If Aimee and John Huston could pick one word to describe their parish, Sts. Peter and Paul, and the Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community, it would be “joy.” The couple has experienced so much joy being part of the Stewardship Committee and getting to know parishioners from the other parishes.
Aimee has been a member at Sts. Peter and Paul since she was born, and John joined when the couple got married about 26 years ago. John was confirmed into the Catholic faith shortly before their wedding. The couple fostered children for more than 20 years and adopted four children — Darin, Latoiya, Katrina, and Alex. They have a daughter-in-law, Kayla, and three grandchildren. John has always been impressed with how understanding parishioners and priests have been at Sts. Peter and Paul.
“The priests, especially, were always so good to the foster kids,” John says. “They always wanted to know how they were doing, and they were so supportive.”
As members of the Stewardship Committee, John and Aimee have enjoyed getting to know the other members and learning more about various parish ministries.
“Even if you have had a bad day, it will turn around at a Stewardship Committee meeting,” John says. “The other members just exude joy. Someone is always laughing and joking around.”
“I feel when we formed the Area Catholic Community, it was a way to broaden our circle and get to know new people,” Aimee adds.
Aimee and John are involved with the parish outside of the Stewardship Committee, as well. John is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He first got involved when the group was looking for some younger members. Even though the group is too small to take on huge initiatives, they do what they can to promote the pro-life cause.
“The pro-life cause is very important to me, and I was drawn to that work,” he says.
Aimee also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a lector. In addition, she is on the Prayer Chain and has gone through the Alpha program. She recently started attending Searching Souls, which meets two Mondays monthly at the Centre for Christ.
“It’s introducing new things to me,” she says. “I listen to the talks there, and I am doing more and more that I never would have done otherwise. I started praying the Liturgy of the Hours after a talk I attended.”
John has learned through the Stewardship Committee that we must pitch in to make a community work. With two priests, it’s going to be more important than ever.
“You can’t just be a Sunday churchgoer,” he says. “The Stewardship Committee has allowed me to see what needs to be done and how I can do it.”
Being part of the Sts. Peter and Paul parish community has made such an impact on John and Aimee. They love the small-town feel and having the chance to really know other parishioners.
“Elrosa is so Catholic,” Aimee says. “It’s like your neighbors and your church are all tied into one.”