Do you have a faith story from Blessed John XXIII to share?
Please send your Testimony of Faith (not exceeding 250 words) via e-mail to:
Father Timothy at frtim@broadstreetcatholics.org
or by mail
(7 Margaret St; Plattsburgh, NY 12901) or collection basket in an envelope marked “Testimony” .

Testimonies of faith

Robert E. Racette, Sr.

    I love to go to church because of the spiritual experience and uplifting feeling I come away with which helps to make me thankful and happier in the person who I am and what I am, along with the desire to be even better.

    My favorite prayer is: Prayer to St. Francis, because it helps me think more positively, and spiritually with regard to my life and how I deal with the people around me.

    Member: 18years (since 1992)

    I love my parish community because…: I see being a member as a way to serve in a useful and fulfilling manner with a rewarding purpose through my interacting with both our student and year-round parishioners.

    My favorite memory of my spiritual journey was my visit with Fr. Euclid Elie, our parish priest at Redford, NY and three other Catholic High School boys in September 1947, to Buffalo and the Centennial Eucharistic Congress held there.

    What would I say to someone who might be thinking of joining our parish family: Welcome, I think you will love it here, especially after you meet us and become a member yourself!

Michael Wagner

            I have considered John XXIII Newman Center to be my Spritual Home for over 14 years. When I first arrived at Plattsburgh State as a freshman in the fall of 1995, I actually overlooked the Newman Center and walked down the street to St John's for Sunday mass. This oversight was probably because the Newman Center doesn't look like a traditional church. Ironically, I have since come to believe that the architecture of the Newman Center plays a strong role in defining some of the aspects I most love about this parish. Unlike traditional churches, where the worship areas and social areas are physically separated, the Newman Center has a more open floor plan, with the "social hall" placed directly behind some of the pews. As a result of this arrangement, many parishoners will congregate in small groups in this area after mass, rather than heading straight for the exit. While parishoners catch-up with each other, the altar and tabernacle are in view, helping to reinforce the idea of "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there will I be." These exchanges allow parishoners to share sufferings (job loss, health concerns, family issues) and triumphs (new job/promotion, personal achievements) with each other, in the presence of God, helping to build a strong community of faith.

            As a Newman Center, John XXIII parish plays an important role in providing a spiritual home-away-from-home to the college student community. Although I was confirmed while in high school, I arrived at college with questions about Catholicism and even questioning whether Catholicism was framework I wanted for my spiritual life. I found, at the Newman Center, a community that loved me and supported me as I walked my spiritual path. I cannot yet say that I have found the answers to all of my questions, but I am comforted in knowing that my parish community will continue to be a support as I continue to walk my path.

            Through the years, I have gotten married at the Newman Center, and my children have experienced the sacraments of baptism, first penance and first eucharist. I am a lector, and help out in other ways when I can. My oldest daughter is an altar server. My youngest daughter obviously feels at home at the Newman Center and will often go up and sit at the altar (sometimes even during mass). It is my Spiritual Home.

Valerie Smith

I have been a Roman Catholic all my life and my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life. When I transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh in the Fall 2009 semester, I wanted to keep going to Mass because I love receiving the Holy Eucharist and being with others celebrating the faith. I absolutely love going to the Newman Center for Mass. Fr. Tim is a fun and kind priest, and I love how the parish community stresses that everyone is welcome and making all newcomers feel at home. The special dinners, brunches, and the Newman Association all solidify the concept of the Church as one family for me.

Some things are a bit different from the way my home parish conducts Mass, but they enhance my experience at the Newman Center. One big difference is that there is a prayer after Communion, “O Sacrament Most Holy,” and its praise of Jesus makes it my favorite prayer – I even catch myself singing it outside of Mass! The Masses at the Newman Center are definitely worth a visit for anyone who is curious about Catholicism, and for anyone who is looking for a new parish to join, Blessed John XXIII Newman Center will make you feel at home immediately.