16 members of a family choose to become Catholic

LECKRONE, Pa. (The Catholic Accent) - One extended family from Fayette County in the southwestern part of the Diocese of Greensburg is thinking about more than coloring eggs for the upcoming Easter season. Instead, the 16 family members are preparing to be welcomed into the Catholic faith.

P> The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) has become a family affair for adults and children in the Morris, Wallace, Supensky and Skiles households. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary Parish here has become a second home. Father Donald P. Trexler, pastor, realizes this year's mix of candidates and catechumens is out of the ordinary. The parish has 18 RCIA participants, 16 of whom stem from the same family tree. "God always works through somebody," says Father Trexler, who will also welcome five candidates into the church at St. Albert Parish, Palmer, where he serves as administrator. "We're happy they're here. We've worked with them, and it has not always been smooth sailing. But we need to help them overcome their doubts, fears and concerns." Catechumens are RCIA participants who have not been baptized and will receive all three sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil -- baptism, confirmation and first Communion. Candidates are those who have been baptized and will receive confirmation and Communion. Tammy Morris, 30, a catechumen, is going through RCIA with her husband, Scott, 31, and their four children, Summer, 12; Brooke, 10; Tabitha, 7; and Scott, 3. Her father-in-law, Richard Adams, was instrumental in helping the family decide to begin the RCIA process. They couldn't be more grateful. "He's gone out of his way to help us get the help that we need," she says. "He's been behind us the entire time, and he is extremely proud of all of us." Morris admits her children were not raised in any particular religion, except for the conversations they may have had with friends and family. "We wanted them to have some sort of knowledge about who God is and who Jesus is," she says. "We wanted them to understand and not feel left out." Looking back on their first few gatherings, she sees the difference the journey has made. The children ask questions and offer up concerns, which Morris finds optimistic. "If they weren't interested, they wouldn't be asking," she says. "You talk to them and they enjoy what they're doing. They want to know why Jesus did the things he did, and why he did them for a reason." She believes "everybody has gotten a lot out of it." Everybody means extended family members James, Sharon, Kyle, Kevin and Kara Wallace, Nettie Morris, Cody and Corie Supensky, and Tyler and Katheryn Skiles. "We figured it would be easier if we would do it together," Morris says of the family commitment. "You can see the positive changes in the lives of our entire family. I think everybody's life has changed in one way or another." Jane Pramuk can attest to that statement. She has been teaching some form of religious education since age 18 and became involved with RCIA four years ago. Pramuk is joined by Barry and Jeremy Balchak, as well as John and Patricia Penich, all parishioners of St. Mary. The Balchaks break open the word with the younger children, while the Peniches join Pramuk in working with the adults. Pramuk has watched as candidates and catechumens gain more insight into the weekly readings. "They all have questions, or they will have read the readings ahead of time, or gone on before and after the reading to know what comes next. When you see that happening, you know they are not just showing up," she says. Pramuk reminds RCIA participants that they don't have to absorb everything all at once. "Learning about your faith is a lifelong process. It's not like you have to learn everything in six months," she says. As the Easter Vigil approaches, Tammy Morris and her family are looking forward to the season with a greater sense of joy and hope. "We've all had fun, but we've all had fun doing it together," she says. "Easter is going to be extremely special for all of us this year." Pramuk, who traveled with the candidates and catechumens to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg March 5, was honored to present each of the 18 individuals to Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt at the Rite of Election. But she will find an even greater fulfillment of joy on April 15 at the Easter Vigil Mass in Leckrone. "It's a wonderful thing," she says.

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Reprinted by Catholic Online with permission of The Catholic Accent (www.dioceseofgreensburg.org), the official publication of the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa.