Why Am I Catholic?

I was born Catholic. My mother was Catholic. My dad was a convert and they both raised me Catholic -- is that why?

When I was three weeks old, I received the Sacrament of Baptism and was officially part of the Catholic faith -- is that why?

When I entered the fifth grade, I received the Sacrament of Confirmation and I was told ‘You’re now a Soldier of God’. I'm not sure I fully understood what that meant, but I do now. Is that why I’m Catholic?

Let’s see! I was born into the faith -- baptized in the faith -- and at a very young age professed to remain totally committed to the faith. Seems they're all good reasons to be Catholic, but there’s so much more.

When my husband and I married, we were married first by the Justice of the Peace in another city, in another state. But being ‘Catholic’ we knew we had to be married in the Church and fortunately for us, the priest was kind enough to marry us the same day in the Catholic Church--where he was pastor. Why was that so important to us? Is that what being a Catholic meant to us?

Is that why I’m Catholic?

We raised four children in the Catholic faith. My boys were altar servers. My husband and I were Eucharistic ministers. I taught Catholic instruction to my kids and other children in the parish and participated in different church functions.

Is that why I’m Catholic?

I’m not Catholic because I was born Catholic!
I'm not Catholic because I was raised Catholic and made a commitment to God to remain faithful and loyal to the Catholic faith!
I’m not Catholic because my husband and I married in the faith
and promised to raise our children in the faith.

Although these are all good reasons to be Catholic -----
It’s NOT why I’m Catholic!

I’m Catholic because, it’s the one ‘true faith’ . . . . instituted by Jesus Christ . . . . beginning with Jesus and His successor . . . . Saint Peter, our first Pope . . . . to our present day Pope, Francis.

That’s the reason ‘why I’m Catholic’!