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Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism

An Interview with Colin Van Cuyk

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism




Dr. Knight: You are a young adult at Holy Name Parish. Your service to the parish is to be part of the team for the Rite of Christianity for Adults. What drew you to this service assignment?

 

Collin: My hope after confirmation was to serve the parish in whatever role was needed most. After praying and discussing the needs of the parish with Dr. Ortega, we agreed that I could serve the community best by helping to catechize those who were also new in their Catholic faith. It’s an honor to be able to serve now with the same team that just brought me into the faith, giving back to the same program that I “graduated” from.

 

Dr. Knight: You went to school (University) and what did that mean for you?  Did you begin to realize your vocation in High school?

 

Collin: In high school I began questioning the Protestant theology I was raised with. I started learning about the Catholic faith. At the time I was pretty cynical and should have been more charitable with the people I spoke with. At that time I wanted indisputable proof that Protestants were wrong if I was going to change. Of course, much smarter people than me have debated the key theological differences, and if indisputable proof existed, I don’t think much would be left to obedience and faith. It wasn’t until my junior year at The University of Texas at Dallas that I shifted my mindset.


I realized that I couldn’t presume Protestantism and give Catholics the burden for every proof. Rather, we should forget what we think we know and then ask which tradition is more likely what Christ intended for us. After much research, reading, and discussing, I slowly realized that the Catholic tradition was much more consistent with the Church and tradition Jesus started in Matthew 16:18-19. While I couldn’t irrefutably disprove Protestantism, I could no longer continue believing that the Protestant Church was what Jesus intended for his disciples.

 

Dr. Knight: Did the call you received from Christ bring you devotion to the Catholic Church? 


Collin: Absolutely. It’s always been my wish to follow Christ as closely as possible wherever that led, and it was this desire to follow the teaching and tradition given to us by Jesus which led me to the Catholic Church. As such, I have a great devotion to the Mass and particularly the Eucharist, which had been missing from my faith until now.

 

Dr. Knight: How about an easy question: what is your favorite film at this time? Book? Why?

 

Collin: Please, this is one of the harder questions! My favorite book is probably Stephen King’s The Stand. My favorite movie is The Passion of the Christ, I can’t watch that without crying. A more fun, but still serious second, would be Hacksaw Ridge, which is the true WW2 story of Desmond Doss, a Christian pacifist who enlisted as a medic and refused to carry a rifle. When the Marines retreated, Doss stayed on the battlefield rescuing soldier after soldier and relying on his faith. It’s an incredible testament to the power of faith and sacrificial service.

 

Dr. Knight: Our ministry is becoming more global and you have many ties to other Churches. Could you tell us how those ties influenced you?

 

Collin: I was raised in a non-denominational church, and I have a lot to thank them for. While I have a different theology from that church today, they’re the ones who taught me who Jesus was and they instilled in me a passion for the scriptures and emphasized the importance of understanding the scriptural basis for our faith (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This perspective has helped me to connect our Catholic Faith and Tradition with Holy Scripture.

 

Dr. Knight:  Do you think/feel that the use of social media in our parishes can assist people to think about knowing/loving/serving God through their ‘cyber-neighbor’?

 

Collin: Absolutely! Social media allows us to share our passion and faith with people who might not see Catholicism anywhere else. It is also useful for reminding us to say our prayers, attend feasts, and to inform us of parish events. That said, social media is no replacement for the community built through spending time together during and after mass. I think people should spend more time together after service, even sharing a meal together whenever possible. Invite someone for lunch/dinner after mass that you normally wouldn’t, you might be surprised how many friends you can make.

 

Dr. Knight: Are people more comfortable speaking to you about their beliefs?

 

Collin: Over time I have learned to listen more and speak less, but I have a lot more growing to do! A lot of my friends and family are used to hearing of people, especially young adults, leaving the Church, so there have been a few questions about what has led me in the other direction. I’m always happy to discuss my faith journey with those around me.

 

Dr. Knight: You took the OCIA program yourself and then discerned to be part of the team.  What importance does being on this team have as part of your spiritual life?

 

Collin: Being around inquirers, candidates, and catechumens reminds us to continue in our own faith with childlike awe and inquiry. We should all take every opportunity to remember our first love in Christ (Rev. 2:4-5).

 

Dr. Knight:  Who is your favorite saint and why?

 

Collin: My favorite saint is John Henry Newman. He  is also a convert to Catholicism, and the patron saint of students. Since I came to conversion as a student and believe that it is young adults and students who will determine the faith and strength within a society, I thought it appropriate to take his name for my own confirmation. I also relate deeply with his quote, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often”. If I had not changed, and changed significantly, I would not have the gifts  brought by Christ through the Catholic Church. Finally and a bit playfully, his birthday was exactly 200 years before mine, and since I am skeptical of coincidences, sharing a birthday sealed the deal so to speak.

 

Dr. Knight: Besides your degrees, what is the favorite course you took?

 

Collin: I double majored in Mathematics and Actuarial Science, and had 134 credit hours of mandatory coursework, so I did not have the opportunity to take any electives. My favorite non-mathematical course was probably Texas History and Government. That probably sounds a bit strange if you’re not from Texas, but Texas’ long history and time under many different national sovereignties has led to a fascinating history, culture, and governmental landscape. It’s much more complex than just being a southern or southwestern state.

 

Dr. Knight: You have been very supportive of the Catholic Church and its work. What are some of the ways you have been able to influence others to join in service?

 

Collin: I am slowly working on encouraging others. My hope is to lead by example, especially for our inquirers, candidates, and catechumens in the OCIA program. The true measure of love is in how we sacrificially serve others– just look at Christ’s example upon the cross (Ephesians 5:2)– that is our calling too. If I could pass along one message, it would be to emphasize that as Christians our own wants and needs are no longer first in line. Start small, your wife or husband and children, and prioritize their needs over your own. That love will branch out on its own if you just get it started. If we could love and serve each other sacrificially, then I think more people would see Christ in us and follow his light.

 

Dr. Knight:  What other issues do you have as a priority for our work as a society to bring Jesus to all?

 

Collin: I would really reemphasize my previous answer regarding sacrificial love. In addition, I’ll add that we have to know our own faith and practice it passionately and with a consuming devotion. If we choose to not attend mass because the friends we’re spending a holiday with don’t go, then we aren’t going to be moving hearts towards Christ. But if people look at us and can see a difference in us, can see a passion, love, and commitment to the Mass, then without saying a word we beg the question for our love and devotion. We must also be prepared to answer for that devotion. We must know our faith well enough to answer the simple questions and challenges which our lives invoke (1 Peter 3:15)


Dr. Knight: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with others so they may know/love and serve God better.

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