French toast and maple syrup. Fresh scrambled eggs and sausage. Black bean burritos with pico de gallo. No – this isn’t the menu of your local breakfast joint…these are some of the scrumptious meals shared by the guests at the most recent Alpha on Saturday mornings at St. Ignatius! I had the privilege of being a part of the team and hosting a table, and that’s where I met my friend, Kimberley.
Kimberley was a guest at my table. Upon asking her what brought her to Alpha, she explained that she was from St. Willibrord’s, our partner parish, and she decided to join the Saturday Alpha at St. Ignatius as the schedule better suited her busy life. I could completely relate to her. Managing a household with two young kids alongside her fiancé, in addition to her full-time job was no easy feat. Kimberley went on to share that doing Alpha was the first step in the pursuit of her baptism. Wow! How amazing! I was so excited to have the opportunity to be part of her journey of discovering Jesus. Sharing with Kim and the other guests at our table from week to week as they asked questions and shared their insights helped me along in my own faith journey. It helped me realize the magnitude of God’s love for us and how very well he knows our hearts.
Over the course of the 11-week program, Kimberly and I grew closer, and a beautiful friendship formed. Kimberley has even given me the honour of accompanying her as her sponsor while she receives the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation on Easter Sunday. I am so appreciative of the St. Ignatius community and its generosity that is allowing the Missionary Partnership with St. Willibrord’s to thrive. Without it, I would not have been able to witness the blossoming of a new relationship with Jesus nor experience the spiritual growth that comes with that. I am forever grateful.