Why I am Catholic — Lindalee Miller-Nelson

God has been holding my hand and watching over me all my life. I would start my own Catholic faith journey when I started kindergarten at St. Matthew parish in St. Paul. When I reached second grade, for the traditional first holy Communion celebration, it was discovered that I was not baptized. So, I was baptized along with my three younger sisters and my mother. I truly felt the Holy Spirit in my life.

Next, we moved to St. Stanislaus parish in St. Paul. As I started third grade, it was announced that all children in third grade through eighth grade would make their holy confirmation, all on the same day, and it would be presided over by the archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis. I was so honored to be asked a question by this holy man. The Holy Spirit was deeply felt.

As I grew, my life weaved in and out of the Catholic Church. Each time I fell away, I would feel the hand of God directing me back to the Catholic faith. I would travel through life wearing different hats in the Catholic Church. Some of these hats were as a Catholic school teacher, faith formation teacher and St. Paul charities youth counselor for troubled teens. I married and then would bury my first husband in the Cathedral of St. Paul. I would sing in the choir at the Cathedral, raise my children in the Catholic faith, and would marry again at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

As this journey has unfolded, I have always felt the Holy Spirit covering me with his grace and mercy, always leading me back to the Catholic faith. Having this strong faith through my whole life has been an immense blessing from my Lord.

As I raised my children, two having a traumatic brain injury, worked with the children and parents with TBI, wrote and published a book on these journeys, my God and Catholic faith have been a solid rock to build my house upon. As a lifelong learner, I have recently graduated from the Catechetical Institute, the School of Discipleship, and currently listen to the podcast: “The Bible in A Year with Father Mike Schmitz.” I continually renew, enrich and walk my personal journey with the Holy Spirit in my life. The Lord Jesus, my teacher, continually walks with me, holds my hand, teaching me through this life and continuing to give me direction daily. God’s blessings to all.

Miller-Nelson, 70, lives in Farmington and is a parishioner, with her husband, Jeffrey, of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. They also attend and are involved at Mary, Mother of the Church, in Burnsville. They have eight children and 15 grandchildren. Miller-Nelson recently self-published a book on children and traumatic brain injury, “Patrick and the Little Red Wagon.” She enjoys sewing, learning about the faith and is a member of WINE: Women in the New Evangelization.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to [email protected] with “Why I am Catholic” in the subject line.