I thought about becoming Catholic because I went to school at Lumen Christi Catholic College.
It was something that was always on my mind.
Then when I got married I thought “I definitely want to do this”.
We have been married for a year and a half.
Many of my friends and family members are Catholic and they always speak so highly about their faith and experiences.
I became Catholic in March during Easter at St Emilie de Vialar Catholic Church in Canning Vale.
My parents are Pentecostal but they are not really practising.
I used to go to prayer meetings but I stopped going when I was about 17 or 18.
It just wasn’t for me and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did in the past. I find the Catholic Church to be a lot more formal.
That actually appealed to me – I like structure! It made my faith seem more real and validated.
My friend Maryann used to work with me for a couple of years and she influenced my decision to convert. She is a good role model as a Catholic.
I like her whole outlook on life and she just showed me how wonderful her faith is by example. She is humble and loving.
Maryann would give her last dollar to somebody who needed it. She is a really giving person and I would like to be more like her.
She encouraged me throughout my conversion and became my Godmother.
It is really a special bond and the RCIA process brought us closer together.
The RCIA process was a positive experience and the people that ran it were fantastic.
We covered everything to do with Catholicism and we were encouraged to ask any question big or small, even if it seemed silly.
You knew that your secrets were safe and that gave you the confidence to talk openly.
When I was Pentecostal I always thought that Catholics worshipped Mary like Jesus.
So it was interesting to find out during the RCIA that it was more like they looked up to her and admired her.
I definitely see Mary as a good role model. She was very humble.
I admire her for saying “Yes” to being the mother of Christ at the Annunciation, even though she knew she could be stoned for being pregnant outside of marriage.
She knew the trouble she could be in but she still did it.
She was brave. I admire her courage and those of other saints that were willing to stand up for their faith even if it meant martyrdom.
Now I find myself praying to the patron saints of different causes for intercession.
After I became Catholic, I felt like a lot of burdens had been lifted off my shoulders.
I was baptised, confirmed and received my First Holy Communion at the same time.
I haven’t done confession yet but I think it is good to get a clean slate.
It is a little bit intimidating, but once I have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, everything I have done before is gone.
There is a lot to be learnt from the priest and I think once I have done it, I will feel relieved.
Everyone sins and it is nice to say, “Hey, I’m in my adult life and I can start over and keep trying”. How many people get the chance to start again?
I have been a kindergarten teacher for three years and I enjoy it.
I work at an Islamic school. I do not teach about Catholicism; I stick to the curriculum.
It is quite a good school to work at actually. Everyone is respectful, friendly and loving.
They treat you like you are part of the family and it’s really nice.
It is quite sad when I look at the media coverage of Muslims because I have found Islam to be a very peaceful religion.
I have always been respectful of other religions. You have to understand a point of view before you judge it.
I usually am quite a happy person. I try to see the good in everything.
I pray for everyone I love to be safe, healthy and happy.
I pray about everything and I feel like my prayers are always answered.
I feel that my faith will help me overcome any obstacles that may come my way.
I have always believed; just in different ways I suppose.
I can’t imagine living without my faith. There would be no point.
I would have no hope and without hope you don’t have a future. My faith is a way of life.