{"id":19326,"date":"2012-07-11T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austincnm.com\/?p=19326"},"modified":"2012-07-11T09:59:48","modified_gmt":"2012-07-11T14:59:48","slug":"comparing-conversions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2012\/07\/comparing-conversions\/","title":{"rendered":"Comparing Conversions"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the well-known atheist,\u00a0Leah Libresco, announced her entrance into the Catholic Church\u2019s RCIA program<\/a> I was blown away, like many others. I have to admit that, after reading her posts, much of what she said went over my head. I\u2019m not up on \u2018athiest\u2019 speak. But, I was very excited and encouraged by the prospect of her entrance into the Church.<\/p>\n

We have one thing (at least) in common. I\u2019m a convert, too. I went through RCIA back in \u201993-\u201894 at St. Mary\u2019s in College Station<\/a>. (Whoop!) It was my freshman year at Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

After growing up in the south, with heavy Baptist influences all around me, I was well aware of the dramatic impact of the \u2018testimony\u2019. Growing up, my Baptist friends took me with them to youth events and well-appreciated trips to Six Flags every summer. In the midst of the fun, I heard testimonies of the youth leaders – great, dramatic and sincere stories of their journeys of faith.\u00a0 I longed for a story of my own.<\/p>\n

Once I started my journey into the Catholic Church, those testimonies were still present. I met other RCIA members who had beautiful, inspirational stories of their journey to the Church. I read Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins.\u00a0 Friends at St. Mary\u2019s discussed their questions about the Eucharist and how they intellectually arrived at the conclusion that it was real.<\/p>\n

Again, I tried to craft my own story. I felt that having a \u2018conversion story\u2019 to share would make my decision to enter the Catholic Church more valid. Like Leah and my friends, I wanted to have something to proclaim to the world \u2013 \u201cHere, this<\/em> is what happened to me, this<\/em> is the dramatic moment when it all CLICKED<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n

My taciturn father even asked me, \u201cThe Catholic Church! Really? What made you choose that?\u201d The only answer I could give was, \u201cI don\u2019t know, Dad. I just love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, looking back, I agree. This was a simple answer, but also a most perfect one.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cLove takes up where knowledge leaves off.\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n

~ St. Thomas Aquinas<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I remember the pew where I knelt when I came to believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. One Lenten afternoon before my entrance into the church, I was there praying and looking at this beautiful gold monstrance with a little white piece of bread inside. And, all of a sudden, I believed. It filled my heart and I believed. I knew. I could not express it in words and still can\u2019t. The difference now is that I no longer feel the need to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

my pew<\/p><\/div>\n

A few weeks ago, I watched an interview with Leah Libresco on CNN<\/a>. The interviewer asked, \u201cWhat is it like to go from a self-described atheist to a practicing Catholic\u201d. Leah grinned and concluded her answer with, \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be able to participate in the Mass and thinking that it\u2019s actually, uh, you know, the Eucharist!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wait. What did she say? That sounds familiar\u2026 Jesus. The Real Presence. The same exact Jesus that I fell for.<\/p>\n

Leah could have answered with a more intellectual statement. She’s a Yale grad, for goodness sake! She could have said that she was looking forward to learning apologetics, or debating, or reading the Church Fathers. All of which would probably be true. But, no. She simply said she was excited about the Eucharist.<\/p>\n

\n

“If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

– St. Maximilian Kolbe<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There\u2019s a reason why so many have made a mad dash for the Catholic Church. Jennifer Fulwiler<\/a>, Heather King<\/a>, Abby Johnson<\/a>, Norma McCorvey<\/a>, Caryll Houselander<\/a>, Sigrid Undset<\/a>, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton<\/a>, G. K. Chesterton<\/a>, Edith Stein<\/a>, Walker Percy<\/a>, Thomas Merton<\/a>, Dorothy Day<\/a>.\u00a0 They see in the Church the one thing necessary: Jesus. And, more importantly, Jesus in the Eucharist. Because of the glaring brightness of this Real Jesus, they see past everything else in their way.<\/p>\n

From St. Augustine and Edith Stein, to my 10 year old boy who receives Holy Communion with reverence – it\u2019s the same Jesus that draws us in. And in comparison with HIM, we are all equal.\u00a0 We all have a story. Whether we\u2019re dramatic, CNN-newsworthy bloggers or little babies baptized at 2 months.\u00a0Our stories are meaningful, but they are just that – a story. What matters infinitely more is what we DO with our story. How does our story, secret or newsworthy, change us and bring us and those around us, closer to heaven.<\/p>\n

