We asked our 2007
new Catholics to comment on what joining
our Roman Catholic Community
has meant to them. The following statements are representative of the
responses we received.
Ronald Roheiser, OMI
Going through the RCIA program was such an amazing experience. The anticipation of being baptized and confirmed was an overwhelming feeling. On the night of my baptism, when all of the “excitement” was over, I had a feeling of sadness, like nothing in my life would ever measure up to that moment. That feeling quickly dissipated when I went to Mass the following week. Being a fully participating Catholic gives me such a fire inside, and every weekend when I rise and take communion, I feel renewed and blessed by God. I can’t wait to involve myself further in the Church. I thank all of the RCIA members for teaching me what it means to be Catholic and for preparing me to live a life that exemplifies these beliefs. ~ N. P.
RCIA was a great experience. I loved meeting other people on the same path and with the feeling that they had the same questions and needs that I did. I feel close to many of them. I learned a lot about Catholicism as well as religious beliefs and it has led me to learn more on my own. ~ K. M.
I was diagnosed with cancer and started RCIA right after my second chemotherapy treatment. With all the emotions that were going on within me, RCIA taught me to become spiritually calm and peaceful which helped me carry on to full recovery. Not only did the guidance through Catholicism keep me strong, but the people I met gave me a backbone to keep standing tall and keep my head up. Every week I looked forward to seeing the group. With their support, they showed me a new beginning to life. ~ L. G.
My RCIA experience at CTK has been amazing. Not only did I learn so much about what it means to be a Catholic, I have also made friends along the way and become a member of a very supportive community of faith. ~ M. D.
Sitting in the room, surrounded by people with the same zeal and background, I found it easy to identify and share experiences. I learned so much from my fellow RCIA members and, as time went by, we became an extended family. RCIA became a place where I could relax after a hard week, where I could let go of my worries and get closer to God. I felt that God was really present with all of us. I received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist on Easter. It was sacred to me and the most beautiful experience I’d ever gone through in my life. ~ K. T.