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Julie Hutchinson’s Conversion from Presbyterian to

I was baptized as Presbyterian and raised in a Presbyterian home. My , who was baptized Catholic but was raised in a Presbyterian environment, was our secretary and very involved in our church at that time in , GA. I attended school and school and it just seemed the natural way of to love and Love my . I did not know to differentiate from Presbyterian or Buddhist or any other religious beliefs at that time nor did I care. was God and Jesus was Jesus and they belonged to all of us here on earth to embrace, love and to . I still feel that way today.

I would go visit my grandmother very often, who lived in and had very many Jewish friends as my Grandfather was Jewish. Not the original Grandfather but the only one I knew. I met a lot of Jewish people and had acquired a lot of Jewish friends at an early age. It was then that I discovered a new understanding of so many different religious backgrounds and beliefs. I thought it was interesting and at one point, I too wanted to be Jewish. But, I was young and impressionable and just wanted to be like my Jewish friends in Miami. That ended, as I approached my young teen years and moved to and was surrounded by Catholics.

I continued to go to Presbyterian Church where my 's roots were strong but I met a nice man who was a "Cradle Cap" Catholic. He had been an Alter boy, attended Catholic Schools, and graduated from Villanova . His Catholic family was very devout. He had friends that were and a family friend that was a and I started to attend Catholic Church with him and his family. In 1974 we wanted to be married in the Catholic Church We had to go through a rigorous program, consisting of meetings with and the priests and attend classes for several weeks until it was agreed that we could be married in the Catholic Church without me converting to Catholicism. I signed a paper stating that I would raise any of our children as Catholics.

We had three children together and all three children were Baptized Catholics. Unfortunately, I divorced my husband when my children were very young 2, 3 and 7. I continued to attend Catholic Church with my children. It just seemed to be natural for me and where I wanted to be and to keep my word to the church that I raise my kids in the Catholic community. I did not take that leap to convert at that time or for many, many years later. I 't know why but I felt as though I was part of the Catholic community all of those years. It seemed that every place I lived was next door or across the street from a Catholic Church and always within walking distance no matter where I moved.

I lived in Huntington Beach for many years before moving to Newport Beach and of course what was 1 block away from my house, a little Catholic Church called Mary's By the Sea. The that I attended was done in and to my surprise I somewhat knew what was going on even though I do not speak or know any Latin. I love that little Church. Again still not a Catholic.

When my children all went their separate ways and discovered their own lives, I moved to Newport Beach. I moved across the street from another Catholic Church, Our Lady Queen of Angels. I started going to church there before the new church was built about 2002. I would watch the RCIA Group being called up by the and the congregation to pray for them. I was curious but felt a little apprehensive about inquiring about this RCIA. It wouldn't be for another 10 years until I finally took the leap and put my fears aside and made the choice to ask about joining RCIA and about converting. A gentle conversation with my daughter helped put my mind at ease and urged me to convert. That was shortly after my Grand daughter had her first and and my grandson was starting his classes the following year.

I was feeling empty and void and in need of some kind of fulfillment for my . So I made a phone call and then one Sunday morning, I found myself at Inquiry. It was almost like an out of body experience looking back on it now. I found the people at the church I had been attending for close to the last 10 years, to be kind and welcoming and sincere. It was an easy transition for me and I was on my way to a fantastic journey of growth and nourishment for my soul.

I fell in love with this and its traditions, history and its ceremony. I am still in the infant stages of being a Catholic, but I'm so proud to be a part of this community and it was the best decision that I made, like a TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD!! Thank you to all the people that were with me on this passage and the ones who are still with me on this never ending journey of . My small Faith Group, RCIA Group for allowing me to be a sponsor for someone else’s journey and leap of Faith. Thank you to all and to GOD for continuing his nudges, and pushes for me to come home to where I needed to be, an CATHOLIC!!