For Richardson, Catholic Church is place to call home
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
Lawrence Richardson knew that the void in his life needed to be filled by something. The 14-year-old had the temerity to seek a faith-based fulfillment of that void about a year ago in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson.
“I’d gone to Holy Family (School) in Lakewood for a while before I went to public school,” he explained. “But my family had always been looking for a church -- a place to call home.”
Richardson’s parents, Derrick and Sandra, and younger brother Chris, 12, were supportive of his interest. Sandra, who was raised Catholic, responded by helping him find out how to join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He is the only teenager in the group of adult candidates, but that didn’t dissuade him.
“As soon as I walked in there (the church), it felt like a nice, safe, warm, calm place,” Richardson recalled. “It fit my personality.”
He went on to say that the Catholic faith in particular was something that intrigued him.
“I felt that the Catholic teaching made more sense to me. It was more my type of setting.”
Richardson’s journey has answered many questions along the way, with the help of St. Aloysius director of the catechumenate Jen Schlameuss-Perry.
“I learned a lot about the Catholic Church’s stance on pro-life,” Richardson said. “I also learned the different images and names for Mary. The priest had once made a reference to Our Lady of Sorrows, and I’d never heard that before. I asked Jen, and she explained it.”
After a year of attending Mass and regular Sunday RCIA group sessions, Richardson and other St. Aloysius candidates and catechumens will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass April 19. His sponsor, Kim Walsh, is a long-time family friend.
“She actually worked with my mom at the hospital,” Lawrence explained, “so she became close with us. Once I was told I needed to pick a sponsor, she was at the top of the list.”
When asked if he had any advice for other young people considering a similar faith journey, he replied candidly.
“Don’t be afraid of what other people think. Just do what you need to do for yourself.”
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By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
Lawrence Richardson knew that the void in his life needed to be filled by something. The 14-year-old had the temerity to seek a faith-based fulfillment of that void about a year ago in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson.
“I’d gone to Holy Family (School) in Lakewood for a while before I went to public school,” he explained. “But my family had always been looking for a church -- a place to call home.”
Richardson’s parents, Derrick and Sandra, and younger brother Chris, 12, were supportive of his interest. Sandra, who was raised Catholic, responded by helping him find out how to join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He is the only teenager in the group of adult candidates, but that didn’t dissuade him.
“As soon as I walked in there (the church), it felt like a nice, safe, warm, calm place,” Richardson recalled. “It fit my personality.”
He went on to say that the Catholic faith in particular was something that intrigued him.
“I felt that the Catholic teaching made more sense to me. It was more my type of setting.”
Richardson’s journey has answered many questions along the way, with the help of St. Aloysius director of the catechumenate Jen Schlameuss-Perry.
“I learned a lot about the Catholic Church’s stance on pro-life,” Richardson said. “I also learned the different images and names for Mary. The priest had once made a reference to Our Lady of Sorrows, and I’d never heard that before. I asked Jen, and she explained it.”
After a year of attending Mass and regular Sunday RCIA group sessions, Richardson and other St. Aloysius candidates and catechumens will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass April 19. His sponsor, Kim Walsh, is a long-time family friend.
“She actually worked with my mom at the hospital,” Lawrence explained, “so she became close with us. Once I was told I needed to pick a sponsor, she was at the top of the list.”
When asked if he had any advice for other young people considering a similar faith journey, he replied candidly.
“Don’t be afraid of what other people think. Just do what you need to do for yourself.”
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