February 22, 2026 Essay: Hearing God’s Call
[On this First Sunday of Lent, our parish celebrates two Rites for 31 adults: the Rite of Sending for our catechumens (preparing for baptism) and the Call to Continuing Conversion (for our already baptized candidates). This afternoon at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Archbishop Ronald Hicks welcomes the catechumens, accepting their desire to be baptized into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. This essay is written by Jennifer Gunsberger, who was baptized and received into the Church in 2025.]
Becoming Catholic was not a sudden decision but rather a fifty-year journey. God was always a presence in my life. My mother is Catholic, my father is Protestant. We all attended Catholic Church as I grew up. In our community, our friends were Catholic or Jewish, so these were the religions that most influenced me. I was born in California in the 1970s and my parents encouraged me to choose my own religious path if I felt drawn to one.
From a young age, I maintained a private relationship with God. After my mother put me to bed, I would kneel and pray, “Dear God, if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take, Amen.” Then I would speak with God about my troubles. I continued to feel God’s presence, though I knew little about Catholic faith. I remember feeling embarrassed attending church with my parents: I did not know the Our Father, though both my parents did. I longed to learn this prayer and be part of that experience.
As I matured, I explored other religions, including Buddhism and Judaism; none of these paths resonated deeply with me. Despite these explorations, I continued maintaining a quiet conversation with God.
It was not until after I married, and faced a challenging five-year fertility journey that my faith deepened. I entrusted God with my hope for a child, praying day and night. I chose Saint Elizabeth as my Baptismal Name because I identified with her story—struggling with infertility later in life. After suffering through seven miscarriages, our eighth pregnancy brought us our son Charlie. The pregnancy was difficult, and each day I prayed that God would safely bring our child into the world.
On December 31, 2018, our miracle baby was born. From the moment I met my son, I felt there was something special about him. Even as a young child, he showed deep empathy for others, comforting friends who were upset and bringing smiles to strangers. His kindness and warmth seemed to draw people in wherever we went.
My journey with faith continued; ultimately, it was our son who led me closer to God. My husband and I began exploring faith-based schools because we were concerned about the environment in public schools. Although my husband is Jewish and I did not identify with any particular faith, we looked into Catholic schools. In April 2024, our son was accepted into Saint Ignatius Loyola School for kindergarten. As we considered his acceptance and what would be best for our family, a Catholic friend pointed out that this was a clear sign of God calling me to the Catholic Church. I realized she was right—God had been calling me for a long time, but now, through my son, I was brought to His doorstep.
I joined the OCIA process, studied the Bible, attended church, and learned about Christ as my son began his own religious education. Since becoming Catholic, I’ve experienced many blessings. Now, as members of Saint Ignatius Loyola in NYC and St. Patrick’s in Bedford, we attend church together, pray, and support each other. When my son faces challenges, I encourage him to consider Jesus’s example. I trust God has an important plan for him, and I am grateful to raise him in the Catholic faith. After fifty years, I have finally made my choice.
Jennifer Gunsberger, St. Ignatius Loyola Parishioner