I grew up attending a small Protestant church in the Midwest.  My maternal grandparents were very active in a small Congregational church in southern Minnesota where my Grandfather was the church treasurer for many years and was vocally anti-Catholic.  However, the rest of the story is that he had a conversion in the final days of his life and had a priest say a funeral mass for him. 

My parents and two sisters and I attended a Congregational church regularly in Northern Iowa.  I went to Sunday school there. I also attended the Congregational Church in the town where I went to college.  I was president of the College Student Council of Religious Activities which was a primarily Protestant organization even though there was a Newman Center adjacent to the campus. I attended church occasionally when I went into the Army after college (especially during basic training if for no other reason than to get away from the screams of the drill sergeant).  Once I entered the business world out of the Army, I rarely attended church.

Then I met, fell in love and married Linda who came from a strong Catholic family.  When I went to visit her parents to ask her dad for his daughter’s hand in marriage, they readily accepted me but said that I still had to meet Linda’s maternal grandmother (who attended Mass every day of her life).  She was a widow and on vacation on the Jersey Shore that weekend.  We drove down to see her and met her on the beach.  We told her of our intention to marry and her first question was what religion was I.  I responded, “Congregationalist” but quickly added that we would be married in the Catholic Church.  She then said that she knew a Congregationalist once and he was nice so she guessed I was okay.     

Linda and I attended Mass sporadically during the early years of our marriage.  We were the classic “Christmas and Easter Catholics” – however, we always attended Mass when we were with her parents.  Once we had children (Kyle, now 30 and Mary, now 27) we began to attend Mass regularly. However, I obviously did not participate.  When my daughter was eight, one day at dinner, she asked me why I wasn’t Catholic and I did not have good answer.  So, I decided to look into becoming a Catholic and attended my first RCIA meeting a few months later.  My perception of the RCIA process was that I would learn about the history, rites and ceremonies of the church. But it turned out to be much more and it changed my life. It got me in touch with my faith and made me a much stronger Christian. And, because of my deepened faith, I feel that I became a better person. 

Becoming Catholic was the first of several life changing experiences that have occurred for me at Good Shepherd.  The next was when God called me to get involved in Mission work in Honduras.  I had become friends with Hilda and was aware that she was deeply involved at the parish and diocese level with our Honduras mission program.  One day almost five years ago, I was attending a funeral and happened to sit next to her.  Before the funeral we were quietly talking and I inquired about the Honduras Mission Program. At the end of the conversation, I asked if they needed more adults for the upcoming youth trip.  She indicated that they were full but would call me if they had a cancellation.  About a month later I got that call.  I made my first trip to Honduras in June, 2009.  I was so moved by what we saw and did down there that I vowed to return again at every opportunity.  I have now gone a total of six times.  Unfortunately, due to the violence in Honduras I am not currently able to go.  I pray that this will change in the near future.

A little over two years ago, I retired after over 40 years in the business world.  I don’t play tennis, golf, fish or hunt and I knew that I needed something to keep me active.  Volunteering at Good Shepherd proved to be the perfect way to stay active.  It started with CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) – another life changing experience.  Three days before I retired I attended the CRHP retreat.  What a perfect way to start retirement.  Suddenly I had 60 new best friends.  Friends that are there to support me and expose me to new opportunities in the Parish.  I continued with my mission work but also joined the Parish Outreach committee and Men of the Rosary.  Finally able to join the RCIA team and become the sponsor coordinator, I was then able to sponsor a person myself and have been blessed to sponsor three very special men who have (or will) become good Catholics.

Finally, in June of 2013, I had my most recent life changing experience.  I have known Steve for many years.  And, after retiring, I found myself serving on both the Mission Council and Outreach Committee with him. In December of 2012, we went to Honduras together which deepened our friendship even further.  In May, 2013 he offered me a part time position as his assistant.  This wonderful opportunity has allowed me to get involved with our Stewardship and Respect Life committees and coordinate our Safe Environment program.  Becoming much more deeply involved with the outstanding staff at Good Shepherd has been a great experience.  I have also been blessed to meet many wonderful volunteers who are working hard to support Good Shepherd.

— Bob Eilenfeldt

This Week’s Evangelization Challenge

We want to hear from you! If you are a convert or have come home to the Church after a long absence, please write about it or call the parish office to be interviewed for a story.