daughters, my wife teaches Bible school at the church … I felt I wanted continuity in my household; I wanted to be the religious head of household for my children and myself. It means a lot to my wife because she was raised Catholic … We were married at St. Peter’s in 1999. I was baptized Lutheran, but I’ve always attended the Catholic Church since we were married. I thought it was time we provided a united front as far as raising our children. I was interested in RCIA and finding a deeper truth in the Catholic faith through education. With the early Church beginnings and the tradition, it felt like it was the right choice for me. My kids love it. They’re old enough to question, ‘Dad why don’t you go up to Communion?’ I tried to explain it to them but if I expect them to be a member I should also be part of the Church.”

Irvin DeAtley, Candidate
St. Peter the Fisherman Church, Mountain Home

“I was born and raised Episcopalian. I married a Catholic; I’m just very comfortable in the Catholic Church. When you have a question, you have the history of the Church that can answer any question you have, it’s not just one person making an opinion on it. The spiritual growth has been incredible through the RCIA program that I never expected it to be. I started doing it for my son who is 1 now, and it turned into a very personal journey that was kind of unexpected and kind of glorious. I’m looking forward to getting to participate more than anything. That’s one of the things I was worried about because at the Episcopal church it’s open communion. I was a little edgy about that at first, I wished the Catholic Church would have open Communion, but going through the class I understand the importance of it … I look forward to being able to participate in the Eucharist. It’s an incredible honor.”

Siri Briggler, Candidate
St. Joseph Church, Conway

“(I am becoming Catholic) because it is answering a lot of my questions and doubts I have about Christianity. I have always been agnostic, leaning toward atheism because I did not understand. I am one of those people I have to understand to believe. I have been going to churches, and I did not understand. I am now understanding.”

Joy Anderson, Elect
Blessed Sacrament Church, Jonesboro

“My journey to Catholicism began in 2003 when I was faced with the reality of a divorce. In 2004 I was introduced to a group of ladies at St. Scholastica Monastery who offered me support and spiritual guidance. I spent many lunch dates there praying, meditating and seeking God’s direction in my journey. Whenever I ran across Deacon John Burns, he offered me a smile, a prayer and a hug with the sign of the cross on my back, giving me strength, courage and love. In 2008 my son Lane was born, and in recognizing that I’m responsible for my children’s knowledge of God I knew immediately that my journey would take me to St. Boniface, where he attends school. I know that every day when I take him to school his day begins and ends in prayer. The staff of St. Boniface treats my son with loving care, discipline and a passion for teaching our children about Christ. Today I get the awesome experience of learning along with my son and of becoming a Catholic at the Easter Vigil Mass.”

Suzanne White, Elect
St. Boniface Church, Fort Smith

Click for the Open Eyes: New Catholics 2015 index