A Long Time Coming

For more than three decades Chris Dickerson has attended church with his family, first with his wife, later with his two daughters and finally with his five grandchildren, the oldest being six years old.

For those past 34 years, Dickerson has remained in the pew at St. Alphonsus Church in Greenwell Springs, the church where he and his wife were married, where his wife and children were baptized, while his family would receive Communion.

“I’ve always been going to church with them but had not converted,” said Dickerson, who was not baptized or confirmed as a young person. “No excuse for not doing it.”

He admits conversion was the topic of several conversations involving his wife but “I just never did it.”

As his family continued to expand, however, as they attended church together, Dickerson felt a spiritual stirring, a growing desire to participate more in the Mass. Perhaps the final nudge came when Father Tat Hoang CSsR was appointed pastor at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge in 2019, where Dickerson, who spent the majority of his career in the financial sector, began serving as part-time bookkeeper one year earlier. 

“Father Tat gives you that energy to do it,” Dickerson said. “It was a perfect fit.”

So he went to his wife who was not surprised when Dickerson announced his intention to join the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults program class at St. Gerard. His daughters were also thrilled with his decision and supported him throughout the process.

Count Father Hoang among those by Dickerson’s decision. He had already recognized a deep spiritually in Dickerson.

“(Dickerson) is a very faithful, responsible and dedicated man,” Father Hoang said. “For many years Chris had gone to church weekly, given donations and raised his children in the Catholic Church but never received Communion. 

“In the RCIA class, he said ‘my goal is to care for my family.’ ”

RCIA has been a wonderful learning experience, Dickerson said, acknowledging that “when you go to church, you see people going up and getting Communion and learn what things mean. I never knew the story behind it.”

“It’s kind of like learning history, the reason for doing the things that we do. That has kind of opened my eyes to the facts.”

Regarding the Eucharist, which is foundation of the Catholic faith, Dickerson admitted he was not aware it was “that big of deal.”

“You don’t realize how important that is or the significance of it,” he said, days before he was to receive Communion for the first time. “When I first started, everybody was going to Communion (at Mass) and I was thinking one day I’ll be able to do that once I finished RCIA.”

That day finally came June 27 when Dickerson received the sacraments of baptism, administered by Father Hoang, and confirmation, administered by Bishop Michael G. Duca. Dickerson was one of three adults to be baptized and one of six confirmands.

“(Chris) received his first Communion in excitement and was overjoyed,” Father Hoang said. “I am happy that all my confirmands were so mature in their faith and zealous in their mission. 

“I am blessed to be able to accompany these six confirmands in faith.”

Dickerson said he has no regrets about not converting earlier in life, saying now “is the right time.” Having his children and grandchildren present brought an added joy, he said. 

“Had I done it years ago I would have missed that part of being a family celebration,” he said. “It would have been disappointing not to do this as a family.”

Dickerson said the RCIA classes have only increased his thirst for learning more about his new faith, learning more of the church’s history and continually asking questions as to why things are done a certain way.

“It’s been a long time coming but I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m excited.”