Journeys of Faith: Meet the Green Family

My journey to becoming Catholic has been, in many ways, a journey home. For much of my life, my relationship with Jesus was marked by doubt and a certain distrust of organized religion. As a child, before my parents divorced, faith was simple. My grandmother read Bible verses every night and loved the Lord deeply. Her example left a mark, but in my late teens, from lack of understanding and absence of humility, I grew distant and even antagonistic toward God.

In my late twenties, I decided I no longer wanted to actively push against God’s will—but I still wanted to follow Him on my own terms. In my early thirties, I married and was blessed with a son and, a year later, a daughter. While they were not being raised in the Church, I wanted Jesus in their lives — I just didn’t know how to approach it. We said prayers at meals and bedtime, but He was not truly worshiped. Life’s challenges drew me back to seeking God, still on my terms, until one day I sincerely asked Him what He wanted from me. I realized I wanted to truly listen and follow Him, even if I had questions along the way.

Those questions were different this time. They didn’t come from a place of doubt in His wisdom, but from genuine curiosity and desire for truth. Trying to be a good father, I found that often the answers came as I answered my children’s questions. When I explained to them why we should—or shouldn’t—do something, I felt God speaking through me, guiding me, and teaching me through them.

I explored other faiths, including the Presbyterian Church, but I kept coming back to the Catholic Church. I knew it was the Church Jesus Himself established. One of my closest friends, Grady Clark, a cradle Catholic, was always patient with my questions about Scripture. In January 2023, he encouraged me to start Bible in a Year, and by October 2023, I began attending Mass regularly.

In January 2024, I spoke with Jodi Awbrey at Mary, Queen of Peace about formally joining the Church. At the time, I joined a class called Conversations with a Catholic, and Jodi guided me to more reading. With every book I read, I felt a growing peace, a deep sense that I was doing what I was meant to do.

Joining the OCI (Order of Christian Initiation) was another step in my journey, and I was blessed to have Nicole Johnson guiding me every step of the way. Her willingness to listen, answer any question, and offer patience and attention made the process not just educational but deeply supportive. Nicole’s guidance helped me wrestle with doubts, understand the richness of the faith, and grow confident in my journey toward full communion.

When I joined OCI, my youngest daughter, Molly, then 10, was curious about what I was doing. After I explained it, she said she wanted to join as well. While I went through OCI learning the history and teachings of the Church, Molly participated in Christ in the Chaos, which complemented my journey beautifully. Where I had the facts and history, Molly had the love of Christ and His heart at the center.

Although I was not able to come into full communion last year, Molly was baptized and received her sacraments. This year, Erin, now 17, was baptized and received her sacraments, and I was welcomed into full communion with the Church. Experiencing this together as a family has been profound and deeply moving.

I love the Catholic faith — the depth, richness, and beauty of it. From my first experience at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, I felt nothing but acceptance, love, and the presence of God. My journey has not always been easy, but it has been transformative, grounding my life and my family in something enduring. I am grateful that I can now walk this path with my daughters, Molly and Erin, guided by His truth and grace — and supported by mentors like Nicole, who helped make this journey possible.
 
-        Sean Green