OCIA Elect, Candidates and Adult Confirmandi

OCIA CANDIDATES
AMANDA JENNINGS
OCIA Candidate

Hello, my name is Amanda Jennings. I am originally from Laguna Niguel in Southern California, and in 2015 I moved to the Bay Area with my husband, Brandon. I grew up in a Christian family and was baptized Catholic, though we did not attend a Catholic Church while I was growing up. Even so, from a young age, receiving my sacraments was always important to me.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible at the time since I didn’t have anyone who could guide me through the process. My husband has always known how important this was to me, and having grown up in a Catholic family himself, he understood what it meant. After much prayer, my husband signed us up for OCIA, and choosing to go through this journey together has brought us
closer to God and to one another.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Jesus. He has always been present in my life, encouraging me to keep moving forward in both my goals and my faith. This journey has not been without hardship. I have faced devastating infertility struggles, health issues from a young age, and many other challenges. I would be lying if I said I never doubted whether God truly saw me. I have walked through some very dark valleys, and while there were moments I felt abandoned, I have always come out the other side because of Him. It is often in those hardest moments that He makes Himself most known to me, gently reminding me that He is there. During those times, I try to remember Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I have been brokenhearted and crushed in spirit more times than I can count, yet He has always pulled me out of the darkness. OCIA has truly changed my life. Despite living in the Bay Area for eleven years and even attending law school in San Francisco, I never really had a sense of community or close friendships here. That completely changed through OCIA. I have met the most wonderful people, and together we have built such a beautiful and meaningful community through love and faith. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the healing mass, and enjoyed our conversations with OCIA members and Father Brandon and his family at the Festa Italiana dinner. There are truly no words to express what this group has done for my heart, my spirit, and my relationship with God. Before OCIA, I never fully understood how important community was. 

After Easter, I hope to join the choir. I sang in choir throughout high school and college, and it is something I miss deeply. Music has always been a way for me to pray, especially during moments of sadness or when I feel drawn to be closer to God. Being able to share that gift through song with the parish would be a meaningful way for me to continue growing in my faith and giving back to this community. 

Growing up, I used to wonder why I couldn’t attend Catholic school with my friends or why it took so long for me to begin this journey. It wasn’t until I went through this process with my husband and met this incredible group of people that everything became clear. This was the right time. We were meant to walk this journey together, with this community. Looking back now, I am grateful that my childhood wish did not come true, because God showed me that His timing is truly perfect.
​AMIA JACKSON
OCIA Candidate

Hello CCOP. My name is Amia Jackson. I was born and raised in the Bay Area and later moved to the Central Valley. I went to three different high schools but despite that I graduated in 2024. I currently reside in downtown Pleasanton with my mom. I will be receiving Eucharist and Confirmation at the upcoming Easter Vigil. 

Growing up Catholic, I attended a few Masses but never fully understood them, and by middle school I had stopped going altogether. As a senior in high school, I accepted a scholarship to a Christian university in Arizona. Although I initially loved it, once I moved there, I quickly realized it wasn’t what I expected. I struggled mentally and physically and felt myself falling into a dark place. When winter break came, being home with my family and friends made me realize how much I needed that support. I was terrified to tell my mom I wanted to leave school, but she surprised me by reassuring me that my happiness mattered most. After two weeks back on campus, she drove ten hours to bring me and my belongings home. Although returning lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, I knew I still needed healing and a stronger relationship with God. I began searching for churches and attended a few, but nothing truly connected—until Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. After noticing a customer with ashes on his forehead, I felt called to try another church I had been looking into; this time a Catholic one. I walked in alone, unsure and nervous, and prayed on my own for the first time. Overcome with emotion, I left knowing I would return. On March 16, 2025, I attended my first Mass and finally felt the connection I had been longing for. That same day, I called Matt and said out loud for the first time that I wanted to grow in my faith and become closer to God. Father Brandon’s homily on November 30, 2025, deeply impacted me when he talked about teen depression — a struggle I once faced myself.

Since joining CCOP, I no longer feel that way. I know I am now where I belong. I pray more, feel comfortable attending Mass, and have found peace and healing through the program. Helping at the Healing Mass was super emotional and opens your eyes to things that you may not have known. Seeing people come together with their families was a beautiful thing to watch and I hope to help out again. Another fun memory was the Holy Hoedown. Attending that event really began so many friendships for me and even helped shake off any jitters I had. After I receive my sacraments, I would love to start my own ministry involving the little kids of the Church. I would also be interested in joining the Hispanic ministry or adult choir. The road hasn’t been easy but now I’m following God’s plan and that is what matters most to me.
BRANDON JENNINGS
OCIA Candidate

​​Hello, my name is Brandon Jennings. I was raised in the Bay Area, and even though life has taken me elsewhere at times, this has always felt like home. I come from a colorful mix of Italian Catholics on my dad’s side and Irish Catholics on my mom’s side, which means the Catholic faith has always been part of my family story. 

I have never really questioned my faith; I have always been Catholic at heart. Growing up, however, I wasn’t able to complete my sacraments because my parents, while raised Catholic themselves, were not devout. Because of that, I often felt like something was missing, or that there was something important I had yet to do. For years, I felt a quiet pull to return to the Church and receive my sacraments, but it remained more of a whisper than a clear call.

