Stan’s Testimony

I was born and raised a Southern Baptist. I fell away from my faith as I entered adulthood. During college, I met my wife Linda through my fraternity. We dated for a couple of years after college and married in the Catholic Church in 1992. A daughter and son soon followed along with the routine of careers and parenthood. I was able to retire at a fairly young age after a long and stressful law enforcement career. Upon my retirement, I had more free time.

I felt like something was missing even though I was financially secure with few worries.

My wife returned to the Church approximately four years ago and about two years ago I decided to join to support her. I soon realized there was more there than I thought. I befriended our Priest and the journey began. In a short time, I was learning in OCIA, attended Discovering Christ, and was confirmed on Easter of 2024.

My wife and I attended Discovering Christ on a whim, not knowing what to expect.

During the first session I was blindsided by one question, “What is the meaning of life?” This was profound to me as I hadn’t really contemplated, in a deep way, the meaning of life. I had just been rolling through life without a rudder. I began to understand through the sessions why I need Jesus and the realization that Jesus willingly paid the ultimate price for me and us. I was flooded with the Holy Spirit and felt an incredible thirst for understanding and redemption. My wife and I also felt a special closeness to other members of our Church after sharing weekly meals and discussions.

We next completed Following Christ.

I learned how to pray and implemented a daily prayer program. I now had an understanding that I needed to thank the Lord daily for the blessings, grace, and happiness being bestowed on me and my family. I developed a true loving relationship with God. I now understood that God was present everywhere in my life and in the Sacraments. I believed, and continue to believe, the Eucharist is not a tradition, it is a true encounter with Jesus through His Body and Blood. I studied some of the Eucharistic miracles. I developed a confident understanding of reconciliation and forgiveness and realized to be forgiven you must first forgive, this was an epiphany for me.

I felt and feel empowered by the Holy Spirit and now have much more clarity on the meaning of life.

Finally, we began Sharing Christ.

I have never thought of myself as an evangelist. I soon had the realization that I didn’t need to go door to door to share the Good News, there are many ways to share Christ. I can live by example and show my loved ones, friends and acquaintances the positive changes Christ has made in my life. There have been many instances in the recent past where friends and family have asked, “What is different about you? You’re different.” This gives me the opportunity to share my journey and the great things Jesus has brought to me and my family through his grace and love.

Discovering Christ, Following Christ and Sharing Christ have given me the solid foundation on which to build upon my faith and continue my journey.

Stan experienced ChristLife at St. Katherine Drexel Parish in the Diocese of Sacramento.

Stan’s testimony was originally shared on the August 2025 Proven Path webinar.