Testimonial

I went through twelve years of Catholic school. My wife and I are both Cradle Catholics and were married in the Catholic Church. I can’t remember missing a Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation. But that was the extent of our church life. We arrived right at the procession and left at the recession. We never got involved in any other way. We thought that’s all that was required of us, and we thought we were good Catholics. 

So it somewhat surprised me when my deacon suggested that we “deepen our relationship with Christ” by signing up for ChristLife. I politely declined, noting my Christian lifestyle. He persisted for weeks, asking if we had registered yet. Partly due to my curiosity, but mostly due to his persistence, we gave in and signed up. We were not committed to doing all the sessions; only planning on going for one. 

The first night of ChristLife, we arrived on time and reported to our assigned table. During the introductions, we met seven others at our table, all with very similar beliefs and practices. Our table facilitator was also very welcoming. We immediately connected with each other. Little did we know at the time, but these people would go on to become some of our closest friends.

At first the delicious dinners kept us coming back. The meals were served by parishioners and I was moved by how happy they were to serve us. But the stories shared by these 8 strangers, and the similarities to our own experiences made us remain and participate. Over the next few weeks our relationship with one another and with Christ grew.

I even went back to confession at the Holy Spirit Retreat after being away from the Sacrament for many years.

At the end of the course, our small group decided to go on to Following Christ and Sharing Christ together, and we continue to meet after 10 years of being together!

My relationship with Jesus and His Church changed through ChristLife.

I really didn’t have a deep prayer life before ChristLife. I said my memorized Catholic prayers but that was it. Through the course, I learned that the Lord wants to be in relationship with me. He’s not just out there, He’s right by my side.

I don’t go to Mass on time anymore! Now I go at least 15 minutes early and I sit quietly and pray.

I tell the Lord what’s on my heart and then I am silent. I listen. And He is speaking to me. It’s not an audible voice that I hear. It’s a tender softness in my heart guiding me to do His will. I want to tell everyone about Him! I was recently talking with a woman at church who said she wishes she could hear from God. I told her my experience and told her to talk less and be silent so that she could hear Him in her heart.

I’m involved at the parish. I am a Lector and have also become an Extraordinary Minister. I am now part of the Knights of Columbus, a volunteer on the hospitality team for ChristLife, and a minister of hospitality at Sunday masses where I help usher. I love being a part of the Church community now and serving the Lord. I feel like I see Jesus in the faces of all the people I meet and that gives me a lot of joy.

At the suggestion of our Pastor, and approved by our Worship Committee, I was nominated for the “Manifesting the Kingdom” award, and was presented with it by the Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in August of 2023. This award recognizes the efforts of the Faithful who help the Church in exceptional ways. Although I humbly and gratefully accepted, I feel that this award would’ve never been earned without my ChristLife experience !

If a priest or parish leader asked my opinion about bringing ChristLife to their parish, I would say yes! It’s changed my life and made my parish more vibrant.

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Dave experienced ChristLife at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Dave’s testimony was originally shared on the February 2025 Proven Path webinar.

To say that I was a willing participant in Discovering Christ would be a lie. Let me begin by saying that when my husband approached me with the idea of attending a 7 week religious course , I simply ignored the email. 

First, some background. My husband goes to Mass daily, never misses a weekend Mass, and has a deep faith that I was always impressed by. Me? I was what I like to call a “Holiday Catholic.” I’d go for the big days like Christmas and Easter, but all those other days? Not me. That’s not to say I didn’t pray on my own, but I wouldn’t say I had a “relationship” with God. I had not received Communion in years and hadn’t been to confession in close to 10 years.

So to say I was not enthusiastic about attending the class. I agreed, unwillingly and almost to spite him, to attend one class. I never intended to come back. 

On the first day of what I referred to as “Jesus Class,” I realized my husband and I were not sitting together. I thought, “ok weird, but I’ll give it a shot.” I knew most of the women at my table as regular church goers, members of the parish family. I made it clear from the start I was not a willing participant and most definitely not like them because I was strictly a holiday Catholic. As the evening progressed, I found myself intrigued. Our discussion at the table was interesting and we all openly shared things starting that first day. On the drive home that night, I knew I wanted more. And to my surprise, I was looking forward to the following week’s class. 

As each week progressed, our conversations were always interesting. I found myself truly enjoying the videos. The speakers were relatable and not “preachy” as I had expected. I even found myself listening to the “Praise and Glory” station on Spotify; a total departure from my usual music. 

As the retreat approached, I began to feel like this was going to be something big for me.

The facilitators recommended going to confession if possible. As I said, it had been years since my last confession and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go. However, on that particular Saturday just a few days before our retreat, while I was out shopping, I just felt like I needed to go. Something in me felt strongly that this was what I needed. God was speaking to me. I felt it.

So I googled a few churches and off I went in search of reconciliation. The first church I arrived at was locked. No confession happening there. More googling and off I went to church #2. Again, locked. At this point, maybe I misheard the calling? Should I just give up? After all, it was getting late and dark and I had dinner plans! But that feeling wouldn’t go away. God was calling to me and I knew what to do. Church #3: my home parish. At last, the church was open and a priest was there. However, he wanted a face to face confession which I felt a little nervous about.

