\u201cFor 40 years, when I say, \u2018we stepped away from our faith,\u2019 I mean, for myself, I didn\u2019t even think about it,\u201d Debra said.<\/p>\n
They are both grateful that God never walked away from them and four decades later He placed the Catholic Biblical School in their path. Now the couple credits the school with a brand-new love of their faith and a stronger marriage.<\/p>\n
Debra\u2019s faith journey paused after her Confirmation at age 8 or 9. She told her parents she didn\u2019t want to go to religious education anymore and they said OK. The family remained what she called \u201cChristmas Catholics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her husband of 41 years, Ron, had a completely different upbringing as an altar boy and then a student at the Jesuit Fordham Preparatory School in New York. He graduated early and later went on to enter the Air Force Academy, but he left behind any desire to practice his Catholic faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI raised a lot of hell in college,\u201d Ron said. \u201cIt was not instilled in me what it meant to be a good, mature Catholic man. But I\u2019m profoundly grateful God had patience with me; there were times in my life I had close calls flying in the Air Force and I\u2019m eternally grateful I didn\u2019t have more serious outcomes.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5721″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”small_depth” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”basic” text_color=”#00833e” quote=”It was not instilled in me what it meant to be a good, mature Catholic man. But I\u2019m profoundly grateful God had patience with me.” name=”Ron Zapka”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5726″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”basic” text_color=”#00833e” quote=”This is not some wide-eyed fairy tale.” name=”Ron Zapka”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Ron spent much of his adulthood seeking a greater meaning in life and he studied philosophers and the practice of Zen Buddhism for 10 years. The couple worked in the airline industry when a co-pilot friend invited them to Mass in the Duomo of Milan. The friend later commented over dinner that he truly loved his Catholic faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d never heard someone talk about their faith like that,\u201d Debra said.<\/p>\n
Ron realized what he had been searching for had been lying dormant since his Baptism and he decided to return to Catholicism. The couple agreed they needed to deepen their understanding of the faith when they saw a notice about classes with the Catholic Biblical School at the St. John Vianney Seminary Lay Division in the Archdiocese of Denver.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\u201cI asked \u2018how are we going to make this work? We both work for the airlines; how will we fit this into our schedules?\u2019\u201d said Debra. \u201cRon said we should at least go to the information meeting to check it out and we walked out and looked at each other and said, \u2018we have to take this class.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Learning about the connections between Old and New Testaments and understanding the prophets and the timelines of events were life-changing for the Zapkas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you understand the historical truths of the Bible it bolsters your faith and it gives you a desire to share it,\u201d Ron said. \u201cThis is not some wide-eyed fairy tale. When [the instructor] lays it all out with the timelines and when the Messiah was expected to come, oh my gosh, I got goosebumps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ron also was struck by the couple\u2019s new devotion to a prayer life that came from the classes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were incredibly blessed to have a really good marriage all those years, but praying together and reading scripture together has brought an incredibly deeper and important dimension to our marriage,\u201d Ron said.<\/p>\n
The Zapkas received so much out of the Catholic Biblical School courses that they chose to follow it up with the Catechetical School courses also offered by the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary Lay Division.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if you think you know it all, please take these classes \u2014 you will come to understand the beauty of our faith and get so much more out of life,\u201d Debra said.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5732″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”small_depth” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”basic” text_color=”#00833e” quote=”Even if you think you know it all, please take these classes \u2014 you will come to understand the beauty of our faith and get so much more out of life.” name=”Debra Zapka”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5740″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”small_depth” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-6-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”60″][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” constrain_group_1=”yes” constrain_group_2=”yes” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Extra-Color-2″ icon_family=”none” text=”Register for Classes” margin_top=”15″ margin_bottom=”15″ margin_left=”15″ margin_right=”15″ url=”https:\/\/sjvlaydivision.org”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]\n
St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is supported by the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. Please consider a donation to keep these classes available.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” color_override=”#dd8d13″ icon_family=”none” text=”Yes, I Want to Help!” url=”\/give\/” css_animation=”bounce”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”60″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” disable_element=”yes” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”4705″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” img_link_target=”_blank” border_radius=”10px” box_shadow=”small_depth” image_loading=”default” max_width=”50%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/give.archden.org\/”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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