During the March rite of election, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith has fun with the Martin children of Milwaukie: Levi, Lucas, Emily, Cristian and Hudson. (Courtesy Sue Schubert)
During the March rite of election, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith has fun with the Martin children of Milwaukie: Levi, Lucas, Emily, Cristian and Hudson. (Courtesy Sue Schubert)
A family of seven became Catholic at St. John the Baptist Parish in Milwaukie.

Eric and Tiffany Martin were confirmed and their five children, ages 5 to 14, were baptized by Father John Marshall in a full church. The four Martin boys and their father wore white shirts and dark ties, not everyday attire in this household.

“It has to be God who guided us,” said Tiffany, a homemaker. “There was this feeling that came over me, this amazing feeling.”

For years, the couple has felt attracted to Catholic teaching and community. At the early March Rite of Election, a recognition of those to enter the church, the Martins saw how joyful the faith can be. After the ceremony, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith enjoyed meeting the family. He put his pectoral cross, zucchetto, and miter on three of the children and placed his crosier in the hand of another. Everyone erupted in laughter.

“The community life is near and dear to our hearts,” Tiffany said.

Eric is a longtime fire suppression sprinkler installer. All five children attend St. John the Baptist School.

“We are a tightknit, happy-go-lucky, average family,” Tiffany said.

At the Easter vigil, offered in English and Spanish, Father Marshall told the Martins and the many other new Catholics in Milwaukie that their work is not done, urging all to continue to grow toward Jesus and keep learning about the church.