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‘I Know This Is Where I Should Be’ (Former VMI Superintendent conversion story)
National Catholic Register ^ | 4/23/2011 | Josiah Bunting III

Posted on 04/28/2011 9:14:23 AM PDT by markomalley

I write in the full consciousness that each person’s route to reception into the Catholic Church is singular, a pathway he must follow alone, however conscious (and grateful) he may be for the solicitude and friendship of those who lead and guide him.

I was raised in a conventional Protestant household; “went to church” with my parents in a small New England village — a Congregational church, one of whose ministers was Richard Niebuhr (whose piety and earnestness I well remember, and with gratitude). My boarding school obliged us to “attend chapel” daily, the rituals and hymns being more or less standard Episcopalian observances; the music of some of the great old hymns made a far more powerful impression on me than the sermons we heard and “responsive readings” we recited.

In college in the United States, and at the University of Oxford, and in significant ways through my reading of the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins and his early spiritual mentor, Cardinal John Henry Newman, I began to recognize what I might call a spiritual hunger for something which the church of which I remained a nominal member was unable to assuage. I began also, through Newman, but also through much reading (not very purposive or well-organized), to be drawn to the very early Church (Paul in particular), to the Church Fathers, to the sacrifices of its first Christians, and to what I was coming to believe was the Christian communion that had sustained their creeds, their faith, their consciousness of Christ’s glory.

This must be the holy Catholic Church. Its creeds were dogma — immanent, unchanging, beyond cavil — and I embraced them with an overwhelming consciousness that I was called to embrace them. I had to.

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


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To: wagglebee

we lost o one on the first day, and about half the class by graduation.


41 posted on 04/28/2011 11:18:49 AM PDT by Ratman83
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To: Tax-chick

You can tell him it grows back.


42 posted on 04/28/2011 11:19:25 AM PDT by Ratman83
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To: Tax-chick

“I’d like to meet him.”

When I went to VMI, we tried to avoid meeting the Superintendent. I suppose that doesn’t apply anymore....

I’m not sure what VMI has to do with this, but always happy when someone finds a religion that suits them


43 posted on 04/28/2011 11:21:00 AM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: Tax-chick
I think the only thing of Waugh's that I've ever read was "Brideshead Revisited" and that was over twenty years ago.
44 posted on 04/28/2011 11:22:28 AM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: Ratman83; Tax-chick
You can tell him it grows back.

She can also tell him that it will be much easier to clean when he's a Rat and stuff gets smeared in it.

45 posted on 04/28/2011 11:23:42 AM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: Tax-chick

I don’t think most Eagle Scouts or marathon runners are properly called “bone-lazy.” He is probably just turned off academically.

You/he might consider a “gap year” as the Brits do, a year to travel or volunteer, before heading to college. He may find his calling that way, or at least be away from school for a year. The year’s maturity and experience would make his continuing educational pursuits more meaningful.


46 posted on 04/28/2011 11:33:40 AM PDT by EDINVA
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To: Campion
Thanks for the correction on the Latin.

No, he said "every hope, every grace, and all salvation" came through Mary, because it was God's will that it be so. Not the same thing at all.

Nope. For Pope Pius IX said "This is His will, that we obtain everything through Mary" in the same paragraph denoting "all salvation".

Also note, in the same sentence as the "all salvation", that it also attributes "every grace, every hope" to Mary.

So in order to detangle 'all salvation' you are going to have to take 'every grace' away from Mary.

So again, how did Mary accomplish your Salvation since she has "all salvation" according to Pope Pius IX?

47 posted on 04/28/2011 11:38:59 AM PDT by sr4402
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To: wagglebee

I am not sure if they smear anymore, PC you know


48 posted on 04/28/2011 11:51:06 AM PDT by Ratman83
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To: pgkdan

Mea culpa.

Should’ve been mariolatry. At least according to Merriam Webster that is.

