Being Washed, Reborn, and Redeemed

By Kanobia Russell-Blackmon  |  The Catholic Compass  |  July/August 2023

The Vigil of Easter is the greatest and most holy of all solemnities in the Church. The turning point of the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, the Vigil marks our first celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Kelly Halverson, this was not only a high point for her, but also the summit in her faith journey thus far. On April 8, during the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Kelly became fully initiated into the Church. She described the moment as special, especially as she received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist while her family and the whole family of faith bore witness to the celebration by renewing their baptismal promises.

Kelly began her faith journey as a child. Even though her family did not identify with a particular religion or attend church regularly, Kelly still believed in God. However, she struggled having a relationship with God. “I had a wonderful home. My mother raised me. She was very warm, loving, and all the good things, but it was just not religious based,” explained Halverson. “I believed in God, but I never could quite grasp having a daily relationship with God.”

Like many people, Kelly found herself searching for answers as to how to have that relationship with God, particularly in difficult situations, explaining, “That was the toughest for me because I could never find comfort in those moments.” Kelly said that not having a personal relationship with God never set well with her because “I always felt like I was missing something and now I see that was the calling. It was a calling on my heart.”

Kelly and her husband, Blair, of eight years welcomed their first child into the world seven years ago. This was a turning point for her. She explained that her “internal question about creation” was finally answered. “When I had kids, when I had my daughter, I knew that God created the world; God created this process. God created me, and that was a very big turning point for me and my relationship with God.”

Kelly and Blair knew they wanted to raise their children in the Catholic faith. So, they enrolled them in Sacred Heart Cathedral School where they currently attend. “I hope raising them in the faith would help them not have to struggle back and forth with the why and how,” said Kelly.

Being married to a Catholic, and with her children learning about the Catholic faith, Kelly believed God was also calling her to Catholicism. With the support of her husband, Kelly started the process for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). “It was wonderful for me because, there is a syllabus and a structure and a book that promotes understanding and that is very much the person I am,” expressed Kelly. The relationship she was seeking with God came to fruition. Catholicism for Kelly was finally knowing how to have a daily relationship with God and doing it. This was the peace she desired and needed.

On the evening of the Easter Vigil, Kelly was full of excitement and emotion. She recalled the beautiful readings, music, and symbolism that resonated so deeply with her. When the moment arrived for her to be baptized, Kelly was ready for this next phase of her faith journey. As she approached the baptismal font, she was overcome with emotion. With tears in her eyes she shared, “I put my head down and the moment that the water hit me – the Holy Spirit came alive – it was so physical; it was wild; and I didn’t expect that.” She added, “It was beautiful and the Holy Spirit was just so prevalent and touched me through the water.” Later during the liturgy, Kelly was confirmed and received the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Throughout her faith journey, Kelly always enjoyed the support of Blair, her husband. Blair has been walking with her and giving her the space to build her relationship with the Lord. As the quintessential person who encourages a confirmation candidate to embrace and actively practice the Catholic faith, Blair explained, “I merely encouraged her through kindness and love. I would create little adventures/activities for the kids after Mass and during the week so Kelly could attend RCIA class and read [respectively].”  Kelly shared that Blair not only has been patient, but also has been helpful by answering her questions or just simply listening.

When it comes to their children growing in faith, the couple hopes to lead by example by putting their own faith into action. They participate in the Eucharist regularly as a family and pray together daily. “Together, Kelly and I seek to set the simple example of ‘what good looks like’ for our children,” Blair explained. “Allowing God to play a fundamental role in our daily actions and decisions, helps us guide ourselves and children towards love, kindness, and good.”

During his homily for the Easter Vigil this year, Pope Francis reminded us to remember our own Galilee, “the place where we came to know Jesus personally – not some distant God, but the God who is at your side” (Homily, 8 April 2023). Since becoming initiated into the Catholic faith, God is no longer at a distance from Kelly. She knows him and she has a relationship with him. “I feel more at peace,” said Kelly. “It’s a relationship and that’s what makes me so excited because it’s what I’ve always wanted.” Kelly’s prayer life is also changing. She said she enjoys saying the guided prayers because it helps her in her conversations with God.

Kelly hopes her journey will help someone who may be struggling in their faith. She is extremely grateful to the Catholic community for welcoming her into the Church and for being supportive of her throughout the process, expressing, “This has been very special to me.” Kelly has now come to grasp and rightly understand in what font she has been washed, by whose Spirit she has been reborn, and by whose Blood she has been redeemed.