December 1995 was a dire straits moment for Ted Rouse. He lost his job and was instantly filled with anxiety. It was Christmas, but he was devastated and didn’t know which way to turn.

Ted at the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

He and his wife Shelly had just bought a house and baby number two was on the way. Overwhelmed with worry on how he was going to pay the hefty mortgage, handle the looming medical expenses, and put food on the table for his young family, Rouse turned to someone he

The Whelan family

Her choice to keep her heart focused on the “good portion” – Christ and the kingdom of God – has brought her peace, love, and strength, all of which she pours into her family and career.

Charleston’s Aisling Whelan chooses to keep faith first.

Just as Bishop Mark Brennan calls upon the faithful in the diocese to evangelize by sharing and celebrating Christ and our faith, Whelan intentionally has developed her career as owner of The Good Portion Co. as her voice.

“I think evangelization begins and ends with communion,

He can be defined as the Roch of his parish. Yes, R-O-C-H (pronounced Roke or Rock). Deacon Dave Galvin is much like St. Roch – who despite unforeseen challenges served others and helped souls see Christ in him. Although, if you were to make the comparison in his presence he would undoubtedly look towards the sky, laugh, and shake his head at the notion.

Galvin is seemingly tireless. He is up for anything that will make a positive difference in God’s eyes, yet remains a humble soul, quickly turning a conversation away from himself to how Christ is working behind

When his second-grade teacher at Sacred Heart Grade School in Charleston gave the class a homework assignment to write about what they wanted to be when they grew up, he wrote he was going to be a priest. Little Tommy Gallagher pictured himself in the shoes of his pastor, Monsignor Edward Sadie. Fast forward to the teenage and college years and that picture may have blurred, but it never completely faded. Thankfully for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the sweet daydream of that dark-haired youngster, whose eyes smile right along with his

Hurricane’s Will Dempsey chooses to live his life with an “actions are greater than words” mindset.
We all know of the poverty and suffering in the world and our own communities, whether they have resulted from horrific tragedy, natural disasters, or our own doing. As Christians we talk about how we are God’s hands and feet, but are we really doing enough? Dempsey does not sit back and take that question lightly. His purpose driven path in life is a call to action, proving he is a man that honors his faith, country, and family.

St. Jude organist is part of God’s plan

When the late Father Leroy Beyer handed her the keys to the church the summer of 1993, she happily accepted them with a grateful heart, knowing she had a significant promise to keep.

Judy Perhacs Doyle

Judy Perhacs Doyle has been playing the organ, piano, and even the accordion for St. Jude Parish in Glen Dale for nearly three decades. Many current parishioners do not know her story, but the ones who do have a deep appreciation not only to her for sharing her

Never underestimate the power of prayer.

That is exactly the underlying lesson Adam Marquart learned from his parents Greg and Lisa Marquart, and was echoed by his Catholic school teachers and several significant priests in his life. It is the lesson that motivated Marquart’s idea for the Confraternity of St. Nicholas – a movement to seek the saint’s intercession to protect all children morally, physically, and spiritually from sexual abuse, human trafficking, and other harmful circumstances.

Marquart, a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish in the Marshall County section of Wheeling, grew up with his sister Natalie in a loving

Strengthens the Bonds of Beckley Couple

Their love story is as much about serving and caring for others as it is about their commitment to each other.

Rev. Mr. Harry and Marcia Evans of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley met as students at Woodrow Wilson High School in the late 1960s. They will celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary on November 27th. The milestone is significant, but so is their story of faith and service.

Soon after they were married, they began their family. They were blessed with four children – Matthew, Mark, John Paul, and Sarah; and now have five

WVU Campus Minister hopes to radiate Christ’s love

Walk into her office and you’ll be greeted with a heartwarming smile. Catch up with her and her family during an outdoor adventure and you’ll be treated to her contagious laughter. Yet the most attractive and impressive thing about Colleen Roderique Criste may be her beautiful heart and glowing spirit – an asset that is benefiting countless young adults at the St. John University Parish Newman Center in Morgantown.

Criste grew up a cradle Catholic in a strong and faithful family, but until two years ago she didn’t realize how much her upbringing,

Writing has always been a fond pastime for Cathy Burns Horstman, but it wasn’t until recently she knew it would be a way to give life to her faith.

She grew up in a family that cherished three things –faith, family, and education.

Horstman has been a member of St. Paul Parish in Weirton since she was six years old. Her father Bob Burns worked for Hancock County Schools and her mother Bette Davis Burns taught preschool and eventually became the principal at St. Paul School. For her and her seven siblings, they understood to be successful in life was to