Witness Testimony: Dennis Kunkle,
St. Joachim, Plainview
Through
almost 20 years of working in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry I have formed a lot of friendships. Some of them started in the Together in Faith meetings; others were formed in planning meetings for certain events. During these meetings, I was able to learn better ways to prepare Catechists as teachers for our young people. In planning events such as Camp Summit, I have seen youth grow Closer to Christ on our high school Fiat team and the middle school youth in attendance. I have also seen some of these young people go off to work for Totus Tuus, become priests, deacons, sisters, and work for other churches. This makes me proud, but most have become parents who are raising children who now come to Faith Formation and Youth Ministry events all over southern Minnesota. For me, the Appeal has been there to help me share my love for my faith and the Church, but also it has helped me to grow Closer to Christ!
February, 2015 w The Courier
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“ et us live the truth in love and grow in every way into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.” [Ephesians 4: 15-16] In this Scripture passage, St. Paul is describing how each of us has been given unique gifts. We grow in these gifts and receive even more when we open our hearts to grow Closer to Christ. Entering into this intimacy with Christ allows room for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us our authentic selves. Through such grace, we clearly see what Christ, the head, has blessed us with – time, talents and treasure – to build the body, the Catholic Church, up in love. Closer to Christ, the theme of this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, is fitting during this time in our history when our culture is telling us that religion is not important. The work of the Church is still important and we draw Closer to Christ, knowing that we are called by Him to continue His work. Christ is, after all, the head of our Church and the embodiment of who we are as Catholics. He offers us an infinite amount of love and mercy that flows from His Most Sacred Heart. We are strengthened through Him to go forth and lead others Closer to Christ as we come together as one Church. The good works made possible through the Appeal create opportunities for thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Winona to draw Closer to Christ in their lifelong journey of faith.