Hope sometimes begins with a phone call and a servant’s heart ready to answer.
Late last year, Deacon A.J. Misiti, Director of Parish Engagement at Catholic Charities, received a call from Shelli Krause and her husband Rich, devout Catholics who were grieving the recent loss of Shelli’s mother, Sara Villano. Deacon A.J. had presided over the committal service of Shelli’s brother Shawn in 2020 and they felt comforted by his presence. Shelli asked if he would be willing to preside over her mother’s committal service at Olinger Crown Hill in Denver.
As part of his role at Catholic Charities and as a deacon in the Archdiocese of Denver, Deacon A.J. works every day to build bridges between parishes, clergy and people in need. That mission often unfolds in quiet moments, outside of offices and meetings. He was glad to help and met the family at the cemetery on January 2, offering prayers, Scripture and compassion at a time of deep sorrow. The service brought peace to the family and reminded them they were not alone.
Two days later, Shelli called again.
She shared that her 96-year-old stepfather, Jerry Hudleson, had been moved by the committal service. After a lifetime of experiences, Jerry told Shelli he felt a strong desire to “get right with God.” Shelli’s husband Rich strongly encouraged Jerry to act on his inclination, and Shelli asked if Deacon A.J. might be willing to help guide him.
Once again, the answer was yes.
Since then, Deacon A.J. has joined Rich in providing faith formation to Jerry, walking with him patiently and joyfully as he prepared to enter the Catholic Church. Their time together has been filled with reflection, conversation and a growing sense of peace.
On February 5, at Spirit of Christ in Arvada, Jerry was baptized, received his First Communion and was confirmed by Father Chris Renner, entering full communion with the Catholic Church at 96 years old.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jerry to the Catholic community. We have been “working” on Jerry for a while, and with the heavy lifting from the Holy Spirit and the genuine love and guidance of deacon AJ Misiti, Jerry’s life is now much more complete. With confidence in his future with Our Lord he has been given the great gift and a source of comfort as he faces his late years,” said Rich.
For Deacon A.J., this journey reflects the heart of his work at Catholic Charities: meeting people where they are and helping them encounter God’s love. For Jerry, Shelli and Rich, it was a beautiful witness to hope that arrives exactly when it is needed.