From left to right: Genna Grabbe, Diana Eckert, Megan D’Antonio, and Laura Miller enjoying fellowship and friendship after Mass last weekend—complete with a visit from Mister Softee!
Have you ever looked around the congregation during Mass—or while chatting after a Sunday service—and thought, How do I become more deeply engaged? What would my next step look like?
Recently, the Stewardship Office asked two of our moms of young children to reflect on their faith journey at Christ the King. How did they move from simply attending Mass to pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ? And how has the CTK community walked with them along the way?
For Genna Grabbe, it began with an invitation from those around her for friendship and continued faith formation. She elaborated, “My husband and I joined Christ the King when we were engaged, and now, married with a daughter, we’ve found a home here at every stage. Our toddler looks forward to Mass each week; she loves seeing her friends!” Genna continued, “I’m now part of a faith-sharing group, which has connected me with others who are navigating similar ups and downs. We keep our discussions relevant to the weekly Gospel and encourage one another to take part in parish life, which includes Eucharistic Adoration, fellowship events, and even playground meet-ups after Mass.”
Genna’s co-facilitator, Megan D’Antonio, is a mom to three young children. “I volunteered to lead a faith-sharing group when the initiative began two years ago. We are a small group of moms meeting weekly in our home to reflect on the Sunday readings and the Question of the Week,” she said. “Growing up, my family always went to Mass and parish events, but I never expected to share my faith so personally as an adult. The community we’ve built has deeply impacted my vocation as a mother and helped me grow in my relationship with Jesus. Watching our children form friendships and experience that same gift of community each Sunday has been a true blessing.”