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Some of our newly received share their witness below:
From Barry Heacock
RCIA has certainly been a gift for me personally and spiritually. My journey has been quite an education and opportunity to deepen my faith. This has been a special blessing for both my family and me.
I spent many years questioning the need to undergo such a journey. Having been married in a Catholic church, raising my children in the Catholic faith, and being a parishioner at St Cornelius for almost ten years it would seem obvious, but I still questioned the need for this commitment and I could always find an excuse. I felt very comfortable with my faith in God and the way I led my life through open prayer with my family.
I never felt pressured in anyway to become Catholic, but with my two sons, Bradley and Brandon, in CCD and my wife, Bea teaching CCD, I sometimes felt like an outsider. As my youngest son approached the year in which he would receive Jesus for the first time, there was an overwhelming feeling that moved me.
The timing couldn't have been better for my loving wife of 18 years to slip the Wine and Cheese invitation for RCIA into my brief case. When I saw the invitation I knew it was the right time for me.
My RCIA experience has brought me closer to God and the teachings of the Catholic faith. It has brought our family even closer as we share our learnings together and grow together in faith. This journey has been an emotional high for me. Words cannot describe receiving Jesus for the first time. I could think of no other church more welcoming then St Cornelius to continue my journey in faith.
I am very grateful for the support I have received from my family, friends, CCD students and the parishioners of St Cornelius during this experience and my beginning in the Catholic faith.
Gregory Nichols is one of our candidates that was received into the full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Below is his personal witness of his faith journey.
I started R.C.I.A. as an educational experience to learn more about the Catholic faith. My wife (Maureen) is Catholic and our daughter (Analisa) had begun Kindergarten at St. Cornelius. In my heart, I believed I would join the Catholic Church. I just did not know when.
As the weeks passed, the education experience grew into a faith journey. When I got home from each class, Maureen would ask what I learned. This would lead to long discussions as we explored the faith.
As I became familiar with the Order of Mass, I was able to help Analisa follow along. Personally, my faith was challenged and strengthened. I began to desire full communion with the Catholic Church by experiencing the Eucharist.
The welcoming warmth I felt from the congregation at the Rite of Welcoming was very moving. I truly felt God's grace after my First Penance. I will never forget that feeling and hope to experience it many more times. The Easter Vigil was amazing. I was moved to tears on several occasions. Once I celebrated the Eucharist, I felt a completeness and communion with the congregation. It truly sunk in the following day. While having Easter dinner, Analisa announced, 'Daddy had his First Communion last night.'
Please continue to pray for all the newly received and baptized who have entered our Church this year.
Please welcome our new Catholics who were received this Easter into the Church:
The Newly Received:
- Barry Michael Heacock
- Alphadeane Bernadette Johnson
- Gregory Richard Nichols
- Sacrament of Confirmation:
- Rosario Monica Vallejo
- The Newly Baptized:
- Daniel Husain
Neophytes (newly baptized and celebrated Eucharist and Confirmation):
- Ali Vincent Husain
- Lauren Alexandra Husain
- Victoria Elizabeth Husain
Has someone in your life shared his/her love of the Catholic faith with you?
RCIA is for persons (over the age of seven) in need of Baptism, persons baptized in another Christian tradition who desire to become Catholic, and persons baptized Catholic in need of First Communion and/or Confirmation.
If you would like more information about becoming Catholic, contact Amy Newman at (610) 459-2502. Inquiry sessions begin in the fall.
More information on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults |
