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July 10, 2019Kate (Bauer) and Ben Hendrick began their life together as husband and wife when they were married at St. Al’s.
That day was special for many reasons including St. Al’s is where Ben was received into the Church.
“As a convert, my favorite memories are the ones where I was able to first participate in the Sacraments,” he says. “I was confirmed at St. Al's. I received my first Holy Communion at St. Al's. I gave my first Confession at St. Al's. I was married at St. Al's. St. Al's was my first home parish. It will always hold a special place in my memories.”
Kate agreed saying her favorite memory was when the couple were married at St. Al’s in July 2016, with Fr. Ben Hasse as celebrant.
The couple attended Michigan Tech both graduating in 2016. Kate has a degree in chemical engineering; Ben has a mathematics degree. They live in Appleton, Wisconsin and are catechists at their parish St. Therese of Lisieux.
Ben works in IT at Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He says Michigan Tech prepared him with the technical and professional skills for his job, but St. Al’s prepared him for the spiritual and family life of a newlywed college graduate. “As a convert, St. Al's introduced me to a life rooted in the Catholic Faith, the Holy Eucharist, and Sacred Scripture. These are the ingredients to a life of happiness with God and my family.”
Kate is Development Coordinator of Accounts and Grants for the Mount Tabor Center (a Catholic retreat center known for one of their ministries, SPIRITUS). She also is training to become a certified FEMM and teenFEMM Teacher.
She says she did not expect to be in this career but says Michigan Tech helped her to develop the skills for work after college, including her role in development.
During her time in Houghton, St. Al’s impacted her faith the most. “St. Al's took me from a lukewarm Catholic to a woman passionate about her faith; it made me take ownership of my Catholic faith. Being part of St. Al's also showed me how important it is to be part of a Christian community.”
Ben and Kate said St. Al’s is important for students because it’s not just a place for students to stay Catholic, but to grow in their faith.
“There are so many opportunities to learn, to pray, to practice an authentically Catholic faith,” Kate said. “What's happening at St. Al's is such a different story from what we see with most young adults right now.”
“Students at St. Al's experience the privilege of a strong Catholic community and Christ-centered friendships,” Ben said. “It's a safe haven of authentic love in a culture full of false idols.”
