Simon Jake [3rd from left] with his CFD brothers before the Mass in Sto. Domingo Church
[as shared to The FEAST PICC Bulletin published March 8, 2015]
I’m Catholic and I’m very proud of it! 
But it hasn’t always been like this because years ago, I was doubtful of my Catholic faith. I was baptized and raised as a Catholic yet I was ignorant about the Church’s doctrines and teachings. I grew up believing in Jesus, believing that He is our Savior who came to earth to redeem mankind and that God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. I grew up believing that all Christian sects are the same only that we interpret the Bible differently. In short, I really don’t have a deep understanding of what I believe in as a Catholic. These were all I knew then, and these were enough for me.
But everything changed one day. There was a point in my life when I witnessed an exodus happening in my circle of friends. Many of my friends converted to other religions and told me that they’ve accepted Jesus as their personal savior and they are really blessed to know Jesus in other Christian sects. Of course, I am happy for them knowing that they have already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. However, once in a while, I was assailed by these friends with too many ideas questioning the Catholic faith that I have. Why do Catholics worship Mary and the Saints? Why do they worship graven image? Why do you pray in repetition (the rosary) if it is against the Bible? Why do you believe in Purgatory if it’s not written in the bible? Why do you practice infant baptism? Why do you believe in Trinity? Do you know that the Catholic Church is founded by Constantine and the whore of the Babylon? Why? Why? Why?
As they bombarded me with their questions, my usual answer was “Ang importante naniniwala ako kay Jesus”. I really didn’t know how to answer them because I couldn’t defend something that I do not really know personally. The pressure I experienced from my friends was so overwhelming that I considered leaving my Catholic roots.
But then, I asked myself, do you really know my Catholic faith? Should I leave the Church without knowing and understanding Her fully?
In my times of doubt, I was reminded of Bro. Bo Sanchez who is a well-known Catholic preacher in the country. I asked myself, why is Bro. Bo Catholic? What does he find in the Catholic Church that makes him stay throughout all these years?
As these moments, I just kept on praying to the Lord to lead me in the true Church that will bring me closer to Him. I kept on praying that if the Catholic Church is the true Church He founded, He will let me know the answers to my questions and if it isn’t, He will guide me to the right Church. Then in March 27, 2010, Friday before Palm Sunday, I received the answer to my prayer through a book entitled “Rome Sweet Home” of Dr. Scott Hahn. It’s a story a conversion of a Presbyterian pastor who was once anti-Catholic Christian who turned into a devout Catholic. I literally cried reading the book at the eve of the Palm Sunday. That book opened my eyes to the beauty and splendor that the Catholic faith has. I appreciate the Church’s doctrines, the Sacred Traditions and most especially, the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
That’s why when Bro. Jan Silan announced in Feast Makati that the theme for the month February will be “Cool Church”, waahh, I was so happy, excited and ecstatic about it! I was so enthused about the series that I was able to attend The Feast twice for each of the last two talks of the series; SIGNS – Feast PICC & Feast Makati; MODELS – Feast Makati & Feast Manila.
Let me end this article by sharing with another answered prayer. Last KCON, I prayed to the Lord to give me a “spiritual life breakthrough” this 2015. Yes, my spiritual life does not end by knowing the Catholic Faith. I still continue to struggle in living the Christian virtues and teachings of the Church. Last month, I’ve received an invitation coming from Father Abe Arganiosa to join the apologetics training of the Catholic Faith Defenders (CFD) – Quezon City Chapter. The training is headed by its chairman Atty. Marwill Llasos and is open for all. We will be trained on how to effectively defend the faith from the common misconceptions being assailed to the Church. In addition, I’ve met a lot of Catholic brethren who have this earnest love of God and of His Church.
Well, do you want to know more and defend your Catholic Faith, I am inviting you to come with us as we learn to know, love and serve God and His Church. Pro Deo Et Ecclesia.
CFD-QC apologetics training is held every fourth Sunday of the month in Sienna College Quezon City (near Sto. Domingo Church). Fr. Abe Arganiosa and Atty. Marwil Llasos are the hosts of “Know The Truth”, an apologetic TV program being aired (6:30am, 3pm and 11pm) in TV Maria. If interested, kindly send PM thru my facebook account (Simon Jake Beringuela).
NB: Simon Jake Beringuela is a young Certified Public Accountant [CPA]. Great to see that more and more young people use their talents to serve Jesus and His Body – The Church.