RCIA Elect, Candidates and Adult Confirmandi
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TO ALEX! |
ALEXANDER GILCHRIST
RCIA Candidate Hello CCOP! My name is Alex, and I have lived in Pleasanton for most of my life. I was baptized Catholic but my family was not quite religious when I was growing up. There were a couple small elements here and there, but we were not a practicing family. I knew about some of the components of the faith I was baptized in, but that was it. As I grew older, I began to quietly explore my faith and what it meant to me personally. During my time in college and the early months of the pandemic, I had a strong urge to explore what I believed. I simply began by reading some passages in the Bible and exploring on my own. I became interested in how and why different Christian denominations varied. This led me to explore more and more, and as I read, my belief kept coming home to the Catholic faith. However, it took me a couple of years to finally inquire formally. I kept my faith to myself. I ultimately woke up on a Sunday morning last year and knew in my heart I could not put off this calling to faith any longer. My time in RCIA began when I came to Mass one summer day. I met Father Mark and told him it was my first time attending Mass in Pleasanton and that I was interested in becoming a confirmed Catholic. As luck would have it, Matt was at the same 8am Mass that morning and I was kindly introduced to him. The next week I was attending dismissal with the RCIA group. The journey so far has been amazing. One memorable experience for me was helping organize food baskets for local families at Thanksgiving. Everyone working together to do good for others was great to see and to be a part of. Being able to hear stories of how others came to join RCIA has been special to me. It has made me realize that everyone has their own unique journey in being called to follow, and from that we all join a greater community together. I am excited to join the community this Easter when I will be confirmed and receive Eucharist. This year has taught me a lot, and I hope to be able to use this as I continue with my journey. I have learned from the team in RCIA that faith is a continual process, and I hope to use that wisdom to help others in the future. |
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TO BERNADETTE! |
BERNADETTE A. PRADO RIOS
Adult Confirmation Mi nombre es Bernadette Prado Rios, nacida y criada en Puerto Rico. Vengo de un pueblo pequeño y costero en el área norte, llamado Quebradillas. Soy casada con dos hermosas hijas adolescentes. En Agosto del 2019, nosotros como familia, tomamos la importante decisión de mudarnos a Pleasanton, California. Luego de 6 meses de habernos mudado, empezó la pandemia y no logramos integrarnos a la comunidad como lo planeado. Nosotros venimos de familia y comunidad católica. Siempre hemos tenido a Dios en nuestras vidas y en nuestro camino. Cuando nos relocalizamos, dejamos en pausa las actividades religiosas, pero no la fe. Retomé la religión y decidí continuar en el camino de la fe y atraer a mi familia a ella. Estoy sumamente agradecida con el grupo de RCIA que me ha tocado; el tiempo de Dios es perfecto. Son unas personas de fe y amor y cada experiencia y anécdota que me han compartido me ha marcado de manera positiva a ayudado a crecer en la fe. Cuando mis hijas me acompañaron a la actividad de Kids Against Hunger, fue hermoso e importante para nosotros como familia y parte de esta comunidad. Sentimos un agradecimiento pleno con Dios por quienes somos y donde estamos en este momento de nuestras vidas. Estoy muy emocionada y esperando con ansias hacer mi confirmación en estas pascuas y ser formalmente aceptada en la comunidad católica de Pleasanton. Quiero inspirar a mis hijas a que continúen en el camino de la fe católica. Yo continuare ayudando a las personas necesitadas dentro de mi comunidad. Me encantaría participar en actividades de alimentación, apoyo emocional, organizar actividades y de esa manera vivir con fe en la paz de Dios. Gracias al grupo de RCIA y a Dios sobre todas las cosas. |
BERNADETTE A. PRADO RIOS
Adult Confirmation My name is Bernadette Prado Rios, born and raised in Puerto Rico. I come from a small, coastal town in the northern area, called Quebradillas. I am married with two beautiful teenage daughters. In August 2019, we as a family made the important decision to move to Pleasanton, California. After 6 months of having moved, the pandemic began, and we were not able to integrate into the community as planned. We come from a Catholic family and community. We have always had God in our lives and on our path. When we relocated, we put religious activities on hold, but not faith. I took up religion again and decided to continue on the path of faith and attract my family to it. I am extremely grateful to the RCIA group that has touched me; God's time is perfect. They are people of faith and love and each experience and anecdote that they have shared with me has marked me in a positive way and has helped me grow in faith. When my daughters joined me at the Kids Against Hunger activity, it was beautiful and important to us as a family and as part of this community. We feel full gratitude to God for who we are and where we are at this moment in our lives. I am very excited and looking forward to making my confirmation this Easter and being formally accepted into the Catholic Community of Pleasanton. I want to inspire my daughters to continue on the path of the Catholic faith. I will continue to help people in need within my community. I would love to participate in food drives, emotional support, help organize activities and thus live with faith in the peace of God. Thanks to the RCIA group and to God above all things. |
