Clinton Thacker
St Mary’s the Mount, Walsall

Clinton kindly completed a short, optional questionnaire designed to find out more about why people have decided to join the Catholic Church. He will be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church this Easter, 2026.
 
Please tell us a little about what drew you towards wanting to become a Catholic.

I'm a 53-year-old guy that has had a life without faith, I did not see any need or want for church unless invited to a wedding!  I very simply saw no point to faith and God. Well, it's not a real thing so leave it alone.  Then....

In December 2024 I started to get dreams about going to church, they were random, chaotic but always involved going to church.  I dismissed them, should stop eating cheese or drinking that glass of wine approach.  But then I started to get the same urge and thoughts that something was missing in my life whilst I was awake.  Now, don't get me wrong I did not get a burning bush epiphany...it was subtle, raising curiosity so I spoke to a friend who is Catholic just to talk to someone.  His response?  Give it a try, something is there.

I finally decided to go to St Mary's the Mount after an email sent to Fr Jobin.  He invited me to have a chat, he was amazing!  Without any judgement or pressure he listened to why I had made contact and then told me that God does indeed welcome everyone and if I want to learn more I can.  So, I went to my first Mass, I had no idea at all what to do, it's so complicated! I bought a book!  Armed with my order of Mass I had a second go, still not sure what was happening I was able to follow a little.  I then had a couple of further chat with Fr Jobin who answered lots and lots of questions for me...I was still getting the dream and urges though so, I threw caution to the wind and enrolled in The Come and See programme.......I was also introduced to Fr Fabien who has given his total support and patience to my never-ending questions!

After a few weeks I started to attend the sessions and Mass because I wanted to, I made the sign of the Cross because I wanted to.  The first time I knelt in the aisle for genuflection I knew in my whole body this is where I should be and what I should be doing and just by accepting that to myself I felt different.  The difference?  I know that God exists, I know that God is there for me and I absolutely know that the Catholic Church is the right choice for me to rejoice in the Lord.

Please tell us something you have learned during your period of formation to become a Catholic.

Most of what I have learned has been detailed in question one however, my biggest learning is God is real and that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us.

I have also begun to realise that although I have questions, I’m not meant to understand everything - my developing faith is the answer to acceptance.
 
Please tell us something you are looking forward to, following your reception into the Catholic Church.

Continued understanding of the Gospels, becoming a more enriched person.