April 2024

     I was Baptized in the spring of 1961 and raised Lutheran. My dad was a very active member of the Lutheran Church, serving as President over the Council and leading adult Bible Class for many years. As a child and into my early teens, I regularly attended junior Bible Class which was held prior to Sunday Service. Before Bible Class, dad would lead the group in a pre-class prayer. When I turned 11 or so, he thought it would be a great idea to add a closing hymn following our prayer but needed an organist and he knew just the person for the task. Me. With the confidence of Beethoven, I played our favorites: How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, Beautiful Savior, Onward Christian Soldiers, and I Know That My Redeemer Lives.

     To backtrack just a bit, Catholicism has always been in my DNA. My dad grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where he and his siblings were Catholic and attending Mass was a family event.   During the Summer of 1966, our family took a trip to Cleveland to reunite with my dad’s mother, sister, and brother. While there, I attended Mass with my Aunt Patty. I remember to this day the beauty of the Church, and the lace covering my aunt’s head. She held a beautiful piece of “jewelry” that gently flickered through her fingers. She also went to a “bowl” that contained water where she dipped her finger and made the Sign of the Cross. I remember the “smoke” and “perfume” that filled the air, and her kneeling before she entered our pew. In all my life, I had never witnessed any of this. Then … I saw a nun for the first time.

     Everything that morning excited me and I wanted to be a part of it. Sometime during Mass, I figured how to be a part of this experience. I leaned over and told my Aunt I wanted to be a nun. I will never forget the look on her face. She whispered back … “give it some time.”

     During the late 1970’s (towards the end of high school), I started drifting spiritually and during my early 20’s Church was in my rearview mirror. I was bound and determined to be my own person. I was arrogant, short-sighted, and naïve. The only time I prayed was when I needed something.  I had always professed to be a Christian, but in looking back, I was a part-timeChristian.

     My rebound to Christianity occurred in 2023 when I attended a service for a dear friend. While I sat in the Chapel waiting for the service to begin, I heard singing in the distance. At first it was muffled but with each step closer, the voices became louder and more vibrant. Once the group entered, everything in the Chapel changed … at least for me. For the first time, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.

     Not long after the gift of the Holy Spirit, a friend asked me to attend Mass. As usual, I hesitated and told her I could not be rushed. Understanding this about me, she backed away. Not long after, I told her I was ready - and off to Mass we went. Upon entering the Sanctuary, I felt at ease. I knew many Parishioners and it was great to see faces from days gone by. It wasn’t until the Procession to the Altar when everything came full circle. The smell of the incense took me back to 1966 with Aunt Patty.

     During the Fall, I signed up for the 12-week Alpha series, which brought me even closer to Christ. During Alpha we attended weekly meetings then half-way through the series, we attended a Holy Weekend retreat. It was during the retreat where I received the gift of the Holy Spirit a second time.

The Saturday before our final Alpha meeting, as I was getting out of my car for Mass, I stopped and looked at the Church and stood still for quite some time. As I started my walk, I knew what I wanted and needed - to become a part of the fabric of St. Catherine of Siena. Though I knew the OCIA class had already begun and I would have to wait a year to begin my Confirmation journey, I was okay with the timing. I knew patience would pay off in the long run. Following Mass, I walked straight to Fr. Tim, interrupted his conversation, and told him I wanted to convert. He smiled and asked if I was serious and his next words took me completely off-guard, “You can start tomorrow.” The next morning, I attended Mass but now sitting with the OCIA candidates.

     The OCIA classes have been transformative, and my classmates are some of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone in the room is eager and excited about the journey ahead, some even pouring out their heart and soul when describing life’s events or circumstances. Our leaders, Kurt, Ben, Steve, JoAnn, Deacon Don, Deacon David, and Deacon Mike have shared their time, their talent, and their treasures with each of us. You can see and feel their passion and they embody the meaning of devout and faithful Christians.

     During Fr. Tim’s Homily at the Easter Vigil, he made several references to the Number 41. The great flood lasted for 40 days and nights and on the 41 st day the skies cleared. Moses hid in the desert for 40 years and God called upon him in the 41st year to free people from slavery. Moses was atop Mt. Sinai for 40 days and on the 41 st day he received the 10 Commandments. For 40 years I roamed aimlessly in my own desert and in my 41 st year, I became a confirmed Catholic and have found my Spiritual home … St. Catherine of Siena.

     Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12.