If I was truly creative, I’d find ways to sell indulgences and build palaces. Oh wait... Aw shucks. Too late.


49 posted on 04/28/2011 12:05:28 PM PDT by ColoCdn (Neco eos omnes, Deus suos agnoset)
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To: Ratman83
I am not sure if they smear anymore, PC you know

My guess is that they still smear, just with more PC substances.

50 posted on 04/28/2011 12:12:49 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: wagglebee

Hard to say more oversite now. You know not like when men were men and sheep were scared.


51 posted on 04/28/2011 12:22:53 PM PDT by Ratman83
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To: Ratman83
You know not like when men were men and sheep were scared.

Yeah, I remember those days.

When I was at Hampden-Sydney nobody cared if you drank booze in class as long as it was in a cup and there were plenty of classes where smoking was allowed.

52 posted on 04/28/2011 12:37:01 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: wagglebee

I’ve just read “Vile Bodies” and “Remote People,” a book of travel writing.


53 posted on 04/28/2011 12:51:04 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Tornado relief: http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/North-Carolina/Tornado)
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To: RFEngineer
always happy when someone finds a religion that suits them

So am I, even if I don't agree with the person.

I’m not sure what VMI has to do with this ...

It's a peripheral point, but we like to stroll along the tangents.

54 posted on 04/28/2011 2:10:48 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Tornado relief: http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/North-Carolina/Tornado)
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To: ColoCdn

**All I know is that we’ve met dozens of ex-Catholics at our non-affiliated community church over the last few years, **

If you would, please, tell them they are saved by their Baptism in the Catholic Church. Once baptized — they are always a Catholic.

They are only inactive Catholics at the present.

Thanks for passing the message along!


55 posted on 04/28/2011 3:19:37 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley
They just keep coming, don't they?

‘I Know This Is Where I Should Be’ (Former VMI Superintendent conversion story)[ Gen. Josiah Bunting]
“I Just Can’t Make It Alone!” Tom Leopold’s Conversion Story
The Journey Home - 4/25/11 - Joshua Johnson - Former United Methodist minister
Anglican Ordinariate Adds 900 Members
Can it Be [Mary Kochan]
The Steady Stream Home [of people converting to the Catholic Church] Marcus Grodi
Ex-Anglican Priest, Father of Eight, [Ian Hellyer] Gives Up Job to Become Catholic
New U.S. Catholics Include Former Abortion Clinic Administrator, Marine, Seven Family Members

US Catholic Church finds astonishing variety of people joining this Easter
Thousands Joining [Catholic] Church at Easter in US [Catholic Caucus]
The Journey Home - 4/11/11 - Brian Robbins Convert from Judaism
EWTN - The Journey Home - 4/4/11 - Michael Matthews, former Baptist Minister
My Journey Home To The Catholic Church – Why I Am Converting To Catholicism [Bryan Kemper]
3,400 [Catholic] Converts in Hong Kong
EWTN - Journey Home - Mar. 7 - Tom Peterson (founder of Catholics Come Home)
EWTN Journey Home - Feb. 28 - Jeffry Hendrix - Former United Methodist pastor
Lutheran Convert: Richard Lane [Son of Dick "Night Train" Lane]
Former Planned Parenthood director, now pro-life, to become Catholic [Catholic Caucus]

Journey Home - 1/31/11 - Eben Emerson, Former Church of Christ Minister
Former Planned Parenthood director to become Catholic
Former Planned Parenthood director to convert to Catholicism
Former Planned Parenthood director releases book
Escape from Abortion: A Review of unPlanned by Abby Johnson
From Ignorance to Bliss - My Journey to the Catholic Church [Eric Sammons]
Journey Home - January 10, 2011 - Denise Bossert, Former Presbyterian (conversion story)
From Pastor to Parishioner: My Love for Christ Led Me Home [Drake and Crystal McCalister]
(why am I Catholic?) Because I Awoke from a Long, Bad Dream [Webster Bull]
From the Ark to the Barque (Hadley Arkes Speaks about His Reception Into the Catholic Church)
Because of the Divine Beauty of the Mass [Tom and Terry Fenwick]
Anglican Priest Comes Home! [Tim Gahles and his wife Vanessa and family]
The Conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne
The Journey Home: June 7 - Michael Cumbie - Former Charismatic Episcopal clergyman
Former Colombian model shares conversion story [Amada Rosa Pérez ]
The Leadership of Jesus - SF Master Sergeant Mike Cutone (Conversion Story/Book Review/Interview)
Former Mormon looks forward to baptism at Easter vigil [Melissa Reeves]
From Lesbian Atheist to Stay-at-Home Mother of Six: Quebec Journalist Tells Her Story [Brigitte Bedard]
New Catholics a sign of Easter blessing for church (in Oregon)
Protestant Organist Finds Musical Home in the Catholic Church [Gary Marks]

Record number confirmed in Baltimore, despite recent media attacks on Church
An inspiring story of one man’s journey to becoming Catholic[Jeremy Feldbusch]
Can It Be? (Testimony of a former Jehovah's Witness)
Why I am a Catholic[CAROLYN E. DAVIS ]
Man Who "Died" 5 Times Is Becoming Catholic [Jeremy Feldbusch] (Thousands to Enter Church at Easter)
EWTN - The Journey Home - Monday March 22 - Fr. Donald Calloway
Mystery, Meditation, Media: An Interview with Matt Swaim - (Former Presbyterian)
The Reasons for G.K. Chesterton's Conversion
Fr. John Corapi's Conversion story - March 6 at 10pm on EWTN
Responding to the Pope’s Anglican Invitation (priest relates journey from Pentecostalism) [Father Douglas Grandon ]
In the Breaking of the Bread (conversion story of Tim Drake)
Australia's Traditional Anglicans Vote to Convert to Catholicism
Church of England Bishop Converts to Rome [Bishop Paul Richardson}
From Krishna to Christ: The Conversion Testimony of Father Jay Kythe
Ex-Protestant at home in Byzantine Catholic Church {Father James Barrand]
In Iraq, soldier finds a new faith (Muslim converts to Catholic faith)
Why I Left Anglicanism [Fr. Longenecker]
EWTN - The Journey Home - Oct. 26, 2009 - David Twellman, former United Methodist
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism, Rev John Hind
Book: "You Have Not Chosen Me, But I Have Chosen You..." (23 Surprised Converts)

Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Episcopal nuns join Catholic Church
Mickey Rourke thanks God and Catholic faith for 'second chance'
Catholic convert and political commentator Robert Novak passes away
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Reading Into the Church [Deal W. Hudson]
Gnarly: from abuse victim, to prostitute, to surfer, to minister [Mary Setterholm]
Cathedral rector’s priestly journey began with early conversion [ Fr. Bob Clements]
The Great Philosopher Who Became Catholic [Mortimer J. Adler]
The Greater Blessings [David Mills]
EWTN - Journey Home - June 22, 2009 at 8pm - Dr. Jay Budziszewski - former Episcopalian
Cardinal says Catholics humbled by Anglicans' decision to join church
Catholic convert from Oregon coast becomes a priest (former Evangelical)
EWTN - The Journey Home - June 15, 2009 - Marcus interviews a Muslim convert [Talat Strokirk]
(All Saints) Sisters Doing It For Themselves (Anglican House converting en masse)
Journey Home to the Catholic Church: I Have Jumped into the Tiber to Swim Across (UK minister, Fr. Jeffrey Steel )
EWTN - Journey Home - June 8, 2009 at 8pm - Fr. Jay Toborowsky, Jewish convert
EWTN - Monday 8pm - Journey Home - Jerry & Yolanda Cleffi (former Assembly of God)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Mom’s Gift From Pope [Heidi Sierras]