That changed in the middle of last year when my wife brought up our sacraments again, and everything suddenly clicked. I knew I needed to do this. What once felt like a daunting task—something overwhelming, like earning a degree or taking on an enormous commitment—suddenly felt doable. Not necessarily easy, but no longer intimidating. Instead, it felt meaningful, natural, and even exciting. I am naturally introverted and don’t usually enjoy being in large groups, which made this experience surprising in the best way.

When it comes to Church functions, I now find myself genuinely looking forward to them and feeling comfortable within the larger community. I expected this process to be mostly academic, and while learning has certainly been part of it, the sense of connection and community has been far stronger than I anticipated. I am especially grateful for the friendships my wife and I have formed along the way, which have made this journey even more meaningful. Attending a healing Mass and receiving the anointing for the first time was an incredible experience. I had never been to one before and didn’t realize how many opportunities for healing, support, and grace the Church offers. Walking the gifts up to the altar with my wife during Mass was also deeply meaningful. 

I have been prayerfully considering ways I might serve through a ministry that could be helpful to the people of Pleasanton. I don’t want to say too much about it yet, but it has been on my heart and on which I continue to reflect. 

I am deeply grateful for this experience, for the friendships that have grown from it, and for the opportunity to walk this journey of faith alongside my wife.
​KAREN AMADOR 
OCIA Candidate 

Hello! My name is Karen and have only recently joined the St. Augustine Parish. In just  a few short weeks, I have felt so welcome by everyone I’ve met—in particular, the OCIA  team. 

I was born in the Bay Area and spent the first nine years of my life in Lafayette with my  parents and younger brother. During those years, my father was instrumental in  introducing us kids to Jesus. We attended St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church every Sunday  and said our nightly prayers with Dad at my bedside. It was about that time that my  parents divorced, and I was subsequently raised in Oslo, Norway with my mom. My  father’s influence became a distant glance in the rearview mirror. Unfortunately, he and  my brother remained in California, and we were raised an ocean apart. 
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While my connection to faith lessened with a mom who does not believe, God was  always there quietly existing in my heart. At the age of 15, I opted for confirmation of my  own volition. And though I have few memories from that time, I can, to this day, recite in  Norwegian John 3:16, "For så høyt har Gud elsket verden at han ga sin Sønn, den  enbårne, for at hver den som tror på ham, ikke skal fortapt, men ha evig liv.” I don’t  believe this lasting memory is accidental.  

Fast forward a few decades, and my husband, Al, and I have two adult children. When  we married, I committed to him and to my children that we would raise them in the  Catholic faith, which felt both familiar and comfortable to me. I have always been drawn  to the beauty of the Sacraments. My son and daughter were baptized and confirmed at  Christ the King and later attended Carondelet and De La Salle. Aside from that, I have  attended numerous Catholic conferences, a silent retreat with the Carmelites and  consulted to the Amazing Parish, a Catholic apostolate founded by a very close friend of  mine. And, in fact, it was through this organization that I had the good fortune of meeting  Fr. Brandon for the first time. Which is why I find myself now here at St. Augustine. 

You might wonder why it has taken me so long to take the final step of joining the  Church. Sometimes, I wonder myself. I think the honest answer is that the business of  life, work and the many distractions that I succumb to, had pulled me away from God,  and I was feeling it. But, God is good and patient, and He’s always waiting when you  are ready. With the support of a wonderful husband and the help of a dear sponsor, I am  so blessed to be attending ‘God’s school’ now with a wonderful OCIA community. What I  am learning about Church history, prayer and the Mass, for example, has been nothing  short of miraculous in pulling me back in and filling in gaps. 

I look forward to the continued discovery of what St. Augustine is all about and the  ministries it has to offer. I am grateful for the open arms of the OCIA team—some of  whom, themselves, have just recently come into the Church. Their passion and  exuberance in sharing their own faith have been inspiring to me, and I hope to be able  to minister to others in much the same way.
LILIAN EDURU OKOTIE 
OCIA Candidate 
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Hello everyone, my name is Lilian Eduru Okotie. I am married with two kids (Natalia and  Leonard). I was born in Delta State located in the southern part of Nigeria. I grew up and went to school in the city of Warri. 

On May 30, 2025, I relocated to the United States and currently live in Pleasanton and work at Amazon. 

I was baptized as an infant. and I am now seeking holy Eucharist and adult  confirmation. I am from a Christian home, a staunch Catholic family. 
My faith life before OCIA was lukewarm but, I never forgot to say the rosary. Challenges  in life made me a bit withdrawn until I started attending Catechism classes again. 
 
I joined the OCIA program to gain more knowledge about Christ and the church. Growing up I learned so many things from the catechism book but joining OCIA made  me understand more deeply about Christ and the church. And yes, the OCIA process  has helped me in my faith journey and is still helping me. 
 
What surprised me most in this OCIA journey was the day we did the Rite of Entrance. I  was amazed how the community received us. While we were going out for dismissal a  lady hugged me and prayed for me. I felt that hug and prayers, and that was when I  knew God is in this journey with me. 
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I had a memorable experience helping to fill the Thanksgiving food baskets because it  was something I did often back in Nigeria. Also, helping at the Healing Mass was  splendid. ​​
MERYL ISOLA  
OCIA Candidate 

I am originally from the Chicagoland area (Winnetka, Illinois). After spending a decade  in Colorado, my husband, Matt, and I moved to Truckee, California, and later to the East  Bay in 2024 to be closer to family. Our new baby girl Zoe was born on Easter Monday in 2025. Matt and I are both in OCIA and converting to Catholicism together.  

