Mike and I are not strangers to SMM or to Family Life Ministries.

Married for 40 years and blessed with three great daughters, two special sons-in-law, and three terrific grandsons under three, we have experienced the mystery and awesomeness of family life. We too have gone through the joys and struggles during all the stages of the family cycle. But we know we have been blessed!!! We have experienced the hand of God leading and sustaining us during these years.

When Mike was drafted into the Navy during the Vietnam War in 1968, we moved to Orlando with our three-month-old daughter for a stay of two years. Our second daughter was born right here in Central Florida. It was during this time that we first came to know and participate at SMM. We had sought out a dynamic parish to experience Community and to raise our young family in our Catholic faith. We chose SMM and have never looked back. It was here at this time that our understanding of our Catholic Faith was strongly challenged during a Parish Retreat and we started to grow . Our lives have never been the same.

In 1970, we returned to New York so Mike could finish his training. We had our third daughter at that time. Then, in 1973, we all eagerly returned to Central Florida and SMM. During those early years, Mike and I as a couple ministered with our family in the Diocese of Orlando Marriage Encounter movement. For over 20 years, we worked at deepening our relationship to each other, our children, and to come to know the Lord in a personal way. God truly was watching over us and leading us every step of the way. When our children were in grammar school, I was drafted to teach CCD (Scripture) here in the Parish. I was scared to death but I tried it and loved every moment. When our girls became teens, Mike and I became Adult Leaders in the Youth Group. These were wonderful times for us as a family. The youth whom we met during those years are still a special part of our lives today.

When our children went off to college, I earned my Masters Degree in Religious Education from Loyola University (LIMEX) here in Orlando. When I graduated in 1989, I was hired by Fr. Paul Henry as Family Life Minister here at SMM. It was during these years that the Family Life Commission was established at SMM. How fortunate I was to work and learn from such capable and holy mentors. After five years, I left to care for my mother who lived in New York and who was critically ill.

In May of 2001, Fr. Charlie was looking for someone to volunteer as Coordinator of the Family Life Commission. I felt God calling me back to this particular ministry again. How blessed I felt to be here and to minister with Mike and such dedicated people from all kinds of families in SMM--the Young Adults, Engaged and Married couples, Parents, Single Parents, Hispanic Families, and Families with special needs.

In June 2005, I stepped down from my leadership as Chairperson of the Family Life Commission. From September 2005, Mike and I will become chair couple of the Marriage Enrichment Committee on the Family Life Commission. We are eager to put together some new and exciting events to build up marriages. We have new leaders eager to start. Stay tuned for more information. .