Why I left the Catholic Church and then came back

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  • Опубліковано 29 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 862

  • @phyllisnolfi8105
    @phyllisnolfi8105 6 місяців тому +83

    I really enjoyed your testimony. This hit home . I've messaged you before and told you that I was raised " anti catholic." Attended Baptist and Pentecostal churches for 50 yrs. My husband was raised Catholic but much like you, not truly knowing what the faith taught. My son studied the church theology and in his early 20's became passionate about converting to Catholocism. We thought he was crazy .lol After listening to what he had learned, my husband and I as well as our 5 grown children all came to the faith and converted. Baptism and the Eucharist were two of the main deciding factors for me. Now my children, their spouses and 17 grandchildren are all home. We are very involved , teach CCD,are altar servers and my son does a weekly Bible Study and Catholic You tube channel. God Bless you and your beautiful family. It's so refreshing to hear you teaching our faith and being so knowleged in Catholicism . Many don't know the true teaching and you are able to use your platform to give proper instruction. Keep up the wonderful job you are doing!

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +11

      you have such a beautiful testimony!

    • @EricN571
      @EricN571 6 місяців тому +4

      I agree , beautiful testimony! 🙂🙏

    • @BensWorkshop
      @BensWorkshop 6 місяців тому

      Yes, I can't see ho people can't see the Eucharist for what it is? Jesus offered himself up for our sins. We are not partaking of that sacrifice unless we eat of his flesh. Very clear in the Old Testament. Also during the first Exodus, God provided supernatural food for thee journey. Why would he do less from our Exodus from sin to the promised land of Heaven?

    • @BensWorkshop
      @BensWorkshop 6 місяців тому +2

      Also, welcome home!

    • @edalbanese6310
      @edalbanese6310 5 місяців тому

      So were you saved before you were Catholic ? Does Christ save or the church?

  • @cabbagesfromhome9412
    @cabbagesfromhome9412 6 місяців тому +98

    I asked my husband if we’re just living in an echo chamber or if people are actually coming back to the faith. Seeing younger people and bigger families in church is giving me hope. Welcome home!

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +16

      Yes people really are coming back in droves!! Which I didn’t realize when I quietly started studying - it’s been amazing to see

    • @henrybayard6574
      @henrybayard6574 6 місяців тому +9

      Yes believe it. Our Parrish has over 3000 worshipers every week and growing.

    • @BensWorkshop
      @BensWorkshop 6 місяців тому +10

      The Holy Spirit is on the move.

    • @FoodFreedomUSA
      @FoodFreedomUSA 3 дні тому

      Many people are coming back. Covid was the wake up call that the Elites didn’t expect to turn us against them and back to God.

  • @BIGHOHO24
    @BIGHOHO24 5 місяців тому +27

    My husband and I are Catholic converts.
    We had decided on a tubal ligation after having two children in our twenties. Within a year, we felt devastated by that decision. We went on to adopt a newborn son and when he was 18 months old we became Catholic and baptized our three children. We then decided, after learning the beauty of the church’s teachings, to have a reversal surgery. God blessed our decision by allowing us to have 6 more children! 💗. It has been such a blessing to raise our large family of 11 Catholic. I really loved this video and I enjoy all of your content. God bless you for sharing⛪️

    • @danas2056
      @danas2056 2 місяці тому

      Whoa! 6 more after that surgery is quite a miracle 💜

  • @BatesPhotography
    @BatesPhotography 6 місяців тому +103

    Great testimony! I’m currently in the process of converting to Catholicism after being Presbyterian for the past 46 years. I cried as well after attending my first Mass. I saw what was missing my entire life…I witnessed what true worship looked like. I am now a cantor and very active in the church even though I can’t take my first Holy Communion until 2025 😩. My priest told me it’s okay to long for it. I told him I’m starving for the Eucharist! I know that it’s the real presence of Jesus Christ on this earth. Now that I understand this….I can never leave the Catholic Church and I doubt I’ll ever want to. 🙏

    • @bluecomb5376
      @bluecomb5376 6 місяців тому +7

      Praise God for your journey and THANK YOU for being a cantor. Beautiful

    • @MrsAPeterson
      @MrsAPeterson 6 місяців тому +7

      Try to find a TLM near you and you will be in complete awe! We attend a local SSPX church. My husband recommends the book “An Open Letter to Confused Catholics” ❤

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +6

      Welcome home!!

    • @veenay9151
      @veenay9151 6 місяців тому +2

      Aaaahh 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 welcome home brother. My heart fills up everytime inread a testimony like yours! May God keep revealing all the secrets not many of us are willing to receive. The Eucharist is just the tip of rhe iceberg when comes to Gods great mistery church and love. ❤

    • @CocoWynn
      @CocoWynn 6 місяців тому +2

      Congratulations! May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless you!

  • @alyssalehmann7419
    @alyssalehmann7419 6 місяців тому +133

    Please, please, please make a part 2! I am a Catholic mom of 11, but I was raised outside the church and converted after I met my husband. I would love to hear the part 2 to your story! ❤

    • @samanthastephensonwrites
      @samanthastephensonwrites 6 місяців тому +10

      I also converted after meeting my husband! Conversion story comes out tomorrow. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

    • @kristan1884
      @kristan1884 2 місяці тому +1

      Yes, waiting for a part 2 as well!

  • @MikeyAGoGo101
    @MikeyAGoGo101 6 місяців тому +23

    Im sending this video to my wife. I didn't grow up Catholic but just converted this last Easter. I absolutely love Mass and get depressed if something stops me from going like sickness or work. Im a truck driver so i try to find a mass to go to on the road but sometimes i just cant park a big truck in the parking lot, im also really big on the sacrament of reconciliation, very important!

  • @retrorenegade1967
    @retrorenegade1967 6 місяців тому +103

    Excited to hear your story! I was raised without faith and I decided to come into the Catholic Church when I was 23. I knew no one who was Catholic, but one day I felt compelled to attend Mass at a cathedral and on that day my heart underwent a mysterious conversion

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +10

      Amazing!! I love conversion stories that are heart led!

