Father Joseph Benjamin begins his day with a prayer of gratitude. He is thankful to God for his parishioners and the answers they receive in the evangelization work that is done through Ananias training. “Here is our question for all of us,” says Father Benjamin, “Why did God create us? The answer is simple: God created us to know him, to love him, and then serve him in this world by doing what he asks us to do.”

The Ananias training is a form of evangelization where lay people explore this question and hen walk with one another on their journeys to discipleship. “We have over 35 men and women involved in the Ananias training. We invite everyone including non-Catholics to journey with us and encounter the love of Jesus. The program continues to grow because I have a very strong youth connection in my parish, and by working with lots of youth I get to know lots of parents and other adults who see the Holy Spirit working in their children.

We all have the same mission: To welcome people into a personal relationship with God that will transform them completely inside and out. As a witness to our faith, we must accompany others in faith and it is then that our communities will come together.”