Ed Malec credits his wife of 42 years, Susan, and her longtime affiliation with Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, as inspiring his decision to become Catholic.
Malec, who grew up in the Trenton area, had been raised Lutheran and was active in his church through his early teen years. As time went on, however, his interest in the faith had waned as he was directing more attention to starting a career and joining the military. But after marrying Susan, who was raised in St. Anthony Parish, and the church where they married some 42 years ago, Malec decided he wanted to join the Catholic Church as well. Also influencing his decision, he said, was visiting St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Delaware, which is near the development where he and Susan plan to live in retirement.
“Susan mentioned that when we moved, she wanted to join that parish,” he said, adding that during a visit to Delaware and the church, his decision to become Catholic was made.
As a candidate preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist, Malec said he found the R.C.I.A. to be a positive experience and was pleased that his wife served as his sponsor. He chose Francis for his Confirmation name, after having attended a Papal Mass at the Vatican two years ago and having a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi.
“I like to spend as much time as I can outdoors and enjoy all sorts of wildlife, so the patron saint of animals is a logical choice,” he said.