Deepertruth: Purgatory Explained Helps Bring A Convert to the Catholic Church

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.

Purgatory Explained Helps Bring A Convert to the Catholic Church.  It was June of 1985, I had already passed Basic Training and AIT. I was now at my first duty station at Fort Stewart Georgia. I was assigned as a Medic with the Ambulance Section and given responsibility for a track M113A2 vehicle. This was great experience for me as I learned a lot as we trained for our missions.

I became involved with the local Catholic Church (St. Stephens) in Hinesville Georgia. I was teaching the 5th grade CCD and still conducting Seminars on Rock music for the area to include a Catholic School in Savannah.

Those were great opportunities as we spoke to many students and families to include the presentation at the Fort Stewart Recreation Center. There were several single Soldiers present and they were very respectful. Father Norton was the Catholic Chaplain at the time and he supported our efforts.

Father Norton would become very special to me as I would serve as a "Lay Eucharistic Minister". During field operations and "in the absence of a Catholic Priest", I was responsible for the Eucharist, I could distribute Holy Communion. We often went to train at Fort Irvin California to conduct desert training for a 30 day rotation.

I would have the Blessed Sacrament with me for Catholic Communion Services in the field. I could imagine how David felt as he danced before the Ark of the Old Covenant. I had Jesus Christ in person with me. I will always treasure this gift. I met several Soldiers in my unit that became very special to me.