"I am honored of the request to share an ah ha moment and testimony, as various topics arise, I feel called to share my faith journey for this opportunity.
    My faith journey has blazed a path through various denominations: Episcopalian, Christian Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic Church, and sprinkle in occasional appearance at the Ukrainian Orthodox church with my grandparents.
     Throughout the journey it has not always been easy or perfect nor a 2-way street due to me allowing my relationship with God to drift in and out. By his love, grace, and mercy God kept pursuing me, never leaving nor forsaking me by demonstrating his unwavering faithfulness, and providing an abundance of blessings (including my wife Jenny and our four children).
     There's been a lot of noise in today’s secular lifestyle, embedding technology, disruptive social media, and one’s daily routine. I recall a favorite quote "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." (Thank you Ferris Bueller's Day Off). 
     These moments and reminders have led me to reflect on life resulting in aspiring to live a purpose filled life. With a lot of prayer, a great support system, and listening to God's direction I was called to pursue a stronger relationship with him. 
     I have reinvigorated the journey by partaking in and completing RCIA this past year at OLV (well almost, a little longer wait as covid-19 interrupted). I believe God's allowed me to have many life experiences, events, and ah ha moments that are relatable which have and will continue to provide me opportunities to assist and serve others.
     We have enjoyed all of our experiences at OLV from weekly masses, to Monday night rosary, an evening out via the marriage enrichment event, the amazing 99 experience, and starting many new relationships. We look forward to becoming more active in the parish and God revealing his plan for us."

     


















Many moons ago, I attended a liberal arts college.  As such, I was encouraged to take a number of classes in disciplines outside of my major focus of study.  I decided to take a religion course on the New Testament.  The first day of class, the professor said we would need both the Old and New Testaments.  When I returned to my dorm room, I asked my roommate, “What are the Old and New Testaments?”  She gave me a quizzical look, not sure if I was joking.  Finally, she told me they are the Bible.  I knew almost nothing.
     Part way through the semester, the professor told us of his annual summer trips to an excavation site in Israel.  We could do likewise and receive college credit in Biblical archeology.  Perfect.  I asked my parents and they were excited for me to go.
     That June, I left for Kiryat Shmona; the closest city to Tel Dan.  At that point in my life I believed in God.  But more specifically, I just wanted the part about God’s love to be true.  Looking back, I think that desire is what has always sustained my search. 
     The dig was a wonderful experience.  One of the highlights of my life.  After a week of morning digs and afternoon classes, our weekends were free.  My professor took a small group of us to Jerusalem during one of those weekends. It was a 100 mile bus drive south.  As we approached Jerusalem, I saw in the distance the great walled city on a hill.  There was nothing for miles, unlike today.  I was transfixed.  At that moment, while sitting on the bus, I was filled with a faith that has never left me.   My thinking stopped, and in its place my soul knew.  It’s all true.  God’s whole story.  All of it.  But especially, that God loves me.
 

     "This entire spring had us wrapped around new vocabulary to protect our vulnerability from Covid-19.  Words like masks, gloves, quarantine and social distancing separated us from each other.  I thought that these were not barriers from God.  He holds us close.
     This became more apparent to me when I read the OLV weekly bulletin on our website.  There was God in the segment featuring beautiful photos of our parish graduates; from 8th grade, high school, college and graduate school.  Each face shone bright with hope.  Bam!  Suddenly I realized that we didn’t need to view our life through a lens of loss.  Rather we have all these graduates to be very proud of. 
     This unpredictable cancelling of all the special traditions associated with their graduation has not been a stop sign to all of their dreaming, inspiring, growing but an acceptance to the temporary detours and realizing nothing can erase their education. 
     Hats off to all you 2020 graduates as your OLV parish family blesses and salutes all your accomplishments.  We thank God that there is no shortage of your love and enthusiasm.”

     Did you ever wish you could get a blessing from Fr. Denis whenever you want.? Me too.  A few days ago, it occurred to me that one of his blessings for me is right on my phone.  I was having a particularly lonely day so I thought I'd watch that day's daily reflection by Fr. Denis.  He always ends them with a blessing.  As I signed myself when he said the words,  "May we be blessed by him who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit," I felt blessed.  I felt,  not only God's presence,  but also Fr. Denis and the entire OLV parish family in that moment.  It was a moment that totally banished my loneliness.  Now, on some days, when things are hard,  I get blessed several times. 

