Prayer Witness Talk
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2019 Stewardship of Prayer Witness Talk - Stephanie Rucano
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STEWARDSHIP OF PRAYER WITNESS TALK
PRESENTED BY: Stephanie Rucano
NOVEMBER 30/DECEMBER 1, 2019
Thank you, Father Bill/Father Nathan, for inviting me to share a little bit of my prayer journey.
I am happily married to a wonderful man named Tony and have an amazing daughter named Camille.
Today, my relationship with our Heavenly Father is very intimate, but it was not always that way.
Prior to now, I was that lost sheep. I was a struggling mom trying to juggle life and do everything. So, it was rare that I’d attend mass or the sacraments. I was just too busy to go! My prayer life consisted of saying a prayer now and then if I needed answers immediately or before meals when I didn’t forget.
Shame and guilt were both weighing me down. I felt a nudge to go to confession, so I did. Then, I looked at the priest as I confessed my sins and saw the most amazing thing. It was Jesus Christ sitting before me. He said, “Your sins are forgiven, and you will be fine in your life-now go in Peace.” The moment I walked out I felt the weights lifted and my relationship with the Lord has been growing ever since.
I start and end my days with our Lord. Whether I’m driving somewhere, going to the gym, or attending daily mass I need to hear the Living Words. There seems to ALWAYS be a message for me that I need to hear to help balance my day.
As a Eucharistic minister during communion, I see Jesus in each one of your faces. After I’m done, I go back to my seat, kneel and pray for each one of you as my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Recently, I was showing a non-Catholic visitor around and we walked before the chapel and saw Jesus was displayed in Eucharistic Exposition. I told her, “that is my Best Friend and he knows everything about me. It’s where I go and have a conversation with Him, and we are All invited.” I turned to look at her at that moment and she had tears rolling down her face. She said she could feel Him in her heart.
With a parish this size I have responded to his call to be with families as they grieve the loss of a loved one. Serving as a member of the Bereavement Team at funerals, I feel the connection with these individual’s is truly a path I was intended to take guided by the Holy Spirit.
With the opportunities here at St Pius I ask you to accept the invitation, to help your prayer life grow and draw you closer to our Heavenly Father. Take the path that was created for you, accepting all the Graces and Blessings along the way.
Looking up at the Good Shepherd, know that you will never be lost.
Thank you and God Bless.