Becoming Catholic
A view of United Methodist Church of Risingville, NY, where Whitehead was baptized by his paternal grandfather. (courtesy photo)
This Easter Vigil, I celebrated my 13 year as a Catholic. At times, it feels like eons ago. At others, it feels like yesterday. The former is due, in part, to my journey having various phases, spanning my entire life. The initial phase is marked by a little white church in rural upstate New York where my paternal grandfather served as pastor. The church is still there, but for me, it lives in my memory as the place where I can still hear the bell ringing for miles around, where the folks from the countryside would gather to lift their voices in prayer, led by my aunt at the organ and my grandmother in the choir.
It was as storybook as it sounds. My greatest memory, however, the one which sticks with me most, is the giddy look on Grandpa’s face as he pulled on the rope of the church bell on Sunday mornings, calling us to worship. My brothers and I, with my cousins, would come running from playing in the field behind the church to witness our favorite shared experience, the glow of Christian joy on Grandpa’s face. The source of his enthusiasm, of course, was much more than the old bell. It was the love he had for God and the fact we were at church to be in the business of worshipping Him to the best of our ability. As I would run into church, I thought to myself many times, “That’s the type of Christian I want to be.” I am sure he knows, but I wish I would have told him before he died.
This was the foundation God laid for my formation. Even as we knelt by the altar to receive our Methodist communion, God was preparing me to become Catholic, so I may, in fact, be enabled to worship Him to the fullest. As Grandma led us in “Rock of Ages,” God was slowly teaching me to trust in Him, to hide myself in Him so I may survive the dark and stormy seas of life in hope of reaping a reward where our troubles are all ended and happiness in Christ reigns forever.
After my family moved to Texas in the late 1980s, we found a new home among the Southern Baptists. With their emphasis on Scripture, God honed our zeal by the written word of God, giving us subsequent increase in devotion. In time, both my father and I would discern the call to ministry. Dad still pastors his congregation faithfully. My call took an unexpected turn.
It was at Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Dallas, in pursuit of degrees leading to ordination, where I would be introduced to the Church Fathers. In their writings, beginning in 2003, God led me to realize the fact of Christ establishing His Church as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. God, through the Fathers, led me to wrestle with the papacy, Mary, the Eucharist, confession, etc. It took some time, but in Advent of 2010, God broke through my heart of stone, opening me, finally, to embrace Him in His fullness, in the Catholic Church.
I was received in 2012, at the Easter Vigil, after being embraced by my local parish through its RCIA, showing me how to live as a Catholic. My memory of the Vigil is hazy, so taken was I with emotion. What I do recall, with crystal clarity, is, through tear-dropped eyes, seeing the face of my pastor, and knowing I chose the right path.
Through these same eyes, I see others becoming Catholic. While our stories may differ, I know many who share similar journeys. Please pray for them so they may continue to enjoy the joy which exceeds all telling. After all, being Catholic is not easy. They need your help.
These last 13 years have exceeded my wildest expectations, especially having the joyous opportunity of laboring in the vineyard of Fort Worth. I hope to give the Church a fraction of what She has given me. I also hope Grandpa’s proud. I miss him, and pray to see him again, someday.
Jason Whitehead was received into the Catholic Church in 2012 and subsequently received a master’s degree in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He began working for the Diocese of Fort Worth in 2014 and currently serves as Department Director of Evangelization and Catechesis. Find his regular columns for the North Texas Catholic here.