By Grace Perdue

I can still vividly remember the nervous feeling that came over me that Easter morning as I approached the entrance of a Catholic church. It was the very first time I had ever been to a Catholic church, and as a Protestant, the mysteries within the walls intimidated me.

Looking back now, I laugh at my timidity. The mysteries of the church that are now the part of my life that I cherish so very much.

There are several moments in my life that I can recall how I felt, although there are very few in which I can remember vivid details. These memories are reserved as defining moments of my life. The moment I stepped into church, I had no idea how the events that followed would change the course of my life. The changes that occurred over the next year brought me to an inner peace - a feeling I will never allow myself to forget. I have discovered God's love, and it will always be with me.

As I entered the church, a comforting feeling of familiarity came over me. As a child, I was not brought up in a church, but it was through friends that I attended many different Protestant churches. All the while I felt as though I was missing something with each new church. Finally, in my teenage years, I met a wonderful teacher who invited me to her church. For the next three years, I attended church regularly, and I was comfortable enough to be baptized for a second time.

If someone would have told me five years ago that my relationship with God was not enough, I would have laughed. In my mind, I was doing everything I should to be closer in my relationship with God. Looking back, I can see that it was a one-sided relationship. Sunday was a day of prayer, reflection and close attention with God. The rest of the week? Meaningless, except for the occasional prayer to God asking Him what He could do for me. I listened little to God, and once I started college, even my weekly church service and prayer ended.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought me to the Catholic faith. He brought new friends and love into my life so that through them, I could find the greatest gift, His love. I am not afraid to admit that for the first time in my almost 22 years, I was able to perceive what God wanted me to do. I was able to stop and listen to God calling me to the church.

That Easter Mass I first mentioned sparked my curiosity. I began attending Mass every week at various churches, and even doing something I had not done in a longtime, pray. After several months of attending Mass regularly and restarting a relationship with God, I decided to talk to a local priest about learning more about the Catholic faith.

Once again, the butterflies of the unknown entered into my stomach. Would I ask the right questions? Would the priest be upset regarding my questioning of Mary's prominent role in the faith? These thoughts were swirling in my mind until I heard the caring voice of Father Patrick Sheridan. He met with me and put all my worries to ease. He recommended that I attend the RCIA program. He explained that this class would answer many questions.

I learned that I had the option of joining the church. After attending Mass and RCIA classes, this was exactly what I wanted to do.

Last fall I began to attend RCIA classes. It was the best decision I have ever made. My deacon, Harold Dipple, was perceptive to the questions of each person in the class. He challenged us to assess our lives and our relationship with God. I am happy to say that at the Easter Vigil this year I joined the Catholic faith. I know that God has never left my side throughout my journey. In fact, He has been with me my entire life.

The real journey of my life is that of my faith. To me, my faith means challenge, uncertainty and trying times. It also means endless love, hope and comfort through prayer. The real challenges arise when the world around me is loud and busy, and I must somehow find the strength find silence and listen to what God is telling me.

Faith is the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen on this earth, but having the ability trust in God. Faith is finding comfort through the constant change of earthly life. Faith in my life was beginning a journey into a church that I knew little about and finally realizing it was and still is exactly where I am meant to be.

(Perdue is a parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Bellefontaine.)