The Roman Catholic Community of St. Jerome, Phoenix, Arizona: Testimonies of Faith

This is where parishioners tell the story of the their faith-growth experiences in the St. Jerome Church Community. It can be a story you tell about yourself or a story about how another person you know lives their faith and it's effect on you.

Please use Contact Us and select Testimonies of Faith to submit your story.

(Entry 9/14/08)

I've known Tracey Andrews for about 2 years. I was first impressed by her enthusiasm and quick mind. She is married and a mother of two children and is very involved in their lives. Even with all the time it takes to be a good wife and mother, she has time for others. She has been spending a lot of her time helping Angelica Contreras and her family with their struggle to deal with Angelica's life threatening Huntington's disease(See AZMiracle.com). I admire her for how she lives her Catholic faith without being sucked into the secular lifestyle. It gives me hope for the future. ---- Dale Canady

(Entry 9/9/08)

During Daily Mass today I was watching Fr. Ben as he celebrated and sermonized about St. Peter Claver. I surmised that while people know Fr. Ben as a celebrant, only a few know of Fr. Ben's far-reaching ministry to the sick and dying. He responds to calls from hospitals and homes by visiting and anointing the sick valley wide and not just in our parish. I am inspired by his faith in action. .... Dale Canady

(Entry 9/8/08)
My name is Jose Ruiz

I have been happily married with my lovely wife Tina for 22 years, and I have 5 wonderful kids. I'm currently working at Banner Thunderbird medical center. For the last 7 years I have been helping in the catholic church in many different ways, like teaching the bible, and organizing many retreats and teaching for the first communion and baptism. I have a diploma at bible one and two ,I have joined The Schools of Evangelization San Andres and I'm currently studying philosophy.

Bi-lingual: Spanish and English.

The Lord Jesus Christ bless you.
Jose Ruiz

(Entry 9/7/08)

I met Fred Groenke from our parish this weekend. He is an officer in our local Knights of Columbus. He helped us restock our St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry from downtown at the main warehouse. On our way, Fred told me about noticing homeless people gathered at Mountain View park. He decided he could help them by bringing food to them on a regular basis. I am inspired by his straight forward way of responding to the Lord's call to "feed my sheep" ..... Dale Canady

I recently(7/21/08) attended the Growth In The Spirit Seminar sponsored by Catholic Renewal Ministries and our St. Jerome Charismatic Prayer Group. I also attended the Life In the Spirit Seminar on June 21st, 2008. At the 7/21 meeting, I was inspired by the speaker, Dodie Burrola, to commit to a specific prayer time and to attend the 8:30am daily mass. While I have only been at it a few days, I feel closer to Jesus, our Lord. We are so fortunate at St,.Jerome to have weekday Mass(Mon-Fri). I recommend the Growth In The Spirit Seminar to anyone seeking to have the Spirit guide them in their lives.

Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Dale Canady
7/23/08

July, 2008
Paul Martodam:

I am the CEO of Catholic Charities in the Diocese since 1992, www.catholiccharitiesaz.org and have worked in Catholic Charities organizations in MN for 16 years. We were attracted to St. Jeromes through the JustFaith program, we are so impressed with the many active educational, liturgical and social ministries in the parish. We are a faith community that lives our faith!

July, 2008

Linda Martodam:

We have been members of St. Jerome for two years. I became familiar with St. Jerome when I participated in the JustFaith program here. Through JustFaith I met wonderful, Christ-centered people here at St. Jerome and I learned so much about what Jesus calls me to as one of His followers. I would highly recommend JustFaith to all who love Jesus and want to grow in faith and understanding of what it means to be a Christian in today's world.

July, 2008

Beth Morford

I never thought I would find a church I loved as much as my St. Mary's---until I found St. Jerome. I began serving as a Proclaimer of the Word (lector). I also serve as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. (E.M.) Then I started helping with Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9 and 11 am Masses. I have been part of the R.C.I.A. team and the last two years have sponsored 2 of our new Catholics. On Tuesday evenings my good friend, Gail Maddock and I teach the Introduction to the Faith class to 35 of our 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.

Very soon 7 of us will become certified catechists. We have a need for more teachers and aids in the Catholic Faith Formation, religious education classes. It is not necessary to be a theologian or a certified catechist to teach. Just a love of God and a desire to share that love with others. If you feel called to do that we will be there to help you help us help others in their spiritual journey. Those of us working in Faith Formation feel we receive much more than we give. We pray that others will join us. Matthew 9:37&38. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest" We are praying for more laborers. Please think and pray about it. Thank you and God bless!!!

July, 2008

Dale Canady

Through my involvement with a Small Church Community and St. Vincent de Paul, the Word of God has come alive in my life. At SCC, we read and share about the upcoming Sunday scripture and sharings by others in the group have inspired me to see how I can live the Gospel. In fact, it inspired me to become involved with work of our local St. Jerome Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. By serving the poor and needy in our parish, I meet Christ. His word comes alive in them, the Eucharist and in me.

For more information use Contact Us, selecting the appropriate subject.