Denver Catholic

45 visiting homes and sharing the loving word of God. Accidentally, or provi- dentially, they found themselves at Rich's front door, a block off their pre-determined route. "I just knocked on the door, and when Rich answered, I told him, 'Jesus Christ loves you right where you are today," Chuck said. In the tear-filled conversation that followed, Rich was convinced of God's love for him and his fidelity in answering the prayers of his people. "God actually does hear us," he said. "He heard me; he can hear you too." From there, Rich participated in his first Alpha at St. Catherine of Siena. In this community, he found answers to questions he had been struggling with, a community to walk with him, and the support he needed in his faith. Rich was welcomed into the Church on Pentecost alongside his sponsor, Chuck, and his marriage to his wife, Anissa, will be convalidated in the near future. The experience was profoundly transformative not only for him but for his family as well. "The moment I met God, I wanted to bring my family, and it's affected us," Rich shared. "It's affected us. I brought my daughters, my family, my best friend." Along with his entire family, including his wife and daughters, Rich brought along his friend and coworker, who then brought his girl- friend to Alpha. Each had their own powerful moment of connection with the Lord through the community they encountered, and the transfor- mations compounded. "God became more of a part of my life," said Alyssa, Rich's oldest daugh- ter. "I'm reading the Bible and praying more. Maybe not as much as I should, but I am praying!" "Alpha has opened my eyes to God. He's here for me," she continued. "I've felt more at peace. I found a new family for me," said Evangeline, one of Alyssa's friends who came with her to Alpha at St. Catherine of Siena. "It made me more accepting of God's love." Alyssa and Evangeline even brought Alpha to their Denver public school as a student-led club, a coura- geous move that led countless other students to encounter the love of God. Despite the challenges thrown at them, the girls adapted and perse- vered, seeing about 15 public school students attend club sessions. Stu- dents even raced them to the class- room on the day of the last session. "It was clear that people became more open to God," said Alyssa. "One girl said she knew other Catholics and thought they were strict and all about rules, but through Alpha, she saw that we can be more loving." Next year, the girls plan to start a student-led bible study club and wel- come back many Alpha participants with whom they forged real, lasting friendships. Today, nearly t wo years after that providential ringing of the doorbell, Rich and his family's lives have changed profoundly. Though he never would have thought that God would go after him, the one lost sheep, so intentionally, Rich has found a home for his family and him- self in the Catholic Church. "When I think of the lives changed, it's the love," organizer Shannon Syzek concluded. "We have people being of service to one another, being the hands and feet of Christ, that weren't even a part of the Church before!" DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE-JULY 2024 God actually does hear us. He heard me; he can hear you too." RICH

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