    • @retrorenegade1967
      @retrorenegade1967 6 місяців тому +17

      @@HopewellHeights I really enjoyed listening to your story. Hallelujah your family is back where it belongs. My mother and my little brother are joining the Church. If you had asked me a few years ago would I ever be religious I'd laugh, but here I am about to have our first baby and baptize her Catholic!

    • @athomewithpatriciavvieyra6709
      @athomewithpatriciavvieyra6709 6 місяців тому +8

      I've been catholic all my life, had my baptism. Holly communion confirmation etc, Glad you found peace there. Welcome back 🙏😊

    • @samanthastephensonwrites
      @samanthastephensonwrites 6 місяців тому +3

      Amazing! My conversion story drops tomorrow. I’d love to hear what you think!

    • @hiddenhand6973
      @hiddenhand6973 6 місяців тому +3

      That is so cool, I love it

  • @ariahauser4224
    @ariahauser4224 6 місяців тому +53

    Hi, I'm a Catholic convert who grew up Protestant. Thank you so much for sharing your story! For me, I always felt a certain draw to the Catholic church. I can remember thinking "I wish I could be Catholic" when I was probably 5. I just loved the history and traditional and all that. But I was spoon fed the usual stuff like Catholics worship Mary that kept me from really considering it. Two things though latter caused me to begin research. One was how strange I thought it that Protestants seemed to pay no attention to Mary. I felt she deserved some respect. The other was something I learned when I was 6 and was allowed in a main service at a church for the first time (was visiting a Protestant church with my grandparents). They had communion that day and I remember hearing those verses from Luke for the first time saying "This is my body broken for you" and all. By God's grace, I realized the importance of that and memorized the verses instantly. From that day onwards I always believed unquestioning in the real presence. I never really discussed it with my family. I just thought it was so obvious that of course everyone believed that.
    Fast forward many years to when I was 14 and freshly moved from the US to Europe. I was following a lot of knitting/family bloggers who all happened to be Catholic and that draw to the church reared it's head again. I would find myself reading the FAQ's on one blog and almost clicking on the link to Catholics Come Home. One day I was finally like what the heck and clicked it. With in minutes I learned to things: Catholics give Mary the honor she deserves as Mother of God and believe in the Real Presence.
    After that I fell down a rabbit hole of research. I watched a lot of debates, listened to a lot of apologists on both sides. It was soooo hard for me to accept confession and the role of works in faith. But I was forced to by the Bible's teaching. I remember the day I had to give up sola scriptura, and I remember the day I learned about the books Luther removed. Honestly, that day I should have known there was no going back. Still, it was not until I understood the papacy and how it is so Biblical that I knew 100% I had to become Catholic. Of course I wanted to, but that like didn't really matter. How can you, knowing the true authority of the Pope, choose to not be Catholic? I told my parents (I was 15) and my then Protestant boyfriend (now my Catholic fiancé), started going to Mass, and was confirmed later that year.

    • @georgefuentes4112
      @georgefuentes4112 6 місяців тому +3

      Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. God bless you and all your loved ones.

    • @BensWorkshop
      @BensWorkshop 6 місяців тому +2

      Welcome home to both of you!

    • @wilderness4071
      @wilderness4071 6 місяців тому

      Oh then you would be able to explain to me the phenomena of transubstantiation. Actually don't bother, I don't believe in nonsense.

    • @BensWorkshop
      @BensWorkshop 6 місяців тому +5

      @@wilderness4071 It is quite an easy explanation. It changes in its real substance, but not its appearence (except in some rare cases where it has changed into actual heart tissue).
      But if you do not believe in the real presense could I suggest you read John 6 and 1 Corinthians 11. If you do not partake of the sacrifice, then it has no benefit to you.

  • @violinssoundcool
    @violinssoundcool 6 місяців тому +26

    Our family converted on Easter vigil 2023. Raised Baptist, then traveling to Episcopalian, then to Anglican...whew! Finally made it home to the Catholic Church and couldn't be happier. Like you, almost all my friends are Protestant. Love them, but also hungry for Catholic friendships and being able to connect on that level because it is such a big part of our family now! We were also part of a lovely protestant homeschool co-op, but moved to a Catholic curriculum. I am now seeing the gaps in my history lessons as a former Protestant. How much history i have missed!!
    It also took us about seven years to make this journey to the Church. And i remember saying, "I will never be Catholic." I'm so glad God changes hearts and the Church was there waiting for me. I love listening to conversion/reversion stories, and i recently heard someone say that coming into the Catholic Church felt like someone left the light on for them. Yes. That's exactly how i feel!! God bless you.

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +5

      Oh I love that, left the light on - I can totally feel that!

  • @LoraEckstine
    @LoraEckstine 6 місяців тому +14

    Thank you for this encouraging testimony. I'm a convert of about 27 years and all my children have been raised as cradle Catholics. My husband is a revert and we both were protestants in our early years, so we came from a background of loving Jesus and the Bible. Our oldest daughter is struggling with her upbringing and has rejected everything about our faith. Even though she is the only one out of 11 children that is struggling with her upbringing, it's so hard and painful. Your testimony is encouraging for us older parents with fallen-away children.

  • @Heatherrenee424
    @Heatherrenee424 6 місяців тому +29

    Yes,part two please. If you ever made a podcast I’m sure many of us would love to listen!
    This was great!

  • @abigailbrannon9890
    @abigailbrannon9890 5 місяців тому +11

    My Protestant upbringing was quite the opposite of surface level teaching, and I came to Christ within it. The church I grew up in was so adamant about diving deep into scripture, true repentance and living a lifestyle of relationship with Jesus. It has always been HUGE for me to not just understand things surface level but to really understand the truth of scripture and live my life according to it. This was also true for the teachers and people I was surrounded by. I am thankful for my upbringing where we would dive so deep into scripture and am continuing on a journey to learn so much more to live my life for God.

