The Beginning Of Forever

So over the past 9-10 months I have been in the process of becoming Catholic. This was to ensure that faith is included in Layla's upbringing. I know that some day down the road she may make a decision to not have religion in her life, or she may choose to walk another path. I am ok with that. I want to instill in her something which I had lack of. This is always something that I wanted in my life, but the timing was never right. I have had the opportunity to take this journey in my time being here in the US. This has been an amazing journey for myself. I have always had a hard time with faith. This path has strengthened faith, although I knIow that it is a life long journey. I will continue to learn more as time goes. I think it is important for Layla and I think we both will learn a lot. I have met a lot of great people in this process. Some that I am sure will always remain close to my heart. I now know that whatever happens in life, I have God on my side. I can look to him for guidance, and I can be sure that Layla has that as well. It is such a great feeling to have come to this point in my life where I can finally say, " I am Catholic". It brings me joy and I am so thankful I have finally completed the first huge step in this process. Thank you to those of you who have helped me through this, and the people that have made this possible. People who have taken time out of their busy weeks to teach us and guide us. Today I can say I am a better person because of all I have learned. I will try to strive to be a better person even when I think I can not handle anymore on my plate. I know everything happens for a reason, and if God brings you to it, God gets your through it.

Happy St. Patricts Day

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.
There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.
Why a shamrock?
Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
In His Footsteps:
Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.