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TO DANIELLE! |
DANIELLE HICKS
Adult Confirmation My name is Danielle Hicks. I grew up in San Lorenzo and moved to Pleasanton 4 years ago with my husband. We have two dogs and one cat at home. I grew up Catholic going to church every Sunday at St. Felicitas in San Leandro with my grandparents. I was baptized and received the Eucharist as a child on Easter Sunday in front of many friends and family. A special memory I will always have. I decided to begin this journey for my confirmation after I attended my cousin’s baptism. I felt like I was missing the church and I needed a sense of belonging. I have talked about getting confirmed for years and I felt a pull that now was the time. My cousin explained to me what RCIA was about so I reached out and was able to join right away. My parents have both passed away and I tend to feel lost in the shuffle of life. Church and RCIA class is bringing me a sense of healing. I know they both would be proud of me for making this decision to complete something I started so long ago. I am looking forward to being confirmed at the Easter Vigil. I have enjoyed my time with my RCIA group. I learn so many things each week. I am taking personal time to read and learn more about my faith. I enjoyed helping the church by making Thanksgiving food baskets for families in need. I will continue my journey after I am confirmed and I hope to be someone’s sponsor in the future. |
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TO DAVID! |
DAVID ONG
RCIA Elect Hi everyone, my name is David Ong. I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the US in 1968. Although I grew up a Protestant, I am married to my Catholic sweetheart of 53 years. My children and grandchildren are all being brought up in the Catholic Church. Although I was mostly a non-practicing Christian, lately as time keeps ticking away, I think about missing out on going to worship with the family. I joined RCIA to receive the Sacraments of Initiation which would lead me to Eucharist. I look forward to joining my family and the CCOP community around the Table of the Lord. |
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TO EDWARD! |
EDWARD KILROY IV
Adult Confirmation I was born and raised in Pleasanton, CA. The term cradle Catholic would apply to me as I was baptized within a month of being born. Growing up, I attended St. Augustine Catholic Church where I received First Eucharist. Later during my teenage years, my father passed away while I was starting the confirmation classes, but I never completed. As a younger Catholic I did not cherish my relationship with God as much as I do now. God has been the center of my spiritual life and helped me through many tough times and I give Him praise for all the blessings I have received. I try to reflect upon the Lord when dealing with life situations and I know that He is always by my side. With age comes wisdom and I now see God’s plan for me. I appreciate all that He has created with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. In my late 20’s, I met a woman named Mary at New Mexico State University where we both attended. We shared the same Catholic faith, and she renewed my desire to be confirmed. Mary is now my wife! As we begin our married life we know God is in the center of our family, as we are thinking about our future and raising our own children. I didn’t know until recently that full initiation is necessary for becoming a godparent. Mary’s sister and husband are expecting the birth of their daughter and Mary and we will serve as Godparents at her Baptism. My experience with RCIA will not be forgotten. A memorable event with my sponsor, Mark Buck, took place when we packed Thanksgiving food baskets for families in need. It was a great community event. I want to thank Mark and everyone who helped make my journey possible! The Catholic Community of Pleasanton will always be dear to my heart, encompassing all the great memories of growing up with CCD, Father Dan, and important experiences that took place here. I am excited and joyful to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. |
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TO ELLA! |
ELLA La ROSA
RCIA Candidate My name is Ella La Rosa, I am a California native born and raised. I was born into a culturally rich Catholic family with roots from the Philippines, Hawaii, Europe and Native America. With a long lineage of Christianity in my background I feel I have always had a deep generational relationship with the Catholic Church. In 1994 my family and I tragically lost my brother. My family struggled to find comfort in their faith after this tragedy which left me feeling spiritually lost by the age of 7. I believe I subconsciously started my own personal faith journey as I wondered what my relationship with God should be like. After becoming a mom 11 years ago, and then soon to be a single mom 3 years later, I knew I could not have persevered through these challenging and harsh times without my faith. I yearned for a deeper more intimate relationship with Jesus. Today I am married to a loving husband and we have a blended family of 5 kids. I can look back and see God at work in my life. My participation in RCIA has reaffirmed my faith. I understand firsthand how much more peaceful life can be when I focus on my relationship with God first. I know I will have many God moments on this path. My most powerful experience was receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was the most humbling form of reflection, mercy, and forgiveness I have ever experienced. I find comfort now knowing that my life’s storms did not break me. Through perseverance, they brought me closer to God’s love. My journey continues and I look forward to receiving Confirmation and Eucharist this Easter Vigil |