  • @elainemccullough3333
    @elainemccullough3333 6 місяців тому +25

    Welcome home! ❤ As a fellow Catholic, I loved hearing your story and believe it will be a light to many others! God bless you and your family! ❤️🙏

  • @kathryncallahan7355
    @kathryncallahan7355 6 місяців тому +25

    I was raised church of Christ but I came into the Church Easter 2022! Praise be to Jesus!

  • @HopeReanna
    @HopeReanna 6 місяців тому +30

    This was so timely for me! I literally said to my husband this week I want to know and find the one true church. I feel like I’m on a similar journey to you. I’m glad you found your answer ❤

    • @samanthastephensonwrites
      @samanthastephensonwrites 6 місяців тому +6

      Are you from a particular faith background? I was raised Protestant and found that reading Rome Sweet Home brought me the answers I needed (releasing my own conversion story on my channel tomorrow if you’re interested).

    • @doratuininga4121
      @doratuininga4121 6 місяців тому +1

      there is no one true church,a gathering of jesus’s people,is church

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +7

      The Lord is calling so many home by stirring hearts to pursue Truth - it’s so beautiful to see!

    • @TIDBITSandCompany
      @TIDBITSandCompany 6 місяців тому

      Please consider studying the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Best of luck on your faith journey! ❤

    • @henrybayard6574
      @henrybayard6574 6 місяців тому +3

      ​@@doratuininga4121Jesus mentioned HIS church in Matthew 16 and Matthew 18. He tells you who the head of that church is and who had the ultimate authority on questions of faith.

  • @rosabayhan810
    @rosabayhan810 Місяць тому +4

    I am Roman Catholic and it’s very Traditional. We respect the Mother of Jesus. We believe that she prays for us. We believe that the only way to God the Father is through the Son

    • @Sameerah-P7
      @Sameerah-P7 3 дні тому

      How you know she is praying for you??? Does the bible says that? Or that your own underatanding.?

  • @CatnipKate
    @CatnipKate 6 місяців тому +23

    I grew up with no religion but attended catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade. I’ve considered myself an atheist for most of my life, until the last few years. I’ve been reading the Bible, praying, and finding so much peace in my growing faith. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us on the internet. I truly value your content as I have learned so much. Have a beautiful day! 💚

    • @bluecomb5376
      @bluecomb5376 6 місяців тому +4

      God bless you on your journey to peace and truth!

  • @Goldberry-T
    @Goldberry-T 6 місяців тому +7

    Welcome home!! So wonderful to get to follow along your family’s homesteading journey through these videos, and to see an amazing Catholic momma loving her family! Thank you for sharing your story.

  • @carakerr4081
    @carakerr4081 6 місяців тому +13

    Thank you for sharing your testimony! I am a revert at age 50 and my husband a convert at age 54 to the Catholic Church. I spent 18 years away from all religion and then 10 years Protestant. I hear you on all these issues!! Welcome home 🏠 ❤❤

  • @Cass6
    @Cass6 6 місяців тому +23

    Morning! I have been Catholic all my life and I find that now in my 30s I’m really diving into my faith. Growing up I feel like all the topics that should be talked about weren’t for example: drinking, soul ties, sex before marriage, BC, living together before marriage etc, which could totally change the course of these young kids. And honestly I think it needs to be talked about. Kids and young adults want to hear the truth. Me and my husband will definitely be teaching our kids on these topics and how to steward their bodies well! Great conversation! ❤

    • @samanthastephensonwrites
      @samanthastephensonwrites 6 місяців тому +1

      🙌 love it! I wrote a book on these subjects if you’re interested, and I’m sharing my conversion story tomorrow on my channel (if you like those sorts of stories). I detail how I went from contraceptives (and how they almost killed me) to the Catholic Church.

  • @crazydoxylady7169
    @crazydoxylady7169 6 місяців тому +13

    I am a cradle catholic just like you. My teen/20 something story is just like yours. I left the church at 16 when my parents were tired of fighting with all of us to go to mass every week. I found a non-denominational church I loved ZENOS in my mid 20's stayed there for about 5 years learned the bible but left that church as well. Something was missing I guess in their teachings. My parents were devout catholics and some of the best people I ever knew. I have always respected catholism because of my angel parents! I drive by catholic churches all the time and wonder if I should give it another try. I needed to hear your message. Thank you. I will keep you posted but I think I might go to mass in Granville OH where I drive by that church several times a month. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit! xo Nancy from OHIO

  • @caroline_epperson
    @caroline_epperson 6 місяців тому +28

    I am a protestant and I really enjoyed your story! I would love a part 2, I watched all the way to the end. My husband and I have been looking deeper into different denominations so I would love it if you shared the specifics on the reasons why Catholics do what they believe. We don’t know anyone that practices Catholicism personally so we have no one to ask. Thank you for sharing your story ♥️

    • @aadschram5877
      @aadschram5877 6 місяців тому +1

      The Catechismus of the Catholic Church is on-line for free.

    • @truthnotlies
      @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому +7

      I grew up a JW. When my husband and I left we started going to a non-denominational church. We love everyone there. But we met with a priest because we kept looking deeper and deeper into the history of Christianity, etc. He gave us the entire Catechism. We are partway through it and significantly drawn more each day... We know virtually no other Catholics though either. Also a bit concerned because I know our friends might be very disturbed if we become Catholic...

    • @caroline_epperson
      @caroline_epperson 6 місяців тому +2

      @evelynkerubo7398 wow! Thanks for all the resources!

    • @lidiaduplooy3385
      @lidiaduplooy3385 6 місяців тому

      stccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Apologetics_-_Book_of_Armaments.pdf

    • @EricN571
      @EricN571 6 місяців тому +7

      Reading on Church Fathers teachings and letters starting with St Ignatius of Antioch who was a disciple of John the apostle usually is what converts say sealed the deal .
      The journey Home on EWTN have great testimonies.

