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[LisaUK]

Hello everyone, my name is Lisa and I'm am 27, and from the UK.

I am about to take the first step on an amazing journey, which will end with my full conversion to Catholocism.

I was never christened, or baptised and I haven't been raised in any religion.  In fact, this time last year, I was a pagan.  I was heavily into the occult and practised witchcraft.

Then, one evening, I was in a chat room, when a man started talking to me.  We were chatting about medieval history - a subject which we were both really interested in - and he revealed to me that he was in fact, a Cistercian monk.  He had been teaching a course away from his Abbey and had been bored, so he went into a chatroom.  I do hasten to add, he doesn't do this on a regular basis!

We exchanged e-mails for a couple of months and became really good friends.  Then, knowing I was having a rough time personally, he invited me to stay in the monastery's guesthouse for a few days.  So I went along, with my blinkers on, determined that the Catholic church "wouldn't get me".  And they didn't try.  John-Paul was very gentle and compassionate, didn't force me to talk about God or faith.  And it just happened.  After two days, I came away knowing that God existed, and that he wanted me.

I didn't accept it one hundred percent to start with.  It was kind of scary and it meant I had to let go of my pagan beliefs, which I was quite reluctant to do.

But recently, I went back to the Abbey on a three-day retreat.  I spent a lot of time talking to John-Paul, and to other guests in the guesthouse, and then, on Wednesday 9th May at about half past eight in the morning, I was sat in the church during Mass and suddenly, I felt like someone was stood beside me, with their arms around me, holding me and saying that they loved me.  It was like a light had been switched on in my heart.

Once the church had emptied, I got on my knees, looked up at the crucifix and said "Ok, I see it now, I'm yours.  Take me, I offer you my life".  I was there for fifteen minutes, praying like never before, with tears rolling down my face.  Then, I came away from the church with this amazing feeling of overwhelming joy.  I just knew that God wanted me to join his church, he loves me, he doesn't care about what I have done in the past, he wants ME.

And that is the story behind my decision to convert fully to the faith.  Tomorrow morning, after Mass, I will approach my priest and "get the ball rolling".

It's the most exciting adventure I have ever experienced, and I cannot wait!

So, that is my story - thank you for having the patience to read, and please, pray for me during my conversion.  Thank you to those who welcomed me so warmly in the chat room.  God bless.

[chris]

Hi Lisa!

Welcome aboard to the Catholic family.
Great arrival story...I hope the RCIA site was helpful.


With Prayers
Chris

[LisaUK]

I just wanted to let you know - I have literally just got off the phone with my parish priest, Father Paul, and I am meeting him for a chat on Tuesday!  This is it - I have taken the first step and I am so very excited about it! 

[cajunrick]

Hello everyone, my name is Lisa and I'm am 27, and from the UK.

Lisa, you have an exciting ride ahead as you get to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his Church.  Welcome home!

[Christina]

Welcome to the boards, hope to see you in the chat room

[Vinny VA]

Lisa, beautiful conversion story... I heard a little of it in the chatroom, but it was nice to hear the full story.  Welcome to the site and welcome to the Church!

Vinny

[cajunrick]

I just wanted to let you know - I have literally just got off the phone with my parish priest, Father Paul, and I am meeting him for a chat on Tuesday!  This is it - I have taken the first step and I am so very excited about it! 

Would you share with us how the meeting went?  Nothing too personal, of course.

[csmvgrad]

Hi Lisa,
How exciting! I too am a convert to Catholicism,  and from England too.. and now live in the US. The local Cistercian Abbey here is a retreat for my husband and I once a year. There contemplative way is such a relief from the franticity of life and we are grateful to be able to go there and sloooow way down.

May God Bless you and keep you and guide your feet into the way of peace.
Tamara

[E James]

Welcome.  I converted five years ago.  When I first went I thought there would be pressure.  No pressure=Always welcome even if I never converted.
     I see you're from the UK-Emerald Isle per chance?

[Pat Essex]

Lisa and all who are thinking of joining our Tradition.  I welcome you and will pray for your on this part of your journey, especially that your personal relationship with Jesus will be intimate and loving so that if or when you are hurt within the Church, you will truly know why you are there = to love and serve God through each other.  May you all be blessed in your journey