Shepherd's Love

With the heart and vision of a father who wants what’s best for his family in an earthly and heavenly sense, Mario Herrera “shepherded” his family of six into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 16 at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge.

The Herrera Family moved to Baton Rouge from Brownsville, Texas about 15 years ago. Family members include Herrera’s wife, Erina and children Samantha, 24; Briza, 22; Heather, 16; and Mileen, 12.

Erina, who had been the only baptized member of the family, was raised in the Catholic Church by her grandmother. Once her grandmother passed away, she drifted away from the church.

When the family moved to Baton Rouge, Mario attended Mass at St. Jean Vianney Church and later attended St. George Church, both in Baton Rouge. He “knocked on doors” on Sunday mornings and asked his daughters to join him. Erina also occasionally attended Mass with them.

One of COVID-19’s thorny graces is that it propelled Mario to join the Catholic Church.

A senior service apartment complex manager, Mario, whose tears mingled with the rest of his family, recalled how he saw residents contracting the virus and struggled and ultimately questioned God. In turn, God told him, “Straighten up and take care of these people. They are just like you. Keep pushing through.”

As he continued to grapple with the situation, God brought him closer to home, albeit a rough journey.

“He said, ‘I’m going to knock you down for a couple of weeks and see how you are going to take it (and move forward). So he made me stronger,” said Mario, who tested positive for COVID and the flu at the same time. 

Mario, fortunately, did not have to be admitted to the hospital but there were sleepless nights and his family was distressed, seeking answers. 

Samantha and Briza, who rent a home together and work for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, had the “up close look” at the impact of the virus. 

Briza, who works as a clinic representative in the emergency room, said, “it was stressful seeing these little kids and they’re dying and family members having it and the question, ‘Are they going to pass?’ It was just hard.”

Samantha said, “I was very emotional when it first started; my dad got it and my mom being distraught called me. Especially seeing the patients in my unit and how they got, I was like, ‘Oh no, not my dad.’ ”

But this is where OLOL accompanied them and provided guidance and compassion. 

Samantha, who works as a licensed practical nurse, said, “I was hired about three months into COVID, and the (Franciscan) sisters of our church blessed our hands. So from there, I’m thinking ‘There’s a purpose.’ I wasn’t scared of it, but seeing how it affected the patients, seeing them in a state I wouldn’t want anyone to be seen.”

“Hearing my children respond, ‘Here I am’ (the elect’s response when called forward) I got a knot in my throat.”
Erina Herrera

The family pulled together, taking precautions until Mario recovered physically, spiritually and emotionally. With gratitude for his healing and reflecting upon world events, Mario knew it was time to shepherd the rest of the family into the church. 

The family was shocked when Mario expressed his strong desire the family come into the church together at Easter.

“We were sitting outside talking, joking around after dinner just to get some fresh air and chit chat,” said Samantha. “Before my sister and I headed out Dad said, ‘Hey, I’d like to talk to you all about something.’ ”

So curiosity peaked, the family gathered around. And he “laid it on the line,” saying, “I’m getting baptized, (and entering the church) with or without you. But I want to see us go together to heaven.”  

The family appreciated that Mario’s invitation left them the free will to accept or reject it. But understanding the underlying love that came with it moved them to accept.

“Dad is laid back, so when he brought that to our attention we all listened and sat down, because Dad doesn’t ask anything from us, so when he said ‘let’s all go through this and see what path we will go through’ (we were open to it),” said Samantha.

Now living just blocks away from St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge, the Herreras found STM welcoming and helpful as they went through the RCIA process.

Part of the journey included the Rite of Election on March 6 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Erina said Bishop Michael G. Duca smiled as STM faith formation and liturgy director Sarah Neau repeatedly read the last name “Herrera” as the family was presented along with the rest of the STM elect.

“Hearing my children respond, ‘Here I am’ (the elect’s response when called forward) I got a knot in my throat,” said Erina.                                                                                                              And the Herreras continued to bond during their RCIA process.

Heather conceded, “At first I thought it was a too big of a push. But I feel I made that push and I do like it now that I experienced it.” 

Mileen enjoys the atmosphere at STM.

“In the middle of his homilies Father Michael (Alello, STM pastor) makes jokes,” she said. “I really like it a lot there.”

As with so many other things, the family discussed the questions together.  

Erina noticed the array of thoughts and personalities of each family member emerging through the RCIA process.

“When it comes to RCIA questions, after (the dismissal following the homily) we’ll come back and huddle. And as a family Samantha will have one answer, Briza another. It’s just very beautiful. It’s learning and it’s helped us to be more outspoken with one another in a different way. biblically and spiritually.”

And they are surprised at how much the homilies and other parts of the liturgy call to minds shared experiences and memories, a Christian movie, a song.

Mario teared up again as he said he understands he cannot always be with his children in their daily journey and his nudge for the family to enter is a way of leaving a legacy of faith that will be. Erina said entering the church is the completion of her journey she fondly began with her grandmother years ago.

And their children are ready to “pick up the torch of faith” and pass it on to the next generation.

“I find joy, that’s why I said ‘yes,’ ” said Samantha. “Also, because we’re doing it as a family so we can grow; but just not grow physically but also spiritually. Then hopefully looking forward to each of us having our own family and then we all come together (at church) and kids screaming. I look forward to bringing my family with my parents to church.”