Florida Catholic | From Mormonism To Catholicism

From Mormonism to Catholicism

April Marinaro, one of the diocese’s hundreds of soon-to-be Catholics, tells her story of conversion.

BENNET BOLTON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 03.14.08

Anthony Marinaro and his wife, April, are looking forward to April’s baptism which is planned to take place at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Bernadette Parish in Port St. Lucie.
JASON COLLINS | FC

PORT ST. LUCIE WEST | April Marinaro began her journey of faith three decades ago in the Mormon Church in Utah, and now she embraces Catholicism.

Marinaro is one of 525 people in many parishes throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach who at Easter Vigil Masses on Holy Saturday, March 22, will complete their final phase of fully joining the Catholic family.

A flight attendant with Southwest Airlines, Marinaro, 32, met her husband, Anthony Marinaro, 45, when he was a passenger. They were married last September at St. Michael Church on Amelia Island, 30 miles north of Jacksonville. Msgr. Cosmo Saporito and Father Victor Ulto, pastor of their home parish of St. Bernadette here, were the celebrants.

Marinaro said her husband never pushed her to become Catholic, but is her sponsor for her conversion. Her Mormon parents support her decision and, along with her sister, will be at the Easter Vigil at St. Bernadette.

“They are such good examples of what good people are,” she said.

The Florida Catholic chose Marinaro at random to profile from among the dioceses’ soon-to-be Catholics.

Born April Churchill in Smithfield, Utah, 90 miles north of Salt Lake City, she graduated from the University of Utah.

“I grew up within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons, the religion of my parents and grandparents,” she said. “At about 12 or 13 years old, I began to question my Mormon beliefs. Our parents never forced us — my two sisters and me — to believe in a particular way. They wanted us to be good people. I began inquiring about different religions. My parents encouraged that — and I am so grateful for that. I began to fall away from the Mormon Church.”

Marinaro said she moved to Salt Lake City when she was 18.

“I was on my own. I stopped attending church; I was no longer a member of the Mormon Church. I always wanted a relationship with God. Sometimes it was there, sometimes it was not,” she said. “For about a dozen years, I was not connected with my own religion. I was always looking for ways to be close to him, to God.”

Marinaro eventually moved to Baltimore, her base as a flight attendant, and began dating Anthony, who was traveling with his mother the day they met. She went to her first Mass with them.

“I not only saw something different, I felt something different. I decided to explore. A few more Masses and I inquired about RCIA — the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,” she said. “I wanted to learn as much as I could. I was always fascinated by theology. I cannot overstate how much I was fascinated by that.”

Her husband, who owns a brokerage consulting firm, told the Florida Catholic, “This has been a tremendous journey for April. She has always been a very spiritual person. To see her now in the Catholic faith is a phenomenal experience for me. It amazes me how, as my wife’s sponsor into Catholicism, I got so much out of her experience, as well.”

The Marinaros chose to marry at the church in Amelia Island because it was more convenient for her relatives traveling from Utah, Nevada and California and his relatives coming from the Bronx, New Hampshire and elsewhere. But they love their home parish.

“I have experienced the feelings of how great it is to be at St. Bernadette. You can feel the unity, the belief and the faith. It is so powerful for me. The people in our parish continue to amaze me,” April Marinaro said.

The feeling appears to be mutual.

“She is a very special young woman,” said Father Ulto. “April Marinaro, since beginning her RCIA journey, has touched our parish family. During the rites of acceptance and sending, for example, and more recently during the scrutinies, more than a few parishioners present at the 9 a.m. Mass stopped me afterward and commented on the joy on April’s face as she prayed and participated in the ceremonies.”

Father Ulto helped the Marinaros with their marriage preparation in addition to officiating at the ceremony.

“A bride is usually beautiful on her wedding day. April is radiant every day — and her radiance comes from her knowledge that she is loved by God and by the church,” he said

Judy Roensch, director of religious education at St. Bernadette, said Marinaro and four others will be baptized and receive other sacraments at the parish’s Easter Vigil. Three candidates who are already baptized will receive other sacraments, she said.

“She has been a reward to us as we have watched her progressing along her faith journey, Roensch said.

April Laughlin of St. Bernadette Parish added, “April is an inspiration to everyone she comes in contact with. She is a truly lovely person. We are happy to have her join our parish family.”

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