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""Love changes everything." We've heard Father Michael say those words a lot recently, and I can't think of better words to sum up my journey to the Sacraments of Initiation."

"I've always been very independent, very sure that I could do it all on my own. Yes, I knew that I needed God, but I didn't think I needed "religion". I didn't think I needed to go to church. For me, that's all church was -- a place you went."

"Then at the beginning of last year, I decided that maybe I should give church a try on a regular basis. I must admit that it began as an intellectual exercise. Part of me was just waiting for something to go wrong, just so that I could say, "Yeah, I gave it a shot and it wasn't for me.""

"Instead of things going wrong though, everything went right. The genuine warmth, enthusiasm and love present in this community were amazing to me. I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who helped me learn when to stand and who showed me the order of worship in the hymnal so I'd know what was going on. I owe a deeper debt to those who reached out and held my hands during the Lord's Prayer and who looked me in the eyes and made genuine contact as they wished me peace. At first, I might have felt a little uncomfortable, but ultimately those were the things that kept me coming back. The Bible background that we go over during the call to worship brought me more understanding of the liturgy. And being able to come forward for a blessing as you celebrated the Eucharist made me feel included and wanted, made me feel that maybe there was a place here for me after all."

"So I kept coming back. I wanted to be able to participate more fully, but I still wasn't sure about making a commitment. I met Rosemary and Colleen through the Take Another Look programs last spring. Eventually, I approached them to ask about RCIA. Looking back, I think that maybe they had been waiting for that to happen for a little while. That's the thing though; this RCIA team is a very patient group. They were more than willing to allow my journey to happen in God's time."

"I started going to the RCIA inquiry sessions. Then I participated in the Rite of Welcoming. That's when I knew things were getting serious since I now had to stand before the congregation each week and be dismissed with your song and prayers. And at some point, it happened. It clicked. I could feel God's love working in me. And I knew that I was finally in the right place and at the right time."

"Our group continued to meet to grow in faith, knowledge and understanding. Barbara McLaughlin reached out to me, first as a sponsor and then as a godparent. We celebrated the Rites of Sending and of Election. We celebrated the Lenten Scrutinies where we looked at the hungers, thirsts, and darknesses in our lives and invited God to nourish us, quench our thirst, and bring us light. And then we came to the Easter Vigil."

"I just don't have words to describe what it was like to be baptized here in this pool, to be anointed in Confirmation, or to participate in the Eucharist. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to present the gifts, and finally say, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." The only thing I can say is that it was absolutely the best night of my life."

"And now our journey continues. God's love has changed everything for me. I've realized that church isn't a building I come to; it's a community that I belong to and that, in turn, belongs to me. I now know that everything I have, everything I am, is from God. By allowing God to work in me, I have become a stronger and more giving person. I now know that I can turn to God, and to the church, and to this parish - to you -- for renewal, acceptance, and love. I am profoundly grateful to have the opportunity to learn those lessons here with you. Thank you."
 

"I grew up primarily with my grandparents in S.C. who attended the local Pentecostal Holiness Church. With three services on Sunday, one on Wednesday, and additional in-home Prayer Meetings during the week, all based on the Old Testament and a FEAR GOD, I became totally negative towards any form of Church activity.  To me, a FEAR God was not very enticing." 

"Instead of Church, I established a self governing standard; whereas, decisions were made without consultation with God (many of which ended up with disastrous results) and developed a discipline to achieve goals of education and career (all of which were achieved).  Having always been studious, I either learned in the university or attained self-taught skill proficiencies ranging the spectrum from handy man to high-tech.  However, I always refrained from reading the Bible."

"During my career and through business travel to other parts of the globe, I was exposed to a broad variety of cultures and religions.  At best, this only created confusion and misinterpretation.  However, I did realize that these people had something that I did not have.  This awakened within me the knowledge that something was missing in my life which I could not identify until approximately two years ago."

"I began attending Church at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church eight years ago at the request of Patty O'Neil.  Initially, I felt like a fish out of water since I could not follow the Mass and felt like an hour was a waste of time.  However, I did discover that there was a LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE GOD. After two years of attendance, I began to understand the Mass after discovering the outline in the first pages of the Hymnal.  After that, I began to participate and the more I participated, the more my comfort level increased."

""Four years ago I had a meeting with Fr. Michael O'Brien.  Upon his inquiring if I would like to become a member of the Catholic Community, my response was "Don't push the envelope".  Being a type "A" personality, it is difficult to eat one's words.  However, in this case eating those words tastes very good.""

"My first involvement in a Church activity as a volunteer was in the St. Justin Famous Flea Market two years ago and again the following year.  Fortunately, I had a chance to work with Bruce Rolston who encouraged me to investigate the RCIA program as an Inquirer.  About the same time I began to open my Eyes, Ears, and Heart.  I could finally see that the Church community was a genuine supportive community of caring individuals who had a special relationship with God and each other.  I began to listen to the readings and the homily and began to identify with what was being said and discovered that we have a very forgiving and loving God.  I began to open up my heart and wanted to become a member of this community and experience a comparable relationship with God.  Yes, I finally realized and acknowledged what the missing element in my life had always been.  Also, I personally feel very fortunate in having had the benefit of Fr. O'Brien as an encouraging force who is both an excellent teacher of the Bible, and one who is so passionate about his relationship with God."

"Obviously, I did follow Bruce's suggestions and began my RCIA learning experience approximately 1-1/2 years ago.  My personal experience has been way beyond expectations.  Unlike before, I could hardly wait until the weekend to attend the 8:00 Mass followed by the 9:30 Mass through the homily where I, along with other candidates, was dismissed to ultimately participate in the RCIA learning experience.  I, unlike others, needed to experience the full Church Year while participating in the program.  This provided me with a much better understanding than I could have attained otherwise."

""We at St. Justin Martyr Church are very fortunate to have such knowledgeable and dedicated personalities who make up the RCIA Leadership Team.  They are Rosemary Mandery, Phyllis Hollowell, Colleen Ford, Bruce and Jan Rolston, and Jane Guelker.  The RCIA Team, combined with Fr. O'Brien's passion and leadership, sponsors, Candidates, and other participants make the learning experience "second to none" with positive results for all, including those who are known as "Cradle Catholics".""

"Anyone who is even remotely considering satisfying that missing element in their life by establishing a relationship with God, I encourage them to explore the RCIA program.  It will make a positive change in one's life.  As with myself, for the RCIA program to work, you must make a conscious decision for yourself, not because you are attempting to conform to someone else's wishes or that it is the fashionable thing to do.  For example, I attempted the program approximately ten years ago at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, Fl. in an attempt to please someone else and dropped out after (6 - 8) sessions; because, I could not continue under false pretenses."

""During the Easter Vigil I underwent the "Life Changing Experience" of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.  This milestone for me means that my sins have been forgiven and that I now can experience the Sacraments of Holy Communion along with the rest of the Church Community.  I have a sense of belonging and feel an inner peace that I did not believe possible for anyone."

""I am a "Neophyte in Training" and a member of the Catholic Community.  My goal is to continue to learn and also continue providing my First Fruits of Talent and Time wherever possible.  By the way, I began reading the Bible upon entering the RCIA program and am now nearly through the Old Testament with the best yet to come.  I thank you all from the depths of my heart for being so supportive and making me so welcome into this Catholic Community.""

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