When Joe and I first joined St. Vivian Parish, 27 years ago, we did not know a soul. We had been born and raised in Connecticut, so we couldn't even answer that familiar Cincinnati question..."what high school did you go to?" ...with a name that made any sense to anyone. But that was OK...we were only looking for a good Church where we could attend Mass, and a good Catholic school for our two children. What we never expected, but were so happy to find, was a vibrant and loving Faith Family.

That family didn't show up right away. Like any good relationship, it took time and experience to grow and develop. We started tentatively, volunteering here or there at school once our children began to attend St. Vivian. Next came a few years on the PTA Board and, people who were total strangers at first, grew into wonderful friends who we cherish to this day as our extended family. Since those grade school days there have been other committees and commissions that we both feel so privileged to have served on. One that continues to own a piece of our hearts is the FOCCUS - or engaged couples ministry. When Fr. Jack Filippine asked us to be facilitators for that program, we said "Oh, no, Father, we can't teach young couples how to live happily ever after". "Maybe not", Fr. Jack said..."but you can show them how to communicate well so that they might". That was 19 years ago and Joe and I continue to minister to engaged couples today because, with each new couple, we never fail to learn something about ourselves and to grow deeper in our own faith and commitment to each other.

The amazing thing about our experiences here at St. Vivian is that, no matter what the activity, we always find people who are so genuine, and who care deeply about their faith and this parish. This has never been more true than with this Grateful Believers program, where we find ourselves renewing old friendships, and putting names to faces we've seen across the aisle at Church for years. What a blessing it is to discover and grow a Faith Family.

As we begin these 4 weeks with the Grateful Believers program, we encourage you to pray, and read, and listen, and think about what God is calling you to do at St. Vivian in the coming year. No matter in what stage of life you are, no matter your age, no matter how much or little time you have to give, no matter whether you've been deeply involved at St. Vivian for years, or just like to come to Mass, we hope you will consider how you might be able to participate in the many good things that are happening here. If you do, you will be blessed, and so will your parish.