ON BELONGING

I became a Catholic when I was 64. 

I needed to belong. My husband was born and raised Catholic. He and I felt he needed to get back into the church, and I wanted to be. It was just a feeling inside myself that I had to belong to the church. I had the feeling I needed something more in my life

My family wasn’t anything really. We were taught about God, and I knew all the Christmas story and all that sort of thing. How I started to be exposed to church was a Methodist church. The lady next door, who was really good friends with my mom, took me and had me baptized when I was two. And off and on, I went to the Methodist Church and Lutheran Church growing up.  

Then my older sister married a Catholic, and when I visited them they took me to a Catholic church. It seemed to be more, I guess, regimented. We say the same prayers you always say, and I liked that. 

And then I grew up.

I always knew there was a God, but you know.

We were in Lockport, New York when I joined the church in 1999. My sister, and her daughter, and her son got me this Bible. That was one of the happiest times, whenever the church accepted us. And I have never been sorry.

My daughter was almost seven months old when her dad was killed at work. So I had to raise three kids with no help. And as it was, I did it. And God gave me the strength and determination to work and take care of them, but I thought I did it all by myself.

And I think that’s one of the things that I realized after I got into the Church. I realized I didn’t do it—God did it.

And... did you ever see the little card... I don’t have one... it’s about... it’s like you’re walking along the sand. I always felt, “that’s how I am.” I realized it wasn't me at all. God worked through me. I didn’t realize it until after I became a Catholic and saw that card, and it was like, “you dummy.” I thought I was so great.

Knowing I belong to God is the most beautiful thing about being a Catholic. I know I belong to God. I did not know that until I became a Catholic. I know that God works in His way, not my way, and His time, not mine. And sometimes I just wonder how He gave up His son for all of us who are so ungrateful.

I know how important it is to have faith. I am not afraid. In fact, I’m looking forward to my journey, but I am just praying that God keeps me alive until we get to Florida and get settled there. Then I can go on my journey and I’ll look forward to it.