A journey home to the Catholic Church

At the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026, Mike and Loralie Hilles were baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church by Fr. Jerald D’Souza, OCD, at St. Thomas More Parish in Calgary.

Before their conversion, Mike and Loralie believed in God and attended church occasionally. They valued family and living with good intentions, yet there remained a quiet sense of longing. They felt a restlessness in their hearts for something deeper that at that time, they could not fully define.

“Our journey was gradual and deeply personal,” they shared. Through conversations, reading, and witnessing the faith of others, they were drawn to the depth and reverence of Christian teaching. As they explored their questions about truth and faith, they became increasingly convinced that God was leading them toward something greater. They said that it was “the consistency, depth, and reverence found in the way Scripture was understood, lived out, and shared by those around us,” that stood out to them.

They recognized that Jesus was calling them not only to believe in Him, but also to enter more fully into His Church.

Being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil was, in their words, “a meaningful and emotional experience.” It brought a strong sense of belonging and gratitude for God’s patience and guidance throughout their journey.

Since entering the Church, Mike and Loralie have found their relationship with prayer deepening and their awareness of God’s presence growing in everyday life. While they know their journey of faith is only beginning, they are grateful for the ways God has patiently guided them through questions, uncertainty, and discovery. Looking back, they can see how the Holy Spirit was at work throughout their journey, turning their longing into belonging and bringing them home to the Catholic Church.

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Photo credit: St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary.