Dave’s Testimony

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.

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.