There are lots of new and exciting things happening at Pope Francis Generation!

• Dominic de Souza and I released the first episode of the PFG Podcast, and we’re recording the second today!

• Father’s Heart Catechesis begins in one week

• I created a Writer’s Page on Facebook

• I was asked to visit a parish in West Virginia to put on a Catholic Social Teaching retreat

• AND this summer I’m going to a parish in Arizona to lead a Kerygma Encounter Retreat as well as formation for parish ministers

Some of these projects have been planned for a while and others were in response to significant life changes.

Back in March, after nearly eight years working there, I left my Director of Religious Education job at my parish. While I chose to resign, it was unexpected and happened under really unfortunate and difficult circumstances. In a short period of time, my wife, Kristina, and I had to discern where the Lord was leading us through all of this.

Even when we were in college (getting entirely impractical theology degrees), Kristina and I believed that our vocations were in service to Christ and to his Church. We have tried to devote our lives to using the gifts and talents the Lord has given us to in the ways he asks us too. I strive to follow the Lord wherever he leads (which is sometimes to a 9:00-5:00 job, sometimes to a job in the church, and sometimes to school), but no matter where I am working, I cannot imagine not doing ministry.

Right now, Kristina and I believe that the Lord wants me to finish my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program as soon as possible. My long-term goals are to provide pastoral counseling for Catholics who have been spiritually abused, counseling for Catholic ministers, and counseling formation for ministers so that they are more equipped to help others in their ministry.

In order to prioritize school, we made a plan to invest in Kristina’s art business—Painted Sanctuary—and in my writing, speaking, and ministry side gigs so that we can raise four kids (with a fifth on the way!) and pay the mortgage while I’m a full-time student.

So here’s how you can help!

• Become a paid subscriber to this newsletter. $10, $100, $1,000, it all helps! The reason I created this newsletter last year is so that people who value my writing and my ministry have a way to support me. Paid subscribers also get exclusive access to the PFG Podcast including early access to episodes, invitations to Q&A sessions, and you’ll be able to pitch ideas for what topics we discuss

• Check out Painted Sanctuary and buy some beautiful and original Catholic artwork

• Take a look at Father’s Heart Catechesis, my new small group catechesis program that proclaims the relentless love of God, is inspired by Pope Francis, is centered on the mystery of theosis, and is deeply grounded in the magisterial documents of the Church

• Invite me out to your parish to lead retreats, parish missions, or catechist formation

• Or just throw cash in the collection basket

You can contact me with any questions here.

Thank you for your support. Please pray for us and our family as we continue trying to do the Lord’s work.

God bless,

-Paul

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