Easter Challenge #5

Several years ago, I had been in a process of renewing my faith and trying to be a better Christian. During this time, my wife and I were bringing her mom to Mass at the Church of St Albert on a regular basis, as she was needing more help with mobility.

We knew Fr Joe from St Michael Church earlier. So, all things considered, we decided to re-join the Church of St Albert, where Joan and I were married in 1983. I soon joined various groups and volunteered my time in parish activities. 

About that time, our daughter Vanessa and her husband, Chris recognized this and they also joined St Albert. Chris eventually felt the need to fully participate in the faith with his family, and asked if I would sponsor him in RCIA. I agreed, considering it to be the next piece of my "faith journey puzzle". Without knowing what to expect, I soon discovered how wonderful an experience it was! My son-in-law and I both learned SO MUCH about our faith!

Now Chris' mom, Donna, had been battling cancer for a while. But in 2023, it spread and became terminal. She had not practiced any religious faith in a long time. But when Donna observed her son becoming Catholic and realized the importance it held in his family, it inspired her to look into it herself.

She was too sick by then to attend an RCIA class. But Fr Joe graciously offered a process for a special case such as Donna's to receive the sacraments in a shorter time. She completed it in her hospital bed. 

I'll never forget the warm hearted feeling I had (and still to this day) when Vanessa texted me the photo from the hospital of Donna surrounded by Chris and Vanessa, their (then) 5 children, and Fr Joe—everyone smiling! The caption read: "Donna is now Catholic!"

Soon after that, Donna was able to leave the hospital under hospice care. She periodically had some better days, although fewer as her condition deteriorated. Something Donna really looked forward to was to be strong enough to attend Mass at St Albert with her son and his family. One Sunday, she was able to do just that! She seemed to be excited and proud to be there and to receive the Holy Eucharist, although also very weak. After Mass, she sat in the back pew for a while meeting with parishioners just "drinking it all in."

Unfortunately, the cancer soon worsened and the Lord took her home.

I think Donna Kovacs' late in life conversion, her one and only Mass, and beautiful funeral at the Church of St Albert is an inspiration that will remain forever in my heart. 

Praise God!