Although baptized in the Episcopal Church, I was raised atheist. I have always felt an  unidentified connection to a higher power. While in college in the deeply spiritual city of  Boulder, Colorado, I immersed myself in Chinese medicine and yoga. Later in my 20s, I  dove into energy healing and meditation. Then, in 2023, after facing several years of  profound darkness and evil, I began a series of psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions  in Denver, seeking renewal. During one of these expansive hallucinogenic experiences, I saw God. “The Source,” as I initially called it, revealed itself to me in the form of outer  space: a vast blackness filled with stars. I knew in that moment that it was God and that my only option was to surrender to it. After that encounter, I began my hunt for the truth:  Who was this God? Which organized religion, if any, did it belong to?  

I explored a wide range of theologies—the Toltec religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, and  Islam. I resisted Christianity. I had always been anti-Christian, a view that developed  from negative media stories of Christian cults and pedophilic priests, as well as horror  movies like The Nun and The Omen. It wasn’t until Matt began investigating Catholicism and Protestantism that Christianity came onto my radar. I knew nothing about it. My first  time inside a Catholic church—aside from funerals or sightseeing internationally—was  in late 2024, for a weekday Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel. During the service, I burst into tears. Later, when I read segments of the Bible, I felt its profound truth. I was  in awe that the Catholic Church has remained relatively unchanged at its core for  2,000+ years, and that 365 days per year, every single parish is in sync … worldwide. I watched YouTube videos of rocket scientists and molecular biologists explaining that science itself is evidence of God, and that, unable to deny this truth, they became Catholic. One night before going to sleep, I asked Jesus to show me if He was real. All I  can say is that, in the most vivid dream of my life, He proved His existence to me and  revealed that Catholicism is true. To top it off, in 2025 I was given the clearest proof of  God—the exceptional gift of creating, growing, and birthing a child. 

I was blind to many signs pointing to this faith throughout my life. I was baptized in a  similar sect as a baby. I grew up near a massive Catholic church and had Catholic  friends. After college, I worked in Kochi, India, a largely Catholic area in a majority Hindu country, and I lived a block away from one of the oldest and most prominent  Catholic churches in the state of Kerala. My husband’s family lineage is largely Italian,  with Roman Catholic ties. It wasn’t until 2025 that God’s plan so clearly connected the  dots for me, and I finally decided to listen. Choosing Catholicism means letting go of  fear and standing confidently in truth. I am converting to a religion that supports the  exact purpose I’ve always felt I have on this planet: to love. In an individualistic society  that prizes self-achievement and financial gain above all, CCOP has been so refreshing.  This community’s focus on love, charity, humility, and gratitude is immensely grounding and hopeful. I am joyful to have chosen Catholicism and this big family at CCOP. Thank  you all for welcoming Matt, Zoe, and me with open arms. This is just the beginning! 
RONALD LEE PAGE 
OCIA Candidate 

My name is Ronald (Ron) Lee Page. Hello to everyone at CCOP. I am seeking the  sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. 

I would like to tell you a little about myself. I was born in southern California. My  parents were James and Nina Page. I was raised in Oregon and California. Most of my  education was in California. I now live in Pleasanton. I do not work anymore having  been disabled by two strokes and a triple-bypass. 

I was baptized and grew up in the Baptist faith. Before I met my Catholic wife, I was  living a very empty life. She helped me open many doors to the spiritual life and those  prompted me to realize that the Catholic faith is what I want and need in my life. 

The OCIA program has given me a new purpose in life. Since I have been attending the  Monday night classes, I have a better outlook on life, especially my spirituality. 

After receiving my sacraments, I would like to be involved in Parish food distribution  efforts. Since I have over 50 years of experience in the food distribution industry, I can  help with solicitations from different organizations. 

I would like to thank the Lord and all the members of OCIA for helping me in my faith journey.
ZIHAN YAO 
OCIA Candidate 

Hi everyone! My name is Zihan. Thank you for welcoming me into your parish. I grew up  in an atheist family—and in many ways, an atheistic country. When I was 11, I met a  group of English teachers who were actually undercover missionaries. They spent a  week with me and left me with a Bible. I continued to grow up without knowing anyone  of faith until I was 18, when I moved away from China. There, through an Evangelical  church, I became a Christian and was baptized by immersion in the name of the Father,  the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

The faith they passed on to me was simple: to walk with the everlasting Three-in-One  God through Scripture and prayer, share the gospel, and remain in fellowship with the  church. When I encountered the Apostles creed, I loved how concisely yet in detail it  summarized my faith, I even taped a copy inside my Bible. 

Last year, when my husband became drawn to Catholicism, he explained how  misunderstood it often is. But what stayed with me most was his point that Christianity  has become too divided. It made me think, maybe I do want to visit the original Church. 

Now, after almost ten months with CCOP, I’ve experienced something I never realized I  was missing: a deeper sense of communion. Through the Mass, the sacraments,  tradition, the liturgical calendar, and the formal prayers shared across time and space, I  see a nation set apart, with a distinct culture and heritage. 

