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A New catholic says thank you |
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 I don’t presume to speak for the brothers and sisters who joined the Catholic family with me at Easter, but I know they wont mind me imparting how moved and privileged we all felt when we were confirmed and received our first communion.
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Reflections of a Neophyte |
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 As a younger man I had an interest in things of a spiritual nature but struggled to find a way to express those yearnings. Unfortunately, at that time, my experience with some traditional churches was not positive, and for many years I tried to find “my own way”. I had, however, always been fascinated by the symbolism, history, and tradition of the Catholic Church.
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After twenty-five years in Australia I decided to try out the Catholic Church |
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 When I was a little boy back in Cambodia I knew nothing about Jesus. Up until I came to Australia in 1979 and only after three years, my friend introduced me to the Baptist Church - that was when I was ten years old.
I started going to Bible study classes but I was sceptical about it all. I wasn’t serious about believing in God at all. I was more into playing than putting my faith in God. After two years, when I was twelve years old my family and I moved to another suburb and I stopped going to Church.
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Sponsoring a Catechumen |
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 I had the privilege of sponsoring Heather as she entered into full communion with the Catholic Church. Heather has wanted to become a Catholic for many years and she already knew so much about our religion.
The spirituality she brought to our meetings, the prayerful way she approached the scrutinies and the awe and wonder that she felt at the Easter Vigil were an inspiration to me and really helped to deepen my faith.
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My Experience with the RCIA |
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I am Bill and I am also a lapsed Anglican. I undertook the RCIA course with the intention of converting to the Catholic faith. The group which I joined consisted of four. The other three were considerable younger than I. In fact I had the distinction of being the granddaddy of the pack. They were, and still are a delightful bunch of kids. I feel that I can call them that from my elevated status of years. But joking aside, their ready acceptance of me made it very much easier for me to settle into the course. This ease of acceptance was very much a reflection of the attitude of all members of the team. |
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What could possibly inspire a 30-year-old professional man to become a Catholic? |
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Being the product of a mixed marriage, with a convent educated and rather devout mother and Anglican father, I was not baptized into any church. The decision of the church to which I felt I belonged was mine to make when I was old enough. This is a fine theory. However as I got older distractions such as sports and university, then work made this decision seem distant and less important. It was always something I'd get around to. My beliefs and my faith certainly never wavered; it was just that I had more important things to worry about. |
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St Joseph's Parish, Newtown |
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 Welcoming adult Catholics in Newtown is a special challenge because we are a small community and we struggle to find sufficient ministers to catechise; sponsor and celebrate the liturgies. We find the process is best addressed in a fluid way where we trust candidates and sponsors to navigate the large landscape of discovering God’s will for them at this time in their life. We use the varied methods the Rite suggests. We trust the personal relationships of candidates with their sponsors and other friends, family and parishioners; the discussions following the liturgy of the Word on Sundays and such things as internet sites and parish retreats, shared meals and spirituality programs.
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My experience of Easter 2002 |
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For me, Easter was just another significant stop, like a train station, in a much longer faith journey which began years ago. That train pulled into another station in September 2001, when RCIA began for me. The experience was made so much richer and more personal through sharing with the other passengers, Thitaporn, Cathy, Elise and Therese. It felt like the culmination of a huge sharing experience, similar to gathering around the piano to sing Christmas carols with long-lost relatives. |
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RCIA Reflections |
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I was advised by my sister to attend RCIA. What’s RCIA? Was my first reaction. It never interested me one bit. But, months later, out of the blue, I said to myself “Why not? No harm done. It will be like going to a seminar, a lecture or something. If I don’t like it, sorry. I’ll then stop going”. |
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RCIA Team Member |
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I have been involved with the RCIA for the last six years. I cannot exactly remember how I became involved but it has certainly been one of the best experiences in my life. Not only have I met some lovely people as I journey with them, but in truth, I feel I have received more than I have given. |
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Personal Testimonies 
