Witness Stories

The “Discovering Christ” virtual formation was a soothing balm for my soul and at the same time a jump-start to a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
One would think that at my stage in life, my faith and the role of the Holy Trinity in my life are well established. Yet the sadness of losing my son to cancer two years ago has changed my outlook on life. I grieve with hope—as Saint Paul invites us to do—and that keeps me going, but finding joy in the everyday has become challenging at best.

During this formation the Holy Spirit genuinely helped me become immersed in Christ’s message of faith and hope. I felt awakened to take actions that Christ is inviting me to take. To look at life and find joy in the everyday, to be grateful for what I have, to remember that life has a purpose beyond personal tragedy, and that Christ is our unfailing friend. Of course, you must nurture that friendship, and if you do, that friendship becomes real, present and enough. Daily invocations and conversations with Christ are becoming commonplace and my trust in Him at the center of new found strength to live this life on earth (whatever is left of it) to its fullest.      

A beautiful part of this experience is the bond I’ve made and continue to build upon with my fellow parishioners. During this program they shared life stories and how they live their faith. That has also been the work of the Holy Spirit. Getting to know them better during this journey has been a privilege. I treasure this bond and hope I can be as valuable to them as they have been to me.
The Discovering Christ formation was the beginning of a virtuous cycle of love and an active friendship with Christ. I encourage everyone who is thirsting for more in their lives to participate in this formation beginning Tuesday October 6th and start this virtuous cycle without delay. For more information you can contact me directly or staff member Darrin.

Alina Urdaneta
urdaneta.alina@gmail.com

Darrin Nelson
Adult Faith Formation and Parish Evangelization 
Contact info:
dnelson@stmaryswatchung.org

Discovering an even deeper relationship with God and being Catholic.

My name is Daniel Germaine. I am a parishioner at Saint Mary’s Church and a member of the Knights Of Columbus of Saint Mary’s. When the pandemic hit it was devastating to my life because I felt as if my connection to the parish was taking away from me. I longed to see my fellow parishioners. I missed tremendously receiving the body and the blood of Christ and the importance of ‘Community’ for me as a Catholic. It was like a big hole in my heart. 


"Then one day I received an invitation from a friend in the parish asking me to consider joining him with a formation program called Discovering Christ"
Dan G.

Like many of you, I was brought up Catholic and have been a practicing Catholic all my life. But with the ritual of ‘practicing’ there was still something missing. Participating in Discovering Christ, I personally discovered what was the missing piece in my Catholic faith. A deep and personal relationship with Christ. 

Discovering Christ showed me a wonderful new way at looking at my faith and understanding it. It was a jubilation that not only filled my spiritual needs and my faith, but helped we understand things in my faith that I just quite never understood. It awakened so much for me regarding the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. It has been an enjoyable journey with some incredible parishioners. 

Are you feeling a little disconnected from the parish and would like to grow deeper in your faith? I urge you to open a new door in your faith journey and participate in Discovering Christ this October. You will feel and see a new awakening in your spiritual faith that will uplift you and give you great peace. I hope you join me this Fall as we gather again for Discovering Christ. May the peace of God be with you always.
You can contact me or Darrin Nelson to find out how to join this wonderful experience. 

Daniel A Germaine
ddangermaine@optonline.net

Darrin Nelson
dnelson@stmaryswatchung.org
(908) 756-6524 x 15

HAVE YOU EVER FELT A FEELING OF EMPTINESS IN YOUR LIFE?

I have. Despite having a very active life with a loving family and an abundance of friends, for most of my life there remained, deep down inside me, a feeling of longing.  I was raised a Catholic and after I married and had children, I decided to become more involved in my Catholic faith. I went to mass regularly, became a eucharistic minister, and taught religious education for many years. But still, the void remained. It wasn't until I participated in "Be My Witness" and more recently, " Discovering Christ"  that I encountered the saving love of Christ in my life. From the very first session, "Whatis the Meaning of Life?"   I was awakened to the full meaning of Jesus; life, death, and resurrection. The love of God and Jesus now permeates my life. I have a purpose that doesn't revolve around status or material things.  My life is complete and the void has been filled. I invite you to participate with me in,  "Discovering Christ"; this Fall.

See if the experience doesn't open your heart to something you never expected. You can contact me or our staff member Darrin Nelson to find out how to join this wonderful experience.

Reach out to:

Valerie DeVito

Darrin Nelson
St Mary’s Stony Hill Church
Formation and Evangelization