Ria Fruscello had her own idea about how she could help serve her parish, but a small voice kept contradicting her. Parishioners are glad she listened.

Her story begins in the ChristLife evangelization program at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish in Whitehall, funded locally through sacrificial gifts to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!  At the end of the three-part series participants were invited to think of something they could do for their parish or the universal Church, and to give a talk about it.

Fruscello wanted to organize a Family, Faith & Fitness Night. It sounded good, but every time she sat down to write her presentation, a voice kept telling her, ‘St. Gabe’s needs a Vacation Bible School.’

“I was getting frustrated and kept trying to push away what I was hearing, but I couldn’t write anything,” Fruscello said. “Then it came time to give my talk. I finally gave in, jotted down a few notes, and the words just came out of my mouth. I realized later it was the Holy Spirit.”

Dozens of parents crowded around her after the meeting, excited about the idea. St. Gabriel’s pastor, Father John Haney, lent his support.

More than 120 children attended the new Vacation Bible School last July, along with plenty of volunteers.

And thanks to the experience, at least four families have returned to practicing the faith. Fruscello personally invited several of them to attend Mass, answering the Gospel call to discipleship.

“ChristLife helps you encounter who Jesus is in your life, and how important He is to you,” said Jim Zern, who helps lead the program at St. Gabriel. “You need to have that personal relationship, as Bishop Zubik says, ‘to learn Jesus, love Jesus, and live Jesus.’”

“A lot of people are glad that Ria responded to the Holy Spirit,” said Diann Reiche, a longtime parishioner who volunteered at VBS. “The young moms, who are so enthusiastic, had been bringing their kids to Vacation Bible Schools at other churches. This gives new life and new meaning to everything our parish is about.”

Angela Cross recently experienced the healing grace of Reconciliation, and credits ChristLife for opening her eyes.

“It’s changed my perspective on my relationship with Jesus, and I’m well on my way to making Him the center of my life,” Cross said. She’s involved with the pre-school ministry at 10 a.m. Mass.

Co-director of St. Gabriel’s Vacation Bible School, Heather Hampton said five of her six children attended or volunteered last summer.

“When Maria called and said she was starting the program, I told her I’m on board,” Hampton said. “We’re expecting even more children this summer.”

Tessa Kelly and her son both made new friends, and he learned a lot.

“We’re working on teaching him the faith,” Kelly said. “He’s excited about going again.”

“It was a new experience hearing the Holy Spirit,” Fruscello said. “At first I was skeptical, but now it happens more often. I’m more open to listening during prayer, and also sharing my faith.

“It can be as simple as an invitation. We don’t have all the answers, but we know where to get them.”