One little caveat: I  don't know if the blessing is legitimate if not received live, but I know I feel blessed anyway.

     Today, only moments after I listened again to the blessing,  my daughter brought me a home-cooked meal (she's a great cook) and a bottle of wine for (cough, cough) medicinal purposes.  That's what I call a powerful blessing!

     Just as Fr. Denis likes things visual, it is so wonderful to see him on my phone and hear his voice giving the blessing.  It always makes me feel connected to everyone at OLV.  It's ALMOST as good as seeing all of you in person and getting hugs and smiles.  God is wrapping us up in a giant group hug of love.  Gotta love those group hugs.

     Over the past several months, something powerful has been happening in our parish. Many of us who serve in ministry have been gathering to grow in our faith and learn how we can become an even stronger and more inviting parish community. 
     It has been a time for you to relax and re-plug into your relationship with God if you have lost touch or grow deeper and richer in the relationship you already have.  The 99 Masterclass is about grounding us in our foundation, reminding us of the power we have in our corner, and how much God truly loves us.  It is a great time for reflection, learning and sharing with one another, and getting our souls recharged.   
     The 99 Masterclass (is now online and) is for everyone, even those who are currently not active in their faith.  Prayerfully consider who you know who would benefit from watching and invite them!
     As I get older, I realize God is all about the simple, genuine relationship with Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  I know that the more I involve God in my life the smoother things go and the richer my life is.  I forget how special I am to Him, He knows each of us by name, and I don’t always hear what He is trying to tell me.   I find that sharing my faith increases my understanding and is a great opportunity to learn from others.  I enjoy hearing how God is working in other people’s lives.  It’s easy to get distracted by the world.  The opportunities that the videos with reflections offer are a great way to dedicate some time to take a break from our lives and enjoy the love and peace of God.  As Jesus says, "Peace be with you, My peace I give you".    
     So I encourage you to join us and invite anyone you think may enjoy re-engaging in their faith.  Faith shared is very powerful.   God Bless!!
 

"My early memories of my faith journey take me back to St. Robert Bellarmine in Redford Township. My family moved there when i was starting grade school so my brother, sister and I grew up attending Catholic school. The best memories of school came from a certain Priest that changed the way all of us younger kids thought about being active in our community. He came in and made our little school and parish a real family. That Priest is none other than Fr. Denis. I had the pleasure of being an altar server for him and I always remember how comfortable he made me feel while I had to be in front of all those people every week at mass. It also made me feel good knowing I wasn’t going to be the shortest person on the altar that day so he helped my self-confidence as well without even knowing it! 
It was a sad time when we had to say goodbye to Fr. Denis. I had always imagined him being there when I finally found the person I was going to marry. I imagined being married at that church because that was all I knew at the time. As I grew older I had my own circumstances that began testing my faith. At times I had become so disconnected that I couldn’t see myself coming back and being as faith-driven as I had been as a child. But I realize this was all a part of my journey. The times I strayed away, God was always there reminding me that he loved and forgave me. I had always felt His presence even when I thought I was walking alone. In those years I had personal struggles and areas of loss that took their toll. But I always knew that in order to feel complete again I needed to mend the most important relationship, which is the one I have with God. 
By trusting in His plan and by taking the steps necessary to correct my life I found my way back to my faith. The biggest reason why I was able to find my way back was because of my wife, Ashley. Ashley found me during a rough time in my life yet she stuck beside me and brought me back into a place of peace and love. I saw how her faith and belief in God always gave her this immense energy and positivity and I knew I wanted this for myself. So she helped me find my way back. So much so that I knew the last step in reconnecting with my faith was to be closer to the person who seems to be closer to God more than anyone I’ve ever known, Fr. Denis. My wife and I moved to Northville for many reasons. But the biggest one was so we could find a Church community that we could join and raise a family in. We have been members of this parish for a few years now, and we feel more and more at home with every passing week. Furthermore, my dream came true this past August when I married the woman of my dreams as Fr. Denis presided over us and gave us the greatest ceremony I’ve ever been a part of. 
Ashley and I both wanted to make our love of life and our positive mindsets a way of living. We wanted to teach others, that through faith and positivity, anything is possible for those who are willing to take the necessary steps in finding purpose and reason. We started a community called For The Good a few years ago and we hope to spread this message and cultivate it while taking an active role in our Church community.
When we joined this parish and started our own faith story, we were given the best guidance available in Fr. Denis and Deacon Rick. They both have welcomed us with open arms and have been something truly special for us. We can’t thank OLV enough for welcoming us and making us feel like a part of the family. We are just getting started here and we can’t wait to help this community grow even larger. All things are possible with God. Trusting in his plan and going forth with an open heart and positive mind will lead us exactly where He calls us to be. "
 

