Why be Catholic?

Nearly 600 catechumens and candidates were welcomed into the Catholic Church this past Easter in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
 
For each, the decision to become part of the Church is a deep meaningful step in their lives that they said they believe will continue to enrich their lives.
 
Ryan Maxwell, the 2019 Alumni of the Year for Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, joined the Church in 1998 at Saint Eugene in Oklahoma City. As the Easter Season brought new members to the Church, he reflected on his decision to become Catholic.
 
Today, he is a lector at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City and is a key member of that parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
 
Although not raised Catholic, he attended school at Villa Teresa, Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic School and Bishop McGuinness. It was finally at a Kairos retreat where he heard God's voice clearly and a "conversion of the heart," ensued that led him to the Church.
 
He said his Catholic faith leads him to volunteer to help the homeless community at Sister BJ’s Food Pantry.
 
"It is hard, sometimes, as we walk through out daily lives to see the ways in which the Holy Spirit is at work, guiding us toward the great future that God has planned for us," he said. "When I stop and look back, I can see this truth in my own life and I am thankful that he saw fit to lead me to my journey as a Catholic."
 
In April, David Kittrell became Catholic at Church of The Epiphany of the Lord in Oklahoma City, calling the choice "the greatest decision I've ever made."
 
Kittrell grew up Protestant and had heard some of the misconceptions and negative thinking toward Catholicism. Yet, it was his major in history while attending Oklahoma Christian University that made him explore what the Church was actually about.
 
"With courage from the Holy Spirit and lots of prayer, the father finally told me it was time to take that leap," he said. Even now, weeks after entering, he is still excited about his new Church.
 
It’s the same situation for Jason Stricklin.
 
"I have never experienced an amazing event like the Easter Vigil," he said. "I thank the people who provide amazing religious education and for welcoming me into the Catholic faith."
 
Stricklin started to attend Mass because his wife is Catholic and the couple sought to have their son become Catholic as well. After attending many Masses and learning more about Catholicism, he reached one logical conclusion.
 
"I felt like this was where I belonged in my heart and soul."
 
A fellow parishioner also reached the same conclusion.
 
For a few years, Megan Hunt attended Mass with her boyfriend and children. She had heard the pleas for people to join the Journey of Faith program. The family finally started attending the meetings.
 
"Once we started, we never stopped," she said. "We now feel involved and loved by so many within the parish."
 
Steve Gust is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.