I was born and raised a Roman Catholic, somewhat of an enigma for one who lives amongst mainly Mennonites, and evangelical Protestants and just around the corner from the Amish.
More and more citizens are escaping the confines of city life for the cozy, easygoing life afforded them in Pennsyltucky and other countryfied counties on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Needless to say many are Catholics.
It once was a rarity in our parts to ask directions to the nearest Catholic Church without receiving the one word answer; "Huh"? It was possible to get a response like " I've heard of one of them churches in Picklersville. If you want to get there head 20 miles south then 13 miles east. Don't know the name of it, I think its something like "Saint something or other". But good luck and have a safe trip. And by the way, if you change your mind we have a wonderful Assemblies of God church just down the road right next to the Baptist church and a Methodist church a little further down across from the Mennonites. We have even let in a United Church of Christ, but we don't really talk about that, and way back in the woods there is one of them Kingdom Hall Witness churches.
I have learned a lot about our non-Catholic brethren, especially being married to a life long Baptist for over 50 years. Even though she has not really attended a Baptist church for nearly 30 years, she still wears the badge and she does spend time each day in prayer and scripture reading, and communicates with God throughout the day. Her spirituality is applauded and unwavering.
I wonder if one day she would consider becoming a Catholic as she does attend weekly mass with me, but like a dutiful Protestant she remains seated during the kneeling parts and doesn't cross herself.
Trying to interest a life long Baptist to Catholicism is like trying to befriend a feral kitten. It's a continuing process, leaving a little tidbit at the back door each day until one day you get to actually pet the furry little thing. In the case of a Baptist its a long journey before they realize Catholic Mass does not entail worshipping Marian statues or we're not selling indulgences at the door for a price of admission
For most these steps usually take time, for a life long Baptist they can seem like an eternity.
I tried little things over the years to help interest her to a possible Catholic conversion, explaining that St Anthony helped her find everything she has misplaced (He practically is on call 24/7 at our home) to feeding her fish sticks every Friday because as we all know Catholic girls all love fish sticks.
I don't know how the fish stick craze began. Growing up we always had fish on Fridays, Fridays were meatless. Flounder was a cheap fish to buy, and easily fried and served for a family of 8 on a tight budget. The issue of properly de-boning usually ended up with one of us requiring a Heimlich maneuver at the dinner table. Thus the introduction of fish sticks.
I think she has somehow begun to accept the idea of the communion of saints as hardly a day passes when I have to say to her " say the Saint Anthony Prayer" because of course something is always getting misplaced.
Recently a set of keys was discovered in my truck, an item I swore was lost in her car.
The Saint Anthony prayer was prayed by me at that time and nothing happened until now.
I don't know why it took almost a year for the discovery but I am thankful.
I guess Anthony was too busy keeping track of my wife and her antics to be bothered.
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