Man's "ah-ha" moment changed the trajectory of his life
March 16, 2022
Deep inside Brad Floden, there has always been a connection to God.
But alcohol clouded his judgment and he strayed from faith.
Baptized and raised Presbyterian, his parents divorced when he was young. During summer visits to see his father, he became acquainted with the Church of Christ.
During his 20s and 30s, alcohol kept him from “firing on all cylinders” and something always seemed to take precedent over going to church, he said. He was spiritual and saw God in nature, but didn’t practice any particular faith tradition.
Over time, he eased back into religion.
About 15 years ago, friends took him to a Lutheran church.
“I kind of enjoyed it. I felt moved every time I was there. I went more frequently than not,” he said. “I felt it was something I could identify with. It was so uplifting.”
About six years ago, he began dating an Irish Catholic girl who took him to Mass. He felt lost, not knowing the ritual, the prayers and what was happening. He would attend Mass with her while still going to his Lutheran church.
It was the summer of 2019 when he had his “ah-ha” moment.
“I quit drinking one day. I almost had an epiphany and thought: This isn’t the way I want to live my life anymore. I quit cold turkey,” he said.
Diagnosed with heart failure, his priorities changed.
“I started talking to my girlfriend’s mother, who is very deep in her faith,” he said. He realized he was becoming more drawn to the Catholic tradition rather than his church.
“So I started going to Mass more regularly, not just Easter and Christmas anymore. Then, not clouding my mind with alcohol, I really started to focus on the message and I’m really learning things,” Floden said.
He wanted to learn more about the Rite of Christian Initiation, but he also wanted to make sure he would be committed once he made a decision to become Catholic.
“I tried a million times to quit drinking, to settle down, to find a closer relationship with God that went beyond my personal spirituality but more of a structured relationship with God, being involved. Belonging. I really started to see that going to St. Pius,” he said.
“It took me a couple of years inquiring about it. Then last fall, I really felt like I was ready. I like what I’m seeing. I like what I’m hearing and I feel closer to God because I feel informed,” he said.
Floden contacted RCIA director Mary Sue Lone. He was more concerned that the church would reject him.
“My big concern was that the Catholics wouldn’t want me,” he said. Lone explained that the RCIA process is more about his discernment about the Catholic Church rather than the other way around.
As the RCIA process progressed, he said he’s fallen in love with the faith.
“I need this. I feel like I have just grown so much that it makes me want more,” he said. “When I walk into Mass, the greeters know me by name and Father knows me by name and other parishioners know me by name. It’s different from anything I’ve ever experienced.”