  • @MemawLeitz
    @MemawLeitz 6 місяців тому +10

    Thank you so much for sharing. I was raised being told how Catholics aren’t Christians and I listen to a wonderful priest everyday read scripture and listen to his homilies. God bless you for sharing and I love your work you do at home!

  • @brittanystanton4733
    @brittanystanton4733 6 місяців тому +26

    Thank you for sharing this. I was also raised Catholic, thanks to my grandparents, who I lived with. Being Catholic was our identity, and we celebrated the Virgin of the Assumption yearly in my grandpa's town. My mother took me to other Christian churches so we could experience it; it made me drift apart from Catholicism. Eventually, I became nonchristian and started believing in different gods, like the Sun Inti and the earth Pachamama. I wanted to stick to my Peruvian roots, thinking the Catholic church was the enemy. However, just like you, getting married, craving to have children, and reconnecting with my grandparents brought me back to Catholicism. Now I understand better, and I love being a Catholic. ❤🙏 Blessings Steph.

  • @maryh8230
    @maryh8230 6 місяців тому +30

    Same here. I'm back home now. I feel very at peace.

  • @laurenj.5312
    @laurenj.5312 6 місяців тому +14

    You sent me down a rabbit hole! I have been looking into Church beliefs over the past year because I've been dissatisfied by the non-denominational churches that I've been to. Thanks for giving your experience and for giving me a to look up.

    • @truthnotlies
      @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому +4

      Same journey over here. Seriously considering the Catholic Church. Part way through the entire Catechism right now!

    • @MarfaPavlovna
      @MarfaPavlovna 6 місяців тому +2

      I am an Orthodox Christian! It's a faith full of beautiful Apostolic traditions. Maybe you've come across it in your research.

  • @hikeandsee7621
    @hikeandsee7621 6 місяців тому +33

    This is so eye opening. I have attended calvary chapel my entire life and have now gotten to a place where my heart knows there is more

    • @toliveischrist950
      @toliveischrist950 6 місяців тому +8

      Humans tend to want more but then I came to the realization that the simplicity of the gospel is enough. His grace is more than enough. It’s truly a resting place. God bless you in your faith journey.

    • @hikeandsee7621
      @hikeandsee7621 6 місяців тому +6

      @toliveischrist950 I guess when I say more I don't mean in the sense of more than the gospel. I know Jesus is all I need. Hes definitely my every thing. My heart just doesn't feel at peace with the way I see things run at the church. And yet I know there isn't a perfect church.

    • @angelicaharrison1014
      @angelicaharrison1014 6 місяців тому

      @@hikeandsee7621there isn’t a “perfect” church, but there is ONE true Church. If you’re a fan of Candace Owens, she recently converted to Catholicism & her story is beautiful. I recommend you watch her video about it. Basically if you the whole truth & nothing but the truth - it’ll lead you to Catholicism. Yes Jesus is enough, but the Church is His bride & He is the Bridegroom. Hope you find your answers 🙏🏼

    • @JWellsUp
      @JWellsUp 6 місяців тому +2

      Come to the altar of the Lord and receive the manna the Fathers ate & died in the desert but this manna has Gods divinity in it that gives us eternal life.
      I believe that that’s what you are missing. The body and blood of Jesus Christ.
      He was literal not symbolic.
      John 16:29 Jesus speaks clearly to his disciples,”His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.”
      This is before the Last Supper when Jesus said,”take and eat this is my body and take and drink this is my blood.”
      In St John 6:48,51
      Jesus said,”I am the bread of Life & I am the living bread.”
      Living does not mean symbolic.
      If so then when someone who doesn’t believe that what Jesus said in St John 6:48,51 was literal but symbolic then they also believe that when they reference the Bible is the living Word of God they actually mean that the Bible is the symbolic word of God.
      Living can’t mean it’s actual meaning in one thing and another thing somewhere else.

    • @truthnotlies
      @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому +1

      ​​@@toliveischrist950I have found that the more meaning = more God. The more meaning there is, the more we are learning about God. Simplicity is beautiful. But the cross is not just simple - because God is not basic. It's deeper than we can imagine.

  • @katherinegomez1660
    @katherinegomez1660 6 місяців тому +7

    Welcome home!! I am a cradle Catholic as well, became lapsed, then had a reversion as well-
    So happy to hear from a Catholic homesteader!
    Thank you for sharing-❤️

  • @anniegray6277
    @anniegray6277 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you so much for sharing your story! I can relate to this so much. My husband was a youth pastor in a Calvary Chapel. We have been searching for years and were received into the Orthodox church this past year. ❤

  • @LouMartinez-or3kb
    @LouMartinez-or3kb 3 місяці тому +1

    Great testimony, thank you for sharing! Blessings sent to you and your family.

  • @Catholiclady3
    @Catholiclady3 6 місяців тому +9

    I did the same. My Moms family was catholic back into the 1100s.i was raised catholic, then I left for prodestantism. Questions about prodestantism led me to be an athiest. I'm back after 25 years, and I've never been more at peace or more in love with Jesus than I am now.

  • @carlinrichard4910
    @carlinrichard4910 6 місяців тому +9

    Loved your coming home story. I too fell away from the church. But now I'm home. Please tell us more of your last few years as a Catholic family. Thank you!! ❤

  • @mariannetaylor4549
    @mariannetaylor4549 6 місяців тому +4

    Welcome home! That was such a wonderful story to hear. God bless you and your family! And yes, I would love to hear lart 2!

  • @SarayEcheverri-w9w
    @SarayEcheverri-w9w 6 місяців тому +9

    You cannot imagine how much I needed this!!!!

  • @lindsaymiller1669
    @lindsaymiller1669 6 місяців тому +5

    So glad you’ve shared your whole story here! I definitely agree, you should upload your videos or voiceovers to podcasts! As a convert, I very much appreciate all that you share. Thank you!

  • @kate_700
    @kate_700 6 місяців тому +6

    Commenting again as I continue to listen to this. WOW, this is so relatable. Thank YOU for posting this!!

  • @kimberlytravis6827
    @kimberlytravis6827 6 місяців тому +7

    God Bless You! Your story sounds a lot like my son who is 37. He was also living an agnostic life and has now joined a non denominational church. I have prayed for years for him to give his life to Jesus and he finally has. I am still praying for him to return to the church (I sent him to Catholic school as well) and I do believe he will figure it out at some point. I pray the Memorare and 3 Hail Marys for him every day along with a Rosary. Jesus, I trust in you! Welcome Home. ❤

  • @hiddenhand6973
    @hiddenhand6973 6 місяців тому +10

    Ahhhhh!!! I had started to watch Your older videos and I heard you say something about the Catholic Church and why you no longer go (or something like that, forgive me if I got it wrong) my heart was so broken. I was praying for you after that point and didn’t want to leave a comment because sometimes that just starts problems. When people aren’t ready, they aren’t ready and forcing issue can make things worse so I just quietly prayed for you to come back home. Let’s gooooo! 🥳🥳 This made my day. May the Lord bring more and more home in this anti-Catholic nation…anti Catholicism really is the last acceptable prejudice in the US.

  • @christinesnotebook
    @christinesnotebook 6 місяців тому +6

    You told your story in such an incredible way. I love your conviction on marriage and family and how tirelessly you searched for the truth. Welcome home

  • @elizabethgilbert5142
    @elizabethgilbert5142 6 місяців тому +2

    Welcome back! I love your homemaker and homestead content and now I'm so glad to hear we have even more in common! I converted 18 years ago :)

  • @SewNikki
    @SewNikki 6 місяців тому +11

    We all have a testimony, thanks for sharing yours. You are so likable because you are keeping it real, that’s being truly vulnerable and that’s when people connect. I love how Gods working in your life

  • @SurrenderNovena
    @SurrenderNovena 6 місяців тому +8

    Welcome back, Steph! I left for several years in my youth and the very best thing about leaving and coming back is that you know all too well what it's like without the treasury of the Catholic Church and would never leave again! ❤🔥❤

  • @magdoll24
    @magdoll24 6 місяців тому +5

    I love your determination and perseverance! You kept learning and growing and didn't settle for what would have been easier culturally/socially, but instead you seeked the truth. Praise God. Thank you for sharing your story. I would love to hear more 💓

  • @GardenMinistry.
    @GardenMinistry. 6 місяців тому +3

    You went full circle!! ❤❤❤ This is so relatable because I went through my own rabbit hole search to make sure I was in the right place. From a fellow Catholic, so glad you are back. 😊

  • @abigailpayne2537
    @abigailpayne2537 6 місяців тому +2

    Welcome home❤️❤️❤️
    Thank you for sharing your testimony. You are such a beautiful person!
    I'm a 23 year old catholic mom of three, and aspiring homesteader. I love your videos! You are so inspiring! Your little guy is so stinkin' cute, btw!!!!

  • @TheNats3
    @TheNats3 6 місяців тому +5

    Thank you for sharing your story, I can totally relate to a lot of your experiences and reasoning having gone through similar and returning to the Catholic church. Look forward to episode 2!

  • @MBroome1028
    @MBroome1028 6 місяців тому +32

    Hey Steph. Really enjoyed hearing about your journey. I’m 61, retired RN and have been on my own journey with my walk with Jesus. I’m still searching and have actually been leaning towards Catholicism. I love the sacredness of the Mass and Holy communion. I’ve gone to a local monastery where they have a small chapel open to the public and I light candles and pray to Mary. It’s brought me peace and I’ve seen changes and answered prayers. I’ve considered seriously attending catechism classes to see if it’s the right fit. I’m so happy for you that you’ve found your home for you and your precious family at still a young age. May you continue to grow in your walk with our beautiful Jesus and be blessed ❤

    • @traditionalgirl3943
      @traditionalgirl3943 6 місяців тому +4

      Each Catholic Church has RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation of Adults) where you can learn about Catholicism but are not obligated to convert. Questions are welcome. ✝️❤️🌷🙏😊

    • @angelicaharrison1014
      @angelicaharrison1014 6 місяців тому +5

      You can also read the Baltimore Catechism if you’re still unsure about taking RCIA. It’s what we plan to use to properly catechize our children

    • @rose7896
      @rose7896 6 місяців тому +1

      Praying to Mary is idolatry. "Thou shall have no other gods before me"

    • @crunchycountrycatholic
      @crunchycountrycatholic 6 місяців тому +2

      Asking Mary to pray with you and praying to Mary are different things. We consider the saints as an extension of our church family and asking the saints to pray with us if just like asking our brother or sister in Christ to pray with us.

    • @Ceg906
      @Ceg906 6 місяців тому +2

      The saints are not alive though. How can someone pray for you if they are not alive? Not the same as asking a brother or sister in Christ to pray for you.

  • @candiced4826
    @candiced4826 6 місяців тому +1

    Beautiful testimony…Very glad you and family made your way back home! Would love a part 2!

  • @EliseLonghurst
    @EliseLonghurst 6 місяців тому +8

    Thank you for such an in depth video, I would love a part two!

  • @millyricart805
    @millyricart805 6 місяців тому +1

    Love your conversion story. Welcome home. May God continue blessing you and your family. Keep sharing your story.

  • @KatelynG0301
    @KatelynG0301 6 місяців тому +2

    Welcome back to the church! I’m so happy for you and your family. Thanks for sharing

  • @littlerockymtns
    @littlerockymtns 6 місяців тому +9

    I’m a cradle Catholic, and it is SUCH a joy to find another Catholic homemaker here on UA-cam!! I’m so glad you made your way back to the faith. ❤ You should totally do a part 2! I’m curious as to what your thoughts are on the Latin Mass or more traditional Novus Ordo masses. You and your family are in my prayers. ❤️🙏

  • @LoveIsTruth___
    @LoveIsTruth___ 6 місяців тому +8

    Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your faith journey
    I had the same sort of experience
    Your family have always been in my prayers

  • @bluecomb5376
    @bluecomb5376 6 місяців тому +2

    I've never seen a video of yours until now. I am so happy for you and your family. Praise God for your journey. Thank you for sharing it.

