Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Deacon David Caballero shared his journey back to the Catholic Church, highlighting the struggles and pivotal moments that led to his return. Reflecting on his past alienation from the Church, he mentioned the lack of obvious opportunities for faith formation during his youth, noting, "It was hard. My faith wasn’t growing. I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do as a Catholic. I wasn’t happy."

Caballero narrated a significant incident that caused him to drift further from the Church, triggered by a negative experience at Mass. He admitted, "I severed myself from the source," realizing later that he had allowed anger to distance himself from the institution. However, a turning point came during an Alienated Catholics Anonymous meeting when Monsignor Tom Cahalane's words made him reflect on his role in the Church, stating, "I was the son who stayed there but allowed anger to drive me away from the Church."

After his wife, Melinda, embraced Catholicism and encouraged him to join Alienated Catholics Anonymous, Deacon David gradually found his way back to the Church. Following years of certification and formation, he was ordained as a Catholic deacon in 2021, emphasizing that being a deacon is ultimately "a ministry of service."

Deacon David's dedication to inviting others back to the Catholic Church is evident in his involvement with programs like Alienated Catholics Anonymous and Catholics Come Home. He emphasized the importance of leading by example, stating, "Work on being the best Christian you can be: be the face of Christ." Encouraging meaningful conversations and interactions, he highlighted the significance of living out one's faith in everyday actions, quoting St. Francis of Assisi, "The actions you do today might be the only sermon somebody hears."

Through his personal experiences and commitment to service, Deacon David Caballero serves as an inspiring example of faith and evangelization within the Catholic community.