If you are a practicing catholic or someone who is interested in catholicism, then I hope you find my story helpful. Even if you’re not catholic and just want to learn more about salvation, I hope that you will read my message completely. As you begin reading you may feel uncomfortable or be tempted to leave this site, and believe me, I understand that feeling. At one time in my life if I had visited a site like this one, I would have felt exactly the same way. Instead, I ask you to trust that the Lord has brought you here for a reason, and please take just a few minutes to read what I have to say.
I have created this Web site out of love for my Father in heaven. I was guided by the Holy Spirit in developing this message and it was written to help spread the Truth of God’s Word. There is nothing here designed to hurt you in any way.
Most of all, I tell you this: if you doubt what is presented here then please, DO NOT take my word for anything on this site. Instead, I encourage you to sit down and read the Scriptures for yourself, for His Word contains the Truth about His plan for salvation.
I was raised a catholic, and I knew I was going to heaven…
My Story
I was born to faithful catholic parents and was raised in the catholic church. At a very young age, I wanted to do more than sit in a pew at mass, so I volunteered to be an altar boy and was trained to serve on the altar. In time, I was elevated to the leadership position, overseeing all of the altar servers in my parish. I coordinated the schedule and the activities of the altar servers, provided them training, and eventually took part in other committees, groups, and functions of the church, including adult education.
I also became a Sunday school teacher (CCD), preparing young catholic children for their first communion. Once I reached my twenties I became a lector, and each weekend I stood on the altar and read to those in attendance at mass. In time, I was recruited by the head of the church’s RCIA program to become an instructor, teaching converts who desired to become a part of the catholic church.
After 44 years a catholic, I knew in my heart that I was a Christian. To even think otherwise for a moment was ridiculous. I went to church, I was baptized in water as an infant, I followed the catholic doctrine, I went to confession and communion, and I knew I was going to heaven. I was certain that I was a catholic Christian. Not catholic or Christian. No, I was catholic Christian and that was all there was to it.
God’s Plan for Salvation
One day I was watching television, and while changing channels I happened upon a local program that featured a preacher who said he had a special message for all the catholics who were watching. This preacher, a man whose name I don’t even recall today, said that many teachings of the catholic church are contrary to the Bible itself. He declared that catholics who followed the doctrines of the church were being misled and most likely had not received the gift of eternal salvation.
Now, I wasn’t naive. I was well aware that this wasn’t new, that the beliefs and practices of the roman catholic church had come under fire for centuries. It wasn’t only this random TV preacher dispensing ominous words of warning against the catholic church, there were plenty of other forces out there taking aim at catholicism.
But for some reason I found this particular preacher’s message worth additional research. I decided to do what the church had told me to do, which was to turn to those within my church who were deeply educated in the faith for help, so the next day I spoke to my parish priest about what I’d heard. I asked:
Father, why did this TV preacher say that the teachings of the catholic church are different from what is in the Bible?”
