I was raised in a spiritual, but non-religious, household. I was taught who Jesus was with a focus on his love for all of us. I didn’t attend church until high school. I joined a youth program at a Lutheran church in Cloquet and I really enjoyed the sense of community and the opportunity to learn more about my faith. However, I stopped attending church in college due to being busy and falling away from my faith.

In my early 20s, I started to long for a spiritual connection to God. I was dating Emily, the woman to whom I am now happily married, who invited me to attend Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. I was immediately drawn to the beauty of the liturgy and the warmth of the community. I knew that I had found a place where I could grow in my faith.

In 2016, I started the OCIA process, which is the Catholic Church’s program for adults who are interested in becoming Catholic. I learned about the rich tradition of the Catholic Church, and I was confirmed in 2017.

One of the things that drew me to the Catholic Church was its approach to the Bible. I had always struggled with how people literally interpreted the Bible, but I learned that Catholics approach the Bible spiritually and take into consideration the context of the time that it was written and the bigger message that God is sharing. This really broke down barriers I had built up in my heart over 20 years.

As a Catholic, I see how we put into practice God’s word every day. Helping the poor and those in need is so crucial to my faith, and I’m proud to serve with others in my faith community. I now serve as a team leader in OCIA, walking with young and old people who are deciding whether to become Catholic. This ministry has strengthened my own faith and belief, and it’s inspiring to see the Holy Spirit work in others.

I am a Catholic because God has called me to be one from the very beginning. All my internal values and beliefs aligned incredibly well with this Church.

In addition to the above, here are some other reasons I am a Catholic:

I believe in the importance of tradition. The Catholic Church has a rich history and tradition that I find deeply meaningful.

I believe in the importance of community. The Catholic Church is a global community. I feel a strong sense of belonging when I am part of this community.

I believe in the importance of social justice. The Catholic Church has a long history of working for social justice. I am inspired by the Church’s commitment to helping the poor and those in need.

I am grateful for the gift of my faith, and I am excited to see where God leads me in the future. I believe that the Catholic Church is the best place for me to grow in my relationship with God and to serve others.

Broeffle, 36, is a member of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. He is the father of Frances, 2, and has been married to Emily for eight years. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, playing and collecting video games. Broeffle works from home as a revenue operations consultant and podcast host for CS2, an agency that helps companies optimize marketing and sales. He says he is blessed in more ways than he could ever imagine and tries to give back whenever possible.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you’re Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholicSpirit@archspm.org with “Why I Am Catholic” in the subject line.