I was blessed by God to be born into a family with parents who believed and practiced the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our home was one of unconditional love, care, and a genuine sense of friendship between all six children. We were a big family with the normal day-to-day squabbles between the siblings, but we never experienced any verbal, substance, or physical abuse. I will forever be grateful for the home my parents nurtured as a haven of safety, forgiveness, connection, and support.
Our home was in Salt Lake City, so, yes, we were a big Mormon family that you might expect to see in Utah. Like many Mormons, I served a two year mission in Canada when I was 19 years old. During my mission, I read the bible cover to cover and gravitated toward the ministry of Jesus as detailed in the gospels. I embraced the passages that clearly taught unconditional love for the unlovable including our enemies is what sets apart the love of Christ from the love that is common of all men to "love their brother."
However, during my Mormon mission, I struggled with practices, doctrines, and historical events that were troubling. Despite my efforts, I couldn't resolve them in my mind or my heart. I eventually made the difficult decision to leave the Mormon Church and set out on my own to practice the teachings of Christ as best as I could in my personal life.
Over the years, I attended several denominations of Christianity. I enjoyed most of their worship services, but I didn't feel compelled to attend any one of them on an ongoing basis. Although I thought I could practice Christianity individually without being committed to any denomination, the consistency of practicing Christianity and my personal relationship with Jesus was slipping away. I found myself drifting into groups of people and in dark places that were completely separated from the light of Christ.
The turning point in my newfound faith in Christ was when I met my wife who was a devout Catholic. Her strength, values, integrity, and faith as a practicing Catholic caught my attention and admiration. I attended mass for the first time with her. Despite the stigma that swirled around the Catholic church by other denominations, I was very impressed that mass was so anchored on the gospels, communion, symbolism, and humble faith in Christ alone. No "rock star" speakers, no eccentric worship services, no discussions, or any practices that often strayed away from what Jesus taught.
I found Catholic mass to be a consistent pillar of strength to bring my heart and mind back to Christ.
This realization inspired me to enter the OCIA program to take a deeper look at the Catholic Church and consider being baptized. The OCIA program opened the door to moments of inspiration, forgiveness, and mercy that cleansed a heavy heart from painful and regretful moments in my life to a light heart full of joy and faith. All these experiences made it an easy decision to take the step of being baptized with the blessing and mercy of Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful for my wife, the OCIA program, and the priests at St. Isidore who paved my path back to a deeper and a more pure faith in Christ.
—Matt, St. Isidore parishioner
Every year, parishioners at St. Isidore take their own path toward the Catholic faith. Read more journeys, or take the first step in yours.
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