This is where I belong

Love. Growth. Peace. Grace.

These things were given to me by everyone involved with RCIA at St. Michael's Catholic Community. And I can never say THANK YOU enough for the privilege of being able to participate. The RCIA program gave me much more than I bargained for…

I knew I was ready to explore becoming Catholic - but I didn't really know what that meant. ​I have known from a very young age that I love Jesus and all He has to offer for me, good and bad. But once again, I didn’t know what this truly meant for me.

I was surrounded by people constantly who love me, and I was never actually alone, but inside, I had this empty feeling with this deeper hole that I didn’t know how to fill."

I started going to mass at St. Michael's last February when I was at a very low, and lonely place in my life. I was surrounded by people constantly who love me, and I was never actually alone, but inside, I had this empty feeling with this deeper hole that I didn’t know how to fill.

Through the RCIA program I was given a deeper meaning to hope and to life."

Little did I know that once the hole was filled with the Lord, everything else in my life started to become fuller as well. At this point, I knew that I wanted to join RCIA to learn why I was having these emotions and to try to understand that it was uncharted territory for me. To be completely honest, I have much more knowledge now, but still, nothing can truly explain in words the reason for these feelings, and I think that perfectly explains faith. The ability to believe and feel without ever seeing. Complete trust.

Over the last seven months, every aspect of my life has changed as I learn and become closer to God. My faith has challenged me in ways I have never thought possible, and I have been put through a lot of tests and have had a lot of thoughts about giving up , but then I remember that it really is true: “The closer we get to God, the more the enemy draws near”. Which in truth makes me lean even harder on the Lord for strength and protection. Through the RCIA program I was given a deeper meaning to hope and to life.

​As the year moved on toward Easter Vigil, I found my relationship with Jesus growing stronger and stronger. I also found myself becoming humbled as I thought I knew how to pray and connect to God through conversation - but as I moved through RCIA I came to realize that I didn't know how to have a meaningful relationship with God. What I learned through RCIA changed my fundamental idea of who I want to be and how I want to live in connection with God and his children.

At the Easter Vigil when Father Edmund prayed over me with his hands pressed to my head, I felt utterly and completely filled with peace and love. An overwhelming sense that this is exactly where I belong… In His Kingdom and His Glory. I will forever be grateful to be known as His.

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Submitted by Eryn Minifie. Eryn was baptized Catholic on Easter Vigil 2024 at St. Michael's Catholic Community in Calgary. RCIA photos courtesy of Larry Fisher.