How I Became a Catholic in 30 Minutes

Oh what a difference a month can make. Roughly one month ago, I felt compelled to write my feelings on the Catholic Church, specifically why I wasn't Catholic. My feelings as a whole regarding the Catholic Church have not changed. What has changed is my relationship with the Church. As of Easter Sunday of 2008, I am Catholic.

Am I a hypocrite? Perhaps. I believe that when God is calling you to do something, though, it is wise for you to listen. After this short recollection of the events that transpired, I'm convinced that you'll believe somebody has been trying to tell me something all along.

My Easter Sunday experience actually began on Maundy Thursday. As I've done the last several years, I made my way to evening Mass by myself since the wife had to work. While I was praying, the priest of my particular church inched over towards me and asked me if I would be interested in having my feet washed (if you don't know the tradition of Holy Thursday, look it up. I'm not explaining it). Different churches celebrate Holy Thursday different ways and I wasn't sure how this church did things so I politely declined. After thinking about it for awhile, I decided that it wasn't all that big a deal and when Father walked by me again, I asked him what it was I would have to do. He let me know that enough people had come forward for the feet washing and that it wasn't that big a deal. In order to somewhat save my pride if nothing else since I was reluctant to help out, I reminded Father that I wasn't Catholic and that was the reason why I was unfamiliar with the practice. He assured me that it didn't matter and that "we all love you, anyway."