Rich Mathaus

Rich Mathaus

Like many of my friends, I grew up Catholic and went to eight years of Catholic grade school. In many people’s eyes, I suppose it would be acceptable to state that I was influenced and had a heavy amount of “indoctrination” into the faith and why it was the easy choice.

But I have to tell you, it was not quite that easy — not really.

You see, I always felt a spirit inside me in, what I believed then and still do now, is my soul. I questioned a lot of things as a kid, and I tested the principles and the teachings of the Catholic belief structure or dogma. Did I figure it all out? Nope, but I did learn and grow to not only appreciate the gift I was given from an early age, but also to realize the mystery and profound grace of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ — my savior who died for ME on a cross — as an adult.

Every day I marvel at my faith to believe in someone I’ve never met but whom I am incredibly close to in my mind and my spirit. I have looked into other religions, many faiths and talked to many non-believers, and I pray for them. Not because they are bad people but because they don’t have the constant companionship of the Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit walking beside them each day of their life as I feel I do.

It’s not easy to live and be part of this broken world, but God never said it would be. I just know that I must continue to try and live with Jesus as my example and to do for others as he would want me to. I know in my heart and soul that this is the only way to live a meaningful and inspired life that I seek and have been so richly blessed with.

I have had a lot of influence by amazing parents, family and friends and for some, those examples of God in their lives are enough to reinforce Catholicism in practice. But I have the blessing of knowing him personally as well, and that is rich and peaceful and real.

Mathaus, 53, is a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury with his wife, Erin. He is a father of two who works as a wealth advisor. He enjoys bird hunting, fishing, “anything outdoors, really,” traveling with family, scuba diving and being involved with church activities at St. Ambrose.