‘Having God as the center of our lives is very important,’ says father as he and his children prepare for full communion with the Church

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Manaen Morales, who is preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter, is shown with his wife, Eli, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden.

LAYTON — At this year’s Easter Vigil, almost 500 people from all ages and backgrounds  from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City will be welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church. Among them is Saint Rose of Lima parishioner Manaen Morales. He and all his children will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, a moment that will be the biggest blessing for his family, he said.

Baptized as a Christian, and despite the fact that his wife is Catholic, Morales’ faith journey really started when he was invited and welcomed at St. Rose of Lima Parish, he said.

“I am Christian but had an emptiness I wanted to feel fulfilled so when I was invited to come to this church [St. Rose of Lima] and I started studying Catholicism, I started feeling that that void disappeared,” he said.

In addition to the formal catechism study, he also found support and welcome from Father Jose Arturo Lopez Cornejo, who has a Catholic podcast; from Father Gustavo Vidal, his parish pastor; and the parish’ prayer group Divina Misericordia (Divine Mercy).

“I am very grateful to all of them and also to our teachers, who have had the patience and have kindly transmitted all their knowledge and love for the Catholic faith,” Morales said.

Attending the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program has changed him in several ways, he said.

“One of my priorities, my goals, was that  if I wanted to fully participate in the Church something had to change in me and that was to stop drinking,  and also my character,” he said explaining that he used to be a very stubborn person, but “thanks to the faith classes and the example of my wife and her family, I have been able to understand and continue this journey of faith.”

Being able to share the Catholic faith with all his family members is very special and personal, he said.

“God is unique, and having all of us now participating in the Catholic faith is an honor,” Morales said. “To be able to share what we are learning is very satisfying. The Catholic faith is very beautiful.”

His children will join him in the rites at the Easter Vigil. His oldest child, who is 23, already is baptized, and so will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist. His other children, who range in age from 19 to 15, will be receiving all the Sacraments of Initiation.

“Participating in all the sacraments, saying ‘yes’ to God, is a blessing,” Morales said. “I see clearly now, and I feel very happy to know that I will – we all will – be able to receive Christ’s Body and Blood. This makes me very happy.”

Attending Mass together as a family “is also a great blessing,” he said. “We share what we are learning, have talks about the Catholic faith,” and overall are very happy and eager for the day that they will be in full communion in the Catholic Church.

“For me, my faith in God is what makes me keep on going, it’s what makes me wake up every day and take care of my family,” he said. “My faith is my everything; it is who I am.”

His experience has led him to believe faith really does move mountains, he said. “I was another person and people who know me used to doubt that I was capable of living like this, but now I do and it’s because of the Catholic faith.”

Although not yet a full member of the Church, he is already evangelizing. “This is very important,” he said. “All our decisions are important, but following and serving God is really important. You go through changes for good. [Please] get closer to the Church. It’s really worth it.”

Morales is excited about the approach of the Paschal Vigil, he said. “I want to keep on persevering and having a good life. In today’s world that is filled with hardships and challenges, having my faith alive is very important. … Having God as the center of our lives is very important.”

Fr. Vidal said Manaen Morales and his children are among the 64 people from his parish who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

“Our Church welcomes them with open arms,” Fr. Vidal said, adding that 27 of the Elect will be baptized as well as receive First Communion and Confirmation.