RCIA Testimony

Jennifer & Brian Koste participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program in 2018.


1.  What started you on your journey toward the Catholic Church?  (Who or what prompted you to consider joining the church?)

(Jennifer) I was raised Catholic when I was younger, baptized in Grand Forks ND, and received First Communion and Confirmation at St. Tim's. My parents divorced when I was 11 and that separated us a bit from the church. Fast forward to 2017. We had gone to several different churches with our kids, always practicing our faith and love in God, and keeping the boys involved in youth programs. Our youngest son Blake who is 11, began to go to church occasionally with our friends Mary and Tom Plankers and their family. Mary would always offer that Blake was welcome to come with them to church after sleepovers and I said, "Of course" and always encouraged that. We were currently going to Eagle Brook as a family. One day a few months later we were at church and Blake expressed that he would like to go with his friend Matthew to his classes at the Church of Saint Paul.. His dad and I discussed how we could make that happen and we decided we would meet with Father Jim and start attending Sunday Mass and go from there. Once learning that Family Formation was very much a shared teaching at home I inquired about RCIA and began to go to that to refresh my teachings as well. Our other boys did not understand the sudden change attending St Paul''s every Sunday but continued going with us and after a month or so began to ask questions as well. We met again with Father Jim to discuss what their options were as that seemed like the right thing to do to make sure they knew what they could also do to start learning about the Catholic faith and the sacraments. We then were paired with Karin and Chris Ederer to begin teaching the boys and now my three boys and my husband will be confirmed during Easter Vigil! 

 2. What challenges have you encountered?

I would say the only challenges we were faced was switching from our current Church, however we did not attend that every week. Another challenge was to start the teachings at home but with the support of so many of the people we have met at the Church of Saint Paul as well as the material we were given to use at home, it has gone very smooth!
 
3. Through the process of coming into full communion with the Catholic Church, what has been most surprising or enlightening? (What have you come to appreciate?)

I would say we are all very excited and so grateful of everything we have received from members of the church. Our friends Mary and Tom were so helpful in encouraging and supporting us and Father Jim and everyone in the office has been amazing. I am so grateful for the RCIA classes and all the wonderful people that lead that each week. I have learned much more than I did when I was younger and am very excited to share that with my boys and my husband now together as a family. It has enriched our faith and changed our family more than any other Church experience for us so far. Thank you, Church of Saint Paul!!

Brian was confirmed at the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil in 2018.  Shortly after, Jennifer and Brian had their marriage blessed.  Jennifer says, "We love our church and are so grateful to have come home!"

If you'd like to learn more about the Catholic Faith, check out our RCIA program.