Many great people have come to love the Catholic Church. And many ordinary people, too. \u00a0The Lord loves my journey as much as he loves Leah\u2019s and yours. So, if you have a beautiful story, share it! Go forth and inspire! Or, you may be like me, with a story that is so melded to your heart that you can\u2019t for the life of you put it into words. Take heart, and know the power of your love for our Lord.<\/p>\n

\n

“I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament… There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that.”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

– J.R.R. Tolkein<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When the well-known atheist,\u00a0Leah Libresco, announced her entrance into the Catholic Church\u2019s RCIA program I was blown away, like many others. I have to admit that, after reading her posts, much of what she said went over my head. I\u2019m not up on \u2018athiest\u2019 speak. But, I was very excited and encouraged by the prospect… [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[4,90,89,91],"tags":[252,50,854,855],"class_list":{"0":"post-19326","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-blog","7":"category-faith-blog","8":"category-family","9":"category-young-adult","10":"tag-conversion","11":"tag-faith","12":"tag-leah-libresco","13":"tag-rcia","14":"entry","15":"has-post-thumbnail"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":166310,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/10\/review-rebuilding-your-message\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":0},"title":"The Art of Preaching and Teaching (Review: “Rebuilding Your Message”)","author":"Lindsay Wilcox","date":"October 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I used to think I was indecisive. Now I'm not so sure. I can usually come down squarely on one side or the other about my opinions on books. Bumped? Loved it. Wild at Heart? Did not love it. Then I read Rebuilt, and I mostly liked it. I liked\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Faith"","block_context":{"text":"Faith","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/faith-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\"Street closed\" sign.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/acnm_streetclosed-550x367.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/acnm_streetclosed-550x367.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/acnm_streetclosed-550x367.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":195595,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2016\/01\/review-forming-intentional-disciples\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":1},"title":"Taking Steps Toward the Savior (Review: “Forming Intentional Disciples”)","author":"Lindsay Wilcox","date":"January 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you believe God has a mission for your life? Do you tell other people, honestly and openly, about the ways the Holy Spirit works in your day-to-day? Or does all of that sound \"too Protestant\"? Are those things normal for you? Do\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Faith"","block_context":{"text":"Faith","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/faith-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Review of \"Forming Intentional Disciples\" at AustinCNM.com","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/acnm_formingintentionaldisciples.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":124040,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/a-response-to-what-sucks-about-the-catholic-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":2},"title":"A Response to “What Sucks about the Catholic Church”","author":"Lindsay Wilcox","date":"June 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Every spring brings the Church a batch of shiny new Catholics, and every year I see the same list of complaints. No, not the ones about people \"taking your pew.\" The ones about the niggling weaknesses in the Church. Many adults who enter the Catholic Church, especially those who were\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Response to \"What Sucks about the Catholic Church,\" at AustinCNM.com","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/acnmreponsetowhatsucks-550x394.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/acnmreponsetowhatsucks-550x394.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/acnmreponsetowhatsucks-550x394.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41409,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2013\/09\/review-waking-up-catholic\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":3},"title":"Your Intro to RCIA (Review: “Waking Up Catholic”)","author":"Lindsay Wilcox","date":"September 3, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The journey to Catholicism can be a winding one. Some sharp stones have been pressed in by years of habit, and some gems are waiting just around the next bend. It can be tricky to navigate the path. Sometimes you want a companion on the journey. Sometimes you just want\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"alarm clock buttons","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/alarm_clock_buttons_acnm-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":116031,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/05\/a-response-to-should-children-make-up-their-own-minds-about-religion\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":4},"title":"A Response to “Should Children Make Up Their Own Minds About Religion?”","author":"Lindsay Wilcox","date":"May 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I did not grow up in church. That surprises people who have only known me as an involved Catholic, but it's true. My mom's side is the Catholic side of the family, and they're only occasional churchgoers. My dad's side is mostly non-churchgoing, and they're not Catholic. When I go\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Faith"","block_context":{"text":"Faith","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/faith-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Should Children Make Up Their Own Minds About Religion? A Reponse at AustinCNM.com","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/acnm_childrenreligion.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":513093,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2017\/11\/angels-dragons-v-minor-exorcisms\/","url_meta":{"origin":19326,"position":5},"title":"Angels & Dragons V: Minor Exorcisms","author":"Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez","date":"November 4, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"With today\u2019s increase in pagan practices such as astrology, mediums, psychic readings, cleansings, New Age religion, Reiki, magic, angel touch, witchcraft, tarot cards, s\u00e9ances, Ouija boards, ghost hunters, Satanic music or worship, etc., people who have participated in any of these occult practices, including Christians, may feel demonically oppressed. When\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Column"","block_context":{"text":"Column","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/column\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/atxcatholic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/image12-550x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/atxcatholic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/image12-550x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/atxcatholic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/image12-550x330.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19326\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}