Richard’s Journey Home

A Story of Faith, Community, and Generous Giving

Richard's faith journey began with his grandmother Pia, who raised six children alone after losing two husbands, yet never wavered in her daily devotion to God. Her example of faithful resilience in the face of tremendous loss became the foundation of Richard's spiritual life.

Like many young people, Richard explored various spiritualities in his twenties while struggling with challenging health issues. He attended retreats wherever he could find them, eventually discovering Holy Family and feeling deeply connected to the Passionist charism and retreat team.

After years of spiritual wandering — including time away from religious practice while pursuing nursing school and a master's degree in Boston—Richard found his way back to Holy Family 14 years ago.

Today, Richard attends the Christian Contemplative Experience weekly, along with evening workshops and Masses. He credits Holy Family with helping him grow closer to God and describes it as "one of the greatest gifts” of his life.

Holy Family has become Richard's spiritual home — a loving, close-knit, active, and respectful community. When he attends the interfaith services around Thanksgiving, he is struck by the palpable sense of welcome and experiences a powerful sense of God's presence. Holy Thursday evening services make Richard feel so close to Christ. The Retreat Team are incredibly articulate speakers who engage and uplift everyone, and the music is nothing short of outstanding. Combined with prayer and Fr. David's leadership, it creates an amazing encounter.

Richard assures anyone considering joining Holy Family that it will be the best decision they will ever make.

This past spring, Richard decided to include Holy Family in his estate plans. Living "paycheck to paycheck," he wondered how someone like him could make a meaningful gift. At Holy Family's Planned Giving workshop, he learned he could designate Holy Family as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

He knew he didn't have a lot of money to give today, but he thought, "I probably could make the most generous gift of my life if I put Holy Family in my estate plans."

Richard secured an AARP life insurance policy, making Holy Family the beneficiary of 80% of its value. With a modest monthly premium, he's delighted knowing his "future gift" will touch another spiritual seeker's life.

Richard's life has come full circle through his faith and his experience at Holy Family. While he grew up in an intense home that required him to be vigilant and fight hard, he now has a much more peaceful inner life. He's more patient, less reactive, more forgiving, and less angry. And when his wife was seriously ill last fall, the prayer group at Holy Family provided incredible support—"an oasis from stress" he couldn't have done without.

When Richard reflects on Holy Family’s 75th anniversary, he considers what life would have been like without it. “We need institutions like Holy Family to be the beacons of light that they are for people like me who are seeking God, and we need to sustain them so others can access them in the future.”

“We have to keep Holy Family open for another 75 years—by giving generously with the gifts we have to give today and also in our estate plans. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, even someone who lives paycheck to paycheck and struggles with health issues, like me, can find a way to be generous after their life on earth.

“I know my sweet grandmother is looking down upon me and is delighted that, after my wanderings, I came 'home' to a place like Holy Family! I am here to stay." ~