The Catholic Spectator

  1. The Conversion of John Fraysier, by Lisa Spellman

    February 2, 2009 by Eugene Michael

    John Fraysier is a local business owner and former Christian fellowship leader. He converted to Catholicism after studying Church history for several years.

    Growing up, John attended American Baptist Church with his family. He describes his Christian faith as lukewarm until he reached young adulthood. “I didn’t have a strong faith growing up, but it increased as I started to get older…in high school, I got a little more interested”. After graduation, John attended Oswego State. At the time, he had a girlfriend who had gone on to a different college.

    (Read more…)

  2. An Inspiring Conversion, By Lisa Spellman

    December 14, 2008 by Eugene Michael

    Josh and Rachelle Belokur are a young married couple with two children. Received into the Catholic Church Easter Vigil of 2007, their story is an example in perseverance, courage, and faith. While they shared their journey to Catholicism together, God called them to the Church in different ways.

    (Read more…)

  3. Young Man Converts to the Faith, by Lisa Spellman

    September 23, 2008 by Eugene Michael

    A college junior, Ted Janiszewski is a Catholic convert of three years. In many ways, he is much like any ambitious student, full of plans and interests. He is in the honors program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Information Technology and minoring in History. He is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoys soccer and reading. He has a fondness for Latin and studies ancient Greek on weekends outside of his regular classes. However, he is also somewhat unique in that his young life has been characterized by a yearning for a deeper understanding of true faith, and a zeal for Christian unity. In describing his journey to Catholicism, he is confident and articulate. “I’ve been so richly blessed,” he reflects, “God has truly had His hand on my life.”

    (Read more…)

  4. Another Local Conversion Story

    July 1, 2008 by Eugene Michael

    By Lisa Spellman

    Out of all the gifts we receive from God in our lives, perhaps one of the most uniquely human is free will. While He grants us the ability to make our own decisions, it is through accepting responsibility for our choices that God teaches us and, often, reaches us. God does not force. And while he allows us our individual freedom, it is through His grace that He manifests His greatness and love.

    The awesomeness God’s grace and guidance have had a special significance for Dorothy Hayes. As an independent-minded woman, she is not one to be pressed into making decisions. A Catholic convert of 20 years, Dorothy describes her Catholicism as the “greatest gift of my life”. In her story, there are no dramatic revelations that influenced her decision to convert and no discrete turning points. There are only His gentle reminders throughout her life, almost as if God was saying, “I’m here. I’m here.” She speaks of the breadth and depth of God’s workings in her life, and over time how she grew more aware of His near presence. To this day, Dorothy has a great appreciation of how perfectly He understands each one of us: “He knows us so well, He knows just how to approach us.”

    (Read more…)

  5. A Local Conversion Story

    May 21, 2008 by Eugene Michael

    Written by Lisa Spellman

    As they approach their ten-year anniversary of conversion to Roman Catholicism, Bill and Lynda Hunt have much to reflect on. When asked about their faith, their enthusiasm is evident; they are proud and grateful to be Catholics. Yet, they still sometimes marvel at God’s motivation in their lives: “Why us?” Why, indeed, when Lynda and Bill spent so many fulfilled years in the company of dedicated Protestant Christians, did God call them to be Catholic? Moreover, what drives two intelligent, level-headed people on solid spiritual footing to convert to the unfamiliar?

    Married for 28 years with three grown children, they have shared a good deal of this journey together. Both are previously evangelical Christians and offer a wealth of understanding with regard to the experience of being Protestant. They both possess a good deal of spiritual awareness, a passion for learning, and a firmness of resolve.

    As we know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. In Bill and Lynda’s case, God did not reveal His purpose to them for decades. But perhaps, working in His own time, His calling began as early as their childhood.

    Bill grew up just north of Boston, where his family was involved in the Methodist church. Bill recounts watching the church’s communion service when he was as young as five years old. “At the time, I remember believing the host really was the Body of Christ”. While he eventually grew to understand that this was not the case, the interest and desire for the true Body of Christ remained with him into adulthood. (Read more…)