  • @kristan1884
    @kristan1884 2 місяці тому

    This is my first UA-cam video I watched of yours. I actually have a Protestant friend who follows you and recommended I check you out. I have to say, I’m very grateful she thought I would enjoy your content because oh boy do I ever! Our stories are similar. All my friends are Protestant. It’s a tough place to be but it’s where God called my family back to. Sometimes my friends will make comments about how I’ll come back to them but that’s not going to happen. We are Catholic for life. Thank you for sharing this and for being so open and vulnerable. It gives me so much confidence to know I’m not alone in this walk back to my faith. I will now be a huge advocate for your channel and look forward to more encouragement in our Catholic faith, homesteading, homeschooling and all the things that this world thinks is so different! Blessings to you and your beautiful family!

  • @Grecia.R
    @Grecia.R 6 місяців тому +11

    You look absolutely radiant in this video. So grateful for your witness. Praise Jesus you made it back home ❤

  • @caballefam
    @caballefam 6 місяців тому +5

    Hello Steph, thank you so much for sharing your reversion story. I am a cradle Catholic, too, but don't know a lot about our faith. Now that I am married, I am also giving deeper into learning more. My husband was born to catholic parents, but they didn't baptized their kids. When my husband was 3,he started studying religions similar to what you did. Then he studied Catholicism last and decided that it's the true church built by Jesus. He was already Catholic for 5 years before I met him and we had a Catholic wedding. God bless you more and more and definitely love to hear a part 2 of your story.

  • @JWellsUp
    @JWellsUp 6 місяців тому +3

    Saw you on JD Catholic engage channel. God Bless you and your family. 🙏🏻🕊️

  • @kinseyjohnson4341
    @kinseyjohnson4341 6 місяців тому +5

    I respect you so much. You are such a witness for Christ and I love your gumption and honesty and vulnerability on your channel. I'm some kind of blend of Pentecostal and Baptist, and I have a huge respect and reverence and love for the word of God. Hearing others speak about the great need for truly living for Jesus by living like Jesus is so rare now. It's a dire need in the church body and all we can do is do it ourselves and let the Holy Spirit speak through us when he gives us something to share and you are certainly helping others know who Jesus is and I love you for it!

  • @Katie_Mae
    @Katie_Mae 6 місяців тому +8

    Hi! Fellow Catholic, here! I really enjoyed your video. I also never comment on videos but feel called on by Holy Spirit to comment this:
    • There’s a good chance you will either be shadowbanned/you will lose following & views. But I am begging you, as a young catholic mother of four, it is so refreshing and necessary to have UA-cam videos to watch with God-loving, Catholic mother’s like you. Please keep posting videos, God is calling so many home and NEED videos like yours for answers, community, and clean, pure, and wholesome enjoyment.
    You are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart, your vulnerability captured mine.
    I am praying for you!❤

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +1

      Thank you so much for the encouragement!

  • @megt2014
    @megt2014 6 місяців тому +10

    Welcome home! I grew up in traditional novus ordo parish and was shocked coming into adulthood and realizing the utter lack of depth to so many people's experience of the faith. I see a lot of hope in so many turning back to traditional Catholicism!

    • @conceptacasserly1360
      @conceptacasserly1360 6 місяців тому +2

      Please God may our Traditional Latin mass be available to us for many many years to come. We're really relying on it now for vocations in the west 🙏🏻

  • @traditionalgirl3943
    @traditionalgirl3943 6 місяців тому +11

    Welcome Home, Stephanie! ✝️❤️🌷👏👏👏. Yes, I’d love a part 2 especially since you didn’t talk much about your husband’s conversion. 😄😊💐

  • @truthnotlies
    @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому +24

    Grew up Jehovah's Witness. Finally left, lost all friends and lots of family. My husband and I started going to a non-denominational church. Love all our friends there. But are now really seriously considering the Catholic Church after studying all the different denominations, etc.
    I can relate to your constant drive to figure things out.
    Also, I think your idea to withhold health issues from ither mommas who then might get secondhand anxiety very thoughtful . I know a lot of mums who struggle with that kind of anxiety.

    • @truthnotlies
      @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому

      @@Thefunfamily_3582 You realize JWs do an ceremony of an inverted Catholic Mass where they bless bread and wine and purposefully pass it around and not take it? That's a ceremony of rejection of Jesus. It's called a Black Mass.

    • @truthnotlies
      @truthnotlies 6 місяців тому +1

      @@Thefunfamily_3582 yeah dude, I know what you believe. I was one before. Only you say you use the Bible and you won't find one instance of any group of people having the Lord's supper, rejecting it, and then throwing the bread and wine out after. Sorry.

    • @bluecomb5376
      @bluecomb5376 6 місяців тому +2

      God bless you on your search for the Truth! I hope you can make it to a mass sometimes or sit in adoration with Jesus.

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +4

      Bless you in your studies, prayers, and pursuit of Truth! It’s quite a journey but the most important thing in life 🙏🏼

  • @allisonlong2610
    @allisonlong2610 6 місяців тому +4

    I loved this so much! I have been appreciating your channel for a while. Quite a bit of Catholic UA-cam moms have taken long breaks or stopped filming. Many moms are looking for channels and I have been recommending Hopewell Heights. ❤

  • @angelicaharrison1014
    @angelicaharrison1014 6 місяців тому +7

    Thank you for sharing your story!! It’s so admirable that you did all your research & wanted to make sure you found the absolute truth, also that you & your husband were in it together. Mine is so similar, I joined the military at 18 (2016) & my now husband & I met when I was 19. We were both raised Catholic but very much fallen away.. partying ALL the time & doing things the wrong way. It wasn’t until 2021 we decided to go to confession & get back into the Catholic Church. We also love Fr. Ripperger & basically watched all his videos to properly Catechize us. It wasn’t until last year that we got married & I had our first baby this January. Coming back to the Church has saved our lives, everything is so clear now. It’s so freeing when you’re living in the truth

  • @DesireeSpoe
    @DesireeSpoe 6 місяців тому +7

    I could really relate to your reversion story. Especially the part about investigating the Catholic Church and wanting to prove it wrong. My journey home to the Catholic Church was very similar. I thank God for Mother Angelica, EWTN and Catholic radio, which God used to help answer my questions and help me acclimate as a reverting Catholic. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story!!

