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Page 2 of the of 16, 2017 all be right. We visited several churches, making the rounds to find one with all the things Will and I were looking for, but we could not find it. Finally, we had a talk that changed the direction of our journey entirely. Will began to share with me what the meant to him: what he loved about it, what he had taken for granted to going on this church search with me, and even things he still didn’t quite understand. As I listened, something—I believe it was the —stirred deep within me. I just knew that I needed to study the Catholic Faith: where Will ♦ An Unlikely Journey into the Catholic was coming from and what that religion really taught.

Church The Journey Begins ♦ Thoughts on Easter I began by reading the Catechism of the Catholic ♦ Reconnecting with your Catholic Roots Church. I kept my open and would check out all ♦ Why Easter Matters the Scripture references given in the Catechism. When I came upon a teaching that I didn’t understand, I found ♦ Easter House Blessing other references from Catholics to read and study further. I began reading conversion stories and watch- Easter greengs to all who read this bullen! ing The Journey Home on EWTN television [Channel 168 Mondays at 8:00pm in Melbourne]. All my spare time was This Easter, I feel led (I hope by the Holy Spirit) to share poured into prayer and study. with you the story of one woman’s journey into the The first basic question I had was: What kind of . Church did establish? Did He establish a Church with authority, as Catholics say? The second question Rachelle’s story that followed naturally from the first was related to

Rachelle’s story appeared in the January Newsletter of the teaching of Scripture. Is sola scriptura correct? The Coming Home Network International. Before I let [‘Scripture alone’—Protestants believe that Chrisans should Rachelle speak for herself, the following is an abbreviat- only believe what is explicitly stated in Scripture.] Did Jesus ed version of her background. establish a church with authority to decide matters of faith? Why do Catholics speak about Scripture and Tra- Rachelle was raised by parents who were very active dition or, if Jesus had really established an authoritative members of the Church of . Their social and Church, what is the place of Scripture? Following those religious life revolved around their church. Rachelle questions, I looked at other Catholic teachings that I went to a university that was affiliated to the Church of was most concerned with: infant , the , Christ. During her college years, Rachelle met her future the Communion of , and the role of Mary. husband, Will, who had been raised Catholic but at that time did not attend Mass. They were married in The Authority of the Church

Rachelle’s church and both enjoyed attending their What about the Church? Did Jesus give His Apostles vibrant Church of Christ. authority, and was that authority meant to continue after An-Catholic congregaon their deaths? In :18-19 we see Jesus stating that He will build His Church on Peter and that the Due to work, Rachelle and Will relocated to Cleveland, gates of Hades “shall not prevail against it.” He tells Ohio, and they looked there for a Church of Christ con- Peter that He will give him “the of gregation. Rachelle was surprised and saddened that , and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed their new church showed anti-Catholic sentiments. Now in heaven.” As I studied this passage further in context, I I will let Rachelle continue her story in her own words. discovered the meaning behind “the keys.” It appeared that Jesus did give Peter, specifically, an office in the This set us on a most unexpected journey. Although Church. Additionally, He conferred authority on all the my husband, Will, was raised Catholic, seeking to learn Apostles in :18-19: “All authority in heaven about the Catholic Church was not my first thought. and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and Instead, I bought a book about Christian denominations make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe and read through it, trying to discern the difference all that I have commanded of you.” He also gave them between all the various churches. What I read was all authority to forgive sins in :21-23, saying: troubling and discouraging. My belief that “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, basically believe the same things began to crumble. I they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are began to question how all these churches with such retained.” In the early Church as written in Acts, we see different perspectives on fundamental questions could Page 3 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord April 16, 2017 matters of dispute being brought to and that journey, it really made the most sense historically and their teaching is accepted as from the Holy Spirit. The biblically. [For more on Scripture and Tradion, see Lesson early believers understood that the Apostles held an 2 from my Catholic Catechism topics.] office that must be filled continuously. In , the The Eucharist deceased Judas is replaced by another eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and teachings. Another Scripture that Before Will and I were married, I bought a book really impacted me regarding the Church was 1 Timothy on Catholicism. I felt that I should have more under- 3:15, in which Paul refers to the Church as “the pillar standing of where Will was coming from. Of all things, and bulwark of the truth.” I read Catholicism for Dummies! I was moving right I discovered that the (the generation along until I got to the Church’s belief in the Real Pres- of Christians that followed the Apostles) had some ence in the Eucharist. I closed the book and put it down. important thing to say on the topic as well. This teaching was too strange, and I wanted no part of it. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church It’s amazing to look back on this, and it is such a without the . Let that be considered a valid testament to the role of the Holy Spirit in leading me to Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by belief. I clearly remember the moment I began to one whom he ordains (a presbyter). Wherever the believe. I was listening to a talk on the Eucharist by bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Dr. Brant Pitre, specifically about how would have Church (—AD 110, Letter to understood what Jesus was saying. As I meditated on the Smyrneans 8:2)…. , I felt suddenly overwhelmed by Jesus’ love for me, and I knew then … it’s true! So it became clear to me that Jesus did indeed intend After that revelation, I knew there could be no other to establish an authoritative Church built upon Himself church for me. Where else could I be so truly close to and His Apostles, whom He taught and charged with the our Lord? There were still things to study, but I knew in task of spreading these teachings to the entire world. It my heart that I had to receive the Eucharist for the rest also became clear that the only Church who could trace of my life! When we think about the lavish love of Jesus, herself back to the Apostles and Jesus Himself was the who gave His very life for us … of course He would give Catholic Church. Himself to us in such an intimate and beautifully simple [I have wrien 28 arcles on the Catechism of the Catholic way. Church which can be found on our website—click on Fr. Several Scriptures stood out to me concerning the Tobin’s Wrings and scroll down to Catholic Catechism topics. Eucharist. One was John 6 that describes the Bread of See Lessons 8 and 9 for my arcles on the Church.] Life discourse in which Jesus commands us to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood to have eternal life. Later, we Sacred Scripture and Tradition see Him institute the Lord’s Supper as the way in which