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TO GINA! |
GINA SPAULDING
RCIA Candidate Hi, my name is Gina Spaulding and I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I grew up on the peninsula with my mom and older brother. My mother was a single parent ever since I can remember which naturally put my older brother into a father role in my life. I graduated from Burlingame High school in 2004 and followed my brother to San Diego to continue my education. San Diego will always have a special place in my heart as it showed me how to be independent, I met my best friend there and my husband! My husband was raised in Pleasanton and grew up in CCOP so when we decided to start a family of our own we thought Pleasanton would be the perfect place. We’ve lived here for 6 years and have two daughters 5 and 3. When my husband and I are not working, we enjoy swimming with our daughters, running, hiking and playing bocce ball in our backyard. I thought I joined RCIA because I was feeling overwhelmed with being a working mother and I needed strength and community from the church to help ground me. As time has gone on I realized God called me back to the church because I needed strength, healing, and acceptance for something much more. My mother was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer in October 2022 and she needed me to be her caregiver. One of the most beautiful things I’ve found from RCIA and the church is not the message of, “everything is going to be ok”. But the message of “you can do hard things, you will get through this and we are here for you”. I thank God every day for guiding me back to the church to find the strength to care for my mother and still be a good mother and wife. Since starting RCIA I have learned a lot from Matt, my sponsor, and the RCIA team members. I find the Monday night meetings to be extremely educational and not too overwhelming as there is a lot to cover in a short amount of time. I enjoy the team member’s participation in the meetings because they have such an interesting and unique history with the Catholic Church. CCOP has shown me different ways to give back to our community and serve people in need. I was able to bring my oldest daughter to the Thanksgiving event where we filled boxes of food for local families. I felt such fulfillment when we completed a family’s box and my daughter asked if we could do it again!! My goal after receiving Eucharist and Confirmation is to continue this journey and trust that God will guide me to where I need to be as he did with RCIA. There is still so much for me to learn and grasp. This is a lifelong journey and I feel excited for what is ahead. God has a plan for all of us and he has interesting ways in making sure we get to where we need to be. I plan to keep my children in the Church and pray they will find guidance and security with CCOP. |
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TO JAIME! |
JAIME McKEAN
RCIA Elect My name is Jaime McKean and I am new to CCOP as of 2022. I was born and raised in the East Bay. My husband, Scott and I reside in Dublin with our 2 fur children, Mabel and Rosey. We are avid concert goers, we enjoy traveling, and finding the newest and hidden gem of restaurants. We eat our way through life and enjoy every bite! I own my own Caregiving business and have a fun side gig pouring the freshest olive oil in the world. I enjoy taking floral arrangement classes, earning my first floral certification and I am currently working on my second. I have a love for cooking and entertaining and use my education in Enology to host fun dinner parties for friends and family. My parents raised me in a non- denominational Christian faith and allowed me to choose my own journey of baptism and beyond. Scott was raised Catholic but it was something we never really discussed. My entire life I dabbled in the Catholic faith, occasionally attending with family, friends and most recently a client of mine. One day during Sunday Mass, there was a woman who came in during worship with her 2 children. Her son, maybe 5 years old, took a knee before sitting in the pew. Something about that just spoke to me. That night I came home and emailed CCOP, Matt returned my email and 2 weeks later I joined RCIA. Why Catholicism had never occurred to me before is a mystery but I am a believer that timing is everything. I’ve always been a rule follower, a lover of tradition and one who seeks community. I am enjoying my time with RCIA learning all about the Catholic faith. I often receive validations from God and know I am at home here. I enjoy hearing about God moments at Sunday dismissal. I am blessed to have three people supporting me. Terry, my sponsor, is a member of our parish. Ray and Laura, my Godparents, are a wealth of knowledge and an abundance of personal support. It has grown my faith and theirs as we experience this journey together. I am seeking Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and a blessing of our Marriage. I look forward to meeting new friends and making St Augustine (CCOP) a constant in my life. You can find me actively helping in the community, volunteering, and engaging in things I truly believe in. I look forward to being involved with CCOP ministries and wherever God calls me to be of service. |
