Becomes Catholic on her spring break

Not many of those who signed the Book of the Elect last weekend gave up their spring break to do so.

But for Theda "Kim" Chantrasuk, taking that step toward becoming a Catholic meant sacrificing a vacation from her senior-year studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy.

A chemical engineering major from Pelham, Miss Chantrasuk was raised in the Buddhist faith.

Different path

Since her parents came from Thailand, she respected the tradition of speaking with Buddhist monks to gain understanding, but felt that her family's trips to temple were more of a social event than a spiritual one.

"The only time we went to temple was on special occasions, never just because we felt like going," Miss Chantrasuk said. "I really didn't feel like I was going for any particular reason."

The student also had several early connections to Catholicism. The only child born in her particular hospital on Ash Wednesday, she drew attention from a priest, who noticed that the infant was ill and gave her a blessing using ashes.

"We're not Catholic," her mother protested. The priest replied: "That's okay; she's a blessed baby." Today, Miss Chantrasuk wonders if that was the beginning of a "calling" toward becoming a Catholic.

Interest in Catholicism

It was certainly the start of an interest in Catholic traditions. Growing up, Miss Chantrasuk had a nanny who was a Catholic, and she tried as often as possible to attend Mass with her on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes, recreating her childhood experience.

When she arrived at RPI, she got to know campus ministers Catherine Waibel and Rev. Edward Kacerguis. Ms. Waibel gave the student directions to the nearest temple -- and answered her curious questions about Catholicism.

At the same time, Miss Chantrasuk was meeting many Catholic friends through her sorority. "A lot of my older [sorority] sisters started a Bible study," she remembered. "I liked how Jesus was a part of everyone's lives and reading the Bible."

Leaning toward Church

Since the nearest Thai temple in the area wasn't "easily accessible" to her, but Christ Sun of Justice parish was right on campus, Miss Chantrasuk's interest in the Catholic faith grew.

She joined the Bible study group and began attending Mass with her sorority sisters, and soon found herself crying when it came time to receive the Eucharist and she had to watch her friends walk up for the host while she remained in her seat.

"When I slept, I kept thinking about [Catholicism] and thinking about it," she remembered. "All I'd see is Jesus Christ, right in the middle."

During one Bible study class, she even told a friend, "I'm a Buddhist for Jesus!"

Final choice

Miss Chantrasuk decided to attend Mass every Sunday in Lent. That helped her to come to her final decision: She wanted to become a Catholic.

"I got into [RCIA] classes in September," she told The Evangelist. "It was a lot of fun, because I enjoy reading the Gospel before going to Mass on Sundays, [learning] what the Ten Commandments really mean, the story of Jesus. It's almost like doing a research paper on a book."

The student is particularly fond of the story of Jesus' temptation by Satan in the desert because "I'm tempted by a lot of things; but if I do the right thing, I feel like God will have great direction in my life."

Her friends from Bible study shared her happiness with her decision. Two of them even became her sponsors: Michelle Provost and Erin Reinhardt.

Breaking the news

The only remaining hurdle was telling her parents. Miss Chantrasuk worried about their reaction, finally taking the plunge when she was home for Christmas break. She was surprised when, after saying, "Mom, I'm becoming a Catholic," her mother answered, "Oh, okay."

Her parents "knew I could be my own person, look for what I needed in life," Miss Chantrasuk explained. "They took it really well."

The student said she was excited to take her first step toward joining the Church at the Rite of Election. "I felt like this [God] is a person who's going to be with me for life," she said, admitting she also "wanted to go meet Bishop Hubbard. I scheduled my entire spring break around going to Albany!"

Baptism ahead

On April 11, Holy Saturday, Miss Chantrasuk will be baptized, receive her First Eucharist and be confirmed -- the only student at RPI to be receiving all three sacraments at once.

"I've been working so hard; I'll be happy when it's ended at the Easter vigil," she told The Evangelist.

Once she is "officially" a Catholic, Miss Chantrasuk might still go to temple sometimes with her family, but not participate. "I think [being a Catholic] will make me grow as a person," she said. "It will give me more confidence, more faith in what I want to do."

(03-12-98) [[In-content Ad]]