If Jesus established a Church with authority, does it we receive Him [Mahew 26:26-28; :22-24; Luke make sense to say that the Bible alone (sola scriptura) is 22:19-20]. our authority? As I studied, I began to see the problems But without knowing how early Christians taught and with this teaching. practiced it, this teaching still was a mystery to me. First, the Bible never says it is the only authority. In Some of the early Church writings that helped me under- fact, in many of the letters to churches we see the people stand the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist include: being told to follow the teachings they have learned whether written or by word of mouth. “So then, breth- They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, ren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you because they confess not the Eucharist to be the were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by let- flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for ter” (2Thessalonians 2:15). What, then, is “tradition”? our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, It is all the teachings that Jesus passed on to His Apos- raised up again. (Ignatius of Antioch—circa A.D. tles and they passed on to us in the Church. Without 160, Epistle to Smyrnaeans, ) , some texts in the Bible are difficult to [For more on Catholic Beliefs on the Eucharist, see Lesson 14 understand. The Catholic Church holds Scripture in the in Catholic Catechism topics.] highest regard and honor. It is the inspired word of God. But it was never intended to be used as a detailed The Saints owner’s manual for discovering . The doctrine of Scripture alone is why there is so Prior to looking at the Church’s teaching regarding much division among Protestants. There always will be those who have died in the , I didn’t division outside of the authoritative Church led by the realize that I had never been taught anything on this Holy Spirit. In fact, it is only by the authority given the subject. I believed that the saved went to heaven but had Church that we have the of Scripture in its current never considered deeply what they were doing there and form. While this was a difficult truth for me on the had no idea of what Scripture has to say concerning them. Page 4 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord April 16, 2017 Two biblical passages in particular were influential Why Easter maers for me coming to understand the Communion of Saints. One was Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are In one of his letters, Paul tells us why Easter matters surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us when he says: “If Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so and we are still in our sins.”

easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the Paul is saying that the whole Christian message hinges race marked out for us.” This verse describes that those on the Resurrection of Jesus. Without Easter morning, who have died in Christ somehow remain with us. They the forces of darkness would have been are aware of us and what we are doing, cheering us victorious. on as we walk this journey of faith. I then read in Revelation 8:4 where it depicts the saints lifting up For Jesus, his Resurrection was God’s resounding prayers as incense to the throne of God. For what or ‘Yes!’ to all that he was about in his three years of whom could they be praying? Surely they are not public ministry—all his teachings, , exorcisms, lacking anything in heaven? These two verses combined suffering and death.

showed me the truth of the Catholic Church’s teaching The Resurrection of Jesus gives us the hope of life on the Communion of Saints. eternal when our lives on earth are completed. Imagine Mary approaching death with no hope in an .

Once I accepted the Church’s teaching regarding the

Communion of Saints in heaven interceding for us, I could begin to look at the Church’s teachings on Mary AN EASTER HOUSE BLESSING and her role in our . I decided at some point after becoming Catholic to stop trying to understand it Say the following prayer with all present before and to just begin speaking with Mary. It was awkward at sharing your Easter dinner, or pray it at any other first. I would talk to her honestly about how strange it suitable time. felt to talk to her and ask her for help to connect with her more. I started praying the and grew to love Lord, this daily devotion. [Lesson 10 in my Catechism topics We rejoice in the of your Son over death: deals with all the issues that non-Catholics have with Mary: by rising from the to new life doctrines like the Immaculate Concepon, devoon to Mary, he gives us new hope and promise. etc.] Bless all the members of this household

For people interested in exploring Catholic beliefs and and surround us with your protection, practices, every has an RCIA process (Rite of that we may find comfort and peace Christian Initiation). At Ascension, contact Mary Bir- in Jesus Christ, the Paschal Lamb, mingham at [email protected]. who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, Last evening in our parish, 22 persons who were bap- one God, for ever and ever. Amen. tized in another faith tradition entered into full Com- munion with our Catholic Church family. Afterwards, sprinkle the rooms of the house with Catholic disconnected from Church holy water while invoking the following prayer: “Let this water call to mind our baptism in Christ, Just as Catholics raised in the Church get disconnected from their spiritual roots for a variety of reasons, Catho- who by his Death and Resurrection has re- lics also become “reverts” ‒ returnees to the Church for deemed us.” a variety of reasons. If God is moving in your heart in just a small way to return to the Church, I would hope and pray that you will listen to that voice. If you think it might help you to talk to me or to some recent returnees, please consider contacting us. Have a blessed Easter, Fr. Eamon Tobin: [email protected] Heaton: [email protected]

Tony Taylor: [email protected] Kate Midden: [email protected] Paul Rousseau: [email protected] [email protected]