Jerry, a Cajun highlander from Rapides Parish in central Louisiana, was an
older, single gentleman who was born and raised a Baptist, living in South
Louisiana. Each Friday night after work, he would fire up his outdoor
grill and cook a venison steak.
Now, all of Jerry's neighbors were Catholic...and since it was Lent, they
were forbidden from eating meat on Fridays. The delicious aroma from the
grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic
faithful that they finally talked to their priest. The priest went to visit Jerry
and suggested that Jerry convert to Catholicism.
After several classes and much study, Jerry attended Mass...and as the
priest sprinkled holy water over Jerry, he said, "You were born a Baptist
and raised a Baptist, but now you are Catholic."
Jerry's neighbors were greatly relieved until Friday night arrived and the
wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood.
The priest was called immediately by the neighbors and, as he rushed into
Jerry's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold Jerry, he stopped
in amazement and watched. There stood Jerry, clutching a small bottle of
water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat, and chanted: "You
were born a deer and raised a deer, but now you are a catfish."