What's Your Story?

One of the best ways to evangelize is to simply share your own story of encountering God. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen once famously said, "The easiest way to get to Heaven is to take someone by the hand and lead him there." You never know. Reading your story might inspire someone to take a step forward on that path.  We created this space to make it easy to reach out your hand by sharing your story from your heart. You can use your name or even just your initials.

Think about it. Pray about it. Keep your eyes and heart open and use the form nearby to send your story to us in an email. We'll publish it here, in our bulletin, and on Facebook.

My four-month investigation into the Catholic faith has already been a transcendent blessing in my young adult life. Meeting with Deacon Tony Pastizzo and attending Mass has been nothing but enriching in building my faith in the Savior. Getting to know some of the parishioners and priests of the diocese has also been personally edifying. I have been surrounded with genuine kindness and understanding on my journey. Thank you all.''But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.'' - Isaiah 40:31

I pray The Beads 3 times daily. I feel very comfortable talking to our Lord. Why it's very important to me, my mother instilled in me, when I was 5 years old, the Lord was always Present in our lives, and we should trust in Him. I know! I'm 83 and I never miss a day that I don't pray to Him. ~Willard C. Ashley, Sept. 2020

My Mom and Dad made sure we got  to church.  As we got older it was harder to corral the nine of us.  There was one occasion that stuck in my mind throughout the years:  I used to get up on Sunday mornings with my Dad to attend 8:00 am mass.  He was what was called “the commentator”  of the mass at the time.  One morning- I was 9 or 10 -we were getting ready to leave for mass when Dad handed me a small black leather bound book entitled “ Key of Heaven”. The inscription read “ to Angela- from Daddy - 1965”.  The book contains the prayers, the mass, the litanies etc. Though the book is important, it was the giving of it that was Dad’s witness.  It has made all the difference.  Dads, you are so important as witnesses to the faith for your children.  
I remember too, the joy I felt when leaving mass- still do-that I had received communion,  and that the celebrant had given us all Gods blessing. There was a priest who, when finishing his homily, blessed himself every time.  So I began to do that also. I felt it was as if to seal that part of the mass to our heart.  I wish I could recall who it was but there have been so many good and holy priests who have made their life a witness to Jesus for me.
The Gray nuns taught us to bow our heads every time Jesus name was spoken.  I’m sure there are many classmates who still do so, along with me.  My faith and all that comes with that has given me so much.  I could never repay it.       “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”  Isaiah
- Angie Rishe Morley  September 2020