Since last September, two of Gonzaga Prep’s own have been making the journey to become Catholic as candidates in St. Aloysius’s RCIA program. Groundskeeper Juane Roberson (sponsor Fr. JK Adams S.J.) and Alumni Service Corps Volunteer Zoe Jaspers (sponsor Henry Widdicombe) will be welcomed into the church on Easter Vigil, April 3. Please pray with us as they complete this part of their journey.
We asked both candidates and their sponsors to share brief reflections:
Zoe Jaspers, candidate
I still really love and appreciate my Lutheran roots, but in the past year and a half I kept being drawn back to Ignatian tradition and Catholic community. I look forward to challenging people's understanding of what Catholic "looks like." I hope to expand that image and extend my love to others who can often feel overlooked by the Church and her people—because we're all called to be wonderfully different parts of the Body of Christ!
Henry Widdicombe (ASC volunteer and Zoe's sponsor)
I have always known Zoe to be a person of faith, and so it has been a privilege to journey with them in the process of RCIA. Growing closer to God in His Church is always a fruit of the Spirit and so I look forward to seeing Zoe confirmed this Easter Vigil.
Juane Roberson, candidate
I was raised Baptist. The RCIA program provides an amount of teaching that I haven't experienced in any other church. I’m learning the “whys” behind the church’s teaching, but with the comfort and peace that it’s OK to ask questions, even the ones you have in the back of your mind. Roberson is glad for the friendships he’s forged along the way and the welcoming community of St. Al’s.
Fr. JK Adams, S.J., (Prep chaplain and Juane's sponsor)
Juane approached me at the beginning of the school year asking me about what the process would be to become Catholic. He had been pondering the possibilities ever since he came to Prep. We got him plugged into the excellent RCIA program at our local parish, Saint Aloysius. I was honored when he asked me to be his sponsor. As his sponsor, he invited me to come to the classes with him and the other candidates and catechumens. I have loved it! Juane is a constant presence of goodness and faith here at school and at St. Al's. I know that Juane will benefit greatly by being an official member of our Catholic family, and I know that the Catholic Church will be an even better place because of Juane's presence in it!