Our Story
Established in the Jubilee year of 2000 under the blessing of St. John Paul II, we made one simple request, “Holy Father, bless our fertility.”
Established in the Jubilee year of 2000 under the blessing of St. John Paul II, we made one simple request, “Holy Father, bless our fertility.” And with his nod and our kiss, we were off on a honeymoon adventure through Italy. Little did we know how our heroic adventure in life was just beginning.
Just a few months prior while I was attending Texas A&M, I experienced excruciating cramps that worsened over several days. By the time, I made it to the emergency room, the doctor discovered a cantaloupe-sized tumor wrapped around my right ovary and fallopian tube. Assuming cancer, the doctor pleaded with me that it may be my best option to remove all of my reproductive organs. Without hesitation I refused, and he made it quite clear that I may never bear a child.
This came as crashing news to a young girl engaged to be married, but by placing our future in the hands of the great advocate of vocations, John Paul II, this “infertile” lady has happily delivered eight amazing children.
Our marriage certainly began and continues to be a testament of faith and yet God has rewarded us so with many bountiful blessings along the way. Our mission has and remains to be vocations. Whether it be talks on chastity and marriage, founding “The Call,” a religious vocation retreat as newlyweds, creating the Catholic family retreat, “Fiat Family Fest,” establishing “Casa Immaculata” a mountain retreat for the renewal of our priests, or launching the first Catholic classical high school in the Pikes Peak area, fostering all vocations has always been at the essence of what we do.
Kissing a Saint
When we arrived for John Paul II’s Wednesday audience we were in wedding attire. We were backpacking through Italy and packing light, so wedding attire is not a usual item on the pack list. I was in my mother’s wedding dress, and Sean was in his father’s sports coat. It was enough to get us on the steps of St. Peter’s. Being Americans and wanting the best seats we arrived two hours early, even before the chairs were set out. The guards politely set two chairs out or us.
As other newlyweds arrived, they placed chairs to the right of us, then started creating rows in front of us. So although we arrived first, we were now last and three rows deep! We began to get worried if we’d really get to meet the Pope. The Swiss Guard said it depends on how he felt after greeting the bishops and handicapped.
As our Lord reminded us, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” So it was with us. We got our moment with a Saint, and through his intercession, he’s blessed our fertility and our marriage.
Define Your Mission.
Adventure. Generosity. Character.
