Catholic Community on the Jersey Shore
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Welcome to Shore Catholics. We hope you find this website helpful as you explore and grow in your Catholic faith.
I was orignally tasked with improving and expanding the Gathered as One Cohort website, but that initiative was abandonded. Instead, that work became the foundation that led to this website, and from that, the creation of a 501c3, Shore Catholics Inc.
My family and I have been visiting Spring Lake and the area for 20 years. We raised our three sons and one daughter at St. Catharine's in Glen Rock NJ, and my beautiful bride and I moved here permanently as empty-nesters in 2015. Our growing family now includes three daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. We thank God every day for our good fortune.
My faith journey has been exhilirating. The more that I have surrendered to Christ and His Church, the more joy and peace I have received. Like many men, I fell away from my faith. Fortunately, I married a patient and faithful woman who slowly led me to all that is good. She and the Holy Spirit still work tirelessly to keep me pointed in the right direction.
In response to God's call, I taught Confirmation prep CCD for 30 years. After leaving Wall Street, I taught one section of Honors English, and four sections of Theology at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale NJ. My specilaties were Catholic Moral Teaching and Catholic Social Teaching, although I did also teach World Religions and Old and New Testament. The more I taught, the more I learned, and the more I grew in love and respect for our Church. In the process, I also was cerified to teach Theology of the Body, Protecting God's Children, Faithful Citizenship, and I have taken courses that may some day lead to a Masters in Theology. I have been on the board of a non-profit that provides support for women and their unborn children, and one that advocates for education options for under-priveleged children. I am on the Board at St. Joseph Regional High School, focusing on Catholic Identity.
As a long time pro-lifer, I have been fortunate to lead those efforts at St. Joe's, St. Catharine's in Glen Rock, and Mary's Child here at the shore. I have recently been certified by Seton Hall University and the iThirst program as a Spiritual Companion for thoise suffering from the pain and proximity of addiction.
Shore Catholics is now in a position to offer financial, prayerful, technical and practical support to a variety of ministries in our area. These include Walking with Purpose, Fire of Faith and various men's groups. We are able to support families as they build their Domestic Church at home or prepare for Sacraments. We can assist you in finding or forming studies and groups for women, men, married couples, or curious disciples.
Please explore the site. There is something for everyone no matter where he or she is on his or her faith journey. More important, please reach out to us with your questions or suggestions.
We are here to help. We are here to serve.
Peace,
Steve Kenny
[email protected]