Being Catholic is the most important thing in my life. I cherish my faith in Jesus as he is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through him. I long to join him in heaven, and what better way than to belong to the Church that he established, that traces its origins back to Peter, the rock upon whom the Church was built?
I have many people to thank in the formation of my faith. From the time I was baptized, I had two strong Catholic role models in my godparents, Uncle John and Aunt Janet. I had the Benedictine nuns of Holy Redeemer school in Evansville, Indiana, who taught me discipline and devotion to Mary. They were the ones who prepared me for my first holy Communion and chose me to crown Mary in our May crowning ceremony. Then, as my family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, I had the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady Queen of Peace who helped prepare me with the Baltimore Catechism to possibly answer a question from our bishop on the day I was confirmed. My parents sacrificed to pay for a parochial education for my siblings and me, all five of us.
As I entered high school, I became active in the Catholic Youth Organization and learned about many service activities, such as taking food to the poor when we lived in Indianapolis. And there were the social activities, like the CYO dances that I loved.
As I became an adult, all these things functioned as a firm basis for my faith, even in times when I went astray with other activities. My faith was always there, a firm rock, my fortress.
Currently, I am involved in the Council of Catholic Women. This is a wonderful organization. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many strong, beautiful souls from so many different parishes within our Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and beyond. It is an inspiration to me to follow these laywomen role models and to engage in all their service activities. We are giving back to our communities and sharing in God’s graces and acting as Jesus’ hands here on earth.
Finally, my favorite time of year is Lent, and I especially love the Triduum each year. I wish everyone could know how beautiful our Catholic tradition is and how comforting it is deep in my heart to be part of a Church that Jesus himself founded so many years ago. When I smell the incense and hear the “Ave Maria” it takes me back and my soul remembers … what a gift it truly is to be Catholic!
An active member of St. Timonthy in Blaine since 1972, Pontious, 72, retired last year after teaching biology to 10th graders for 15 years at Aquinas Roman Catholic Home Education Services in Lino Lakes. She and her late husband, Bob, raised six children, one of whom died in 2007, and they have 10 grandchildren. Pontious drives for Meals on Wheels and helps facilitate a weekly grief support group for people who have lost loves ones to accidental death or overdose. She is secretary on the board for Oakwood Park Single Family Homes and is involved with the Council of Catholic Women at the parish, Minneapolis deanery and archdiocesan levels. She is an avid reader, loves to cook and appreciates music of all kinds.
“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you’re Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholicSpirit@archspm.org with “Why I Am Catholic” in the subject line.
