Welcoming parish, family support, aid Ramlal's faith
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
Carmen Ramlal grew up in a Hindu family. Nevertheless, when she decided to become Catholic, her family stood by her and supported her decision.
“At that first welcome at the church, my dad was there with me,” Ramlal recalled.
This was especially important to her, as her father was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Shortly thereafter, Ramlal suffered a miscarriage. She knew, amidst the suffering, that she would need to hold onto something stronger than herself. She needed a foundation.
“From the time I walk into church, everything - all the hurt - just melts away,” said Ramlal. “I knew consciously there is a God, but I didn’t have the words to teach my son that.” Ramlal believes that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process was the answer to her questions, and a lifeline of support during a difficult time.
When Ramlal is baptized at the Easter Vigil this year in Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, someone very special to her will also be baptized: her seven-year-old son Isaiah.
“I will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Communion,” she said. “Isaiah will be baptized also, and he will receive first Communion next year.” Nancy Breese - also Ramlal’s teacher - was chosen to be her sponsor.
Ramlal’s 19-year-old nephew, Christopher, was her inspiration for seeking the Catholic faith.
“He surprised us all with that,” she said. “He was the first in my family to become Catholic.”
Following Christopher’s initiation into the Church, Ramlal began to consider it an option for her own life.
“The peace factor, I would say, is number one,” she explained. “Not just knowing that there is a God, but the true meaning behind him. God always has a reason for what happens.”
Ramlal’s experience has allowed resolution between herself and her parents.
“I asked my parents’ forgiveness for anything I had done to hurt them in the past. I needed that peace in my heart to move forward. It brought us a lot closer than we were before, because even though they were not seeking the Catholic religion, they too are seeking God.”
Anthony Daniel, Isaiah’s father, is engaged to Ramlal. They will have their marriage blessed by the Church in August.
A good friend of Ramlal’s is considering the Catholic faith, and came to her for guidance.
“My words to her were, once you can acknowledge there is a God, and put him in charge, everything else will fall into place. You can’t say that you love yourself or someone else without acknowledging God, because God is love.”
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By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
Carmen Ramlal grew up in a Hindu family. Nevertheless, when she decided to become Catholic, her family stood by her and supported her decision.
“At that first welcome at the church, my dad was there with me,” Ramlal recalled.
This was especially important to her, as her father was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Shortly thereafter, Ramlal suffered a miscarriage. She knew, amidst the suffering, that she would need to hold onto something stronger than herself. She needed a foundation.
“From the time I walk into church, everything - all the hurt - just melts away,” said Ramlal. “I knew consciously there is a God, but I didn’t have the words to teach my son that.” Ramlal believes that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process was the answer to her questions, and a lifeline of support during a difficult time.
When Ramlal is baptized at the Easter Vigil this year in Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, someone very special to her will also be baptized: her seven-year-old son Isaiah.
“I will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Communion,” she said. “Isaiah will be baptized also, and he will receive first Communion next year.” Nancy Breese - also Ramlal’s teacher - was chosen to be her sponsor.
Ramlal’s 19-year-old nephew, Christopher, was her inspiration for seeking the Catholic faith.
“He surprised us all with that,” she said. “He was the first in my family to become Catholic.”
Following Christopher’s initiation into the Church, Ramlal began to consider it an option for her own life.
“The peace factor, I would say, is number one,” she explained. “Not just knowing that there is a God, but the true meaning behind him. God always has a reason for what happens.”
Ramlal’s experience has allowed resolution between herself and her parents.
“I asked my parents’ forgiveness for anything I had done to hurt them in the past. I needed that peace in my heart to move forward. It brought us a lot closer than we were before, because even though they were not seeking the Catholic religion, they too are seeking God.”
Anthony Daniel, Isaiah’s father, is engaged to Ramlal. They will have their marriage blessed by the Church in August.
A good friend of Ramlal’s is considering the Catholic faith, and came to her for guidance.
“My words to her were, once you can acknowledge there is a God, and put him in charge, everything else will fall into place. You can’t say that you love yourself or someone else without acknowledging God, because God is love.”
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