Beginnings

My name is Jeremy Stavinoha and I am the new ministry leader for the JSAY program at St. Anthony’s Catholic church in Bryan. I am excited to be a part of CCFM and to see what the Lord is going to do this year in the youth's lives and in my own life. It’s been five years since I graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Horticulture. While in college my faith came alive in a way that I never thought was possible. I was filled with the Holy Spirit and became really excited about serving in the church. I became involved in Bible studies, Praise and Worship nights, prolife work and I staffed retreats. I had all of these outlets to share my faith and knew that when I left college I wanted to continue my involvement in church ministries.
I left college frustrated, not knowing where I would fit in back at my home parish. It was a struggle because in my mind there was nothing going on. There were no faith communities that I could get plugged into. I spent a lot of time in prayer, frustrated about what I would do. Then I received a call from a friend to help out with a 6th grade CCD class.  I did not know it at first but it was the answer to my prayers. It says in John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
I have always heard if you think that nothing is happening at your parish then you should get involved and be the one to start things. After a year of volunteering to teach CCD classes it seemed the Spirit was starting to move in our church community. I found out we were going to start a retreat called ACTS. The first one happened to be a men’s retreat and I signed up right away knowing that once I went on the retreat I would be able to staff other retreats. ACTS was a huge blessing in our parish that started a renewal and continues to build up the church community. For me personally, it’s exactly what I needed to satisfy the desire in my heart to share my relationship with God, and with other people.
The most notable transformation in our parish took place in the teenagers. Our priest saw a need for a youth ministry program and appointed me along with a few other men to start something. Volunteering for the teen retreats and with the youth ministry at our parish gave me peace, freedom and joy that I did not have at my day job as a middle school teacher and coach. So through much prayer and discernment I decided to try full time ministry to see if it was the right fit for me.
This discernment led me to spend this past year of my life as a missionary at the Pines Catholic Camp. This experience challenged me and helped me to grow personally in my own faith life but also helped me realize that my heart is set for ministry in the church and sharing my love of Christ with others. It’s so exciting to hear about all of the ways CCFM is bringing the youth, volunteers and ministry leaders into a deeper conversion. The Holy Spirit is on the move through this ministry and I can’t wait to see how this new chapter in my life with CCFM will bring glory to God.
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