The Rolli family (from left) Matthew, Katie, Isaiah and (front) Anna attended the Easter Vigil Mass April 19 at Our Lady of Sorrows, Ladysmith, to celebrate Matthew’s conversion to Catholicism. “The Catholic faith is really beautiful,” said Katie, a cradle Catholic who returned to the faith as an adult. “I want others to see the beauty.” (Photo courtesy of the Rolli family)
Rolli, 38, is passionate about helping parents share the faith because of her own conversion. Born and raised in Hudson, she was a cradle Catholic who left the church following a traumatic experience in college.
She joined an evangelical Baptist congregation. There, she married husband Matthew, who was raised in the United Church of Christ, and there they baptized their children.
Her journey back to Catholicism began “one fateful day” while she was in conversation with her family.
“My eyes were finally opened to the truth of the Catholic faith,” she said. “God called me home.”
She is grateful to Fr. John Gerritts, pastor of St. Patrick, Hudson, for welcoming her back and hearing her first confession in 20 years.
Rolli’s conversion story isn’t only about her, however. Her son, Isaiah, 13, has already gone through RCIA, and her husband as well. Eight-year-old daughter Anna is in religious education.
“As of Easter Vigil, we will all be Catholic,” she said.
Rolli doesn’t particularly like authority, and the Catholicism she learned as a child felt steeped in rules. It wasn’t until adulthood that she began to study and understand the reasons behind the rituals.
As a result, she explained, “I have a strong desire for people to know the whys of their faith. It’s important they have the apologetics of everything.”
She is grateful to Fr. Gene Murphy for giving her the opportunity to share her passion with the Rusk County community, where she has lived for about almost years. She hopes a new approach to faith formation will also be an inspiring one.
“Faith,” she added, “is a life choice. It’s not a Wednesday night or Sunday morning choice.”
