So – am I, and why bother listening to me?

 

Hi guys, I’m Andy Marmion, a psychiatric nurse of 30 years, though some would say I’m more of a psychiatric case!

Anyhoo, I’ve had quite a chequered past and came back to the Catholic Church about a year ago. And I’ll write my testimony when I believe the time is right.

When I consider all the scandals going on in the Church, the great confusion and division that abounds, it amazes me that God’s grace was able to blast through all that. That spoke reams to me and encouraged me to live and flourish amidst the mess of it all.

When I returned to Jesus and his Church, I was overwhelmed by Christ’s unconditional love and mercy. I cried my eyes out many a night with gratitude. I still cry. Only this morning when writing this I was bawling my eyes out.

Christ’s love and mercy are so unfathomable. I cannot begin to understand it. No one can.

The only human being who could is Mother Mary. She bore Jesus, nurtured Him, had an intimate relationship with Him, and witnessed his suffering and cruel death on the cross.

Mother Mary was also there to rejoice in the Resurrection of her Son. She was present in the upper room with the Apostles when the dynamism and power of the Holy Spirit swept through that room, rocked that house and established the Church.

Exciting times, I’m sure.

And now I know that I’m called to give myself to God wholeheartedly, just as Mary and the Apostles did. I am to live alive to Jesus even if I have to struggle in a sinful, broken Church:

offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life (Rom 6:13).

Yes, this was the result of God’s grace at work, and His grace is truly amazing!

I like you am being called to work with the Holy Spirit, to help rock that upper room again.

I seek to do that through this website while journeying with those who want to accompany me.

Together, let’s shake the Church from her sleep!

 

Not left, not right, in the middle – honest!

 

No doubt, some will say I’m too liberal, others will say I’m ecumenical and not to be trusted. Still, others will say I’m too traditional and not in step with the modern Church.

All I can say to that is:

YAWN!!!

I’m me and Christ Jesus knows my heart. So take a hike (with God’s blessing, of course)!

I’d describe myself neither as left or right. I seek to be Orthodox and in the middle.

Also, I’d say people who believe in the truth of what the Catholic Church teaches would, like me, accept The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saint Pope John Paul II gave such an amazing gift to an ailing Church.

To me, when in doubt, it’s the go-to document. But sadly, it’s largely ignored, not only by the laity but also our priests. That doesn’t mean to say people don’t believe it. Perhaps its layout and the amount of information are overwhelming to some.

Ok, rant over!

 

So, what will we blab about?

 

I hope you enjoy my website and if you have any ideas or suggestions on how to improve it, feel free to contact me.

I’ll be discussing spiritual topics of the Catholic Church like the Catechism, the Early Church Fathers, various spiritualities, e.g. Carmelite, and a lot of Scripture. Thankfully, more Catholics are getting into the Bible (sheesh, and not before time), and I want to encourage that.

I have fantastic evangelical friends who have encouraged me and gave me lots of advice concerning bible study, so I hope to pass that on to those who are interested.

My approach will be personal and reflective blog posts. And I’m open to correction by you. I don’t claim to be an expert in all things Christian, even though I have a theology degree (just thought I’d pat myself on the back there).

Nope, tell me if you think I’m wrong or need to explain things better. If you have anything to add, feel free. You can write comments after each blog post.

You’ve been around enough blogs by now. You know the routine.

 

Fun facts few people know about me