  • @anastasianickerson8291
    @anastasianickerson8291 6 місяців тому +2

    Welcome home!!! As a convert myself I know what a journey it is. I love your honesty and humility. Blessings! ❤

  • @vachkiri2
    @vachkiri2 6 місяців тому +2

    Thanks A LOT for this very interesting video and being open and honest about your journey! I am a Protestant, happy here, but it made me want to study more in depth some questions I have about catholicism's practices.

  • @alissarehmert2502
    @alissarehmert2502 6 місяців тому +4

    Thanks for sharing your testimony. I am a new convert to Catholicism from Calvinism. It is so GOOD to be home!

  • @Heatherrenee424
    @Heatherrenee424 6 місяців тому +9

    Thank you sister for sharing your story. You have inspired me in many ways since i found your content. I firmly believe i did not find you by accident. 💗✨

  • @DriftlessReader
    @DriftlessReader 6 місяців тому +1

    Oh my gosh, your story sounds so much like mine! So happy to be back in the Church :)

  • @s.y.3252
    @s.y.3252 5 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for your beautiful testimony. Blessings to you and your family.

  • @annamary8884
    @annamary8884 5 місяців тому +6

    Thank you for sharing your testimony! I loved hearing your faith journey. I was born and raised protestant and married a non practicing Catholic. We have 10 kids and are just now after 30 years of marriage researching the Catholic faith. Wish we would have done this years ago!

  • @lisalaverdiere8747
    @lisalaverdiere8747 6 місяців тому +4

    Such an amazing story. I would love a part 2 please ❤ I’ve been very fortunate to have been raised catholic by my parents and I will forever be grateful for this amazing gift. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I loved every second of it ❤

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому

      Thank God for their faithfulness in raising you in the Church!

  • @cassieuebersetzig288
    @cassieuebersetzig288 3 місяці тому +2

    I am traditional Catholic wife and mother and I would love to see another video of how the Church has impacted you family. ❤

  • @Wonderpattypatty
    @Wonderpattypatty 29 днів тому

    Just found ur channel. Praised be Our Lord!! Welcome home!!! 💗🙏♥️

  • @annagreer7748
    @annagreer7748 6 місяців тому +8

    Thank you so much for sharing your story❤️ I relate to this so much! I was not raised in church, but was baptized as a baby in a Methodist church(never went after being baptized). I have church hopped since my 20’s, I’m now 45, always hopping around Protestant churches…never thinking about visiting Catholic Church. I don’t know where a seed got planted, but visiting Catholic Church was a no no in my mind for whatever reason. Anyway, after watching a Protestant on You Tube visit a Catholic Church, I decided hmmm, maybe I will visit one. And guess what, I loved it. When friends would ask what I didn’t like about the other churches I visited, the only thing I would say is I don’t know, just something is missing. Sorry, this is long, but I just relate to this so much. I am not Catholic yet, that’s another long story. I do hope to be one day, but for now, I will just keep learning.

  • @RaqiIrving
    @RaqiIrving 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you so much for sharing your story!
    A part 2 would be awesome!!! God bless you and your beautiful family!! 🙏🏼🤓🙌🏼

  • @EEB2024
    @EEB2024 4 місяці тому

    Please do a part 2! I so appreciate you sharing your story and how you decided what was right for you and your family.

  • @amystamper129
    @amystamper129 6 місяців тому +1

    Definitely would love to hear part 2! Great video!!

  • @KathleenBottrell
    @KathleenBottrell 6 місяців тому +4

    Thank you for sharing your story!
    It was great to see it from your perspective and the intellectual journey you went through.
    Personally I just loved hearing how you shared it all with your husband and family along the way. I am very much like you in terms of doing my due diligence in research and then sharing it with my husband. He also has a very busy and demanding job that he isn’t able to spend a lot of time reading or researching.
    I am a new Christian and on the path to becoming a Catholic. We a have two little kids at this stage and I do hope for more, God willing 🙏🏽

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +1

      Deo Gratias and may the Lord bless you on your path home!

  • @claireshearer6007
    @claireshearer6007 6 місяців тому +4

    May the Lord increase your tribe my dear. Your journey in and out of the Catholic Church was similar to mine. What finally brought me back “ for good” 13 years ago was the Eucharist. I just knew that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist was vitally important to me and it didn’t seem to matter to the pastors whether or not we received it. It could be shoved aside for more important events eg “ a visiting evangelist who was there to promote his new book, the pastor was having a special sermon series and communion would “ get in the way of that” and on and on. Sometimes it would only happen a couple times of the year. I just knew in my heart that it wasn’t right, I was so happy to return to the Catholic Church where I could receive Jesus every single day of the year if I could.
    Thanks for your beautiful witness .

  • @emilyscozychapter
    @emilyscozychapter 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for sharing. I was raised Baptist, got introduced to reformed theology in university, attended MB church after marriage, and then an NDN (mix of reformed and charismatic). Left our NDN church but in the time period leading up to that I had a lot of the questions you had about family, children, contraception, divorce, and baptism... especially once I started having kids. Could never shake the feeling that our kids should be baptized even though I was raised Baptist. Just checked out a Presbyterian church and like you in a way I'm hoping this could be it... but just today I was thinking about the issue of contraception and abortion and was wondering what they would say about those things. I also feel like I need to do my due diligence and really research the Catholic church so that we can really make a informed decision before we find a new church home. Anyways, this video was very timely so thank you so much for sharing.