With my Evangelical brothers and sisters, faith felt distilled—like a flower’s essential oil,  easy to travel with and always ready to share. With my Catholic brothers and sisters,  faith feels like coming home to a garden full of flowers. 
The most special OCIA night for me was the session on Vatican II, especially hearing  from those who experienced the Church both before and after. It was such a relief to  learn that the Catholic Church recognizes other Christians as brothers and sisters, that  my baptism was valid, and that many of the things I once heard are no longer true, as I  have never intended to reject my Evangelical brothers and sisters, who brought me the  gospel and nurtured my early faith. I’m also looking forward to sharing Vatican II with  them. May His people worship Him in spirit and in truth, and may His Church be one, as  He desires.
OCIA ELECT
ALEXA EICHENLAUB 
OCIA Elect 

I am a catechumen in the OCIA program, preparing to receive the Sacraments of  Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. My path to Catholicism has been a journey of  growth, challenge, and grace. I was raised Buddhist and later became Protestant during  my high school years. Although I developed a relationship with Christ, Catholicism  remained unfamiliar and, at times, intimidating due to misconceptions I had learned  growing up. 
 
My perspective changed entirely the first time I attended Mass. I still remember the  homily given by Father Mark, the sacred music, and the reverence surrounding the  Eucharist. Everything about the liturgy felt captivating and deeply meaningful. One of  the most powerful experiences for me was seeing Jesus on the cross. Initially, it felt  overwhelming and difficult to face, but as I continued attending Mass, I found myself  drawn to pray while looking upon Christ crucified. What once felt frightening gradually  became comforting, helping me feel connected to His suffering, love, and presence. 
I entered OCIA in February 2025, as I prepared to be married in the Catholic Church.  My fiancé, who is Catholic, and I chose together to begin our marriage rooted in the  same faith. Through OCIA, I have discovered not only the richness of Catholic teaching  but also the warmth and support of the Church community. 
 
I am deeply grateful for the OCIA community, my sponsor, and my fiancé for their  patience, encouragement, and willingness to walk with me as I ask questions and grow  in faith at my own pace. While my journey has included moments of fear and uncertainty  about doing the “right” or “wrong” thing, I have come to trust more fully in God’s mercy  and love, knowing that I am worthy of His grace and that He is ever-present and all knowing. 
 
As I continue my OCIA journey, my hope is to grow closer to God in both moments of  need and gratitude, to find peace through surrender, and to trust more deeply in His  loving guidance.
ANGELA PADILLA-SANCHEZ 
OCIA Elect 

Hello to the Catholic Community of Pleasanton! My name is Angela Padilla-Sanchez,  and I have been attending this parish since 2019. My husband and I started attending at  the Christmas Day Mass in 2019 and we have felt a sense of belonging to this  community ever since. I was born in San Mateo, CA, grew up in Pacifica, and then  moved to Livermore with my family at six years of age. I attended elementary and  middle school in Livermore and then attended Valley Christian High School in Dublin. I  then went to Las Positas College for my Associates in Arts degree and then received  my Bachelors of Science Degree in Marine Science from CSU Monterey Bay. My  husband, six-month-old son, and I live in Pleasanton now. I enjoy spending time with my  family and friends, and seeing my son experience new things as he grows older.  
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I am seeking the sacraments Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Growing up, I was  raised in the Pentecostal faith. My family and I would attend church regularly, and I was  involved in the youth programs. Attending a Christian high school also deepened my  faith in God and helped me to have my own relationship with the Lord. I started to stray  away from this relationship in my early twenties. After I met my husband at 26 years old,  he encouraged me to go to church with him. He was raised in the Catholic faith, and this  felt very different from how I was raised. After finding Saint Augustine’s, I felt like this  was where God was calling me to be. I had an emergency cesarean section with my  son, and all I can remember was praying the Our Father with my husband during the  operation. This is the moment I decided to join the OCIA group and find out more about  this faith.  

The OCIA group has helped me in my faith journey by giving me a better understanding  of why we do what we do during mass and how it ties back to the Bible. It has given me  a community where other people are pursuing the same walk with Jesus and we have  similar questions along the way. I have not been able to volunteer with this group yet,  but I have volunteered with the Hospital Ministry with my husband before. It is an  incredible experience to be able to bring the Communion Host to people who are in  need. The patients are so appreciative of the time we spend with them, and it warms  our hearts knowing that we are helping bring their spirits up.  
Currently, I am involved in the Funeral Ministry at Saint Augustine’s. I would like to  continue in this ministry, as the families feel so loved with how we help decorate and  host at this hard time in their lives. I feel I can help brighten up their day with the care  that we show them. I want to be the light in this world that God has called me to be and  encourage others to do the same. 
BERLIN DE GROEN 
OCIA Elect 

Hi! I’m Berlin DeGroen. Yes, that’s my real name. My dad is from the Netherlands, and  my mom is from the Açores, specifically Saó Miguel. I have a little sister and best friend  named Kiara. 
 
I grew up in a wonderful nondenominational church, attending summer camps and  Youth Groups until I graduated high school. 
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There have been blips of Catholicism in my life. This was mainly through my mom’s side  of the family, whose Catholic heritage traces back many generations. I was always  drawn to it, as it felt mysterious and fascinated me. One tradition that we stuck with was  midnight mass. I remember not knowing when to stand, sit, or how to pronounce  Pontious Pilate, but that it was ultimately critical to be on one’s best behavior. 
 
