NAZARETH TESTIMONIALS

Sharing how good it really is and how the Holy Spirit is working among us!

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“I love the Nazareth group. It's a wonderful community experience and getting to know more people in the parish.” (Anonymous)


“Nazareth means a group of people gathered by faith. We are a family of people who believe in Jesus.” —Mark M.


“The ability to get to know other's in the Parish and to be able to share our faith with each other. The thought's of others with regards to the scripture reading, etc, are really helpful.” (Anonymous)


“A place to be with like minded Catholic Christians to share our faith. Also, meet and make new friends.” (Anonymous)


“I am always excited to see my Nazareth families. Even on the days I don't feel like going. I make a point to go because that's when I need them the most. We laugh, cry, praise, and learn from one another, but most of all, we LAUGH! This is an amazing family.” (Anonymous)


“We gather monthly with the group of our Nazareth Family. I like the discussion on various subjects and the Bible based discussions.” —Ron Z


“The questions and fellowship.” (Anonymous)


“Fellowship, Food, and Companionship. A great feeling to share and express our feelings without being judged!” (Anonymous)


“A chance to remain connected to several parishioners. To help spread friendship and love.” (Anonymous)


“Nazareth is a safe place to share my feelings and figure out how the events of my life fit into Gods plan for me.” (Anonymous)


“I love being able to share my faith with others without being judged. I learn more about my faith and the ways I can help others with their struggles. No other group allows you to talk about religion and your love of God so freely!” —Debbie S.


“So, so much! I've made spiritual connections within the parish. The fellowship is a beautiful thing. As a leader, I like at least having to make monthly connections via text and email. We are all adults!!” (Anonymous)


“Great discussion of ice breaker questions and scripture. Good meals and fellowship.” —Joe R.


“Get to know other's on a more personal and spiritual level. Deeper relationship with God because of others comments. Be more involved in others lives.” —Rose H.


“Community, friendship, faith. Enjoy sharing with our church family. It's great having people to see each month and talk to.” (Anonymous)


“Nazareth is a family of Christian men and women who gather to share their faith, encourage each other, and to enjoy each other's company.” (Anonymous)


“It is a chance to meet with others that want to grow in their faith. I also enjoy discussing a gospel with the group. The blessings are abundant.” —Ann T.


“It is a wonderful way to learn other's perspectives concerning faith and life. To hear of other's pain, sorrow, joy, hopes, brings us together and we form a family. On the spiritual side we grow. It's a wonderful fullfilling evening of praise to God and thanking Him for the blessings He has given us.” (Anonymous)


“I look forward to Nazareth every month! We have grown close and recognize each member when you see them at Mass "weekly"! We "bare" our souls to each other and we learn "lots" about each other's families. Each person becomes Lifelong friends. Each month we share our thought's on the Gospel message, making those Masses "more meaningful".” —Tom H.


“I enjoy learning and sharing my faith. I always feel so spiritually filled and happy by the end of our meeting. The friend's that I have made are very special to me, and I feel closer to the St. Gerald community.” —Kristeen J.


“Nazareth knits me into the church community. I love how much more we find our about each other and can support each other in our faith journey.” (Anonymous)


“A chance to reconnect with our original ALPHA group is Nazareth, with Food, Love, and Worship.” (Anonymous)


“It helps us to take a deeper dive into our Faith. All questions are welcome and there are no wrong answers.” —Mary U.


“A chance to meet and interact with new people. It is a good preparation for the coming Sunday's gospel reading.” —Richard W.


“Community Building /Faith Sharing /Fun” (Anonymous)


“Our small group has been a wonderful blessing as we share faith and food in our home. I look forward to the last Thursday where we have gotten to know our group so well, and grieved together where we lost one to cancer.” —Sherry W.


“Christian Fellowship with religious flavor.” —Gary H.


“Its a great way to meet new people that are part of the church. Great way to share a meal.” —Richard S.


“Nazareth has brought me community and friendship within the church. Every month I look forward to our time together.” —Elizabeth W.


“I love it! We have a great group and have bonded. I also love the spiritual part of Nazareth and sharing our Faith. I look forward to it every month.” —Bonnie P.


“Nazareth is a great place to enjoy friendly conversation with your group members. It is amazing to hear everyone's differing opinions and see how different people interpret our select readings! I love our group and the many conversations we have shared together.” —J. J. W.


“I'm grateful for the new friendships that have been created with like minded Christians. I look forward to sharing my faith journey with this group each month.” —Michele S.


“The friends I have made have been great! We have become very close and I will look forward to each meeting.” —Ralph P.


“I have made new friendships! Always have an enjoyable meal and have fun deciding our menu each month. Our sharing questions!” —Mary H.


“Nazareth is a second “home.”  A “place” where one encounters the love of Jesus through the support of caring, compassionate friends.  A “place” where we can grow and be enriched by the light of Christ.”  —Michelle


“Nazareth is a gathering of friends where we laugh together, cry together, share our lives, ups and downs with each other and lean on each other, pray with each other, just enjoy deep friendship.  The camaraderie with others is real and heartfelt.  I always leave spiritually filled up.”  —Becky T.


“Nazareth is a bright spot I look forward to each month!  An opportunity to SLOW DOWN.  An opportunity for fellowship and friendship.  In our world where family is so separated – it is wonderful to have my Nazareth family to lean on in times of troubles – and times of joy!” —LuAnn A.


“This precious gathering of women who are in love with Jesus means more than words can express!  God has placed me here for a reason!”  —Jean R.


“Nazareth is a safe haven where I am welcomed in joy and sorrow.  It is a place to celebrate the miracles of Jesus through connection with my fellow group members.”  —Kim D.


“It is sharing and caring!  It increases faith and our sharing the word of God deepens our understanding and love of the One who made us.  It means so much to have a group who is there when you need prayer and understanding.”  —Cecilia F.


