Being from Verdun, I grew up hearing stories of St. Willibrord—family memories filled with joy and deep connection to the parish. Though I was baptized there, I didn’t grow up knowing or believing in the life-giving nature of Jesus, Christianity, or religion. For a long time, I leaned more toward atheism. It wasn’t until university, during a time of searching for meaning, that I slowly began to encounter God.
As my spiritual life took a complete 180, I found myself longing for a place of comfort, growth, and worship—and somehow, I ended up right back where it all started: St. Willibrord. Week by week, I found myself inching closer to the front pews, building community, and eventually joining ministries and Alpha.
It was in that first Alpha I experienced a profound transformation.. What had begun as a quiet curiosity has become a deep, joyful relationship with Jesus. My life was changed and in fact saved by encountering the Holy Spirit. I went from being reserved to someone eager to share what Jesus has done in my life.
The Holy Spirit lit my heart on fire to go and tell others so I started at home. My mom started coming to church with me, then she and my grandmother joined Alpha too. Seeing the changes in my own family has been incredibly life-giving—watching my mom and grandmother grow in their faith has been a beautiful gift. It's also been deeply moving to witness people in my Alpha groups begin to open their hearts to Jesus and take steps toward a relationship with Him.
Now, St. Willibrord feels like home. I serve in hospitality, where welcoming guests and visitors each Sunday fills me with joy, knowing the Spirit is here to transform everyone, even those desperately searching for something just like I had been. I’ve been part of Alpha as a guest, a team member, and now as MC on the Alpha Core Team—and each step has deepened my faith and elation in seeing lives transformed.
This parish has given me the tools to grow—not only in my faith, but in the courage and strength to express my gratitude for Jesus and all He has done in my life and those around me. Through this, it has been so life-giving to serve in ways that not only grows the parish but is multiplying it, as more and more people encounter the love of Christ. I pray that Jesus continues to use me as a vessel, so that others can see just how good He is—and how universal Church can truly be when we open our hearts to Him.
