  hi everyone, and welcome to iservantsheart.blogspot.com. there's not much to write about right now, so i'll leave you a letter from Maurice King. it's a message about his convertion to our catholic faith. have fun reading it! March 27, 2001 Dear Friend, I find myself writing this letter because I have come to a point in my life where I am making a big step and want to share my good news with you. On April 14th of this year I will be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church. It is amazing where God leads because this is the last place I thought I would be. I never thought I would be the kind of guy to look forward to mass every Sunday, or attend more than once a week. I never expected to be active in the church and part of different ministries to help serve my community.
I believe in the Catholic Church, I believe in the sacraments of the Catholic Church. For years I denounced the faith and its teachings. Three years ago I would have told you Catholics were very ritualistic and out of touch in today’s society. But, when I look back at the past few years I realize God has put circumstances and people in my life to bring me where I am today. I have been going to Saint Pius V the last five years. This was merely out of convenience. It was ten minutes away, and one hour long—coming up in a Baptist faith where it was one or more hours, that was fine with me. I didn’t care. I believed you didn’t have to go to church to talk to God. I was just as good as someone who attended every Sunday. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior that was enough. Last year, on a Tuesday night, I went to a prayer meeting through the invitation of Emeline Soratorio (who previously asked 15 times before). My intention was to go that one night only and say, “Emeline, I went.” The focus of that prayer meeting was the assumption of our Blessed Mother.
God really convicted me that night by opening my heart and allowing me to listen to the words of the speakers. The reverence that Catholics had for Mother Mary was explained so eloquently and sparked my curiosity on other questions I had about the Catholic Church. I began to read books, I listened to tapes, and I also asked other Catholics about their faith. As I continued to go to mass I began to see the devotion of the parishioners there.
For the first time in my life, church became crucial to me and I had to find out the reason for their devotion. I wish I could say at that moment my eyes were opened and I saw God staring at me. I would love to tell you that I told God I chose Him and will now follow Him from that point on. But the truth is, I fought Him every step of the way. I would ignore conversations about the Catholic faith and put off invitations by priests to be initiated into it. One night a friend of mine (Robby), invited me to attend an apologetics program. The focus of that program was to attain a better knowledge of Catholicism and its doctrines. His dad, who was and is a crucial part of my conversion (praise God for you, Tito Jess), taught the course. When the invitation was first offered I declined. I made excuses and prioritized everything else (I even put playing softball with friends before apologetics). A part of me did not want to accept the Catholic faith because of my pride for my Baptist roots. But God had other plans. His first act gave me a work schedule with split days off (Sunday for mass and Thursday for apologetics).
His second act canceled my commitment to softball, by canceling my league. And without anymore valid excuses I found myself accepting the invitation. God really spoke to me through Tito Jess in that course. My questions were answered and my doubts were calmed. My heart was really humbled and my outlook changed. Which inspired me to fully join the Catholic Church.
As I look back I can see how God led me to Him. I don’t think it was a coincidence that when I moved out here six years ago, the Lord placed me to live with my Catholic aunt, that I met a Catholic girl who brought me to mass almost every Sunday for the past five years. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I attended the Alpha course in ’98 to rebuild my faith in Jesus. And through that course I met the priest who not only married me, but also leads me through my initiation into the faith.
I believe the Lord led me to these things and to the prayer meeting which explained our love for our Holy Mother Mary. Writing this letter is emotionally gratifying for me because I am able to thank those who helped me along the way. Thank you to my mom, my grandma and my aunts and uncles. For instilling Christianity in me and planting the seed that has grown tremendously through the past two years. Also, thank you to the Lopez family for your compassion, love, patience and support during my search for the truth. To all my friends, thank you for being there for me, for allowing me to be myself and accepting me for who I am and who I have become. I would like to extend my gratitude to my SPV family, for your guidance, wisdom, and love; you truly are an inspiration! Special thanks to Father Fogarty for giving me the tools to strengthen my faith. Thank you Jaymee for your constant prayers for my soul. Thank you Emeline for always inviting me to church. Thank you Fred and Robby for walking with me and holding my hand. Tito Jess, thank you for answering God’s call, so that my soul may be saved. For the many I didn't mention, I have not forgotten you, and will be eternally grateful for the many blessings you all have placed on me. Above all, Thank you Father God for calling me home to the true church; for sending Ahlauna to teach us to love as you love—unconditionally. Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me, for saving my soul, taking my sins, so that I may come to know God.
Thank you Holy Spirit for embracing me with your love and warmth. Thank you Holy Spirit for your gifts. Mother Mary; thank you for your example of extraordinary faith and many endless prayers. Thank you all the martyrs and saints for exemplifying to me what true Christianity is.
On April 14, 2001 when I receive the rites for communion, I do not see it as the end of my journey, but as the beginning; the start of my new life, with Christ as the head, leading me into the glory of Heaven. I write this letter to you not to praise myself or so that I may be praised, but to emphasize the power of God almighty. He had made changes in me I would never have foreseen. My testimony is a great example of God’s love for sinners. April 14th will be very important to me and I would like to share it with those I love. If you can attend the Mass on Saturday at 8 p.m., I would be extremely honored, if you are unable to, please remember me in your prayers. May the Lord bless you and keep you close to Him always, Maurice D. King GO SERVANT'S HEART!!!! i'm outs.
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