 
Good morning!  I’m here to tell you about something exciting happening this Lenten season at Our Lady of Victory and why it’s an invitation worth accepting.  In the past, I had perceived Lent just as a time of “giving something up”.  Sometimes it would be thoughtful, like giving up watching my favorite tv show and spending that time in prayer instead or sometimes I’d just take a simpler path, such as giving up candy or now that I am older, a glass of wine.  I know fasting is a very important part of Lent, but the 40 days of those choices left me wondering “why am I doing this?  Who am I doing this for?  And in the end, am I closer to Jesus than when I first started?”  Sometimes I was just wandering through the sacrificial desert of Lent feeling lonely and a little bit lost and not knowing where I’d end up.  But Lent doesn’t have to be that way!  This Lenten season, Our Lady of Victory hosted a mission called "The 99 Experience".  I’m excited because it’s a different way to view Lent.  Instead of giving up something, we look at it as receiving something...an opportunity to grow in faith, in purpose, and in community.  On Wednesdays in Lent, we joined for a Soup Supper that followed with an inspirational video presentation and then the opportunity for discussion with fellow parishioners.  It was a beautiful way of traveling our Lenten journey with others, but most especially with Jesus. It doesn’t matter where you are in your personal faith journey, even for those that might be reluctant to take those first steps.  This mission is an opportunity for reflection and either igniting or recharging your faith life.  With God’s Grace, you’ll receive something after this mission.  Whether it be peace, forgiveness, healing, a greater Trust in God and discovering His will in your life, or perhaps, more confidence in being a faith leader in your family, or a deeper bond with those in our faith community.  Wow, what a gift!  The gift of transformation in our lives!  So I invite you to join the OLV parish community in this year’s Lenten mission and also prayerfully consider others you think would benefit from this and invite them, too!  Thank you and God bless you!

     "How times are different now then when we moved to Northville on January 15, 1965.  Bill and I added two more children for a total of five children all together.  Life was never dull as time went on.  Our Lady of Victory Church was always important.  Going to church was always important.  Going to church, especially Sunday Mass was always planned before anything else.  God was the center of our lives.  
     Our lives have changed so much due to the coronavirus.  How I miss Mass and receiving Holy Communion almost daily.  I love the way the Mass is live streamed.  I finally learned to turn the computer on and off.
     I pray every day for all the sick and hope they recover.  Time will work out all of our problems.  
     I appreciate my church more since this has gone on so long.  I Am grateful that our family is healthy and thank God everyday for Father Denis.  The Lord will get us through."
 

     A verse I have reflected on often throughout this time of uncertainty can be found at Romans 8:28:  "And we know that God causes everything to work together  for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
     The verse mentions the word  everything, not just  some things. But  all things - meaning that every experience we have in life, both the good and not-so-good times, can serve a greater purpose.      During life's difficulties, I hold my faith close knowing that God has the ability to transform darkness into light - and pain into purpose. 
So often, our life is busy and our minds are cluttered with all of the noise from the external world. But I believe we are called to use this time to slow down, pause, and reflect on God's word. 
What is it that God wants YOU to hear?  Is it to develop a deeper relationship with Him?  To lean in on trusting He is working everything out for the good in times of uncertainty? 
A message God has been putting in my heart is to BE THE LIGHT. 
We are living testimonies of God's goodness - and as people of faith, it is not a time for us to hide away or cower from sharing God's word. This is the time to lean into it! The world needs messages of light and hope. 
The building of the church may be closed, but WE are the church.

We are called to lead with love and faith - sharing grace and compassion with others.    We have been prepared for such a time as this!