Meet St. Paul’s Parishioner Denise Jennis: Embracing God’s Mercy for Souls

From serving our parish family to praying devoutly for the souls in purgatory, Denise Jennissen finds her peace in life by embracing the mercy of God. Christ’s love for souls has become a profound love of her own as well, and it shows.

“My favorite devotion is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and my favorite saint is St. Faustina,” she says. “It’s amazing how Jesus shared His story of mercy and love through her. I also pray the Mercy for the Souls in Purgatory prayer daily. I feel it is important to pray for the salvation of souls, and I like to share this prayer with everyone.”

Coming to St. Faustina Chapel regularly to adore the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist has given her a beautiful way to deepen her friendship with Him, as well.

“Coming to adoration has made me realize how important it is to pray, adore and love Our Lord,” she says. “I have been going for about five years, and for the last three years, I have gone mainly on Wednesday nights. I would encourage others to come to adoration, too, because it will help them cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus.”

Further, Denise has found that by being an integral part of our parish family, she can help bring souls to Christ in meaningful ways.

“After my family sold the family farm by Padua in 1979, we joined St. Paul’s Church where my grandparents attended,” she says. “Being involved in our parish over the years has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment in my life.”

Denise Jennissen and family

Denise serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and participates in various faith formation events at our parish, as well.

“I really enjoy the Searching Souls Ministry on Monday nights,” Denise says. “We also had a Bible study during Lent called No Greater Love. It really opened my eyes to what Jesus went through before His death on the cross. I enjoy having a community of devoted Catholics that I can relate to. It is so nice to relate to them on a personal level through faith and stewardship.”

Desiring to bring the stewardship vision to life in the midst of our parish family, Denise recently joined the Stewardship Committee.

“It is so nice to connect with the other committee members,” she says. “It is inspiring to see how everyone has a passion to share their time, treasure and talent through stewardship.”

Denise also lives out stewardship in the midst of her family in a meaningful way by bringing her granddaughter, Ariana, with her to Mass regularly.

“My daughter, Mariah, and Ariana visit me frequently on the weekend,” Denise says. “I believe that me going to church regularly and demonstrating how important the Lord is in my life helps Ariana to want to practice the same Christian faith as I do.”

When asked how sharing her faith with her family has been a blessing to her, Denise offers a grateful reflection.

“The Lord has blessed me in countless ways,” she says. “I love and cherish my family. The advice I would give to others is to tell your family often how much you love them, and make memories with them that will last a lifetime.”

Mercy for the Souls in Purgatory: A prayer which would release souls from Purgatory each time it is said.

“Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my own family. AMEN.”