By Joan Stoltz

“Just one moment Father Porter. Let me get the baby before we continue our interview!” We were in my home, as I didn’t have a babysitter. Fr. Porter offered to come to me! That is how my journey as a St. Max Staff person began! It was 1991 and St. Max was ready to hire a full-time youth minister. Our staff consisted of Fr Porter, the parish secretary, Kathy Wojciechowski, and then me as Youth Minister. In those days, Fr. Porter was living in a house on Van Gorden Road and so our offices were a bedroom and the dining room table! Our parish meetings were held in the living room or at the table!

By Michelle Meyer

It’s something I take for granted, but being an original parishioner, and remaining at this parish for 35 years (and counting!) has been an incredible blessing.  I have had a front row seat as we debated building the church or community center first, whether or not to start a school, and if we should buy the property on Van Gorden or Hamilton-Mason.  I have been there for ground breakings and dedications.  I have gotten to know hundreds of wonderful people and logged countless hours serving, studying, and praying by their sides.  I have seen St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish grow and change, always guided by the Holy Spirit.

By Lois Latzy

Heading into the unknown: we found ourselves in the area that was mapped out to be the new parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe. All Catholics living in that area were going to be considered St. Max parishioners for the next two years, after which time they could register at another parish if they wished. We embraced the adventure but not without a little trepidation.

By Debbie Lackey

My name is Debbie Lackey and I am the mother of two adult sons, Jeremy and Tyler. My oldest son, Jeremy, had started in his RCIA program in 2021. As his mother, a believer in God but not really committed to attending church or choosing any denomination, I was thrilled with his journey into the Catholic faith and supported him by driving him to and from church every Sunday.

Jeremy fell gravely ill in April of 2022 and I was terrified that I was going to lose my son.

By Abigail & Michael Bambrick

When I first got pregnant in 2014, I had just turned 30 and still wasn’t sure if I ever wanted kids. As with many things in life, God had a different plan for my life than what I had expected at that time. I can’t clearly remember my initial thought after seeing those two pink lines on the first pregnancy test but I did take four more pregnancy tests just to be extra sure. Our former view of what this stage of life should look like was so different than this.

By An Anonymous St. Max Family

These are words I felt God speaking to me in the midst of the pandemic, pregnant with my second child, and undergoing another Hyperemisis Gravidarum pregnancy. There were hopes it would be different this time and many prayers for healing, yet I found myself at the foot of the Cross in the same way yet again. This time it would be different.