Catholic Confirmation: A Commitment Worth Making

When I first came to Arizona 8years ago, one of the items that didn’t come up for consideration during themove was faith. I had been baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Church inCanada and didn’t anticipate the lack of presence it has in the U.S. For thatreason I was drawn to the Catholic Church due to the similarities of the Massand so had been practicing as a committed Catholic ever since. Over time, myinvolvement in the church extended to being a lector and part of the financeand fundraising committees. I was being held up by the Priest and businessmanager as a leader in the Parish and The Knights of Columbus wanted me toextend my leadership skills to them as well.

In February 2008 I attended thefirst Catholic Men’s Conference in Phoenix and after the first 2 speakers ithit me between the eyes - it wasn’t right that I was being held up as a leaderwhen I wasn’t even confirmed in the Catholic Church. After praying andmeditating on it for a couple of weeks I decided this was something I must do.I didn’t want to embarrass anyone at my existing Parish once this new becamecommon knowledge so began my search for a Church community in which I couldpursue RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

I’ll admit the idea of attendingweekly classes on night a week didn’t thrill me and I expected it to be boringand onerous. However, God was calling me to do the right thing so I made thecommitment. With my fiancée by my side as my sponsor, I jumped in with bothfeet knowing it would be nearly a year before this journey was complete.

I missed taking communion at Massand looked forward with trepidation to confession which I’d never done. But anamazing thing happened on the road to confirmation. I found myself lookingforward to my class on Thursday nights, the discussion about scripture andlearning about my new faith. I engage vigorously in debate and found myselfreading the bible more during the week to become familiar with common passagesand parables. As I read other material I found prayers that struck me as bothpertinent and very personal to my life so began saying them daily. I beganinvestigating and asking questions about saints, church history, and therosary.

As we turned the New Year Ilooked forward to our weekend retreat and my first confession and beganpreparing for it. After all, what does one say when confessing sins of 50years? When it finally happened it was a truly emotional experience. I lost itas I said the prayer of contrition and cried for 10-15 minutes afterwards. Uponreflection later I realized this was all part of the cleansing and forgivenessthat this sacrament is for. That’s why did Christ die on the cross for us!

The last few months included the2nd annual Catholic Men’s Conference and I made announcements in ourclass related to it encourage the men to go. Those I saw at the conference toldme it was my testimony that compelled them to attend. During conversations withothers in the class I found out that everyone could feel my passion for Christand found my testimony very moving. I just knew God was calling me to do morewith my story.

After praying on it, I decided Iowed it to others to use my talent of speaking and writing to share mytestimony with others. “If it brought just one person to God or back to God” Iasked myself “wouldn’t that be a true ministry for me?” And so Drawn to Christwas born, the vehicle with which I would begin to share with anyone who wouldlisten.

By Easter Week I was so full ofthe Holy Spirit that I felt a peace come over me. I was very calm and wanted toabsorb everything during the Confirmation Mass. I wouldn’t change a moment ofthe journey and now look forward to a day when I might revisit this experienceas a sponsor. In the meantime, my fire for Christ has not dimmed by one emberand I continue to write about my daily journey as a newly Confirmed Catholic ofwhich I am most proud. Follow me or book me for an event at

 www.drawntochrist.com