By Karen Mahoney of the Catholic Herald Staff

On Saturday, at the most solemn of ceremonies, Leigh Skibinski, will enter the fullness of the Catholic faith at St. Theresa Church, Eagle, during the Easter Vigil.

More than many individuals, she identifies with the meaning of the words Pope John Paul II said at the Easter Vigil in 2001, “It is not darkness that dominates, but the blinding brightness of a sudden light that breaks through with the startling news of the Lord’s resurrection.”

For it is now, nine months after her husband Ronald passed away from colon cancer, that she is able to embrace more fully the transformation of Jesus’ death on a cross to his resurrection.

Although raised in the Lutheran faith, Leigh appreciated and respected Ron’s faith from the beginning. While some distant relatives were Catholic, Leigh initially learned about the faith through the pre-marriage classes she and Ron took through his parish.

“We were married in a Lutheran Church with a Catholic priest also officiating at the service,” she said. “We heard many comments from family members of how special this was to combine the two faiths at our wedding.”

A devout Catholic, Ron influenced Leigh with his devotion to his faith, not only in church, but also throughout all aspects of his life, whether through his work as an electrician with Dresser Industries in Waukesha, or through his many hobbies.

“He could fix just about anything,” she said. “He loved spending time outdoors, whether it was doing yard work, chopping wood, going to the local shooting range, camping or hiking. He was a great amateur photographer, and enjoyed stamp collecting — a hobby that started when he was a boy. Life was never dull around Ron, and his sense of humor was just the greatest.”

Because Leigh quickly learned to appreciate the rich traditions of the Catholic faith, she accompanied Ron to St. Theresa for Mass regularly during the nearly 28 years of their marriage.

“Over the years, St. Theresa’s has grown to be my home,” she said. “While Ron was alive I was content to attend St. Theresa’s with him weekly, but didn’t really feel the need to formally become Catholic. There are many commonalities between the Lutheran faith and the Catholic faith.”

Leigh’s journey toward the Catholic Church began taking on a deeper meaning as Ron became increasingly ill. Diagnosed in 1997, he endured surgery followed with chemotherapy treatments through most of 1998. Although extremely weak, Ron was determined not to miss weekly Mass.

“We consulted with the priest serving St. Theresa’s at the time and explained that he needed to have easy access to the bathroom facilities,” Leigh said. “The priest suggested we sit in the sacristy. This worked really well for Ron while he was going through the cancer treatments and I think we did that for most of 1998.”

Ron was in remission until 2004, when the disease again began overtaking his body.

“He fought so hard to live, but started losing the battle last spring,” Leigh said.

Throughout Ron’s battle with the disease, Leigh was surrounded by a multitude of loving and compassionate people, among them parishioners such as Mike and JoAnne Jaehn.

“St. Theresa’s had always been supportive from the beginning of Ron’s cancer diagnosis,” Leigh said. “But it was truly a blessing, the support that Fr. Dennis Ackeret and the parish gave to us as Ron’s illness progressed to his death in July.”

After God called Ron home, Leigh realized she was home — home in the Catholic faith, home at St. Theresa’s and throughout her journey, she knew she wanted to make her home official.

Following Ron’s passing, Leigh entered the parish RCIA program to learn more about the faith, to prepare for fullness in the community and to build new friendships during her new spiritual journey.

“The RCIA program has helped me understand better the Catholic faith, and the rich history we have as Christians,” she said. “I really look forward to each week of class, and the interesting discussions of religion and Catholicism that we share in our group.”

Leigh was recently surprised to learn that her niece, Kari (her brother’s daughter), is also taking instruction in the Catholic faith and will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil in a Catholic Church in Richmond, Va.

While Leigh feels a sense of melancholy during this holy season, she understands and embraces the joy and promise of the resurrection.

“That is what I feel about my life right now,” she said. “I have a great sadness that I no longer have my wonderful husband, Ron, but there is great joy for me as a new member of the Catholic faith and the spiritual journey that is just beginning for me. I am very grateful to God for the wonderful gift he gave me in Ron. I know that my faith, St. Theresa Parish, and my wonderful family will see me through the difficult times that are still to come for me.”

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