Faith Journey

Anthony’s religious background reflects a diverse and evolving spiritual journey shaped by both family heritage and personal conviction. Though born to parents who had received Catholic baptisms, he and his siblings were not baptized during childhood, as the family's active participation in the Catholic faith was limited at the time.

A significant turning point occurred during his middle school years, when the family began attending Victory Christian Tabernacle Church, a Non-Denominational congregation in Middlefield, Connecticut. During this period, they became involved with the Freedom Riders chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). Anthony took part in the CMA’s Youth Movement Program, offering prayers at motorcycle blessing events and gaining early exposure to ministerial and service-oriented roles within a Christian context.

Following a brief hiatus from organized religious life, Anthony resumed regular worship at First Church in Middletown, United Church of Christ (UCC), where he formally became a member. He was baptized into the Protestant/Congregational tradition on November 12, 2017. His active participation in the congregation included leadership and volunteer service—serving as a Deacon, Co-Head Deacon, Religious Education Committee Member, and Sunday School Registrar—as well as musical involvement as a Tenor 1 vocalist with the church’s Celebration Singers.

In 2019, he discerned a renewed call toward his Roman Catholic roots. This led to his formal departure from First Church and the beginning of a new chapter in his faith life. He enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program at Saint John Church in Middletown, culminating in his reception into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020. This moment marked a significant step in his ongoing spiritual development and reaffirmed his commitment to the Catholic tradition.

Anthony's Religious Affiliation through the Years

1996-2006 – Roman Catholic (Self-Identified)

2006-2011 – Non-Denominational Christian (Self-Identified)

2011-2017 – Roman Catholic (Self-Identified)

2017-2019 – Congregationalist

2019-Current – Roman Catholic







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