Meet Parishioner Jessica Conner: Taking the First Steps on the Journey of Catholic Faith

Jessica Conner was 9 years old when she was baptized in the creek at Jolly Mill in Pierce City, Mo. Raised Baptist, she never entertained the idea of a different religion until she married Bryson Conner.

“I was nervous and felt like I was turning my back on my own faith and how my parents raised me,” Jessica says. “Little did I know, I was doing the complete opposite.”

The path to RCIA for Jessica wasn’t initially an easy one. She had a strong foundation in the Baptist faith and had been very involved in church with her family growing up. Similarly, her husband had a strong upbringing in the Catholic faith, and it was Jessica’s mother-in-law who led her to Queen of the Holy Rosary.

“When I first walked in, I saw that crucifix on the wall, and the lights reflecting off it were miraculous,”Jessica says. “I had seen a crucifix several times, so it wasn’t a new image for me, but I felt something different this time.” Everyone in the parish welcomed Jessica, Bryson and their young family. “When the children were loud in Mass, I never felt like I was inconveniencing anyone,” Jessica says. “They smiled and waved at my children to distract them from screaming, and that is what made me come back!”

As she began attending Mass regularly with her husband, Jessica began to ponder the homilies and was full of questions about the liturgy.

“I had so many questions,” Jessica says. “Why do we stand when we stand and kneel when we kneel? How does everyone know what to say and how to respond to the priest?”

Jessica Conner at the Easter Vigil Mass

She describes the experience as an ongoing culture shock until she began RCIA classes with Fr. Bill Bruning.

“Fr. Bill explained the significant symbolism behind every single movement in Mass,” Jessica says. “My greatest takeaway from RCIA has to be the knowledge I now have of the faith. I understand the symbolism now. I see pictures in the church differently. I can understand the bells during the Consecration of the Eucharist!”

During RCIA, Jessica was blessed to meet new friends, people going through the same journey she was. Together, they participated in the Easter Vigil — beginning with the fire outside the church.

“As we walked in from the fire, we began to light the candles, and then suddenly the whole church was glowing,” Jessica says. “The entire focus was shifted to the powerful words being spoken and the crucifix.”

When she went forward to be confirmed, Jessica felt a sense of nervousness that swiftly dissipated.

“When Fr. Bill anointed me, I felt this calming breeze come over me,” Jessica says. “The moment I had been waiting for had finally happened. I was so excited! Looking out into the crowd and seeing my entire support system there for me was such an amazing feeling.”

Going forward, Jessica knows that she has a community that she can turn to with any questions about the faith. She encourages anyone with curiosity about the Church to have faith and “take the first step.”

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase,” Jessica says. “Trust that God has you and will put people in your life to support you through this journey. You will learn so much, not just about Catholicism, but about yourself.”