More and more, this has come to mind as I reflect on where the Lord has led me in life, from a farm in southern Illinois to the Diocese of Saginaw to a ministry where I am blessed to share inspirational stories of faith and service. God’s plan is always better than mine— and sometimes I even remember to get out of God’s way. As we grow in faith and deepen our prayer lives, we can more easily hear the Holy Spirit nudging us in the direction we are called to go.

This issue is filled with examples of those who, attentive to the movement of the Spirit, followed wherever God called them. Father Matthew Gembrowski, whom you’ll meet on page 16, sensed God’s call to the priesthood as a teenager while at Mass. The Sisters of St. Clare served as “Companions in Prayer” in the Diocese of Saginaw for more than 30 years after they received their invitation to Saginaw through Bishop Ken Untener. Throughout our Diocese, laypeople such as Jerry Gonzalez and Mark Heires use their gifts and talents to glorify the Lord.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as your editor for Great Lakes Bay Catholic. I am thankful to also continue in my role as marketing and admissions coordinator for Catholic schools, supported by my fantastic colleagues in both the Office of Catholic Schools and the Office of Communications.

We are all called to prayerfully seek God’s will and call upon the Holy Spirit for guidance. We never know what kind of wonderful adventure Christ has in store for us.

To Jesus through Mary,

Danielle