Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 23

From Mega-Church to THE Church, A Conversion Story

From Protestant to Catholic: My Conversion Story,  by Justine Callis 

This is the story of how I went from working full-time for a Protestant, evangelical megachurch to being in love with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I was raised in a Protestant home—Christ’s love was made known to me from the earliest years of my life. I grew up happily learning Scripture and often hearing of the Lord’s goodness.

When I went off to college, I began student ministry and then, after graduation, accepted a position at a passionate, evangelical megachurch. During my time on staff there, I was surrounded by Christians who faithfully lived for the Lord and devoted themselves to spreading His love to the world.

Then one day, my life changed forever.

The Search for Truth

My conversion to Catholicism began because I heard one faithful Catholic speak about the Eucharist and the Magisterium—teachings I had never heard of before. 

Hearing authentic Catholic teaching for the first time launched me into many hours (years!) of passionate research and ardent prayer. I read books, watched (and engaged in) debates, met with Protestant pastors and Catholic priests. And there were lots of tears in prayer . . . begging the Lord for answers.

In fact, I was still Protestant when I enrolled as a graduate student studying Catholic theology. I was so serious about my search that I figured grad school would either make me a better Protestant or, well, I would swim across the Tiber. The deeper I went in my search for truth, the more captivated I became.

Over time I realized that converting to Catholicism would require my life to drastically change. I would have to give up my career, reputation, and more . . . it felt crushing to think about what was to come. Then, a priest from my time in RCIA recommended I go on a five-day silent retreat.

Into the Silence

While on my silent retreat, I received daily spiritual direction from a Catholic priest. In our time together, he taught me how to do Iganatian-style prayer. We identified just how the Lord speaks to me personally, and we identified how to discern the difference between God’s voice, my voice, and the enemy’s voice in my life.

It was on this silent retreat that I received the utmost confirmation that I am His sheep and I can hear His voice (see John 10:27). All that was unfolding before my eyes—the truth, beauty, and goodness that I was beginning to see in Catholicism—was real. Jesus Himself began to reveal in prayer that the Catholic Church was a gift I could freely choose to receive. It was a gift from Jesus Himself.

Where Else Could I Go?

The Eucharist, Mary, the protection of the Magisterium, the Sacraments, the liturgical calendar, the intercession of angels and Saints from Heaven, sacramentals, some of the best thinkers in human history . . . I began to see that the Church offers a long list of incalculable blessings. Until finally, I said . . . Where else could I go? Truly, this is Your Church, Lord.

G.K. Chesterton has a quote that sums up my journey into Catholicism:

“It is impossible to be just to the Catholic Church. The moment men cease to pull against it they feel a tug toward it. The moment they cease to shout it down they begin to listen to it with pleasure. The moment they try to be fair to it, they begin to be fond of it.” (source)

After a long and well-fought battle, I knew in my heart that it was all a gift. My beautiful Protestant upbringing, my rigorous and painful journey of conversion, and the Lord’s plans for my life, were all a gift.

It Keep Getting Better

Since making the best decision of my life to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, I have begun to taste and see the truth of God’s loving faithfulness one hundredfold (see Matthew 19:29)!

Jesus draws, never pushes. He proposes, never imposes. After drawing me into His Church, I can tell you, sister, that becoming Catholic is the best decision I have ever made. And the crazy part? It just keeps getting better.

Dear sister, it is true. Our Catholic faith is true. And I believe that being Catholic is the best thing that could ever happen to you. Thank you for being here, for being a part of our Blessed Is She sisterhood. You belong here, and you belong in His Church too.

The post From Mega-Church to THE Church, A Conversion Story appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

St. Matthew Notes for Feast Day on September 21

At the request of Teresa Tomeo, in response to the notes I sent her in preparation for our radio show on Wednesday, I am sharing the Notes on St. Matthew that I shared with her. Clear here for the PDF version.

The post St. Matthew Notes for Feast Day on September 21 appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

It Would Have Been UNTHINKABLE to My Parents! Sexually Mutilating Kids

My deceased parents would have never believed this was even possible. This would’ve been unthinkable when they were raising us kids

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Our Men’s conference in Connecticutt – National Coverage – My Topic: “The Last Four Things”

Upcoming ‘Four Last Things’-focused CT Catholic Men’s Conference to feature Mass, talks

CV NEWS FEED // Local Catholic men will have the opportunity to grow in their spiritual lives at the upcoming annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference, which will include Mass, confession, and talks from national speakers.

According to the Norwich Diocese website, the conference’s theme is “The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell.”

