Nativity BVM Cathedral hosts Lenten mission
(Father Godfrey Andoh, Lauren Ellis and Kristin and Matt Loboda smile following their Lenten Mission at Nativity Cathedral.)
The season of Lent is a time of healing and renewal. As we go throughout this important season, it’s important that we take time to work on our personal faith journey and discover how we heal and how we renew our relationship with God. Lauren Ellis, Director of Religious Education for Nativity Cathedral, felt called to extend this grace of hope and healing not only to those within Nativity’s parish, but also throughout the Diocese. Matt and Kristin Loboda of Ave Maria, FL, joined Nativity for a three-day mission in order to share their story of hope and healing. Their daughter, Joy, survived a near-drowning incident and it was through this experience that Matt and Kristin were able to turn their trauma and grief into something truly amazing. Traveling from Nativity to St. James in Gulfport and St. Mary’s in Woolmarket, the Lobodas could have chosen to move forward from their fears, however, they have made it their personal goal to share their testimony with everyone.
During the mission at Nativity Cathedral, Matt and Kristin spoke about Joy’s accident and how the process shaped their family and their families’ faith. In addition, the Nativity Men’s Club led a led prayer team where they prayed over anyone who was seeking specific physical or spiritual healing. St. James hosted a night of adoration and prayer, while St. Mary’s hosted a luncheon where everyone celebrated Mass and were able to hear the Loboda’s story. Additionally, Kristin spoke at Nativity school to the faculty and staff about developing a positive mindset. Her goal was to relay how we can achieve success through developing healthy habits, remaining positive and always engaging in prayer. Matt spoke with the fifth and sixth grade Nativity boys about how to grow in becoming men when considering their futures. He reiterated the need for great husbands, great friends and great men to always seek God first.
For Ellis, having Kristin and Matt join the Nativity family for this Lenten mission, was a moving experience and truly a gift from God. “The power of prayer is something we must always consider and something in which we must always believe,” explains Ellis. “It was a true gift to experience this miracle through the eyes of the Loboda family and it served as a great reminder of putting our faith, hope and trust in God. For Kristin and Matt, sharing their story has been a great part of their healing journey. They often invoke Our Lady of Guadalupe for her maternal guidance as she was a mainstay for their family throughout the miracle with baby Joy. Nativity Cathedral extends its warmest thanks to the Lobodas and look forward to them visiting our parish again in the future.
