My OperaYou need to be logged in to post in the forums. If you do not have an account, please sign up first.
Easter trend: Catholic, Orthodox conversions
http://media.www.hillsdalecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1270/news/2010/04/08/News/Easter.Trend.Catholic.Orthodox.Conversions-3901981.shtml
Easter trend: Catholic, Orthodox conversions
By: Jessica Kneller
Posted: 4/8/10
On Easter Sunday, five Hillsdale students were confirmed at St. Anthony
Catholic Church, half of the ten that plan be confirmed by the end of
the semester. This large number marks an increasing trend of students
finding new faith.
Senior Jonathan Brewer, one of the 10, grew up in a Protestant home but
decided to look into Catholicism after wanting something more from his
faith.
"I just got tired of there being no definitive authority," he said.
"They didn't answer the questions I had."
After witnessing the continual heated debates on free will versus
predestination in the cafeteria, Brewer said he had finally had enough.
"You can't really make any progress. It's based on your opinion," he
said.
After settling on Catholicism as a potential solution, Brewer decided
to attend a campus Catholic Enquiry class. The informal discussion
group, started four years ago by Associate Professor of English John
Freeh, meets once a week and is intended to allow students who have
questions about Catholicism to find answers.
"There seemed to be an interest from Catholics in learning more," Freeh
said. "These were all people either searching to deepen their faith or
want to know more about Catholic Christianity."
The class, originally starting with six students, now boasts up to 18
inquirers. Freeh says he believes there are multiple reasons for the
increase in interest.
"I think people see a systematic approach. They are attracted by the
sacraments, particularly the sacrament of confession," he said.
Students who become seriously interested in Catholicism may then join a
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults class taught by the Rev. Tom
Butler, pastor of St. Anthony.
Junior Ryan Black, another student who attended the RCIA class and was
confirmed this Easter, was also seeking something more from his church.
"I wanted to find the most cohesive and beautiful explanation of
Christianity," he said.
Black says he found such an explanation in Catholicism, particularly in
the unifying nature of the Eucharist.
"All of the people who have partaken in the Eucharist are present in
that moment," he said. "It's cohesive."
Black chose to be confirmed on Easter because, as he explained, it is
the traditional time for new members to be brought it.
"Being confirmed is the fullest experience of Christianity," he said.
"I'd prefer to do that sooner rather than later."
According to Brewer, however, the timing of his confirmation is based
on more than tradition.
"The timeframe isn't important. I'm just certain."
Despite the 10 confirmations, the conversion trend is not limited just
to Catholicism; the Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Albion has
received several new parishioners.
Senior Erin Tabor began attending the Eastern Orthodox Church after she
started searching for "something more and better."
"I always knew [Orthodoxy] was there. I knew it was something very
different," Tabor said, explaining that after her older brother, Nick
('09), encouraged her to look into Orthodoxy, she soon found it was
right for her. "It's something that you can't really put into words.
You just know."
Senior Kiernan Schroeder entered the church on Holy Saturday. Three
other students also became Eastern Orthodox during Holy Week.
Schroeder said she very seriously considered Catholicism before looking
into Orthodoxy.
"It was not home intellectually or spiritually," she said. "I've found
in Orthodoxy what I've studied historically."
Due to Orthodoxy's ties to the early church and strong devotional life,
Schroeder says she soon decided the church was right for her.
"I love everything about it," she said.
While the two women say they have found a home in Orthodoxy, they are
not settling for a faith of convenience. Holy Ascension is 40 minutes
away by car.
"Sometimes it's a big annoyance. I think more people might visit if it
weren't so far away," Tabor said. "It represents a sacrifice we make,
but I like [the distance] now. It's a transition between Hillsdale and
liturgy."