News

Making peace with God

Little Rock candidate to join father's church

Published: March 22, 2008   

By Mary Hightower
Special to Arkansas Catholic

Mary Hightower

Kimberly Simmons (front left) is pictured at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church with her sponsor Quanna Love (front right) and pastor Father Richard Zawardzki (back left) and RCIA team leaders Craig and Dale Provost (back right).

Mary Hightower

Kimberly Simmons (front left) is pictured at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church with her sponsor Quanna Love (front right) and pastor Father Richard Zawardzki (back left) and RCIA team leaders Craig and Dale Provost (back right).

Kimberly Simmons felt as if something was missing in her life.

Simmons, 36, of Little Rock, was raised in two traditions: her mother was Baptist and her father was Catholic. She grew up attending both churches -- but mostly her mother's.

However, at 16, things changed with the death of her mother.

"I sort of lost faith with both churches over the loss of my mother and did not attend church for many years," she said.

During those years, she wrestled with her faith.

"I eventually resolved my issues with God because I did realize what I was missing and needed that spiritual side in my life," she said. "So when I decided to consistently attend church again, it was at St. Bartholomew."

For some 50 years, Simmons' father attended school at St. Bartholomew in downtown Little Rock and worshipped in its pews. The place that her father called his spiritual home would also become hers.

"I chose to attend my dad's church again because I was familiar with the Catholic faith and felt a connection with the congregation," she said. The familiarity "made this process easier for me."

The decision to come home through the Catholic Church was something of a surprise to her father.

"The response that I received from my dad was of surprise and of welcome," Simmons said. "I think my dad thought that I would sort of pick up where I left off at my mom's church instead of attending his church because her church is where my brother and I primarily attended with my mother."

When Simmons decided to attend Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Bartholomew, she had twice the help. St. Bartholomew is a mission of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and her RCIA team included members from both churches.

They are Peggy Douglas and Quanna Love, both from St. Bartholomew, and Craig and Dale Provost and Tracy Wallace from Our Lady of Good Counsel.

"We have a combined team to help with inquirers from both parishes," Provost said. "The rewards are that we get to share our spiritual journeys with others and they often share their spiritual journeys with us."

Simmons said her dual-tradition upbringing has been an advantage for her on her journey from inquirer to the sacraments of initiation.

"Becoming Catholic has not been a difficult process because no matter what religion you proclaim, we all still have the same principle beliefs that we all try to live by," she said. "I think the most difficult part of converting may be absorbing all of the history, traditions, beliefs and materials, and also understanding the many requirements that are presented to the candidates during RCIA.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the RCIA sessions (and) have definitely learned a lot," she said. "My team has been wonderful. They explain every nook and cranny and also share their personal experiences."

Some of her RCIA team members aren't far removed from the seats in which their current elect and candidates sit. Provost said his wife Dale converted in 1996 with Wallace shortly after. Douglas converted two years ago. Love, who converted last year, is Simmons' sponsor.

RCIA, its facilitators and fellow candidates and elect, have helped Simmons regain some of what was once lost.

"I think my most profound spiritual change was gaining a greater sense of the importance of community and developing a greater sense of compassion towards others," she said. "I have greater clarity on what it really means to know, love and serve God through Jesus Christ."

This Easter will hold a special meaning for Simmons.

"I do feel very honored to be able to participate in Communion on Easter," she said. "It's the climax to everything that I have been working towards."

Father Richard Zawadzki, SVD, pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Bartholomew, said RCIA has made a difference in Simmons.

"She's ready to receive the sacraments," he said. "She was easy to work with."

Simmons will make a profession of faith, receive confirmation and her first Communion at the 8 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel. She said she would recommend this journey of faith.

"I am willing to share my journey because hopefully hearing about my transition will encourage others that have not attended church in many years for whatever reason, to do so, and not be embarrassed to walk in one day to say that I am ready to know and love Jesus Christ."