For Major and Thomas Remento, 23 and 24, the decision to become Catholic started with a little arranged push from their mother.

After reading about the Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults in her parish bulletin, Denise Remento called the office and enrolled her two sons for classes at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Parish in Mililani. Her youngest two children were the only two of her six children who had not been baptized.

“She didn’t tell us anything,” Major said. “She just said we have a meeting tonight at the church.”

The brothers didn’t object.

“We wanted to get baptized,” Major said. “So we had to go and see Aunty Gwen and she enrolled us into the RCIA class. It is very cool — every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30. We learn a lot about the Lord.”

Aunty Gwen is Gwen Mitsui, parish director of religious education. She was more than happy to add the two brothers to her list.

“They are very talented and hard-working boys,” she said. “They always make an effort to come though they work several jobs.”

Thomas said that though they went to Mass frequently, they were never able to receive Communion.

“They used to teach us the ‘Our Father’ and the ‘Hail Mary,’ but that was the only thing we knew,” he said.

“There were a lot of things I didn’t know about being Catholic,” Major said. “I was kind of ashamed, kind of nervous to go at first. I didn’t know what was going to come of it, but I was going to stick it out.”

The two said that they have both felt welcomed and have enjoyed learning about their faith and meeting new friends.

Both Major and Thomas both work as dancers for the Magic of Polynesia show in Waikiki. Major also works for Roberts Hawaii tour company and Thomas is also a construction worker. Double jobs mean they have to work every day of the week.

Despite their busy schedule, the two men said their bosses are “very accommodating.” They make sure that they are free to attend their Tuesday evening RCIA class. They said their coworkers are also very supportive as well as their brothers and sisters and friends.

“It is pretty cool,” Thomas said. “People see a change in you. That is the main thing.”

They view the learning and accepting of the faith as all part of their maturing process toward adulthood.

“We knew all about God, but not as much,” Thomas said. “That is one of the things we wanted — to get deeper.”

It also helps them make wiser choices and better decisions.

“Being older and being involved in church and things, you see things and you say, ‘Let’s just walk the other way,’” Major said.

How does their Mom feel about their new love for the Catholic faith?

“She is really happy,” Major said. “My brother and sister are happy, too.”

This Easter Vigil will be the first since St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church was renovated this past summer. It now has a full submersion baptismal pool. Major and Thomas will be among the first to use it.

“I am ready to do it,” said Thomas. “We have come so far right now.”

“After, we hope to get more involved in church,” Major added.