Caroline King - My Faith Story

Faith has always played an important part in my life.  From the age of five I lived with my two sisters as part of an extended family, with my parents looking after my grandparents.  We prayed together as a family every evening, and I remember that experience as being very good and positive.    In other ways, however, I found my home life difficult, and, being the youngest, it was easy to become ‘lost’ in the preoccupations and busyness of the house.   I spent quite a lot of time on my own, and it was in my bedroom that I prayed to Jesus and he became a friend to me, someone who listened and cared, and from whom I received many quite tangible touches of peace and comfort .

Because of these early experiences of God as active and real in my life, I believe I did not later rebel as a teenager, but continued to go to Mass regularly, and enjoyed it.

Some years later I remember hearing a couple of speakers who came to our parish on different occasions to give a talk, and both of them had a great impact on me. 

The first was Fr.Ian Petit who positively glowed with passion when he talked about faith being alive and exciting.  The other was Fr.Gerry Hughes who came to Ashtead to give an ecumenical retreat.  It was so encouraging to hear Fr.Gerry share his insights into prayer and relationship with God, and how these must affect the way we live and the issues we engage with.   

I would describe myself as a mainstream Catholic, but I am attracted to the vibrancy, joy and life that surrounds the Charismatic Renewal.  I have found the Life in the Spirit Seminars helpful, and have enjoyed a growing appreciation of the power of the Holy Spirit to change and transform lives.

Over the years I have found myself working alongside our Anglican and Baptist friends, and this regular contact has been an important and formative part of my faith journey.  Together we have been involved in local community projects, and evangelisation programmes.   I have gained enormously from the friendship of these committed Christians, and have been greatly challenged by their zeal for mission and outreach.  I have been impressed with how they nurture their young people, encouraging Bible study and house groups for all ages.

My husband and I have been blessed with parents of faith, and as a family we have tried to foster faith in our now grown-up children.  It is humbling to see how they too are seeking to build their own meaningful relationships with God, and how to make their own contributions towards making the world a better place.

As a Spiritual Director I now have the privilege of accompanying individuals on their own faith journeys, and continue to serve as an active and committed member of my parish.