The way Nicole Bizzigotti sees it, her grandparents helped give her a new lease on life since introducing her to St. Anselm Parish, Wayside, two years ago.
Bizzigotti told of not having grown up in a religious household or practicing a faith. So she had no faith to turn to when dealing with such adversity as a bad relationship and the death of a friend and instead was left feeling down and alone.
“I knew I needed a better life, and I realized that I wanted to become closer to God,” she said.
Two years ago, Bizzigotti started on her journey to God when she attended the Easter Vigil with her grandparents in St. Anselm Church. As soon as she entered the church, she instantly found it to be a warm, welcoming and inviting place.
Bizzigotti joined the R.C.I.A. last year and started her preparation for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. She enjoyed learning about the faith, studying Scripture and participating in parish activities. She now volunteers with the Family Promise program in which every couple of months, the parish collaborates with Family Promise in Monmouth County by hosting families who are in transitional housing situations.
Noting that she chose Teresa for her Confirmation name, after St. Teresa of Kolkata, Bizzigotti said that when she became a fully initiated Catholic at the Easter Vigil, it was “the beginning for me in my faith.”