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TO MIKE! |
MIKE CLINEBELL
RCIA Candidate Peace be with you. My name is Mike Clinebell. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina in a small and kind family. My father was quiet but animated around dogs and kids. My mother as a young girl said she would someday have a son named Michael. My sister has two children who reflect us, and the future. When the disciples were called, they dropped their nets and turned. Me. I wandered into the ocean, looked at the sky. Slowly in life. I arrived here at your church slowly, but completely. I selected St. Francis de Sales (d. 1622) as the saint for my confirmation. He is the patron saint of journalists, but my journalist history before corporate life isn’t the connection. When St. Francis was blocked from public preaching to convert Calvinists he succeeded by slipping pamphlets at night under the doors of the people in town. I love that. If the guy had had Twitter he would have been a monster. Writing three paragraphs felt like a novel, but I know it’s barely an introduction. I’ll try a Thread. 1/5 My name is Mike Clinebell. I’ve been growing up for a long time and thinking about the Appalachian Mountains often. The hills are a place of the Holy Spirit: it likes to perch and watch from the woods; lay itself out in the fallen leaves. 2/5 My father’s illness has taken his speech. He smiles through Zoom when I say I am praying for him — the truth of the man behind the grey beard and the distrust of religion. 3/5 My mother joined our local Lutheran Church on the same day she took myself and my sister to be baptized: a young woman’s act of the will recorded in old church records. 4/5 In sunny Pleasanton and the year of our Lord 2023 the sinner and expert in the wrong road finds a supportive RCIA group and a saint as an exemplar of putting faith in action. 5/5 Michael. God’s child. |
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TO NICOLAS! |
NICOLAS WILSON
Adult Confirmation Hi CCOP, my name is Nic Wilson. I am happy to be on this path to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. I was born in Pleasanton California and my parents and I went St. Augustine Church, although we lived in Danville. My mother is from New York from large Italian family and my father is Irish and German from Illinois. I was baptized at St. Isisdore’s Church in Danville. My grandparents on both sides of the family were very involved in the Catholic Church. One grandfather was a Deacon. When visiting my grandparents I went to church with them. When I was young my parents separated but remained friends. I went to live with my grandparents for a while, and during that time I received my First Eucharist. I remember wearing a suit and feeling special, because now when I went to church I could receive communion with my family. I moved back to California when I was around 9 years old to be with my family. It was nice to be back in California, but my parents were not going to church every week end and I missed going. My cousin had passed away and my mother was very sad and found it difficult to go to church. One of my mother’s friends lived in San Francisco and attended mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. This friends name is Kathy. Kathy was teaching religious instruction to students preparing for their First Eucharist. They were students that attended public school, were baptized Catholic and attended St. Paul’s Church with their families. Kathy asked me if I would like to help her on Saturday mornings with her class. I was honored to be asked to assist with such an important part of a young person’s spiritual journey. These classes also helped in my spiritual journey to feel closer to God. Before mass on Sundays, Kathy and I made lunches for the homeless in San Francisco. We delivered the bagged lunches to St. Paul’s Catholic Church and gave them to the priest and a group of parishioners who handed out the lunches to the homeless. My parents were not as involved in the church after my cousin passed away and I did not receive confirmation. I stayed connected to my faith by volunteering at various soup kitchens and senior living facilities through the years. I attended mass on my own and when visiting my grandparents. I became an EMT and worked at a memory care facility for several years and I am currently in school studying Criminal Science. I knew I wanted to return to the Catholic faith. I wanted to be fully initiated in church and I am happy to be here on this journey with all of you. I will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. |
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TO RODNEY! |
RODNEY GILCHRIST
RCIA Elect I have always been a religious person, however, I didn’t really know what it meant to have faith until after I experienced a stroke last year. Suddenly I was looking for answers to lifelong questions such as what have I done with my life? And what else is there to do? I know Jesus has always been there walking next to me on my journey, even if I didn’t always acknowledge him or ask him for help. I grew up in an unbalanced religious household and now in my later adult life I have decided to strengthen my relationship with Jesus through becoming Catholic. My wife is Catholic and every day I see her center her life with Jesus in the middle and I want that too. I will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. I recognize that receiving Jesus into my body through the Eucharist and receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation will also build on my relationship with God and the CCOP community. I will be able to finally share my love of Jesus and all of the gifts he has given to me. I know that with the help of my family, friends, and church, I can continue to develop a stronger connection to God and my life will have more meaning, life changing events will not make me feel uncertain, and my journey will be more fulfilling. |
