Testimonials

I did the RCIA programme back in 2005, and I was confirmed at Easter 2006.  I cannot express enough what a wonderful experience it was.

In the past, I had attended several Masses as a non-Catholic, because my two Catholic boys were educated at Catholic schools.  While I enjoyed the children’s Masses, I did not know the reasons and theology behind all the traditions and rituals. Then a few years ago, I began to feel the urge to receive the Eucharist, and I started to want to be more involved.  I spoke to several people and was invited to attend the RCIA meetings at Caringbah.

Everyone involved with the programme were so welcoming, and they encouraged all my questions, even those that seemed the stupidest in my head.  Not only did we learn the traditions of the Church, but we also looked at why certain things were done, and how they had changed and developed over time.  All the meetings were very interesting, and I got so much more out of the programme than I thought I would.

I developed a lot of love and respect for the people involved, especially Fr Kerry, Fr Leonardo, Sr Mary, Deacon (now Father) Anthony, and the Parish Catechumen team.  The thing that really struck me was that these are people who truly live their faith.  Their examples made what I was learning seem so much more relevant.

The biggest blessing for me is that becoming a Catholic has not just brought me closer to God, but I now have a deeper love for my family.  My husband and two sons are Catholic, and it is a great privilege to share this with them.  I really enjoy being able to accompany my son to Mass each week, and being able to share in the Eucharist with him is a truly indescribable gift.

With hindsight, I can see that God had put these questions into my mind for a reason.  I have received nothing but abundant blessings in my time as a Catholic, and am eternally grateful to all those who made it possible.  So I encourage anyone who may even just have a hint of a desire to become a Catholic to look into it. You will be amazed at what you will receive in return.

Elaine

It’s been over ten years now since I was baptised with our second daughter who was only 3months old at the time.

My conversion I often describe as a process (and it’s still going on). It wasn’t a sudden spur of the moment decision to become Catholic.

I grew up in a (what I call) a non religious environment, sort of anti God in general & sadly very anti Catholic (not for any reason in particular that I can recall).

My first inkling of the majesty of God came seconds after the birth of our first daughter (I had married a Catholic). My husband and I were discussing having our new born daughter baptised, something he was very keen on so I started to ask questions about why it was so important to him that the baptism take place sooner rather than later if at all. This led to some very interesting & lively discussions. I had all the usual comments, let the child decide for herself when she is older & it doesn’t really matter if she is baptised or not, look at me I’m not “christened” and I’m still alive!!

My husband had some very weird idea’s (well that’s what they seemed like to me) as to what he thought would happen to a person if they weren’t baptised & they died.....this was the liveliest of discussions!!! I blurted out this topic at our meeting with our local priest when we went to organise our daughter’s baptism.........his suggestion was in due course (as I had just become a first time mum) that I consider attending the church’s RCIA information evening (which I did). Full of rebellious thoughts I turned up.......I believe that if you want straight answers you ask straight (dare I say blunt) questions......the RCIA team set about asking us why we were there, I responded with something along the lines of “well I want to see what this God of yours is like.”

The team at the time which included Father Kerry set about in a very sincere, honest & open manner to introduce me to the basics of their faith, no question ever went unanswered. If the team felt they didn’t know enough about a topic they would say so & ask if I would like more information at our next meeting or leave it up to me to research the topic of interest to me at that time.

At no time did I feel pressured into following any of the “traditions” of the church as explained by the RCIA team, which I found curious as I had always believed Catholics were out to trap you and make you believe in God or whatever it was that they did. This is definitely NOT what the RCIA is about at all.

It (the RCIA team) is made up of a group of very dedicated parishioners (church members) who feel inspired to come & share their knowledge with others as they journey through their own faith.

I would encourage any of you that attend the enquiry night to ask “those” questions which you have on your mind, no question is too silly or too insignificant to ask, you just need the courage to ask them.

Having travelled this far on my own journey I know that this RCIA team, even though some of the team members are different from when I was in the same position as you (the first inquiry night), they will honour & respect your point of view and seek to share as much as they can with you to help you along your own & very individual journey through life.

I sincerely thank you for having the courage to come along and see what our RCIA program is all about.

When one of my daughters got her first pair of glasses, she commented that it was like seeing ‘digital’ and that everything was a lot sharper and clearer. During the course of the RCIA program, my life became a lot clearer and sharper for me.

I worshiped most of my life in a protestant faith, but something always seemed to be missing or didn’t feel complete. I had a love for Christ, went to Church on a Sunday but never really felt part of the body of the Church. I was brought up to have respect for, but to also fear Catholicism. My husband had been brought up as Catholic and our solution, before I was led on my journey of enquiry and discovery, was to go together to both a Catholic and a Protestant Church on a Sunday.

It was after a challenging conversation with a Deacon from the Cronulla Parish that I was asked about my thoughts on the Eucharist and Communion.  This started my quest for answers, and a yearning and thirst for knowledge and information about the importance of the Eucharist and Catholicism.  After nearly 9 months, of trying to prove that I was right and didn’t have it wrong, I was led to phone Father Kerry and have a chat. My husband was in shock for a few days because he didn’t think that I might ever consider worshiping in the Catholic faith.

My husband and I met with Father Kerry, each week, for a couple of months and discussed many topics and issues.  Although John had been educated in a catholic school, he was learning many things that he hadn’t realised or didn’t know.

I think the things that I enjoyed learning about most were the rich traditions (why and the reasons the Church has them) and the importance of each of the Sacraments (especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation). Just as I have a relationship with my family and friends, I also have a special and unique relationship with God, who loves me.

I have now been confirmed in the Catholic Church. I love going to Mass with my husband John. We read the Bible and pray together and feel very blessed that we have the opportunity to do those things together.

I have been left with a peacefulness that surpasses all understanding!!!.