When Kalyn Waterhouse and her family first moved to Antigo, she was invited to attend the Alpha program.
“As a new member of the community, it was a really nice way for me to grow in my faith and to meet others who were looking to do the same,” Kalyn says.
From there, Kalyn was asked to help facilitate the following year’s Alpha program.
“After this, I just continued to say ‘yes’ to opportunities that came about, usually through the Religious Education program because our kids were a part of it,” she says.
Kalyn and her husband, Chad — along with their four children, Andrea, Makenna, Carleigh, and Hudson — are members of St. Wenceslaus. Kalyn and Chad met in college through a mutual friend. They both graduated in 2007 and were married the following year in Wausau. They lived there until moving to Antigo in 2017.
The family enjoys fishing, campfires, playing sports, participating in 4H, and playing music — Chad and Kalyn both play in the Antigo Area Community Band.
Both Chad and Kalyn were raised by parents who were active in their communities and parishes. Their parents instilled in them the importance of being involved and sharing their time with others. Now as parents themselves, they wish to instill those values in their children and serve others.
“I currently serve as coordinator for the Faith Formation Hospitality Bakers ministry,” Kalyn says. “I’ve also filled in as a substitute teacher for the Faith Formation classes and have been a chaperone for Faith Formation trips.”
Chad currently serves as an usher, and their two daughters are altar servers. One of the family’s favorite ways to serve has been hosting the Totus Tuus teams for a dinner in their home.
For the Waterhouse family, stewardship is a priority — they believe it is important to be intentional about serving others and participating as parishioners in the church community. They also seek to practice living out their faith on a daily basis.
“Our daily expression of our faith mostly revolves around our kids and helping them understand what it means to be Catholic — things like explaining the sacraments to them, praying with them, and teaching them moral values,” Chad says. “With pop culture constantly challenging Catholic teachings, we are trying to give our kids the most solid foundation we can while they are young.”
“Being involved in the church is such a rewarding experience for our family,” Kalyn says. “It gives us opportunities to work with other parish members and build relationships. If you aren’t already involved, please prayerfully consider doing so. Many hands make light work.”