However, school became my top priority with constantly shifting goals. In community  college, I had to transfer to a good university. Once I was at the university, I had to get  experience and graduate. When I graduated, I had to get a good job. Once I got a good  job— I was laid off. 
 
Nothing. There was no goal for me to get to, and it made me aware of this pit of  emptiness that had formed in me that nothing seemed to fill, which I’ve heard described  as spiritual bankruptcy. 
 
Of course, I filled the silence with job and graduate school applications. But there was a  little blip that came through all of that. I watched a YouTube video that discussed the  morals of Lord of the Rings. What perked up my ear was how the morals felt solid and made sense. It felt like a stability that I had been missing in my life. My ear went up  further hearing that these morals came from Catholicism. 
 
That was the first of many moments that guided me to OCIA. Learning about the faith  filled that pit that was in me, and it has provided far more stability than me attempting to  form things on my own. That stability has persisted when hard times hit, and I see that  same stability in other members of OCIA going through turbulent times. The support we  have with each other and in the faith is incredible and I couldn’t be happier to be on my  journey here with such wonderful people. 
 
I feel like I’m following the steps of my family. But deeper than that, as OCIA members  have described, I feel like I’m a drop in a holy ocean, but I’m not overwhelmed by my  insignificance. Rather, I feel like I’m joining a holy, infinite, and nourishing whole that  makes me, in turn, feel more fulfilled. Maybe that is the overflowing love that’s described  of Christ.
CAITLIN SCHOTT 
OCIA Elect 
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt drawn to — but simultaneously distant from -- faith. While I did not attend church during my childhood, there were small connection points to Christianity: I went to a Presbyterian preschool, grew up understanding the very basics of Heaven, attended weddings held in churches, and tagged along to Sunday services with a friend for a brief time in middle school. In my teenage and young  adult years, though, I pulled away from my interest in the big questions I had about  God and religion. But I also knew at my core that this understanding and connection  was missing from my life. 
 
When I was 22, my mom passed away from brain cancer. This profound loss left me grappling with those big questions once again but my curiosity was overshadowed by grief, confusion, and anger. 

Several years later, Chris and I started dating. As we were getting to know each other, he shared that he’d had a Catholic upbringing and remained a practicing Catholic in his adulthood. I was not sure I was ready to explore Catholicism at the time, but I was very open to the possibility. Once COVID started to settle down and in-person gatherings picked back up, Chris invited me to attend Sunday mass with him. I felt a great sense of peace sitting in the pews and my curiosity grew, so I starting asking my questions. 
 
Chris and I were married in the local Catholic Church where he introduced me to his faith. We then found our way to CCOP and established our roots here. Being part of OCIA as a catechumen seeking Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation has been a meaningful journey. Beyond our Dismissal at Sunday masses and Monday Nights Meetings, I’ve greatly enjoyed serving others with my OCIA cohort at St. Mary’s dining room, packing food bags for Kids Against Hunger, and assembling Thanksgiving baskets for local families. 
 
Thank you, CCOP and OCIA communities, for welcoming me into this parish with such warmth. I’d especially like to express my gratitude for the support and love I’ve received  from my husband/co-sponsor Chris, my family, my mentor/co-sponsor Annette, and  OCIA director Matt.
CURTIS HARDER 
OCIA Elect 
Peace be with you. My name is Curtis and I am seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
  
I grew up with a firm knowing of God and His goodness. I was married in the Catholic Church and we have raised our children in the church. I have been attending Mass with my wife for the past 25 years. As time went on, I realized that life is a gift and hardships come, but God is the source of strength to lean on in tough moments. We began to attend Mass more regularly in gratitude for our blessings and in acceptance of the invitation that I felt was being given to me, especially from Mary. 
  
OCIA has taught me things that I didn’t know about the faith, such as the symbols and meanings behind what we do in the different parts of the Mass. I especially appreciated participating at the Healing Mass in November. 
  
After I receive all three Sacraments, I plan to continue to attend Sunday Mass with my family. I know that there are many ways to help in the Church, and I look forward to finding where I fit in with the different ministries here. 
MATT ISOLA  
OCIA Elect  

Someone once told me the five most significant challenges in your life are moving,  getting married, having a child, changing religions, and going to war. Thankfully, I  haven’t gone to war, but in the last two years, I have checked every other box on that  list. I grew up in Fremont, but have spent most of the previous 10 years in Denver,  Colorado, where I met my wife, Meryl. After getting married in October 2023, we moved  to Pleasanton. Our daughter, Zoe, was born in April of 2025 — you may have seen her  in my arms while our group walks out of the 10 am Mass.  

I grew up in a secular household and had a great childhood, but I always felt like  something was missing. In hindsight, I realize I longed for a connection with God. I  loved going to funerals in churches. I played CYO basketball and remember feeling a  moment of peace each time we recited the "Our Father" prayer before a game. I went to  the Vatican on a family trip in 9th grade. To this day it remains the most supernatural  place I have ever been.  

