Euchrist

MY RCIA-Euchrist-Testimony-DT-02-09-03.v1.doc

Good Morning My name is Dan Thomas.

I was one of the lucky ones who received full initiation at the last Easter Vigil and I am still technically a ‘Neophyte’ for a few more months.

I’m honored that Wendy would ask me to come here give my Testimony and share my thoughts and reflection with all of you on my experience of the Eucharist.

My religious background, structured religious background, was very weak at best. Both my parents are still alive and I was raised in a “normal” environment except without the religious upbringing. Mom was Jewish, Dad was Protestant both were and still are non-practicing.

Through the grace of God, I met stayed with, and eventually married Noreen my wife. Our 10 years wedding anniversary is this April.

She comes from a strong Irish-Catholic family that I didn’t realize back then would be so important to me.

We started going to Mass together and bringing religion into / back into our marriage and lives when her mom got sick and died quickly. We started attending Mass regularly and I was very relieved when I realized the little book in the Pews (the missal) practically had step-by-step instructions on how Mass worked. When to stand, what to say, etc. What it didn't really explain or at least I didn’t see it, was an explanation of the Eucharist, The Body of Christ.

I brought up this topic and many other church questions with my wife on several occasions. Sometimes on the more challenging or theoretical questions, she said, “Just go ask a priest.” But when she shared that she truly believed the Eucharist was ACTUALLY the Body of Christ and not a just a symbol or a representation, I was very curious. It wasn’t that I disbelieved her I just couldn’t really accept or understand how that could be true. But I just didn’t really think about it in the past.

I accepted that SHE believed and I started getting very interested that portion of the Mass. I was getting the motions down on the other parts of the mass & didn’t have to use the book as a ‘cue’ any longer.

I really started feeling more like part of the church community especially when the priests started regularly inviting
Non-Catholics to come up with arm crossed for a blessing even if not receiving Eucharist.

Several years ago here at St. Lawrence, I attended an RCIA “Walk Through Mass” with Father John Neiman well before I enter the RCIA program. He helped to explain the consecration and many other question and curiosities I had.

I also went on a special Church Tour that included the confessionals, the Alter and the Vestibule area where we were allowed to eat a NON-Consecrated host. I thought that was pretty neat really and it peaked my curiosity about the consecration and turning the bread into Body of Christ.

My belief level was increasing and I starting hanging on to some of the words of the priest celebrating Mass, especially when the Wine & Bread are transformed in the Blood & Body of Jesus. And especially the one sentence said before communion takes place. The part when the congregation all says, “ I’m not worthy to receive you, but only say the word & I shall be healed”

I seemed focused on this part like I was waiting for physical sign to tell me it was time to do something.

My Wife & I got very active in St. Lawrence’s CFM Christian Family Movement ministry and are now currently in charge of the CFM ministry here at St. Lawrence.

Eventually my urge to convert has become strong enough thanks to the examples I saw and the friendships were making with so many parishioners. I then officially signed up in the RCIA program and continued with a lot more structure in my learning of the Church, it’s traditions and teachings.

After the Inquiry phase, when I transition into the next level or phase of he RCIA process, and was dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word, (the readings and homily) & prior to the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the “Our Father” prayer and the Communion) I didn’t think about it too much, but quickly realized I was missing being present for that very important part of Mass.

Though the RCIA process I understood more about the Word of God, His Love and about how he wanted to be part of us, share him with us so that we can continue to do his good work.

I started understanding more about the church; it’s traditions and rituals. My desire for the Eucharist was growing strong.

I learned so many things while in the process and still realize there is so much more to learn.

My desire to be part of the church had grown strong and as “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. The longer I was away from Eucharist and the entire Mass, the more I wanted to be back. (Even though I had not yet fully participated in all of the Mass, since I have not yet taken the Eucharist yet.)

As I learned more I realized and accepted on faith and truly believe the Bread & Wine is transformed. And that we are inviting Jesus into ourselves when we take the actual body of Christ.

When the Easter vigil finally came, and it did come so fast,
I was ready.

As I wrote in my declaration of intent letter:

"My personal level of faith and acceptance in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have far exceeded my previous desires to have specific scientific evidence and facts to explain the 'unexplainable.' Because of this, I've realized a much greater sense of peace surrounds everything I do.

I've developed a true desire to share in the Eucharist and all that means."

The Easter Vigil itself was so wonderful. It is almost beyond word and difficult at least for me to explain.

Because I was never baptized, I received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation in preparation to receive Communion.

When it came time to receive communion we all had on our long white robes. I, having just been baptized, was “sin free”, clean and ready.

We, the RCIA group, were all called around the Alter and had a front row spot for the consecration and all the action. The regular wafer hosts I’d seen so many times before were not used at the Easter Vigil. A more traditional ‘regular’ bread was used, broken up into small pieces.

As we all waited for the Priest to make his way around the RCIA circle surrounding the alter. It was very private and personal moment.

There I stood by the alter, underneath the outstretched arms of the risen Lord on wall behind and above me. It was like God was right there looking over my shoulder – I know he was.

And, even though I was standing at the alter with dozens, being watch by hundreds from the pews. At the actual moment I heard the priest’s words “The Body of Christ” and received Holy Communion for the first time, it was like I was having a private meeting with God who had been waiting for me to invite him to join me.

I received and consumed the Host and felt his physical presence now in me. This was followed by the Holy Blood that was a similar experience.

Since the last Easter vigil I have watched our home videos of the Vigil and I will say the I and the others on the alter were “glowing” with the spirit.

When the Vigil service ended and the reception in the hall started, I actually thought about how nice it will be going to “regular” Mass and receiving communion.

The entire Vigil was everything I had had hope for & more.

The very next Monday I went to the 8:00am church service after dropping our daughter off at St. Lawrence School. Apparently Fr. Brian had spotted me and 1 other Newly baptized Catholic there and he unexpectedly called us up to the alter AGAIN that morning to “re-live” the experience. Although we were not prepared, had not rehearsed and were caught a bit off guard, it again was a terrific experience.

I now look forward to receiving the Eucharist as often as possible. On Sundays and during the week too.

I have received such great gifts from God: my wife, children, friends and of course receiving the Eucharist.

All are precious reminders to me that I am truly blessed.

- Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.