Luke Bauman

COURTESY JOE MCDONALD, MCDONALD’S STUDIO OF PHOTOGRAPHY

I’ve thought often about this question over the years, as have many of us, I’m sure.

First, I was born into the Catholic faith. I was blessed to be born into a family with a strong Catholic practice and identity that goes back many generations. I was raised in a home where prayer and various discussions about our faith were and still are a regular part of family life. My parish, St. Maximilian Kolbe (formerly St. Peter) in Delano, has always been a reliable constant in my life. My first trip in and my last trip out of the door of a church will likely be here in Delano — unless God has other ideas!

That is a straightforward way to begin to answer the question “Why am I Catholic.” But in a sense, this question is never fully answered. The way I look at it, this is a question I should ask myself and answer every day of my life. God wants me to choose him and his Church in freedom. I have to “own it” every day.

And “owning it” certainly looks different as I grow older. My free choice certainly looks different in my middle-age stage of life than it did when I was 15 years old, or 30 years old, and so forth. Like ancient Israel’s faith journey, as I get older, being able to look back and reflect on more of my life is a real blessing. Understanding how our blessed Lord works in my life becomes easier to see and understand. Now that I’ve been able to experience the fruits of a few crosses, it is a little easier to examine my conscience as to what motivates me in my volunteer activities, and even in running my insurance agency.

This perspective I am attempting to convey — my ability to recognize and be grateful for these blessings, and my hope for eternal life — is all a gift from the Lord. It is the Church our Lord established 2,000 years ago that he sustains and guides today. He allowed me to be born into it, and he presents it anew to me each day of my life. The teachings and the sacramental life of his Church are his way of guiding me ever closer to him. As I continue on this journey, the beauty and harmony of the teachings of our Catholic faith slowly come into better focus.

Behold, he makes all things new!

Bauman, 54, is active in pro-life organizations, the Delano business community and bearing witness to a culture of life in the political arena. He likes to travel, and he owns and operates Bauman Insurance and Financial.