MEET
Emily Kite:
Sharing a Love for Service and Stewardship in Quincy
E
mily Kite loves serving others, whether it’s through her job as a nurse at Blessing Hospital, as a volunteer with Teens Encountering Christ (TEC), or as an organizer of The Belonging young adult group. As a recent college graduate, Emily recognized that she was part of an age group that may not feel like they have a place at Catholic Churches. So, Emily helped cofound The Belonging Ministry, a young adult group, with a few friends. The group has been around for about two years. “We felt there was a gap there in building community,” Emily says. “We got a group of friends together and decided to create a place, together, with other people who have the same beliefs.” The group meets at the parish hall at St. Francis Solanus in the colder months and Upper Moorman Park when it’s warm out. Every month, they share in at least one activity from each of the Four Pillars of Stewardship — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. The group is geared toward single people, but married couples are also welcome. Emily also enjoys serving by bringing Holy Communion to those in the hospital. “It’s really rewarding and humbling to bring people the Eucharist,” she says. “It’s beautiful to see the respect they have for the Eucharist. It’s amazing the faith they can have during a hard time.” This ministry pairs well with Emily’s career as a nurse. She had attended St. Peter Catholic School and Quincy Notre Dame. She went on to graduate from Quincy University and the Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “I got into nursing because I thought it would be a great way to help continue to incorporate my love for service into my life,” Emily says. The Teens Encounter Christ program has also
Emily Kite with her brother, Ethan
been an important part of Emily’s faith journey. She attended as a teen and has done a lot of volunteering since. “The program has taught me a lot of things,” she says. “It has given me a community and has provided me with lifelong friends and people I call family.” It means a lot to Emily to be able to give back to the organizations and people who helped shape her life. It’s one of the reasons she stayed in Quincy after graduation. “I wanted to give back to those groups who continued on back cover
7