  • @juliamartinez4813
    @juliamartinez4813 6 місяців тому +2

    This video really hit home for me as a “cradle catholic”. I’m currently finding my way back into the catholic faith, looking for one suited for my family. I appreciate your videos so much and would love a part 2!

    • @jessicalee6728
      @jessicalee6728 6 місяців тому

      You should look into a confessional Lutheran church like Missouri Synod.

  • @jiayoujamie7225
    @jiayoujamie7225 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for sharing! Your story makes so much that happened in my life make sense. Thank you for being a light in this world to mamas and women!

  • @chrisowens6530
    @chrisowens6530 6 місяців тому +1

    Hello. I've been a subscriber for a minute or two and I enjoy your episodes. Good for you and your family! I am a convert that came into the church. I also had not behaved well and Unfortunately, prior to my conversion, I let others influence me out of going to the Catholic church. When the moment came, I took a deep breath and went. By that time, I knew deep down that I was home. I waited three years to make sure and came into the church this past Easter Vigil. My youngest son came in with me. We both found a particular peace in it and are better for it.

  • @DebbieGoveroCox
    @DebbieGoveroCox 6 місяців тому +3

    Stephanie,
    Thank you for sharing your testimony! I appreciate your vulnerability, and honesty in your videos and blog. I’m a follower of Jesus and His Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. As far as I’m concerned, welcome back to the family sister in Christ ❤

  • @Floridiansince94
    @Floridiansince94 6 місяців тому +6

    My sister in Christ! Welcome back home!!!! CHRIST IS KING!

  • @AveChristusRex90
    @AveChristusRex90 6 місяців тому +3

    Amazing to hear your testimony! I am a protestant conversion to Catholicism, and I have never looked back since and since then have been deeper into my faith and now deeply in love with the traditional Latin mass, highly recommend! P faith and my entire life has drastically changed and every aspect welcome Home, and God bless you! 🤍🙏🏼

  • @jessicawoodard6471
    @jessicawoodard6471 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for sharing your journey, you have given me so much to consider. Blessings!

  • @marisolcarpio4906
    @marisolcarpio4906 6 місяців тому +8

    Yes please do a part 2! ☺️

  • @CatholicCanvas
    @CatholicCanvas 6 місяців тому

    I wholeheartedly thank you very much for sharing your experience with our UA-cam community. I have shared your video with my family and with the young adult ministry I am involved in. Thank you for your testimony. I agree with others when they say we would love a part two!! May God reward you!

  • @diannecarter1754
    @diannecarter1754 5 днів тому

    I love that you shared this!!! I am Catholic and like you have absolutely lived in a way that was not at time but I really try to be truly Catholic now and there is so much freedom in living the faith. Thank you so much for sharing your story❤

  • @juliafieger949
    @juliafieger949 6 місяців тому +8

    Welcome home!!!! What a wonderful life you have lived -- always for a reason! I'm a convert so I know the path of trying to prove the Catholic Church wrong....didn't work, haha! It really came down to who has the authority to interpret -- hence all the different ways of interpreting the bible. And Church history...that's a big one. And oh yes...part 2!🙂

  • @brittanycataldo6063
    @brittanycataldo6063 6 місяців тому +7

    Wow! Your story is so similar and timely for me. My husband and I were raised Catholic by culture only. None of the actual church teachings or Faith was passed down to us. When were moralistic therapeutic deists. When I heard Father Mike Schmitz talk about this my eyes were opened and so much made sense. A few years ago (9 years into our marriage) we started attending a Protestant church regularly which was the first time in our marriage we had regularly gone to church. We started studying the Bible constantly. Which I am so thankful that Protestant church’s encourage people so much to actually read the Bible. Unfortunately, for them though, reading the Bible is exactly what has brought us back to the catholic Church. We studied church history as well which inevitably leads back to the truth of the catholic Church. In the Protestant church we were attending, they only ever discussed church history back to the reformation. We started seeing major flaws in solo scriptura and came to the belief that Jesus specifically chose his apostles for a reason. To go out and teach the message he brought. He did not ask for whoever wanted to volunteer. He specifically chose them as leaders to build his church and pass down the Faith. This led us to believe in apostolic authority. Peter, on this rock I will build my church.
    Thank you so much for sharing! It’s encouraging to hear from other families who are on the same journey.

  • @annawilbert
    @annawilbert 6 місяців тому +2

    This is so relatable to me and great to hear your story! Thank you for sharing

  • @ChanelleDeVore
    @ChanelleDeVore Місяць тому

    Thank you so much for your testimony! I am currently going on 9 years of my faith crisis. I walked away from the Mormon church & have studied a lot of different beliefs since then but I still haven't found where I belong. I feel like your video really spoke to my soul & this video was used to tell me that I need to take this a LOT more serious & REALLY figure out what I believe. Like you I have a billion questions but I just want to do what is right in the eyes of God. Thank you for this very important reminder. ❤

  • @CocoWynn
    @CocoWynn 6 місяців тому +1

    I was in tears when you talked about your experience of the Mass

  • @mattiewhitworth1356
    @mattiewhitworth1356 Місяць тому

    I would love to see a part 2 to this! My family is returning to Catholicism as well and I really enjoy hearing your thoughts and opinions. Would be interested in hearing how you manage mass with all the kiddos, especially the littles.

  • @NourishedBlessings
    @NourishedBlessings 6 місяців тому +24

    Thank you so much for sharing your reversion story! Welcome Home to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church that Jesus started! Thanks be to God, your deep thirst for the Truth lead you home to the Catholic Church. I pray that many hearts may be converted to the Catholic Faith after hearing your beautiful reversion story. We would love to hear your Part 2 that you spoke of. Thank you so much for your encouraging and inspiring videos! May God Bless you and your beautiful family!❤️🙏🏼

    • @HopewellHeights
      @HopewellHeights  6 місяців тому +3

      ❤️❤️

    • @samanthastephensonwrites
      @samanthastephensonwrites 6 місяців тому

      If you enjoy conversion stories, I am sharing mine tomorrow morning on my channel. I’d love to hear what you think!