“What does Nazareth mean to me?  The closeness of all of our group.  We share with one another and keep everyone in our prayers.  We read the gospel and share what it means to all of us.  We first share a meal and share how everyone is doing.  I love our group.”  —Virginia N.


“Fellowship, Friendship, Christian/Catholic outings together – for example, “Mercy Me” Christian rock concert, Toby Mac and For King and Country.”  —Sue C.


“Nazareth is the home of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.  Jesus grew up in Nazareth.  Nazareth is a Christian’s place to visit. When I am with my Nazareth group – I feel close to Jesus because of love and prayer.”  —M.C.


“Nazareth has been a gift to me.  To share with people of God.  It is a way to know more people in our parish.  To share more about our God, three in one.  I always look forward to our meetings.”  —Barb C.


 “It means…

  • friendship, love and caring – inside and outside of our gathering.

  • laughing and having a good time together.

  • sharing my joys and challenges, knowing it’s confidential.

  • having brothers and sisters in Christ that share Scripture and prayer with me.

  • having the best friends ever – friends that stand by me who truly care - in word and action!” —Emily R.


“A warm, loving safe community that I can share my faith, struggles and joys with…  Thank you, Lord, for guiding this ministry to begin in our parish.”  —Sue T.


“Nazareth has given me the opportunity to get to know people from St. Gerald’s in a more personal way.  It would be easy to run in and out of Mass each week and have very little interaction with anyone.  Now, I have a group of friends that I look forward to seeing not only at our monthly meetings, but also at Mass and other church activities.  I feel more like I really belong to the St. Gerald’s community.”  —Kathy S.


“It means that we have a group that we have fellowship with and to share our experiences.  And to know that we are not alone.”  —Joni P.


“Nazareth has given me a deeper feeling of community in my church.”  —Tom S.


“My favorite thing about Nazareth is the community we’ve built within our group.  I feel comfortable sharing my beliefs with them and I’m always happy to see them in the group and outside of the group.”  —Jackie K.


“Nazareth is a way for me to connect with others in my parish.  It’s a place of comfort because I get to openly share and learn from others that share the same values as me.  I am so grateful for St. Gerald’s and this group.  This group is a blessing!”  —Anonymous


“My Nazareth group is a great place to gather with other Catholics who strive to live God’s call.  We get to know each other and journey through joys and challenges together.  We share scripture and I especially feel the Holy Spirit’s presence as we pray with and for each other.”  —D.B.


“It is a warm community of people who love Jesus and provide support in life’s ups and downs.  This group has become a closet set of friends who help me in my journey.”  —T.B.


“Nazareth has been a group of people who were acquaintances and through sharing of their lives and caring about each other become friends.  Their relationship grows through a trust and understanding that develops from sharing their lives and the gospel. We all become family.”  —R.A.H.


“It has been an opportunity to relate to one another on a deeper level!  A very unique program that both enriches Christian experience and growth, as well as getting to know the participants’ family values, struggles and successes.  Our group has been special because of healing of several members from the group who have experienced, faced and beaten cancer.  The sharing in regard to the challenges have been comforting, helpful and reassuring.  Our group is tightly knit and we have tons of fun and fellowship!”  —Tom H.


“I am being led by example and I love it. I have brought these beautiful traditions to my own home and family and shared them with friends within my parish and outside it as well. I always feel like I am going to a family reunion when I go to Nazareth.” —Cyndi M.


 “That’s okay that you don’t believe in God – He believes in you.” —Jeanne M.


“A chance to get together once a month for camaraderie with our group and know that our Lord is with us and better discussion and understand his word and how we are to live to do His work with those around us who we are in contact with.”  —Ron Z.


“Nazareth has allowed me to connect with people in the parish which has made church come alive in my life.  It has become an extension of my family.”  —Jennifer F.


“I am new to the group, but enjoy the sharing of love.  From the moment I was welcome to my first meeting, I felt genuine caring and welcome.  I am finding it a safe, welcoming place to deepen my faith journey.” —Michelle S.


“It’s been a great and refreshing way to connect with others who share our faith and values as Christians – I love the laughter, the group, the non-judgmental environment.  Our Leader (Sue T) is a great facilitator and keeps us on tract.  Our hosts (Connie & Ron) are gracious and welcoming – so glad we can share this experience with them.”  —Ron and Mary M.


“The community with the group is a very positive experience for me and very healing.  The support and encouragement are helping me.  The spirituality is fostering growth and knowledge.  The fellowship is wonderful; I enjoy meeting together.”  —Cindy F.


“Nazareth is a cohesive, anonymous, catholic religious group to help your Faith grow in your hearts.  We eat wonderful meals together, share, and support each other in a Neat family setting of LOVE!”  —Linda W.


“Nazareth has helped me to find and appreciate God’s love, where the community and love that we share as like-minded people is awesome.  I would highly recommend Nazareth to anyone.” —Craig W.


“Great fellowship!  A lot of fun with sharing.”  —Andy R.


“The gift of sharing one’s faith and life with the group is extremely heartwarming and comforting.  We laugh and cry together, share a meal and our lives.  We pray and care for each other.  Thank God for our group.  Amen!”  —Rich M.


“I have been a part of this group for several years and they are like family to me.  We were able to meet via zoom part of the time, but wow, that did not even come close to replacing the tight hugs I received and gave out to these wonderful people.  With cancer and COVID over the last 18 months or so, it has been tough.  Even though I was pretty involved in my parish, I felt like I was pretty much forgotten … except for these people.  We are a pretty tight knit group and I love them to pieces.  It was like my birthday and Christmas wrapped into one.”  —Cyndi M.


 “Nazareth is spiritual food at your mom’s house.”  —Jeanne M.