Happy Easter. Christ is risen!
Alex.
Anti-Catholicism, Hypocrisy and Double Standards
Hauled Aboard the Ark
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality
His Open Arms Welcomed Me
Catholic Conversion Stories & Resources
My Personal Conversion Story
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church
Catholics Come Home
My Journey of Faith
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura
"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation
The Crisis of Authority in the Reformation
Our Journey Home
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
Who is Mary of Nazareth?
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity
Why I'm Catholic
A Convert's Response to Friends
My Story
Courage to Be Catholic
Finally Catholic! My Conversion to the Catholic Church
Southern Baptist Pastor Leaves Everything for the Eucharist
The Short Version (the Way International convert)
Shower of Roses-- An Independent, Fundamental Baptist Becomes Catholic Through Mary's Intecession
Also see:
Sheep That Go Astray
Pope Benedict Goes to Washington Ecumenical Meeting at St. Joseph's Church, New York
Orthodox and Catholic Churches are allies, (Orthodox) Bishop Hilarion says
May I add my nephew? My brother, his father, was also a NYC firefighter and died when Danny was 3 years old. His mother wasn’t Catholic and didn’t raise him or his brothers in the Church.
The Family Way in Port Jervis
By JOHN WOODS
New York City firefighter Daniel Bright had wanted to join the Catholic Church for some time, but he was not going to do it without the other members of his family.
“I didn’t want us to have two different churches,” he said.
Both baptized Catholics, he and his wife, Janet, had become Methodists and until recently worshipped in that faith, along with their children, John, 10, and Ashley, 7. Still, the possibility of returning to Catholicism was a recurring thought to Daniel.
He met with Father David A. DeSimone, pastor of Most Sacred Heart parish in Port Jervis, where the Brights reside, a couple of years ago and began to take adult religious education classes. Father DeSimone’s lessons brought the Catholic faith alive.
“He’s a history buff and a good teacher,” Daniel said. “The classes are a lot of fun. I look forward to going.”
While traveling on an airplane last spring, Daniel spoke with a seatmate who gave a personal witness about Catholicism and encouraged him to listen to the tapes of a leading Catholic evangelist, Dr. Scott Hahn, which he found very fruitful.
From time to time he would ask his wife about whether she wanted to join as well so that the family could remain united in one church. At Christmas time in 2000 the Brights attended Masses at Most Sacred Heart. Janet continued to have reservations. Then Sept. 11 came.
Daniel, a six-year firefighter who serves with Ladder 46 on Bailey Avenue in his native Bronx, was on vacation that day. He was recalled at noon and went down to Ground Zero the next day. He and his wife lost “a good dozen people we knew‹firemenwise,” including a close friend. Those first few weeks after the tragic attacks were a tough time for the Bright family, as Daniel was away from home more than not.
“I didn’t see my family much at all,” he told me on the phone. “I think it really showed her what a dangerous job it is.”
Little things sometimes mean a lot. Janet was heartened that the doors of Most Sacred Heart were open to her and others who needed a place of solace after Sept. 11. She soon made the decision to join her husband and other adults in the Wednesday evening formation classes with Father DeSimone. Their children also are now enrolled in the parish religious education program.
Janet and Daniel will receive the sacraments of confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass at Most Sacred Heart. Their son will receive First Eucharist at the same, and their daughter will make the sacrament along with her fellow second-graders.
To cap the celebration at the Easter Vigil, Janet and Daniel will take their wedding vows as members of the Catholic Church. The couple’s mothers are coming in from Michigan and Ohio, and other family members and friends are expected to attend.
“It’s going to be quite a day,” Daniel said.
Daniel is not the first firefighter to be brought into the Church by Father DeSimone, who is chaplain to the fire department in Port Jervis. Last year, he guided the entry of John Launt, the fire chief of Port Jervis. In fact, Launt and Daniel Bright both attended classes together with the pastor.
Father DeSimone emphasized that Daniel’s interest was the impetus behind his family’s conversion, and said Most Sacred Heart is eager to receive its newest parishioners.
“We’re a pretty small parish,” Father DeSimone said. “It’s exciting.”
http://www.cny.org/archive/er/er030702.htm
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