Testimonies

The first stage of the Arise group made a big difference in my life. I could see the work of the Holy Spirit in my husband as never before in 16 years of marriage. Our walk in the spiritual growth of the family was always my initiative. For the first time my husband took the initiative to prepare for the meeting together to show up with a shared testimony, although this was not a requirement. His comments on the group surprised me and made me see the Christ who lives in him, this made me love him more and at the same time love Jesus more. Thanks Arise . In addition the group is spectacular, we made a dynamic and immediate integration. I feel as a family. -- Adriana

La primera etapa del grupo Arise en mi vida marco una gran diferencia. Pude ver el trabajo del Espiritu Santo en mi esposo como nunca antes en 16 anos de casados. Nuestro caminar en el crecimiento espiritual de la familia siempre era mi iniciativa. Por primera vez mi esposo tomo la iniciativa de prepararnos juntos para llegar a la reunion con un testimonio compartido, a pesar que esto no era un requerimiento. Sus comentarios en el grupo me sorprendian y me hicieron ver al Cristo que vive en el, me hicieron amarlo mas porque asi me enamoro mas de Jesus. Gracias Arise. Ademas que el grupo es espectacular, hicimos una dinamica y una integracion inmediata. Me siento en familia. -- Adriana

Below is a sampling of testimonial quotes from members of past Seasons

- We have really come together as the faithful and have ended up with some deep trusted relationships

- Thank you for coordinating this ministry. It has really been a blessing for our group! 

- We could feel our group growing more together each session as we shared our journey's stories

- We were a small but very powerful group with the aid of the Holy Spirit

- The intimate sharing of our life-changing experiences with Christ fed our spirits and bonded our group immensely. 

- Sharing God's Word makes our body of Christ powerfully stronger and our church a "warmer home" in which to worship together. 

- St Faustina's Small Christian Community has brought back that vibrant need of Praying daily for the weaknesses that challenge me in my earthly life and the Grace from GOD to endure it willingly.

- My personal experience has been one of satisfaction and a great time meeting new people and sharing our Faith with each other. 

- Together we welcomed each other’s point of view as we expressed our faiths, beliefs and opinions unafraid of being judged.

- Together we learned from each other; together we uncovered friendship and fellowship beyond our expectations.

- We truly embodied the heart and soul of a Small Christian Community – parishioners seeking ways to better connect their faith with their daily lives.  

- "The Lord speaks to each participant to give what other members need to hear.”

- The intimate sharing of our life-changing experiences with Christ fed our spirits and bonded our group immensely. Also, sharing God's Word makes our body of Christ powerfully stronger and our church a "warmer home" in which to worship together.  Mary
 

- Just wanted to share that we had an awesome Season 1 which ended last Saturday, with most of our group being present all the six times that we met. There were a couple who could not make it one day or the other due to official or personal traveling.
 
My personal experience has been one of satisfaction and a great time meeting new people and sharing our Faith with each other.  I have been to Praise and Worship Prayer meetings before and have been looking for a similar group here in Katy.   St Faustina's Small Christian Community has brought back that vibrant need of Praying daily for the weaknesses that challenge me in my earthly life and the Grace from GOD to endure it willingly.  Sharing about the personal message from the Bible and what it teaches me each day although it has been tough at times to apply it personally being a weak human being, has been my favorite part of the Prayer meeting.  St Faustina's SCC has brought back that spark of Prayer Time in my life which was growing lukewarm and almost dwindling in our family and personal Prayers.
 
I appreciate all the hard work and numerous hours that Father Dat, the Core team, office staff, Arise team and numerous unmentioned people who have striven to make it successful in our Parish. Thank you to each and every one of you.  CARMEN
 
- Prior to joining Small Christian Community, I was involved with bible study from previous parishes and with St. Faustina.  For the past years, I have asked my husband to join me with bible study or other faith sharing group in whatever parish we were members at that time. However, due to his deployments in Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East, the opportunity never presented itself. 
 
My aspiration that one day my husband will join me in a faith sharing experience never wavered, and so I prayed for that chance.  My hope was rekindled when he retired from the military and found a job here in Houston, and we found St. Faustina. I reinvigorated my campaign for my husband and I to join a faith sharing activity when ARISE was introduced and spoken off during mass. With some grumbling, he agreed to join me. 
 
