David Rosengrants

I have been blessed to have two very Godly wives. I was married to a very devout Baptist woman from my college graduation until her death in 2001.  Wherever we lived, we joined a local church and became very involved.  A couple of years after my first wife died, I met and married Pat.  In each case, my wife has been supportive of my efforts and an active participant in the ministries of our church.

When I met Pat, I had been a widower for two years, travelling as a consultant each week and teaching a couples Bible Study class on Sunday mornings.  By the time we were wed, Pat and I attended mass on Saturday evenings and the Baptist Church on Sunday.  In 2008, I surprised Pat by joining RCIA, but I made it very clear to her and everybody in RCIA, that I was still a very active and ardent Baptist, just there to learn more about my wife’s Catholic faith.  Although I enjoyed the classes, that was my stance until 3:15 pm on Holy Saturday.  After a month of studying the “Bread of Life” discourse in John 6, I was convinced that Christ was calling me to become Catholic. 

Before RCIA was over, I was asked to teach a Bible study at St. Elizabeth.  Pat and I started leading a Bible study in the fall of 2009.  Reliant on Pat and Catholic study materials to keep the discussion in line with the Church’s teaching and doctrine, I am blessed every week by studying God’s Word and sharing insights with other Catholics also interested in growing their knowledge and faith.  Within a few months as a new Catholic, I recognized my need to bond with other Catholic men.  I signed up for an ACTS retreat without knowing anything about it.  My faith that it would be worthwhile was richly rewarded, and I have had the privilege of serving on several retreats.  The men and women that I have met through ACTS are among my best friends today.  As a retiree, I am active in several other ways.  I joined St. Vincent de Paul, which allows me to befriend and help needy families within our community.  I am on the board that brought “That Man is You” to Seton this past year.  I joined the Knights of Columbus and enjoy volunteering at Minnie’s Food Pantry with other knights.   I am privileged to serve as an Extraordinary Minister at the hospital as well as at Mass.  I have also been able to give back to the RCIA program by sponsoring 4 young men on their journeys to becoming Catholic.

Some people ask why I am so involved at Seton.  Nothing brings as much joy into my life as serving Christ, and being with my friends while I am doing it.