To say that Zachary Henson is eager to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church would be an understatement.
Embracing Ed Elscheid, a team member for the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, at the conclusion of the Call to Continuing Conversion, Henson was animated in speaking about his faith journey.
“I’ve been flying high for these past few weeks. I am so stoked to join the Church,” said Henson, of St. Theresa Parish in New Cumberland.
“And to think about finally receiving the Eucharist, I can’t even describe it,” he said, holding a hand over his heart while clutching a Rosary, which was made and gifted to him by a member of the That Man is You program at St. Theresa’s. It was through an invitation to TMIY that Henson began to delve deeper into the Catholic faith.
Henson carries the Rosary in his pocket every day – a tangible reminder of community, of where’s been and where he’s going.
“I started going to TMIY at the invitation of my doctor, who has been my doctor since I was a kid. He took care of my physical health, and now he’s taking care of my spiritual health,” Henson told The Witness after the Call to Continuing Conversion, celebrated March 29 at Good Shepherd Church in Camp Hill.
“Every time I went to the meetings, I had more questions, and since I’m an academic guy, he kept tossing books my way to answer my spiritual questions. Last September, I had the chance to start OCIA classes and so I leaned in as much as I could. Several men from TMIY jumped in to help me with formation and learning more, especially this year. They’ve been great examples of discipline and manhood,” Henson said.
“Everyone at St. Theresa’s has embraced me; no one has pushed me away. And believe me, I ask tons and tons of questions. The more I know, the more I want to learn,” he said.
Henson was one of 75 candidates at the annual Call to Continuing Conversion – the final period of preparation for baptized candidates who will receive the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
During the liturgy, candidates are joined by their sponsors, family members, clergy, religious and others who have accompanied them on their faith journey. During the Rite of Calling Candidates to Continued Conversion, candidates stood with their sponsors, who affirmed their readiness to receive the sacraments.
The 75 candidates will join the nearly 150 men, women and children who were called forth during the Rite of Election earlier this month in joining the Church at this year’s Easter Vigil. Candidates are those who have been baptized in the Christian faith and are seeking the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Catechumens, called forth during the Rite of Election, are unbaptized persons and will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at Easter.
“Where is your journey headed?” Bishop Timothy Senior asked the candidates during the Call to Continuing Conversion.
“Truly it is headed to the sacraments and reception into full communion with the Church. But beyond that, there is the reality that ultimately all of us are on a journey into the heart of God,” he said. “God has wired us to long for Him, to find our true rest only in Him.”
“The mystery of how God works in our lives is different for each of us. We all have our own story, the story of the gift of faith and how we respond ultimately to God’s invitation,” the bishop said.
During a retreat earlier in the day, candidates and catechumens had opportunities to share their stories with one another amid a morning of prayer, breakout sessions, a Penance Service and lunch.
Part of Henson’s journey is the sensory aspect of the Church: the smell of incense, the sound of chants, the beauty of stained-glass windows and the feel of the cherished Rosary in his hand.
“The tactile aspects make the faith accessible to every person. You are connected to God in all the possible ways we as human beings can connect,” he said.
Time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has also been a key component of his faith journey. Henson said he spent two overnights in front of the Eucharist during St. Theresa’s 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions.
“It was everything I needed. It’s a hug. It’s the warmth you get when someone hugs you. I don’t know how else to explain it,” he said.
A few pews behind Henson, candidates Robin Chedester and Jordan Stark of Holy Trinity Parish in Columbia also shared their unique journeys into the Church, alongside sponsor Heidi Nikolaus.
“Growing up, I bounced from denomination to denomination,” said Chedester, who spent time in the Mennonite and Episcopalian churches.
“Four years ago, I started listening to the Catholic Channel on Sirius XM, and I very much feel that it prompted me to join the Church, just from the words I was hearing and the teachings I was learning about.”
In December, she moved to Maytown, located just a handful of miles west of Columbia. The change prompted her to pray and give more consideration to her future.
“One day in prayer, I said, ‘Ok God, the first church that pops up near me in a Google search, that’s the church that will be my home parish.’ Holy Trinity came up as result, and that’s where I’ve been. And it’s definitely been home sweet home,” she said.
For fellow Holy Trinity parishioner Jordan Stark, entering the Catholic Church has been a family affair. Stark’s mother-in-law, Heidi Nikolaus, is her sponsor.
“I started out in the Methodist Church and decided to come into the Catholic Church to not only get closer to God but also because of family,” said Stark. “My husband, Philip, is Catholic and that was important to me to share the faith with him.”
The couple has been married for three years, and Jordan’s journey has brought Philip into one of his own. He was raised Catholic but had been away from the Church for 16 years. For Nikolaus, watching her son return and welcoming her daughter-in-law at the same time has been a dual blessing.
“I’m so happy that Jordan decided to take this journey. I can see how it is bringing them closer together as a couple, and I see the Holy Spirit working in both of them,” Nikolaus said. “My son has been going to all the classes with Jordan for a refresher. He’s remembering things now, and she’s asking very thoughtful questions. I keep telling them they are going to receive so many more blessings.”
“I cannot wait for the Easter Vigil. God is so good,” she said.
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
