I Am Called
As I reflect on my journey, I remember that God has placed me here, in this time and place, to be a witness to Jesus Christ. Through my baptism, I am called to be His disciple, using the unique gifts He has given me. I don't need to be perfect, but faithful—trusting that God will equip me every step of the way.
Featured Parishioner Testimonial
Unfolding Love
By Elizabeth Walsh
I recently experienced something wonderful about making a commitment.
Consider people before they make a commitment to marriage or make a commitment to religious life. Generally, they believe they have a solid understanding of what that commitment will be (the joys, the positives for sure, but also the possible difficulties and struggles). Once they make the commitment, the lived reality of the commitment gradually unfolds over time. And, when they cooperate with God, God participates with them drawing them deeper into the reality of the commitment which far exceeds their original imaginings.
I was asked to help the parish with the goal of continuous adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament where they need people to commit to a weekly hour of adoration. I said yes. Afterall, I visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament routinely on my schedule, when I can fit it in, when it is convenient for me, when I am “ready” with my agenda. I thought what I was doing was good enough. Perhaps I was the worst person on the planet for the parish to have working on the goal.
After a few months, I could not take it anymore…
To Encounter…
Encounter
Adoration
Have you ever stopped to consider that the same God you kneel before in Adoration, is the same God that the Magi traveled to adore? Just as the Magi followed the star “and came to do Him homage” (Matthew 2:2), during Adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we come to worship Jesus 2000 years later.
By Nathan Forsthoefel
I stepped off the train in northern Virginia after traveling back north from Focus missionary training in Ave Maria Florida. Having not participated in a mission trip since the early 2000’s, I did not know what to expect. In the early 2000’s, my father and I traveled with our parish, St. Maximilian Kolbe, to West Liberty, Kentucky to lend a hand replacing a family’s deck and accessibility ramp that had been destroyed during a storm the previous year…
“The Poverty Within Ourselves”
By Kate Zink & Family
A year ago I was dragging my feet. There were frequent announcements at Mass about joining the Festival committee, becoming a booth captain, signing up for volunteer spots to support the Festival, and donating basket items. We are a busy family with four children and involved in “all the things” so as a crazy spring was winding down, I was really looking forward to low-commitment, lazy summer days and planning our family vacation. As the Festival drew near, however, I couldn’t shake a nagging thought…
A Legacy of Faith
To Follow…
follow
What does the Church teach about the purpose of the state and our role in civil society?
Join Fr. Jim on January 15 at 7:00 PM in the St. Patrick’s conference room for a discussion about these topics and how Catholics are called to live in the world, but not be “of the world.”
From Head to Heart Series
“God Leads, We Follow”
By Kevin Shook
My wife, Dawn, and I moved to Liberty Township from the Washington, D.C. suburbs in 2017. Dawn and I met in January 2004 while serving in the Virginia Army National Guard. Our unit was preparing to deploy to Mosul, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was at a point in my life when I was a single dad, with two young children that I was leaving behind, and I was feeling lost and full of self-pity. I had lost sight of God. Dawn was a practicing Catholic who converted to the faith in 1999. She asked me to join her in attending Sunday Mass and, being in a war zone, I felt that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Going back to Mass gave me comfort and hope and it released the burden of my problems…
Our Stephen Ministry is a ministry of pastoral care that equips the laity to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Stephen Ministry
To Love…
love
By Karen Borgemenke
About a month ago, at a Sunday Mass, there was a young family sitting in front of us. The sweet, little baby girl peeked and smiled at us all Mass long. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and we found them sitting next to us. This same, sweet little one reaching out for “peace,” turning and smiling throughout the Mass. What joy it has brought me to see young families moving up front with their kiddos to keep them engaged…I remember being there myself, so well.
Jesus Loves the Little Children
By Paul Verbarg
The vision for the Serenelli Project as a whole is to create a monastic community for men coming out of prison; it will focus on work, prayer, service, and recovery. The intent is to atone for the worst crimes and sinners. The project is named after Alessandro Serenelli who served 27 years in prison for murder. After his release, he spent the rest of his life as a penitent in a monastery, serving as a lay brother. This project will also provide a means for our “returning citizens” to acquire work skills, to aid their development and move into society. Since this is a monastery and not a halfway house, they can choose to stay…
Serenelli Project
Join us for a themed date night each First Friday of the month, beginning with First Friday Mass, followed by snacks, fellowship & formation! Please feel free to bring wine, beer or an appetizer to share.
Date Night for Married Couples
What is a Disciple?
A faithful disciple is an individual who personally
encounters and loves Jesus Christ,
makes an intentional commitment to follow Him,
is open to the Holy Spirit,
seeks to be transformed by this relationship,
loves one another as Christ loves,
and invites and helps others to do the same.
Discipleship