A year ago, Larry Lathers accepted an invitation that would change his life.

The invitation came from his 21-year-old niece who asked him to go with her to church.

“I felt like the priest was speaking directly to me,” Lathers said, recalling the Mass and the priest’s message about sin and forgiveness. Three days later, Lathers was calling Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly, and preparing to enter the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process as a candidate.

Lathers, who is married and has two sons, explained that though he was baptized, he had not received the other Sacraments of Initiation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Lathers received both Sacraments March 31 during the Easter Vigil Mass in the church.

Throughout the journey, “Jesus spoke to me through so many people,” he said, speaking of his niece, parish priests and Deacon Gary Schmitt, parish RCIA coordinator, who “was always there, answering questions and doubts.”

Reflecting on the RCIA experience, Lathers said it was “the transformation that I needed.” He has also volunteered to be an instructor for next season’s RCIA class.

Since the Easter Vigil, Lathers, a motorcycle aficionado who describes himself as “always a loner,” has joined a motorcycle group that works with and for homeless and disabled veterans. No longer a loner, Lathers said he hopes to connect his faith to his new outreach.

Lathers offers advice to others who are considering the Catholic faith or coming back to the Church: “Do it for yourself, not for anyone else.”

“This is something I needed to do, and I am extremely happy,” Lathers said.

By Mary Morrell, correspondent