God found me at one of the lowest points in my life. The pandemic took a toll on me  physically and mentally, and my business suffered. During that time, I listened to Jordan  Peterson’s lecture series on the book of Genesis. That was the first time I had ever  heard the Bible. It wasn’t until 2022, two years later, that I read the Bible for the first time  after downloading it to my phone. The very next day I found myself sitting next to a  strange woman on a plane from LAX to Denver who looked exactly like The Oracle from  The Matrix. She had no luggage or carry-on; the only item with her was a worn Bible  stored in her seat back pocket. Somehow, she had ended up on the wrong flight with a  completely different airline. “Now I know why I was put on this plane,” the woman told  me. “God put me here to show you that He is real.” We spent the entire flight discussing  God, the Bible, and how improbable it was that we found ourselves sitting next to each  other that day. 

After experiencing many more consecutive “coincidences”, I decided I should go to  church, but I had no idea where to go. After three years of attending different churches  and researching the differences between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy, I  decided that the Catholic Church was the only one that made sense. I emailed Matt  Gray about OCIA, and he responded within two minutes. Now, here I am.

When Meryl and I lived in Colorado, we founded a non-profit organization called  Generation Exchange. The mission of Generation Exchange is to leverage the tech savviness of young people to help older adults who struggle with technology. After  OCIA, I plan to bring this work into CCOP as a ministry. 
NANCY SOK-ROSARIO 
OCIA Elect 
 
Hello CCOP, 

My name is Nancy. I am a first-generation Cambodian American, born and raised in  Stockton. I currently live in Hayward and work as a real estate loan processor. I am  seeking to receive all three Sacraments of Initiation in response to a calling that has  
become clear through discernment and lived experience. This call has led me to seek  full entry into the Catholic Church alongside my partner and extended family. 

I did not grow up within a formal religious tradition. My parents practiced cultural  customs with spiritual meaning, but faith was present more as background than  formation. For many years, I remained aware of religion without being shaped by it.  What changed this practice was witnessing faith realized rather than instruction. I have  crossed paths with many Catholics, but I have seen my partner and extended family live  their faith in consistent and demanding ways. Through them, I have learned that faith is  practiced daily through patience, humility, forgiveness, and responsibility toward others.  In their lives, I have seen the truth of the call that “love is patient, love is kind” (1  Corinthians 13:4–8) and all that comes in the chapter. 

The clearest expression of this witness has been watching my mother-in-law live her  vocation of marriage through sickness and health, tending to my father-in-law every  “free” moment she has without recognition or complaint. I have also seen my partner  
choose integrity and patience when doing what is right requires sacrifice. Through these  examples, I have come to understand this call to faith as a daily commitment. 
OCIA has deepened my understanding and relationship with God. I have come to know  the Lord to be merciful, one who calls us to forgiveness while also requiring  accountability and atonement. That balance draws me toward a faith grounded in  responsibility, reconciliation, and grace. Our discussions on the Good Samaritan is a  lesson I think about often as the type of actualized Catholic God calls us to be. In our  discussion, we told stories about the ease of remaining a bystander; the OCIA lesson  made clear that Catholics are called to provide responses with courage and action. I no  longer wish to remain on the margins and instead choose to carry out God’s  commitment to serve and respond. 

OCIA represents my response to that call. It is not simply preparation for sacraments,  but a commitment to formation and to living under God’s guidance with intention and  purpose.
STEPHEN YAO 
OCIA Elect 
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Hello everyone. My name is Stephen Yao, and I have been in the Bay Area for the past  decade. I was born in Taiwan and introduced to Christianity in a complicated way. My  mother was a believer, but my father strongly opposed it. Faith felt like tension rather  than something personal. After elementary school, my mother moved us to Texas  hoping we would grow closer to Christ. Adjusting to a new country, language, and life  was overwhelming. This caused confusion for me, especially about who Christ was and  what it meant to belong to a church. 

That confusion continued as I grew older and was made more difficult by the church we  attended. The messages never fully connected with me, and I didn’t feel spiritually  aligned with the community. Everything changed around the pandemic, when I began  studying Scripture seriously. As my relationship with Christ grew, I also noticed things I  couldn’t quite put into words. My church only allowed its version of the Bible; with  commentary written by the leader. Members were taught to treat him as a modern-day  apostle specially chosen by God. At the time, I accepted this as normal. It wasn’t until I  began reading Scripture more broadly, engaging with different translations, and learning  from theologians outside that environment that my unease started to make sense. I knew something wasn’t right.

As things became clearer to me, I was shocked to realize I had been in a cult — it felt  like stepping out of a spiritual fog. I had to unlearn so much and rebuild my  understanding of church, faith, and community from the ground up. In the middle of all  that confusion, one of the greatest blessings of my life came when I met my wife.  Spiritually, everything felt chaotic, but she became the steady presence I needed, as I  was sorting things out. Amid a spiritual crisis, she was peace and clarity. 

As I continued to heal spiritually, we started searching for a church where we could  begin building our faith together. We attended a local Protestant church for a while, but  something always felt slightly off. I was also shocked by the number of denominations.  Every church was different, and I couldn’t pinpoint where I fit. I knew I didn’t belong to  the group I left, but I didn’t know what denomination aligned with what I believed.  