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TO SYDNEY! |
SYDNEY COLLIGNON
Adult Confirmation My name is Sydney Collignon and I grew up in Pacifica, CA. Throughout my middle school and high school years I traveled back and forth between Pacifica and the East Bay, officially moving to the East Bay when I was 18 years old. At the age of 16, I decided that I wanted to be baptized in the Catholic Church. My mother grew up in the Catholic Church, but was not actively practicing when my sister and I were born. I had often attended church with my closest friend, and would go during holidays, but realized I wanted to connect with my faith on a more personal level. I decided to talk to my mother about this one day, and she was very happy to hear that I was showing interest in something that she was familiar with. After further discussion and self-reflection, I began the path towards baptism and the steps towards confirmation. My sister and I were placed under a very kind gentleman who met with us once a week to help guide us in the teachings of God. It was a really great experience to go through this with my sister, and we were able to find a common bond as we shared this together. Once baptized, we both joined a group of young teens who were also going through the confirmation process. It was inspiring to see my peers also on this journey. Unfortunately, due to school and travel constraints, I was not confirmed once I was baptized. I always knew I would continue, but I struggled to find the balance I needed to finish. As time passed, I continued to think about going through with confirmation, but was not sure where to begin. Then, a little over a year ago, my mother passed away suddenly and I struggled deeply in trying to stay connected to her and her memory. I noticed when I was attending Mass, I felt closer to her and the connection I was seeking out was present. It was very emotional for me and still is today. This made me think back to my Baptism and also Confirmation. My friend Danielle, who has gone through a similar hardship mentioned she had connected with the RCIA group and that I should also reach out. I am looking forward to completing this journey, and hoping that in doing so, it will continue to help me heal from my mothers passing, and bring me closer spiritually to the Catholic faith and to God. I believe my renewed faith would make my mother proud. |
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TO TROY! |
TROY DAMERON
RCIA Adult Confirmation I was brought up in both the Catholic and Protestant traditions. In my youth I had absolutely no interest with either the Church or God. After many years of making very poor personal choices for my life, I felt isolated, full of self-loathing, and defeated. I was broken. But God, in his infinite loving-kindness and mercy, early one cold January morning, spoke ever so softly to my heart, reaffirming His love for me, and that He could transform my life if I would trust Him. I made God a vow that if He would do this for me, I would serve Him for the rest of my life. I surrendered my heart and life to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After thirty four years, I can testify that God has not only fulfilled His promise to me, He has done so (and continues to do so) to overflowing! I have been blessed by a wonderful wife, two beautiful daughters, and five lovely grandchildren, the treasures of my heart and life. I hold a Masters of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (a Protestant seminary), and have served in various ministry capacities. Through the years I have always loved attending Mass (especially reciting the Liturgy and Nicene Creed). I found that the Protestant tradition simply did not fill my spiritual longing to give proper reverence to Christ my Redeemer and King. Finally, last year I made the decision to fully live out the life of the Church as expressed in the Liturgical year. Father Luke and Deacon Joe were very helpful in assisting me, and welcomed me with unexpected mercy and acceptance. As I transitioned back to the Catholic faith, it came to my attention that while I had completed Baptism and Eucharist, I had not completed my Confirmation training. I contacted Matt, and after meeting, joined the RCIA group. I have enjoyed the camaraderie and various activities Matt has guided us on. I will miss this group once we all “graduate.” I have been befriended by so many here at CCOP - The Catholic Community of Pleasanton, (Father Mark, Fili, Luke, Deacon Joe, and Ira, have a very special place in my heart). But two stand out: Paul & JC. They invited me to join the choir, which I also now play guitar for Mass on Sundays. I have been honored to be a Lector and serve as a Eucharistic minister at the daily Mass. Following completion of my Confirmation training, I will also be joining the Knights of Columbus. If God wills, I would also like to serve in some teaching/ministry capacity for the Church. Finally, this period of spiritual pilgrimage has been tremendously cathartic for me. There are times when God’s presence is so alive and real as I am kneeling before Him, that tears of joy and gratitude cannot help but come forth. I know I have a best friend with Jesus, and to experience this friendship with my fellow CCOP brothers and sisters in Christ is something I will cherish the rest of my life. |