We’ve been married 61 years and have 8 living children, 38 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.  We’ve seen God at work throughout our lives and feel blessed that he led us from Texas to our new home and new opportunities for spiritual growth at St. Catherine Parish.
     
     We grew up in Jefferson Parish on the West Bank and met at age 15 in high school.  We shared the ambition to be better educated so we could raise a large family.  We thought they were cheaper by the dozen.  Sonya went to Charity Hospital to become a Registered Nurse and Calvin went to USL to be an Electrical Engineer. When Calvin graduated, Sonya became a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, going back to work when their son entered seminary prep school and all the other kids were in school.   We felt God’s help when Sonya found a day job that allowed her time with the kids.

     Almost 15 years into our marriage, the Lord led us to Marriage Encounter, where we learned great communication methods. Wishing we had had these tools earlier, we volunteered with Engaged Encounter for 13 years to help young couples begin  marriage with good communication.

     In a recent trial just over a year ago, Calvin was told he needed a new aortic heart valve. Since he had already had  open heart bypass surgery years before and re-opening the chest is not recommended, we had to decide whether to opt for a new experimental surgical procedure.  We had some hard decisions to make and did a lot of praying. The procedure was very successful and Calvin is doing well from that. That experience taught us that praying to God and trusting is good.

     Most recently, our life was interrupted in February last year by the Texas blizzard. The weather was life-threateningly cold and there were rolling blackouts. Two of our daughters came to our home and took us back to Metairie. The drive out of Texas Hill Country in icy conditions was treacherous.  Our prayers were answered in a safe trip home. Within the week our three daughters in Louisiana convinced us to go back, empty our home, put it up for sale, and move back to Louisiana.  We proceeded as we have learned to do, praying that God’s will be done and trusting him. 

     Time passed without much interest in the house from prospective buyers, and we continued to ask God for guidance.  At Fr. Tim’s suggestion, we approached the prayer teams after Mass one Sunday.  By coincidence, Mark and Pam Truxillo were the prayer team; we knew them from Alpha. We had never before experienced someone praying with us. We asked that they pray for our home sale if it was God's will. The peace we felt was overwhelming.  Later, our prayers were answered; the sale of our home closed just two weeks ago. 

     We encourage others not to be afraid to ask someone to pray with you. Ask God for his plan and have faith that He will answer you. We have been so blessed by this wonderful parish and our two great priests, and we feel confident that God wanted us back home.