The Journey Home - April 27 @ 8pm - Doug Grandon former Episcopal clergyman
EWTN - The Journey Home - April 20 - Msgr. Keith Barltrop, former Baptist
Journey Home - Monday April 6 - Kenneth Howell, Former Presbyterian minister
Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
“150,000 new or returning Catholics”
Catholic Church prepares for tens of thousands of U.S. converts
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
Faith Journey Leads United Methodist from Pastorate to Catholic Priesthood
From Atheist to Catholic (‘Unshakable’ Rationalist Blogged Her Way Into the Church) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
Former Episcopal bishop discusses his new life as Catholic priest [Father Jeffrey N. Steenson]
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic
Conservative Episcopal bishop resigned to become Roman Catholic priest (New Mexico) Rev. Jeffrey Steenson
Converted Muslim Tells Story Behind Papal Baptism
EWTN - The Journey Home - December 1 - Dr. Steven C. Smith (former Willow Creek)
Former Socialist senator who converted to Catholicism calls for end to abortion [Mercedes Aroz]
Young New Yorker leaves police force to become priest [Nicholas Fernandez]
Interesting Deathbed Converts
Hollywood screenwriter returns to Cleveland, turns life over to God [Joe Eszterhas]

A Journey in Prayer {Randy Hain} [Ecumenical]
ECUMENIC] Our Conversion Experience (SDA to Catholic) [Brandon and Tara Ogden]
An open letter to Mr. Stephen A. Baldwin, Actor, and “born again” Christian [ Victor R. Claveau, MJ "
Sick person who suffered accident recounts conversion after traveling to Lourdes [Ecumenical] [Antonio Escobedo Garcia]
Welcome Home! Anglo-Catholic Sisters on the Road to Rome [Ecumenical]
Former Anglican Bishop, Catholic Convert, Jeffrey Steenson on Anglocatholicism [Ecumenical]
Jeffrey Steenson: Why I Became Catholic [Address to Anglican Use Conference]
Tony Snow Dead at 53, A Tribute to a Catholic Journalist [Tony Snow - Catholic Convert]
A Sexual Revolution (One woman's journey from pro-choice atheist to pro-life Catholic) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
C of E bishop will defect to Rome
Assyrian bishop explains his journey into communion with the Catholic Church
Virginia Tech tragedy leads bereaved mother on journey back to faith [Marian Hammaren]
Journey Home - EWTN at 8pm - Dr. William Bales, former Presbyterian Minister [Ecumenical]
First the Protestants, Now the Cults: Will We (the Catholic Church) Be Ready? [Open]
Six Million African Muslims Convert to Christianity Each Year [OPEN]
EWTN - The Journey Home - May 19 - Tom Cabeen, former Jehovah's Witness [Ecumenic]
A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY [James Akin]
Alex Jones: the evangelical who became a Catholic deacon
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
How the Saints Helped Lead Me Home [Chris Findley]

Who is Mary of Nazareth? [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
EWTN - Journey Home - 4/7/08 - Rosalind Moss - Former Jew & Evangelical Christian
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace [Joan Tussing]
Coming Out of Sodom (Reversion Experience of Once-Active Homosexual) [Eric Hess]
Our Journey Home [Larry and Joetta Lewis]
Book on Mary turns runaway youngster immersed in drugs and crime into a priest
Dr. Robert C. Koons (former Lutheran) - Journey Home - Monday 3/31 - Conversion Story
The Story of a Convert from Islam – Baptized by the Pope at St. Peter's [Magdi Cristiano Allam]
How Do We Know It’s the True Church? - Twelve Things to Look For [Fr. Dwight Longenecker]
"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation [Robert Sungenis]
New Catholics ‘ on fire’ for faith
New faith pulls Hot Springs family together (Baptists join Catholic Church at Easter Vigil) [Danny Morrison and family
SciFi Writer, John C. Wright, Enters Catholic Church at Easter Vigil (conversion story)[John C. Wright]
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura [Dwight Longenecker’family]
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM [Fr. Brian Harrison]
Pope baptizes prominent Italian Muslim [Magdi Allam]
My Journey of Faith [Marco Fallon]
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church [Robert Koons]
Thousands in U.S. to Join (Catholic) Church - Many Feel They Have Found a Home

