I was born in Iran during the revolution, and most of my childhood and young adulthood passed in the aftermath of war. Prioritizing my education and doing well in school was my only ticket to getting out of the hardships. Finally, I moved to the USA to continue my education and attain a dream job in Silicon Valley.

I should have felt happy and satisfied because of fulfilling my American dream. However, deep in my heart, something or someone was missing. This confused me. After all, what else could be missing? I fell in love with a wonderful girl (a Catholic girl raised in the Catholic faith by loving parents), married her, and we welcomed two beautiful daughters, whom we decided to raise in the Catholic faith.

Then I realized that what I was missing was not on the outside but was rather on the inside. All these years, I had been thinking and seeing things wrong.  I felt ashamed when I realized I had taken credit for all my achievements. It wasn't me at all. It was all Him. It was all His plan. It was all His Grace. He had been calling me my entire life, and I had been so blind to the truth. It was then that I picked up the phone and called the number that I should have called a long time ago.

I met with Father Michael and Father Matt, and I discovered the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults program.  Looking back on my OCIA journey, the most profound impact on me was discovering God not as a distant authority but as a loving presence who invites a personal relationship. Coming from a Muslim background, learning about Christ’s sacrifice and experiencing God’s grace through the Church helped me understand faith as something lived through love, mercy, and trust rather than obligation. This shift deeply transformed how I pray, hope, and see myself before God.

On the night of the Easter Vigil, I was overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and a profound sense of God’s love surrounding me. As I received the sacraments, I felt tears of relief and awe, knowing I was finally embraced fully into the Church. It was a moment of deep peace and wonder, as if my heart had found its true home in God’s mercy.

During this incredible spiritual journey, so many people guided me toward becoming closer to Christ. I am sincerely grateful to Saint Nicholas and Saint William Parish for accepting me with an open heart. Entering fully into the life of the Church was the ultimate piece missing from my heart, mind, soul, and life.