Debbie Warrier with Helen Medina: Every Holy Communion is a conversion

I’ve always believed that family should pray together. Originally I belonged to the High Church of England and then I met and married a Catholic. The difference between the two religions seemed minimal to me. Obviously there are differences, like in leadership. Catholics have the Pope as their head and the Anglicans have the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, the responses and liturgy are very similar. In the end I decided to convert.

Prior to my conversion, I had been interested in the Catholic Church.
I’d read about it a bit. Of course I had never considered that I was
going to be a Catholic. However, my husband Eddie and his family’s
faith were attractive.  They had this attitude that no matter what was
going on you went to Church.  Even if life was difficult for them, they
still went. In some ways it propelled me towards looking at the
Catholic Church deeper.
Growing up I had a learning disability. I was someone who could not
communicate, speak up or join in. Consequently, I found myself often
alone. I wasn’t worried by this, it was just who I was.  I spent a lot
of time in the bush exploring and looking at nature.
My childhood was complicated. When my parents’ relationship
disintegrated I was awarded to my father by the courts. Unfortunately,
my father was unable to look after me. During this time in my life I
experienced deep despair. In the end I was raised mostly by my
grandmother. My grandmother wasn’t religious but had a spirit about
her. Through her I learnt acceptance and love.  
My faith has changed my life phenomenally. In my parish I coordinate
the liturgy. I also do catechesis for the state school program as well
as the RCIA process. I’m on the Archdiocese RCIA team and assist the
Liturgy office.
In the parish I sing with the choir, do the flowers in the church and
creative parts of liturgy. I also coordinate the Christmas Vigil Mass
and the Outdoor Way of the Cross.
I was asked to be the support person for one of our parishioners who
had cancer. She was a great friend. When she told me about the cancer I
thought, “How can I fix this?” Then I realised the only thing that can
fix this is the love of God. I can’t thank her enough for giving me the
experience of being there for her. It removed the fear of death from
me. It was a wonderful gift to travel with her on her final journey.
Like everything else in life I have had to grow and mature into my faith.
You are responsible for your own getting of Wisdom, for listening to
and acting on the Word of God. You are responsible for taking your
giftedness and giving it to the Church and the wider community. Most
importantly, you are responsible for going to the Eucharist and being
strengthened.
Every time I go to Communion I have a conversion experience. At times I
have physically felt the presence of Christ. My spirit is elevated. The
Eucharist is the source and summit of my life.
If you have a story to tell please contact
Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com