The conference will take place on September 21. It will host national speakers to explore the theme: author Father Wade L.J. Menezes, CPM, Catholic apologist Steve Ray, writer Kevin Wells, and TV/radio host Peter Herbeck.

The conference will begin with a procession with more than 24 saint reliquaries. The event will also include confessions, adoration, and a Eucharistic procession, ending in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne.

Many male Catholic speakers and leaders have endorsed the conference, according to the conference’s website, including Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore.

“I warmly and wholeheartedly encourage you to actively participate in this conference, an outstanding opportunity to encounter Christ, along with countless other men of faith from around the state of Connecticut,” Archbishop Lori stated.

The founder and author of Catholics Come Home, Tom Peterson, also endorsed the conference.

“Every Catholic man, no matter what age, needs to be re-energized in his practices of our wonderful Catholic faith,” Peterson stated. “The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference does just that… it fills you with new vigor and ardor for Our Lord, his Holy Church, and the mission of the New Evangelization.”

The post Our Men’s conference in Connecticutt – National Coverage – My Topic: “The Last Four Things” appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

Our Men’t conference in Connecticutt – National Coverage – My Topic: “The Last Four Things”

Upcoming ‘Four Last Things’-focused CT Catholic Men’s Conference to feature Mass, talks

CV NEWS FEED // Local Catholic men will have the opportunity to grow in their spiritual lives at the upcoming annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference, which will include Mass, confession, and talks from national speakers.

According to the Norwich Diocese website, the conference’s theme is “The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell.”

The conference will take place on September 21. It will host national speakers to explore the theme: author Father Wade L.J. Menezes, CPM, Catholic apologist Steve Ray, writer Kevin Wells, and TV/radio host Peter Herbeck.

The conference will begin with a procession with more than 24 saint reliquaries. The event will also include confessions, adoration, and a Eucharistic procession, ending in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne.

Many male Catholic speakers and leaders have endorsed the conference, according to the conference’s website, including Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore.

“I warmly and wholeheartedly encourage you to actively participate in this conference, an outstanding opportunity to encounter Christ, along with countless other men of faith from around the state of Connecticut,” Archbishop Lori stated.

The founder and author of Catholics Come Home, Tom Peterson, also endorsed the conference.

“Every Catholic man, no matter what age, needs to be re-energized in his practices of our wonderful Catholic faith,” Peterson stated. “The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference does just that… it fills you with new vigor and ardor for Our Lord, his Holy Church, and the mission of the New Evangelization.”

The post Our Men’t conference in Connecticutt – National Coverage – My Topic: “The Last Four Things” appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.

What Happened on September 11, 2001? 5-Minute Review especially for young people who may have no idea

It was 23 years ago today. I remember exactly where I was — my skin went cold. Everyone old enough to remember knows exactly where they were that morning.

This short visually-appealing video provides an overview of 9/11 which is no longer taught to our kids in school and most of them were not born yet.

They should know — and all of us should remember. That enemy still exists!

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Presidential Debate

I watched the debate, even though I dreaded it. I have never seen such an unfair debate, ever!

It was Trump against Kamala and ABC — 3 against 1. The debate was dishonest and the questions loaded and fact checking against Trump but not Kamala.

I’m sure that Trump knew that he was going to be facing three opponents. And I think he contained himself well but was forced to be on the defensive most of the time.

Her sarcastic sneering during his responses was very demeaning and childish. With the help of ABC and the media spin she came off better than expected many expected.

ABC should be ashamed of themselves. Sorry, but I’m frustrated. God bless America!

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Abortion and Infant Sacrifice in the Bible – Show Notes for Sacred Heart Radio

Abortion and Infant Sacrifice Every Tuesday I do a segment with Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio and EWTN. The series is called “Things in the Bible” and we have done over 165 of these topics over the last 5 years or so.

Today the topic was “Abortion and Infant Sacrifice in the Bible”.  This is all the more important with the presidential elections right around corner. We think our own age is the most wicked ever but human history has been riddled with egregious and unthinkable practices related to infants and human beings in general.

Click the show notes for the whole document which is over four pages long. Hope it helps people think through the issue and biblical sources.

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My Dad’s King James Bible – one of my most treasured possessions

My father died 12 years ago at 94, married 73 years. He was the best father ever and introduced me to Jesus Christ and the Bible.

I still have his old King James Version and here are two pages to see what it looks like. It is a family treasure!

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“You Papist!” – and everyone did what was right in their own eyes

Judges 17:6  “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Thanks to Patrick Madrid.

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