'WHY I AM A CATHOLIC' - from Marie Jones.

I've been a Catholic for the past two of my seventy-plus years! Sometimes I wish I'd been enabled to make the change from my previous Church membership before, as I love being part of the Catholic family, and I feel so uplifted and nurtured after the Mass, when I can experience the true presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. However, God's timing is best, and when I look back at how I was actively led to make this important move, I am very thankful

After experiencing many years of being a regular worshipper in a variety of church communities and developing into a mature and firm Christian, I eventually needed to 'move on' into a more defined and positive community of the faith. I had always recognised the true Apostolic succession of the Catholic Church.

At first assuming that things would be much more complicated and 'wrapped up' in procedure and ceremonial, I have honestly found learning about Catholicism and joining in the worship much more straighforward and flexible than I ever imagined. The Scriptures are coming alive afresh to me as I link them to worship within the Church's year. The Catechism of the Catholic Church embodies what I truly believe in. It is straightforward, and gives me a much-needed sense of direction. I find the Church's teaching on important life-issues and moral values clear and acceptable; it is wonderful to have clearly laid-down guidlines to which I can relate, and to know what the worldwide Catholic communion stands for.

I will never forget the wonderful feeling of 'coming home' I experienced when I was finally confirmed and accepted into the Catholic Church after going through a period of careful and supervised preparation.

For me, along with my Catholic brethren, there remains, of course, an ongoing time of learning, developing and deepening into the faith as we continue together day by day on this challenging and exciting journey. It's a great experience!