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.

Our course began in early October 1999. We were not required to sit and attentively listen whilst different team members pounded Catholic dogma and views into our minds. Far from it. The course was conducted like a friendly discussion group. We were invited to question anything of which we were unsure, or even in disagreement. True enough we didn't alter the opinions of the team members but opening up the differences allowed them to reinforce what they had been telling us.

Sister Mary was team leader. She was the type of leader who leads from the front, and loaded herself with a huge mount of work Apart from sourcing out material from all manner of places to assist us on our way, she had to Photostat and then put it into some kind of order consistent with our knowledge as we progressed through the course. The next major problem was to form a team of patient, knowledgeable, good humoured and dedicated parishioners, prepared to give up Blue Heelers every Wednesday night, plus some extra Sundays as we moved into the Lenten Season. Well, she was so successful with the team she organised and the compatibility which developed between us all, I am convinced that she used to spend hours in the Day Chapel getting outside help. We, the ex-Catechumens and ex-candidates have been more than happy to maintain bonds with our Parish Team. They don't appear to shoot off down side-streets if they see us coming.

Our course of the RCIA ended at the completion of the Easter Vigil Mass on the night of Easter Saturday, 22nd April, 2000. I said ended, but it was more a culmination of a steady progress in self examination and growth in faith. Leading up to the culmination Tracey and Troy were Baptised, then Tracy, Troy, Heather and I were confirmed. The whole congregation greeted us with acclamation. We then were the first of the congregation to partake of the Eucharist.

After the Mass had ended a very large number of the congregation waited outside to meet us and offer private greetings and congratulations individually. A memorable night for each one of us.

Bill
Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah