Answering the Call by Taking the Leap
Featured in Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies
by Virginia Lieto
Conversion experiences can come upon you gradually, or all at once. In my case, it was extremely gradual, more of a series of conversions, with one building upon another over my lifetime. I am a “cradle” Catholic, having attended both Catholic grade school and high school. Growing up, I dutifully received the Sacraments. In my twenties and into my early thirties, I would categorize myself as a lukewarm Catholic: running through the motions of doing what was expected, attending Mass on Sundays.
In my late thirties, during an employment layoff as a result of a bank merger, I began placing my trust in Jesus. During my layoff, I traveled from New Jersey to Utah to become godmother to my friend’s baby. While in the Salt Lake City area, I looked around and noticed how beautiful the area was, how friendly the people were, and took a leap of faith—I got a job in Utah!
We had four wonderful years in Utah. Since Utah is predominantly Mormon, many of my Mormon friends asked me questions about the Catholic faith. In answering those questions, I realized how much I needed to learn about my faith in order to explain it adequately to others. This is where God planted the seed for what would become my life’s work. During this time in my life, I believe God called me to serve him. Yet I felt unqualified, as I did not have all of the answers to all of the questions asked of me. So, I put God on hold and did not answer the call at this time.
After four years in Utah, and because of another bank merger, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. My husband’s faith and mine had grown stronger while in Utah, to the extent that we based our housing decision on proximity to a Catholic church where the Holy Spirit was busy at work. We found Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, served by Franciscan Friars. The minute I walked into the church, I knew I was “home,” because of the warmth and welcome given by the Franciscans. Although I still felt unqualified in knowledge of the faith, God really put me to work in this parish. I got involved with parish activity, participating on the Finance Council, chairing the Evangelization and Communication Commission, the Evangelization Ministry, and a Capital Campaign!
All the while, though, volunteer work wasn’t enough. I wanted more—to learn more. I wanted to be able to connect the dots for those inquiring about the Catholic faith and to serve God better. The burning desire to change my life was building dramatically. I worked as a technology audit manager, which was getting tiresome. God was speaking to me, and I decided to finally answer the call and take another leap of faith.
In 2011, I retired from the bank auditing profession. At the same time, I committed my life to God. On the eve of enrolling in school to obtain my Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology, I stood in the bedroom with my husband and asked him, “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
He responded in a rather official voice, “The Lord finds favor with your plan.”
We both looked at each other as if we didn’t know where those words or sound of the voice came from, and we both knew, instantly, that it was the Holy Spirit speaking. We didn’t need any more confirmation. We both knew that I must do this. Not knowing where this would all lead, I took the leap of faith.
I believe that God’s plan for me is far better than anything which I could conceive. With that commitment and my faith, I obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Theology from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 2014. In my studies, I learned a great deal about Church history, Biblical studies, moral values, and Catholic social teaching. Specifically, during my studies, I realized that the way for me to connect the dots for others was through the virtues, for Jesus is the Way. My “call within a call” is to focus on the virtues, evangelizing both adults, through my public speaking, and children through my picture books. By embracing the virtues, we can grow closer to God and live happier lives. My life’s focus now is to bring the virtues to the forefront of our lives and share them with others.
With degree in hand, I can truly attest that the commitment to give my life to God has been the best decision of my life. God’s plan for me has brought me so much joy.
God qualified me, the unqualified, to give me what I need to do His will. He has given me so much knowledge and confidence! God keeps me extremely busy, yet He is the best boss ever.
Virginia Lieto, author, speaker, and theology professor, earned an MA in Pastoral Theology from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where she is an adjunct professor for the online Theology program. She writes the award-winning children’s book series, Adventures of Faith, Hope and Charity and contributes to Catechist Magazine, Catholic Mom, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine’s theology blog, and her personal blog at VirginiaLieto.com.
Virginia’s story is featured in Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies
