S T. ISI DOR E C AT H OL I C CHURCH
TH E THO M P S O N FA M I LY :
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Embracing Stewardship, Growing in Faith and Community
or the members of the active community. Thompson family, communiThe Thompsons have five ty has been an integral part of children — Marina, Carl, Hayley, their faith life. By serving the Clare, and Orin. Their youngparish, they have been able to est two, who still live at home, grow closer to others who share enjoy participating in parish life their faith and, in turn, have through groups for teens. About grown closer to Christ. a year ago, Greg was inspired “We’re made to be a gift to to go on a Fraternus retreat in others, to give of ourselves,” North Carolina with sons Carl says Greg Thompson. “That is and Orin, which was a huge turnwhat brings happiness. I realized ing point for Greg’s faith journey. that I really need to connect “For most of my life I kept — I can’t really be a disciple if people at a distance, and I didn’t I don’t do that. We all need peorealize how important commuple around us who are faithful, nity is,” he says. “The retreat and want to grow in their faith, really helped me to see that it’s to encourage one another.” so important for Catholic men Greg and his wife, Jill, to be connected to one another.” first got involved in parish life When Greg returned from through an Adult Faith Forthe retreat, he knew he had to The Thompson family supports daughter Hayley’s entry keep that sense of communimation class taught by Susan to the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa on Aug. 6, 2021. Burky. Now, Jill is an instructor ty going. He started a men’s for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) at Our group which would meet regularly to pray the Rosary Lady of Lourdes, helped establish the program and around the campfire. Eventually, he helped found a create materials for St. Isidore’s CGS program, and Fraternus chapter here at the parish, which provides helps with Confirmation class and the Altar Linens fellowship for adult men and a mentorship program Ministry. Prior to the pandemic, they both participatfor youth. ed in the St. Paul’s Street Evangelization Ministry, “It’s a brotherhood of Catholic men helping each handing out rosaries and talking about the faith to other grow in virtue,” Greg says. “We inspire each othothers in the local community. Greg and Jill are also er to serve, and we serve because that is what Christ both Third Order Dominicans, which was also a balm calls us to do. If I don’t get involved, I miss out. God throughout the pandemic since they were able to is in charge, and it’s an adventure! It’s really by God’s continue to meet, study the faith, and be part of an grace and His mercy that I’m where I am today.”
“We inspire each other to serve, and we serve because that is what Christ calls us to do. If I don’t get involved, I miss out. God is in charge, and it’s an adventure! It’s really by God’s grace and His mercy that I’m where I am today.” — GREG THOMPSON 4
