We were very happy with our jobs, but something was missing.  We felt we had to do something that gave more depth to our days. We had a connection with these mountains and now we are enjoying a great adventure.

The scenery in Wyoming County in southern West Virginia with its steep mountains that stretch up to the sky on both sides of the Guyandotte River is simply breathtaking. The people who call it home are friendly and welcoming. It was those attributes that spoke to Arnie and Kathy Simonse.
They first came to the area

Beckley parishioner chooses to ‘Put God First’

Walking into St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Beckley your eyes are immediately drawn to parish’s recent renovations – the gorgeous stone archways, the ornate woodwork, the intricate artwork behind the crucifix, and the restored quotation from John’s gospel about “life everlasting” surrounding the tabernacle.
However, it is the reverent voice and gentle soul of Tony Tipane that will leave an impression on you that will never fade.
This humble man, who sits in a pew that’s in the back of the church near

Organizers of the Gemini Project at St. Joseph’s Parish in Huntington insist God is working through them to help children within a foster care system that is in crisis. “This project is truly driven by God,” Jim Jeffrey said. “We are just the vehicle. It’s definitely a calling. I’m so glad we listened. We hope others around the state do too.” #FaithInWV #GeminiProjectGodsHand

“I wanted to do something for my church that would make a difference,” said Eagle Scout candidate Tucker Stacks. “It started out as a manual labor project,” but it ended up as a meaningful gift to the parish that he hopes will last for generations.

Sacred Heart Parish has become a “God wink” for a Huntington area food bank. “They’ve been an answer to prayer,” Janet Walker said about the parishioners of the Adams Avenue church. “It never fails if we are low on a certain item for that week’s distribution to families, Sacred Heart always ends up toting over exactly what was needed to fill the shelves,” Walker said. “It’s true. I shake my head sometimes thinking that this is definitely unexplainable.” #FaithInWV #GodWinkAtSacredHeart

Her hands are withered with arthritis, but her kindheartedness is ever blooming. Mary Henderson can be described as a sweet 81-year-old lady, who wears her hair in a tidy braided bun, and walks softly wherever she goes. She is a graceful, gentle spirit, dedicating her time into fostering a ministry that wraps women and children in despair with love. “I wanted to do something to use my skills to help others,” she said. “I thought about how I could give back; and my first thought was, ‘I love to knit’, so why not?....” #FaithInWV #PurlsOfWisdom

Beautiful things are coming together one stitch at a time in Huntington. Six years ago, Eileen Farren, of Sacred Heart Parish, learned about a special sewing project to help children in hospitals by giving them hand-sewn cheery cotton pillowcases - Ryan’s Case for Smiles. It is an ecumenical movement to help children who are going through a medical struggle of some sort. “We are doing the work God wants us to. We all hope to be a blessing.” #FaithInWV #SewMuchLove

Don’t let her petite stature fool you. She is quite spry and if you blink you may not see her scurry by you at Sacred Heart Parish in Huntington. “She’s our rock,” Lena Adkins of Sacred Heart said about Sister Mary Terrence Wall. “She has more energy than ten men.” #FaithInWV ##HardWorkingAndFaithful

Yes, there are angels among us! They show up every Friday. “Oh! My angel food! My angel was here again,” a teacher overheard a little girl say with excitement, when she went to her locker at the end of the school day and peered into her white grocery bag of surprises. That angel is Janet Ryan Benzo with a small legion of angels from St. Anthony’s Parish in Follansbee. #FaithInWV #GivingHopeInFollansbee

Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. Music is a significant part of our Eucharistic celebration. It is meant to draw us in and emphasize the meaning of the Liturgy. Sarah sweetly blushes with embarrassment when folks come up to her after Mass to express their gratitude, because her voice touched their heart. “That is exactly what I needed today,” said a visitor, who hugged Booth. #FaithInWV #BlessedByBooth