Why convert? The doctrines might be different, however there is belief in the same trinity and I believe they all read from the same bible.

You will need to approach your local catholic parish regarding catachism classes. During the course of the classes, you will study the faith, the Bible, and recieve the sacraments in the order that all Catholics have culminating on or around Easter. It takes around a year. You will also need a sponsor who is catholic and willing to mentor you and attend the necessary classes and masses with you. By the way, in the catholic faith you do not need to wait to "come of age" we make the decision to commit to our faith as early teens, usually 7th or 8th grade when we are confirmed. I have witnessed many people of all ages become Catholic. We would welcome you at any age if you are committed to join the faith.

Go to the Presbytery and make an appointment to speak to the Priest. Before you do this I would attend some services and get a catechism, make sure you know what you are getting into. Go to different Masses so that you know how happy you are with the religious rituals. Ask about the Groups and activities for people of your age group.

The first thing you need to do is introduce yourself to your parish priest and speak to him about what you plan to do. He will want to make sure that you really want this, and in my parish you must attend mass for awhile before you begin your catechism. During this time you should make yourself familiar with the prayers that make up the mass. If you are already a baptized presbyterian, you won't be re-baptized, but you must still receive the other 2 sacraments of initiation. These are your 1st holy communion, and confirmation. In order to receive these, you must be as without sin as possible so you will also have your first penance (confession) before you are received into the church. In my church, new catholics are initiated twice a year, at the Easter Vigil in spring, and at the Feast of Christ the King (the end of the liturgical year, just before advent begins). Your priest will guide you through everything you need to learn. Good Luck to you!

As one who did a similar thing, I suppose I can advise you on the ins and outs in addition to what you've heard here. My story was complicated, though, as I was baptised a Catholic in a multiconfessional household that basically practised Protestantism after about my fourth birthday (my brother was baptised a Protestant). First, I would make sure that you can find a priest who understands the gravity and necessity of "conditional" baptism. This does not override your previous baptism; it merely gives it surety. Since the forms and intentions of non-Apostolic sacraments can never be certain, prior to Vatican II it was required that converts from other Christian denominations would receive the "conditional," or "just-in-case" form of baptism. It is not commonly done outside of traditionalist circles (to which I belong) today, but when you think about it it is still important to make sure the procedure has been executed properly. Many priests may say, "Oh, that doesn't matter." Such behaviour, from my observations, suggests they might not take your conversion too seriously, and you seem serious about this. Second, I welcome your entry at this young age. I do not regret that I started the process at 19, but looking back it almost felt like an unnatural time. You are correct that most people are either born into it or convert well into adulthood, but that should not impede you from joining now. Never wait to commune with God (unless you need to sanctify yourself--and there's no reason for not starting now). But I have to warn you that this will not be easy. I had lived out my physical childhood and was just entering adulthood when suddenly my whole upbringing and worldview was pulled out from under me. Some days I look at my friends who are cradle Catholics and I feel like I don't have a real family anymore (but there are other reasons for this) but I know I'm too old for anyone to "take me in." Materially mine is still very good to me but my parents still do not understood the depth of our differences in worldview and there are many things I do that they don't understand or fully approve of and vice-versa, which could lead to problems when I have children of my own. If I had to do it over again I'd have prepared for a serious cultural and mental row with my family, perhaps even putting off going to school until I was financially severed from them, just so I could feel like I had a fresh start. But I was in too deeply at age twenty. Now I'm twenty-three and still not fully independent, though I hope that will change within three months. Still, the paradox of owing them so much and simultaneously shedding the identity they gave me can be very difficult. One last admonition: none of this is to say you should cut off your family. Far from it. They need your prayers and your sacrifices, and when they ask questions, answer them respectfully. But you are young and unlearnt, just like I was (and still am) and prone to others' influences. If God is omnipotent, we are not, and if we cannot complete a task without danger to ourselves or our faith, best to stay away and remedy the situation with our prayers and sacrifices. The more you can surround yourself with other solid Catholics, the better. In spite of everything that has happened and everything I have done wrong--to this day I still cannot count any devout Catholic among one of my closest friends--I don't regret the change and I never will. This will change you for the better if you let it, and you will learn to love in a way you never knew possible. All the best! Pax Domini &c.

If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask for information about their RCIA Inquiry group. You can go and ask any questions you want. This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time. There is no obligation to become a Catholic. Some resources: http://www.archdiocese.la/evangelization/rcia/index.php With love and prayers in Christ.