By: India Akua Mendonca
The thought of being confirmed as a Catholic on March 30, 2024, at the Easter Vigil on Saturday brings to mind all the people who have been instrumental in my journey. My birth father, my mother-in-law, my younger sister, Father Marlon, and my Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) teacher, Karen, who also sponsored me into the Catholic Church, have all played significant roles in bringing me back to God and reigniting my childhood memories of Catholic school. Their support, guidance, and unwavering faith have inspired me and helped me grow in my own faith. I am grateful for their presence in my life and for the opportunity to become a confirmed Catholic.
Faith Influences During My Early Life
My father encouraging me to attend Catholic school as a young girl played a crucial role in introducing me to the Catholic faith. For this, I am eternally grateful. The values and teachings I learned in school have shaped my beliefs and provided constant guidance and comfort in my life.
Fast forward to my life as an adult— as a wife and mother; it was my mother-in-law who suggested that we attend a Catholic Church back in 2019, while she was visiting us from East Providence, Rhode Island. And so we did. My mother-in-law, my daughter, and I started attending the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Clearlake, CA.
However, after a year of attending the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to stop going to Mass altogether. The pandemic had affected my life, including my faith. Nevertheless, through technology and the power of connection, a simple text message from my sister, Kortney, reignited my desire to be part of the Catholic Church. She introduced me to Father Mike Schmitz’s ‘Bible in a Year’ podcast, which allowed my family and me to continue growing in our faith, finding strength, hope, and a sense of community during those challenging times.
Impact of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about numerous disruptions and challenges but it also led to some positive changes in our lives. One such turning point in our spiritual journey occurred when my sister introduced me and my family to Father Mike Schmitz’s podcast in 2023. Additionally, my mother-in-law suggested we attend the Catholic Church in 2019 before the pandemic, and our daughter got baptized during the pandemic.
It is because of these two beautiful ladies in our family that we have grown closer to our faith and strengthened our ties with one another. In fact, my husband began attending Mass every week shortly afterward.
Listening to God’s Word at Mass
Attending Mass every week and listening to Father Marlon’s sermons played a big part in my desire to convert. His words and guidance have been instrumental in helping me fully comprehend and embrace the beliefs and customs of the Catholic Church. As a result, I am currently a student in the RCIA program. To make our journey into the faith even more special, my husband also attends confirmation classes and will confirm as a Catholic on Pentecost Sunday.
Last but not least, Karen, my RCIA teacher and sponsor, has strengthened my faith in God and motivated me to become Catholic. She transformed my life and helped me find a sense of community and belonging that I had been missing. Her willingness to share her backstory and her faith with me has made a difference in my life. Therefore, I cannot overstate the importance of community and the power of our own personal testimony.
Thankful for My Sponsor and Teacher
My teacher and sponsor patiently answered all my questions and provided me with the resources and support I needed. She also showed me the true values and teachings of the Catholic Church and introduced the Symbolon workbooks and DVD to me, which are the best study materials to present the truths of the Catholic faith and history. Our friendship and bond continue to grow as we share our experiences and support each other in our spiritual journeys. I am grateful to the Catholic Church for bringing us together and for providing me with a strong support system.
Helping each other and being a community is a biblical concept; we are shown the significance of this through scripture. Here is a verse that emphasizes the importance of community living:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. The inspired writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
In all, it took a community of family members and friends to get me to where I am today in my Catholic faith. I couldn’t have done it without them. With their help, I was able to find my Godmother, my faith, and the Catholic Church. I incredibly gratefully thank them for their support and guidance, and I excitedly anticipate confirming as a Catholic at the Easter Vigil on March 30th, 2024, because of their influence, encouragement, teachings, dedication, and prayers.
About Our Guest Blogger:
As a stay-at-home mom, India Akua Mendonça leads a fulfilling life balancing motherhood, wifehood, and personal interests. She enjoys writing, studying the Bible, exploring new places, going to the beach, eating at restaurants, and listening to Father Mike Schmitz podcast.
India earned her A.A. in Liberal Arts from Chabot Community College and her B.A. in Black Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to dedicating her time to her family, India worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University as a Document Specialist.
Currently, she is a dedicated homeschool teacher to her six-year-old daughter and takes great joy in witnessing and cultivating her education. India resides in Clearlake Oaks, CA with her husband Marco, their daughter, and their three birds.
