My Catholic Journal

As most of you know...I am now catholic. It was very personal and deeply peaceful being able to take communion in this first mass after Easter Vigil. I have been thinking a lot of where I go from here in my faith? When I started this process, I did so with neither courage or certainty. And so that is how I approach my faith now. With the sincerity and naivety of a child and I open myself to prayer and whatever grace comes my way. As a result I will continue to write a journal of my journey. No longer my RCIA journal....I will proudly head this my Catholic Journal. I now consider myself not a "cradle catholic" but more of a clumsy catholic, occasionally stumbling through my prayers and vigilant from one week to the next on what holiday or devotion is on the horizon. My rosary prayers are going quite well and I feel see unlimited potential for using these devotions in my daily life. I do indeed hope that my children will someday read this. To them I say...one of the things I have learned in my 40 years thus far is that there are three things in precious short commodity in our world. First is peace....take it wherever and whenever you can. The second is love, take it and give it whenever and wherever you can! The rosary and indeed my new found religion give me both of these and I hope it will give serve as endless supply of both of these two the both of you as well. When I got to meet Bishop Trautman, he blessed me with an offer for my journey to bring me peace. Seems to be a theme developing here huh!

Oh ya....the third thing! Respect! Hold on a minute... I have to climb up on my soapbox for this one. For this one I need to rewind just a minute to the "non-catholic" Jason. When I attended mass with my wife I always got a little nervous when in the presence of a priest. I respect not just the devotion to Christ which a priest represents but also devotion to their fellow man. For one second think of the countless hours, ministering to pretty much anyone who needs it. How do any of us feel after a long day at work. Now picture being "on call" 24/7. I have been hearing a lot in the media of what the Holy Father knew or didn't know...what he did, or didn't do. REMEMBER I AM SPEAKING AS A NON-CATHOLIC FOR JUST A SECOND. Maybe some of my Amish background is leaking through, but as a christian should the Pope be held to a lesser standard than we regard anyone else. If you met a doctor, lawyer, mayor, teacher or indeed anyone on the street you deemed a professional....you would give them respect. Do you ask yourself...what sins have they committed, have they cheated on their wife, embezzled funds, or abused their power. Eventhough you don't know, you would give them the benefit of the doubt. You certainly would not accuse them blindly in the public arena in an attempt to discredit or maliciously hurt them. Why then is the Pope worthy of less....EVEN TO NON CATHOLICS! The next time I pray...I will pray for the Holy Father that he may receive courage and peace because I have faith that HE DOES THE SAME FOR ME! AMEN.(I believe)