I converted in 1993 and quit going to Mass 1995. So, I am an Old New Catholic. Do I call the deacon Father?
Thank you for your question. No, we do not typically call Deacons Father.
Why did you stop going to Mass if you don’t mind me asking? Did you not understand what the Mass is? Or something else? Feel free to private message me if you would prefer. I enjoy learning about other individuals’ journeys.
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Thanks for asking! My sweet wife of 41 years, LNMacy, was born Catholic and was raised in Catholic Schools. Our kids went to public schools and hated Catholic Sunday School. When I was a kid, Sunday School was fun and interesting. Plus, I never had a test. Our kids were given homework and had to take tests. I don’t think I was mature enough to like church and looked for reasons not to go. LNMacy liked Church and went occasionally. Later in life we moved away from our original community. As her mother aged and required extra help, LN would go back home for a few days every other week. Her and her mom would go to Mass. Her mom passed away 3 years ago.
Last Easter, LN wanted to start going back to Church and told me I didn’t have to. By me not going, LN didn’t go. Then, something happened. I clicked on Father Mike on Youtube. Then other Catholic content sites. I started the Bible in a Year podcast, then the Catechism in a Year, and about two weeks later, The Rosary in a Year. I bought a used Catechism from eBay. At about 30 days in, I got caught up on each ‘In A Year’ podcasts so they were on the same day. I started reading and practicing the Prayers. I waited to ask her if we could go to Church together. I didn’t want to let her down again. We went back 6 weeks ago and it felt great. I went to confession 4 weeks ago so I could take Holy Communion. Now, I really appreciate the Eucharist and the readings. I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.
About 9 weeks ago, I prayed to God and my Guardian Angel (Fr. Mike reminded me in a vid that I had a Guardian Angel) to help me get back to Church. On my first day back, I kneeled and prayed and thanked my patient wife, Mary, Guardian Angel, the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I am on Day 100 for each ‘In A Year’ studies.
What is your story?
Many young people who leave the Church are so ignorant of the Faith. I know I was. It isn’t that we were not taught the Faith (as many claim), but how we were taught the Faith. I hated school. And if you make Sunday School (CCD or PSR) like school, it only appeals to kids who have interest in learning their Faith. So, when many of experience a conversion or reversion in our lives, we think, Why weren’t we taught this? We probably were, but we were either not ready to hear it or were taught it in such a way that made us not care to learn it at that particular walk in our life.
Praise God! I bet your Wife was either in shock or Fr. Mike Schmitz is a gift. My daughters enjoy listening to him too. I used to get his talks on CD before he started the …In a Year series.
Awesome! I am overjoyed for you and for your Wife! Like a relationship, don’t give up when those feelings and butterflies go away. God remains faithful, even when we are not. And I Pray that your relationship with your Wife grows fonder, because of this conversion in your lives. Conversion is not a one-time thing. It is growing and experiencing relationship with God and with others we love.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I Pray that your humility will bless not only those in your life, but others who may read this and have been thinking about coming back to Church.
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