When Daniel Egan and his fiancee, Jaclyn Mazurowski, exchange wedding vows in Millstone’s St. Joseph Church Oct. 10, 2020, they will begin a new chapter in their ongoing journey toward building a strong, loving and faithful family.

Egan grew up in the Lutheran tradition, and his fiancé was baptized Catholic. As he described it, the couple see sharing one faith as the foundation stone of their union. Egan was welcomed into full communion in the Catholic Church at the March 31 Easter Vigil after a year in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. At the Vigil, Mazurowski received Confirmation.

“I can say about the entire RCIA [experience] that it brought Jackie and me [closer] together,” Egan said, explaining that it affirmed their desire to share and raise a family in the same faith.

It was also key to have the support of both families, he said, explaining how the desire for faith brought the couple to St. Joseph Parish, where Mazurowski’s family belongs.

The only RCIA candidates this year, the couple brought as much inspiration to the parish as they received, said Carol Schulz, one of the five members of the RCIA team.

“It was wonderful for everyone,” she said. “They were very committed and vibrant ... and it was wonderful for the whole parish to see these two young adults [so dedicated].”

Egan said that during RCIA, he found the Sunday Masses to be eye-opening as he learned more in detail about the Catholic liturgy.

From start to finish every Sunday, for a year, two-and-a-half hours at St. Joseph Church just flew by, he said.

“I didn’t look at it as demanding, I looked at it as I wanted to be there. I told Carol that when RCIA begins again next year, I would like to volunteer.”

By Lois Rogers, correspondentt