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New York City firefighter Daniel Bright had wanted to join the Catholic Church for some time, but he was not going to do it without the other members of his family.
"I didn't want us to have two different churches," he said.
Both baptized Catholics, he and his wife, Janet, had become Methodists and until recently worshipped in that faith, along with their children, John, 10, and Ashley, 7. Still, the possibility of returning to Catholicism was a recurring thought to Daniel.
He met with Father David A. DeSimone, pastor of Most Sacred Heart parish in Port Jervis, where the Brights reside, a couple of years ago and began to take adult religious education classes. Father DeSimone's lessons brought the Catholic faith alive.
"He's a history buff and a good teacher," Daniel said. "The classes are a lot of fun. I look forward to going."
While traveling on an airplane last spring, Daniel spoke with a seatmate who gave a personal witness about Catholicism and encouraged him to listen to the tapes of a leading Catholic evangelist, Dr. Scott Hahn, which he found very fruitful.
From time to time he would ask his wife about whether she wanted to join as well so that the family could remain united in one church. At Christmas time in 2000 the Brights attended Masses at Most Sacred Heart. Janet continued to have reservations. Then Sept. 11 came.
Daniel, a six-year firefighter who serves with Ladder 46 on Bailey Avenue in his native Bronx, was on vacation that day. He was recalled at noon and went down to Ground Zero the next day. He and his wife lost "a good dozen people we knew‹firemenwise," including a close friend. Those first few weeks after the tragic attacks were a tough time for the Bright family, as Daniel was away from home more than not.
"I didn't see my family much at all," he told me on the phone. "I think it really showed her what a dangerous job it is."
Little things sometimes mean a lot. Janet was heartened that the doors of Most Sacred Heart were open to her and others who needed a place of solace after Sept. 11. She soon made the decision to join her husband and other adults in the Wednesday evening formation classes with Father DeSimone. Their children also are now enrolled in the parish religious education program.
Janet and Daniel will receive the sacraments of confirmation and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass at Most Sacred Heart. Their son will receive First Eucharist at the same, and their daughter will make the sacrament along with her fellow second-graders.
To cap the celebration at the Easter Vigil, Janet and Daniel will take their wedding vows as members of the Catholic Church. The couple's mothers are coming in from Michigan and Ohio, and other family members and friends are expected to attend.
"It's going to be quite a day," Daniel said.
Daniel is not the first firefighter to be brought into the Church by Father DeSimone, who is chaplain to the fire department in Port Jervis. Last year, he guided the entry of John Launt, the fire chief of Port Jervis. In fact, Launt and Daniel Bright both attended classes together with the pastor.
Father DeSimone emphasized that Daniel's interest was the impetus behind his family's conversion, and said Most Sacred Heart is eager to receive its newest parishioners.
"We're a pretty small parish," Father DeSimone said. "It's exciting."