The moment I sat down, my tears started flowing. These were tears of pure joy, relief, and gratitude that brought me there. The Holy Spirit was with me and I felt it in my soul. The next day, Sunday, I went to Mass and received Jesus for the first time in many years. I saw my tablemates from “Jesus class” and I knew they were happy I had come so far. Our parish priest who sat with me while I cried was the one to give me the Eucharist.

I felt like I had come home. 

When the day of the retreat arrived, I was excited to see my tablemates and share with them my experience. Little did I know, the Holy Spirit would again call to me that night. I decided to get up and have the prayer team pray with me. I felt that calling again and I knew what I had to do. When they put  their hands on my shoulders, once again the tears came. Tears of such gratitude and joy. It’s a feeling I wish I could bottle and give to everyone.

The Holy Spirit was with me and letting me feel the love. 

I have now completed the entire series. Yes, the holiday Catholic attended all three courses! Since that time, I have continued in my spiritual journey in ways that surprise even me! It is because of Discovering Christ that I discovered my own faith.

I say “discovered” rather than “recovered” because I didn’t have much faith before.

I am more thankful for this gift than words could ever convey. It is through my faith that I have been able to navigate the highs and lows of life. When a dear friend passed away this fall, I used my faith to get through it. I prayed with her sister and encouraged her to help my friend receive the gift of reconciliation. I was so happy she was able to have that complete sense of forgiveness and could pass with peace in her heart, knowing Jesus loved her and forgave her. I recently became a lector for my local parish. If you asked me a year and a half ago if any of these things would have happened, I would have said not a chance. 

My advice to anyone who is on the fence about “Discovering Christ” is this: try it! Even one session. I am so glad I did! 

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Debbie experienced ChristLife in the Archdiocese of New York.

Debbie’s testimony was originally shared on the February 2025 Proven Path webinar.

Five years ago, I was sitting in Mass listening to someone give an invitation to Discovering Christ. I thought: “I’m a cradle Catholic, I go to church every week, put money in the collection… Why do I need to discover Christ?” Of course, my wife said, “We should do that.” I’m not quick on my feet and our youngest had just gone off to college, so I didn’t have any ready made excuses, so I reluctantly said yes.

The topic the first night is “What is the meaning of life?” Intellectually, I knew the answer. I learned as a kid from the Baltimore Catechism. Our purpose is to know, love, and serve God in this world and be with Him in the next.

However, that question always left my heart restless.

This was partly because my wife and I had four kids, the second of whom was born with profound disabilities. When we got Ashley’s diagnosis, it was easy to see God’s purpose for my wife. I could see God’s hand in calling her first to work with kids with disabilities, then leading her to get a degree in special education and then working as a Special Ed teacher, which is what she was doing when we met. God prepared her to be the mother of our child and later to have a tremendous impact on so many other families. But what about me?

What was the purpose of MY life? What did God want from ME?

That first night at Discovering Christ touched me. I found the video to be thought provoking and the small group discussion was very engaging. But the best part was the ride home. For perhaps the first time in our marriage, my wife and I had a deep discussion about our faith and that continued each week. That has been great for our marriage.

By the end of the three courses, I knew what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Now I read Scriptures every day. I pray every day. I have a relationship with the God who made me.

God has asked many things of me—some big, some small. I’ve said yes to being part of many things at the parish. I said yes when we were asked to help with the next round of Discovering Christ. I said yes to becoming more and more involved in ChristLife. I said yes to being the emcee one year for Discovering Christ. I even got to say the joke at the beginning each night. Though, for what it’s worth, they never asked me to do that again. Perhaps stand-up comedy is not in my future.

Over time, I also learned to surrender. At one point, I told God, “You can ask me anything and whatever you ask I will say yes.”

In surrendering to the Lord, I found my purpose.

Two years ago, I attended a ChristLife training conference when someone at my table, who I had never met, asked me “Why aren’t you a deacon yet?” I thought it was kind of weird and told my wife. She said, “Funny thing. I’ve been meaning to talk to you for the last 6 weeks. Every time I go to Mass, I feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask you that very same question.”

I had a lot of doubts. I’m too old. I would need a special waiver from the bishop. I certainly don’t think I measure up to the other deacons in our parish. I don’t think I’m a good public speaker. But I prayed about it and tried to discern what to do.

About six weeks later, we held the one-day retreat associated with Discovering Christ. There is a video with Fr. Erik where he talks about how he was in college living out a typical college lifestyle when he first felt the call to the priesthood. He had a lot of doubts. Could he give up the life he knew? Could he really live out this new life? At some point, he heard the Holy Spirit tell him, “You provide the yes, I’ll take care of everything else.” I heard Fr. Erik say that on the video and I knew those words were for me.

Now, I’ve just finished my first year in the deacon formation program and, if it is still God’s will, in 2028 I will put my hands in the bishop’s hands and say yes, and be ordained to serve His church.

From my very reluctant yes to attend Discovering Christ, my life has changed in a dramatic way.

I have had some amazing divine appointments. I am no great evangelist, but I am a great inviter. I am available, anywhere, anytime to invite someone to take the next step—come to Discovering Christ, attend an ACTS retreat, attend a parish function, or simply have coffee and listen to their story.

I have been profoundly changed because someone invited me.

I have been profoundly changed because Leo engaged me. I have been profoundly changed because the Holy Spirit spoke through Fr. Erik and said, “You provide the yes, I’ll take care of everything else.”

Rob Meisner originally shared this testimony live at Equip 2024.