As we completed our first session, I reflect back to any changes that resulted from our weekly meeting and discussion.  The biggest thing that I notice is that I started to vocally pray out loud for my husband before going to bed.  Prayers have always been a big part of our family before meal.  However, individual prayers are offered in silence.  One night after our second meeting, I just suddenly had the urged to pray out loud in bed while my husband was still awake.  I thank God for his bountiful gift to me, which are my husband and our children.  I asked God to watch over him, keep him safe and away from harm, and to give my husband the guidance he needs. 
 
Aside from saying the rosary as a family, it was the first time that I prayed out loud with my husband present.  It was the first time he heard my prayers about him.  It was the first time he heard that I am thankful to God for him being my partner in life.  It touched me deeply and I felt liberated that I can share that with him.  In addition, I incorporated prayer before school with my daughter as I drive her to school everyday. I encourage and model to her how to express gratitude for our blessings and ask God’s help in whatever it is she needs help with, as well as pray for others who need His help. 
 
In my journey to invite my husband to share with me the joy I found in discussing God’s words, I found that my faith has been strengthened as well by listening to other members of our ARISE group share their joys, sorrows, thoughts, reflections and experiences.  Together we welcomed each other’s point of view as we expressed our faiths, beliefs and opinions unafraid of being judge.  Together we learned from each other; together we uncovered friendship and fellowship beyond our expectations.  We truly embodied the heart and soul of a Small Christian Community – parishioners seeking ways to better connect their faith with their daily lives. 
 
I thought there were times I prayed for a certain blessings and wanted a certain response, failing to see what Jesus knows best.
 
The over all feeling was that digging into the apostles beliefs and relationships with Christ helped us in our every day beliefs.                                                     Connie

 

Just wanted to let you all know about our AMAZING first session last night with the Wednesday evening group...
 
We are so blessed with such a wonderful group of people and already feel like a little family within our St. Faustina community.
After introductions and completing the covenant, we embraced the scripture and opened our hearts, minds, and souls. The sharing came naturally to many and by the end all members were involved! I kept looking around expecting to catch a glimpse of Jesus as I truly felt His presence!
 
Jake and I feel so incredibly lucky to be part of SCC and St. Faustina.....please share our positive experience with Father Dat as we know his prayers are lifting up our small groups!
 
Take care and God Bless...Melissa and Jake LeBlanc

Yes Susan I am so thankful for this awesome ministry in the parish and we need to let the community know of the fruits it has done for our group thus we can encourage everyone as we are building our new church we all need to grow spiritually as Fr Dat challenge us at the townhall meeting before the actual structure of the church . Thank you all for great organization of Arise! Blessings ! Adel
 
Thank you Ron for facilitating Season 1 of Arise you are an awesome facilitator you keep us on track with the time and group sharing. I am bless with all in our group I have learned so much and I would like to continue my journey of faith with you all I thank God for gift of faith  love and friendship of everyone in the group. Shalom and looking forward to Season 2 with everyone.  We keep each one in prayers. Adel
 
Pls forward to Dr. Laura I want to share my testimony with my experience with ARISE small faith Christian community group God has bless me with such an amazing group we have such spirit filled group everyone of us has been a great support to each other with our life experiences with our journey in our faith our life struggles and life brokenness we have found such an enormous friends in church that help each other thru prayers/ faith sharing and love that we became a living presence of Gods love and mercy among us and I know with that we can also share it to the community. ARISE is truly an awesome ministry in the parish I thank God for such blessing. Adel

 We completed our "season 1" gathering last evening.  While we were in no way perfect/ did not follow exact agenda,  I believe the consensus was this was a success.   We have really come together as the faithful and have ended up with some deep trusted relationships and while I certainly can not speak for all, many have grown in their faith.     Ron R
 
Thank you for coordinating this ministry. It has really been a blessing for our group!   Teresa Tarman
"The Lord speaks to each participant to give what other members need to hear."   Cindy Wilson
 
Patsy and I enjoyed our session very much....six couples including our hosts the Engelhart's and one single lady for 13. We could feel our group growing more together each session as we shared our journey's stories. Much of this was possible because of the welcoming nature and gentle guidance from Richard and Jo....they are such good hosts and facilitators!  We look forward to Session  2.   Les and Patsy Coalson

The intimate sharing of our life-changing experiences with Christ fed our spirits and bonded our group immensely. Also, sharing God's Word makes our body of Christ powerfully stronger and our church a "warmer home" in which to worship together.  Mary Hancock