TURN ABOUT (Carl Olson, former Evangelical and Monday's guest on EWTN's Journey Home)
Former Southern Baptist Pastor Now a Traveling Crusader for the Catholic Church [Michael Cumbie]
All Roads Lead To Rome (A Southern Baptist's Journey into the Catholic Church)[John David Young]
Allen Hunt, Methodist Minister ...Journeys Home (Catholic, Re: Real Presence)/a>
The Challenges and Graces of Conversion [Chris Findley]
An Open Letter...from Bishop John Lipscomb [Another TEC Bishop Goes Papist]
Unlocking the Convert's Heart [Marcus Grodi]
His Open Arms Welcomed Me [ Paul Thigpen}
Why I'm Catholic (Sola Scriptura leads atheist to Catholic Church)
From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story) Rodney Beason
Good-bye To All That (Another Episcopalian gets ready to swim the Tiber)
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House [of Bishops: Episcopal (TEC) to Catholic]
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson Will Become a Roman Catholic
Married man considers turn as Catholic priest
Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying
Searching For Authority (A Methodist minister finds himself surprised by Truth!)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope(Al Kresta)

The Hail Mary of a Protestant (A true story)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar(Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts (Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Rusty Tisdale (former Pentecostal)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness(Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]
THE ORTHODOX REVIVAL IN RUSSIA
Conversion Story - David Finkelstein (former Jew)
Conversion Story - John Weidner (former Evangelical)
Patty Bonds (former Baptist and sister of Dr. James White) to appear on The Journey Home - May 7
Pastor and Flock Become Catholics
Why Converts Choose Catholicism
From Calvinist to Catholic
The journey back - Dr. Beckwith explains his reasons for returning to the Catholic Church
Famous Homosexual Italian Author Returned to the Church Before Dying of AIDS
Dr. Francis Beckwith Returns To Full Communion With The Church
laetare (commentary on ordination of married Anglican convert to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) Father Bill Lowe
Catholic Converts - Stephen K. Ray (former Evangelical)
Catholic Converts - Malcolm Muggeridge
Catholic Converts - Richard John Neuhaus
Catholic Converts - Avery Cardinal Dulles
Catholic Converts - Israel (Eugenio) Zolli - Chief Rabbi of Rome
Catholic Converts - Robert H. Bork , American Jurist (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Converts - Marcus Grodi
He Was an Evangelical Christian Until He Read Aquinas [Rob Evans]
The Scott Hahn Conversion Story
FORMER PENTECOSTAL RELATES MIRACLE THAT OCCURRED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Interview with Roy Schoeman - A Jewish Convert
Church Is Still Attracting Converts [Jim Anderson]

56 posted on 04/28/2011 3:24:14 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: wagglebee

Which could explain why my patron is Saint Bag of Hair.


57 posted on 04/28/2011 4:18:14 PM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: Ratman83
I shall take the liberty of presuming (until proven otherwise, and despite your protestations) that you are an Officer and a Gentleman, just like your brethren whom I have met.

;'}

58 posted on 04/29/2011 6:11:28 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

darn you spoiled all my fun.


59 posted on 04/29/2011 7:04:38 AM PDT by Ratman83
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To: Salvation

Odd. I thought that, once baptized, the man or woman became not Catholic, but a Christian, wearing the name of Christ, sharing in his death and resurrection through immersion into water, and not through any benediction of man or his institution.

So if one is always Catholic after being baptized at the baptismal font, does that comport to once saved, always saved?


60 posted on 04/29/2011 7:44:45 AM PDT by ColoCdn (Neco eos omnes, Deus suos agnoset)
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