Catholicism wasn’t even a consideration at first. My understanding of it was poor,  shaped by misconceptions. But as I researched Christianity and its history, the truth  became harder to ignore: the early Church was undeniably Catholic. And for the first  time, the pieces began to come together. In the Catholic Church, I found unity,  continuity, and universality — the faith handed down from the beginning. The burden of  trying to choose the “right” church finally lifted and I found a place to belong.  
Two moments in OCIA made everything feel real to me. The Rite of Entrance felt like  finally standing before the community — not still searching, but being received into the  very Church Christ gave to us all. It was the first time my journey felt visible, grounded,  and truly communal. Our Monday night on the Saints deepened that sense of belonging  in a different way. Hearing their stories and learning about the tradition, I realized I was joining more than a parish, but becoming part of a much larger family — rooted in a rich  and living history that had been here long before me. Together, those moments made  something clear: this was home.
WESLEY OSORIO 
OCIA Elect 
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Hello CCOP members. My name is Wesley Osorio and I am seeking the sacraments of  Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. 

I was born in Oakland, lived in Pleasanton for a bit, then moved to Antioch where I grew  up and went to school I then attended UC Merced where I earned a degree in  Engineering.  

My dad always took my mom and me to Catholic Mass when I was growing up. I did go  to Sunday school as a kid. As I got older, and went to college, and then to work and  living on my own, my faith took a backseat. Recently my dad has been encouraging me  to come back to the Church and receive my sacraments, after being away for 20 to 25  years. I was resistant at first because of time constraints and my general misgivings  about organized religion. 

My dad did not give up and eventually helped me connect with Matt. I met with Matt  and decided to honor my parents’ wishes and entered the OCIA program with an open  mind. The OCIA program has been very helpful in building my faith. It’s been good  coming to church. It definitely helped me through a tough time when I lost my job. It  also helped to come to church and listen to the Gospel readings, homilies, participate in  Sunday dismissals and talking about God moments.  

I’ve learned a lot from the Monday night classes. A very important outcome was  learning how to pray the Rosary. This was a great source of strength and comfort  during my unemployment and my concerns about my future and was I ever going to  have a job again. Now that I found another job, I feel very thankful for having the  Rosary and the support of everyone in the OCIA program. Another helpful thing was learning about the structure of the Mass and the meaning of all the different parts.  

My OCIA journey has helped me to be kinder to myself. I’ve learned there is a  community out there that will accept me as I am, and I think that is the biggest thing.  This is a really welcoming group.  

I am looking forward to receiving my sacraments at the Easter Vigil. My parents will be  there and I know it will mean a lot to them.  
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I plan to continue attending Mass weekly and hope to be involved with the OCIA team  and possibly being a sponsor to someone going through the program.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
ANDREW ALVIAR 
Adult Confirmation 
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My name is Andrew Alviar. I was born in Hayward and grew up in Pleasanton, where I  attended Pleasanton Middle School and Amador Valley High School. I have already  received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, and this year I am receiving the  Sacrament of Confirmation through the OCIA program.
 
I was raised Catholic and received Baptism and Eucharist at a young age. However, my  family stopped attending church when I was in elementary school. Although my mother  is a devout Catholic and always encouraged us to attend Mass, I often resisted because  I believed I already had a strong connection with God. As a competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter, I made it a habit to pray before every match and each night before going to  sleep. At the time, I believed this was enough to maintain a relationship with God.  Looking back, I now realize that I was mistaken. I had never opened a Bible and rarely  attended Mass. 

Last year, both my father and brother participated in the OCIA program to receive their  Sacraments. Through their experiences, I witnessed the powerful impact that OCIA, the  Catholic Church, and the Catholic Community of Pleasanton had on their lives. Their  faith transformed them in meaningful ways. Although I initially resisted attending the  program because I felt I didn’t need it, deep down I knew something was missing. One  day, I decided to attend an OCIA meeting with them, and I immediately knew that this  was what I had been searching for. I attended Mass that Sunday, and from that moment  on, everything began to change. 

Today, my entire family and I are much more involved in the Catholic community. I have  joined the Knights of Columbus and regularly participate in volunteer work, including  serving at the Saint Mary’s Kitchen, delivering Thanksgiving food baskets, and helping  with other community outreach opportunities. I also attend Men of Faith meetings and  weekday Masses, in addition to Sunday Mass. 

One of the most important factors in my return to the Catholic faith was gaining a  deeper understanding of it. Learning about the Mass—why we follow certain rituals, sing  specific songs, and sit or stand at different moments—helped me appreciate the faith on  a much deeper level. The most significant turning point for me was learning about the  Eucharist. For many years, I believed it was simply a symbol and did not fully  understand its importance. At times, I even refrained from receiving Communion  because I was unsure of what to do or say. Through OCIA, I learned about  Transubstantiation and how the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of  Christ. This understanding profoundly changed my faith. The Catholic Sacraments  mean everything to me. I hope that whoever reads this can see that the Sacraments are  truly a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ. 
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Matt Gray and the OCIA program have given me a renewed faith in God and meaningful  relationships that I would not have found otherwise. I now have a new perspective on  life and a strong spiritual foundation for the future.
ASHLEY HUMPHREY 
Adult Confirmation 
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Hello! My name is Ashley Humphrey, and I am excited to join the Catholic Community of  Pleasanton. I was born in Daly City and was baptized at All Souls Church in South San  Francisco. I then grew up in Concord in the Saint Francis of Assisi parish, where I  received my First Holy Communion. Unfortunately, at the age of confirmation, my  priorities shifted away from my faith and I was not confirmed. 

