I know that many of you are "cradle Catholics." I converted from the Episcopal Church (my dad is a priest in that church.) Our family was always very traditional and I was taught to respect the Catholic faith from an early age. Many things that I was taught about the sacraments and the Bible and morality as a child are the same things we now teach in Catholic school. The Episcopal church has drifted away from such teachings for the most part. (But that is another story, as Aslan says.)
My husband was a lapsed Catholic when we were married, and he works in a large Episcopal parish as the organist/choir director. When I told him I wanted to look into confirmation I expected him to object, but he didn't. I was asked by our pastor at school to study the catechism and met with him several times to discuss questions, and then joined the regular RCIA class for the Lenten retreat and First Confession. Meanwhile my husband stayed out of the process so as not to influence me either way. I was confirmed at the Vigil but felt very much alone and scared; several of his friends expressed disapproval and he remained silent about the whole thing, so I assumed I was going to be a "single parent" church-wise. Our daughter was in 2nd grade and preparing for First Communion at our Catholic school too, so I went ahead in spite of my nerves, because I knew somebody had to guide her and our kindergarten son in the faith.
Two weeks after my confirmation my husband met with a priest quietly and made his own return to the Church. I was so surprised! We have kept this secret from his co-workers for the most part, however, because he was advised that "a Roman Catholic couldn't hold an administrative position in this parish" by the Baptist business manager at his church. (So much for the famous Episcopal tolerance!)
To make a long story short (oops, too late), it's been almost 3 years and we are better as a couple and as a family than ever, thanks to the support of our Catholic friends and the grace of the sacraments. We love reading and our books have been a great source of encouragement also. A close friend introduced us this past year to Fr. Corapi's Catechism CDs, the Tridentine Mass, and the rosary. Our main difficulty is that my husband still hasn't found a Catholic job yet, but we are hopeful.
That's about I can think of for now. Thanks for reading it and please ask if you are curious about anything I've said. I'm looking forward to many questions and answers here on the site.