I stayed busy with sports, friends, and school, and after graduating high school, I went  off to college. As life went on, I struggled to make my faith a priority. I would periodically  attend Mass with my mom but did not feel ready to make it a regular part of my life. In  2021 I moved to Dublin with my now husband and have settled into the Tri-Valley  community.  

More recently, I had the honor of being asked to be my best friend’s daughter’s  godmother. However, she planned to baptize her within the Catholic Church, and I  would need to be confirmed. After about a year of contemplation, a friend helped me  reach out to OCIA so I could begin attending classes to prepare for confirmation. 

At the beginning of this journey, my main motivation was becoming confirmed in order to  be a godmother. Surprisingly, that priority has shifted. I now truly enjoy attending Mass  and have come to appreciate how deeply I can connect with the priests and the Sunday  homilies. Through OCIA, I have learned so much, and for the first time in my life, I feel a  closeness to God. I find myself praying more, attending Mass regularly, and making my  faith a true priority. 

I can’t thank Matt and the other OCIA team members enough for their warmth,  generosity, and kindness. I am excited to continue growing in my faith and look forward  to the day I am confirmed and beyond!
BRIANA OROZCO 
Adult Confirmation 
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Hi parish community! My name is Briana Gecel Orozco, and I’m from Antioch,  California. I was raised in a Mexican household and take great pride in the beautiful  culture that surrounds me. I would describe myself as a jack of all trades — I enjoy  working out, cooking, performing in musicals, playing pickleball, and exploring new  coffee shops in my downtime.  

I graduated from UC Santa Barbara and have been working as an educator ever since.  Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to become a godmother; something I never  imagined would happen in my lifetime. It was an incredible honor to be entrusted with  such a meaningful role by someone I love deeply, and to be invited into the life of  someone who means the world to them. This moment sparked my journey toward  Confirmation and inspired me to take a path toward growing closer in my faith.  

Although I grew up Catholic, I became less involved with the Church as I got older.  While I often prayed to feel closer to God, I struggled to find a place that allowed me to  remain consistent. When I first began this journey, it felt like I was simply checking off a  box, but the more classes I attended, the more I began to learn about myself and my  faith.  

Finding OCIA has helped me deepen my relationship with God, grow mentally and  emotionally, and connect with people who encourage and support me throughout this  process. One of my most memorable moments in the OCIA program was learning about  the Sacred Heart. I felt an immediate connection, as it represents divine and sacrificial  love for humanity. I strive to treat everyone with care and respect, even when it isn’t  reciprocated. Every day, I remind myself: “Don’t do to others what you don’t want done  to you.” Living by this principle has helped me become more selfless, with the intention  of being an encourager, listener, and helper as others grow alongside me.  
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Although I joined the program later than many others, I’ve experienced an immense  amount of growth in a short period of time. The values and morals rooted in my Catholic  upbringing have guided me toward living a meaningful, worthy, and fruitful life; and I’m  grateful for how this journey continues to shape me.
ELIZABETH C. FREITAS 
Adult Confirmation 
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Hello: my name is Elizabeth Freitas, and I am completing OCIA for the sacrament of  Confirmation.  

I was born and raised Catholic in the Italian side of my family, instilled with a profound  respect for the Church and I was encouraged in religious development including  Baptism and First Eucharist in the Holy Family Parish community in San Jose, CA. My  Mother guided me to choose Confirmation on my own terms…and I just never got  around to it.  

Yet over the years, I have continued to be in the Church. I’ve attended Mass wherever I  happened to have lived or visited. Louisiana, New York, Texas, Indiana, California, and  Italy. It gave me continuity in all the places, that God’s home is welcoming everywhere.  
And receiving the Eucharist with Mass while serving in the US Army gave me  confidence for honorable service. Catholic faith correlates well with the Army Values of  loyalty, duty, integrity, and selfless service. As I grow, so do traces of God present  themselves in small ways, indicating it is time for me to become more invested in faith.  

I work as a Health Coach in the Veterans Health Administration; I’m not a Counselor. I  collaborate with my fellow Veterans, supporting them in self-determining their health  goals. The conversations I facilitate may be therapeutic, as I allow open dialogue and  exchange so Veterans may make thoughtful and informed health choices. The physical,  mental, and spiritual aspects of health may include topics such as home surroundings,  careers, finances, as well as diet and exercise.  

In the last two years, I’ve had more of my Veterans focusing on their spiritual and  religious perspectives. While my role does not (and should not) allow for evangelization,  I am to affirm their personal strengths and purpose grounded by their faith. For individual health and wellness flourishes when one’s purpose is identified, explored, and  developed toward lifelong foundations and community wellness.  
It is this spiritual facet of health and wellness that is inspiring me today: in order for me  as a health professional to understand and align wellness for Veterans, then I too  should be fully vested in my own personal faith in Christ. 

So, now I feel is appropriate to become fully Catholic. I am growing into a more defined  purpose, where my work in health and wellness is guided by Christ and inspired by  Catholic humanistic teachings. And I am open to accepting Christ as what I humbly  need for myself in this next phase of life. It is time.