Dan Nott’s morning invocation to God is one that many of us are familiar with, “What do you want from me?… I want to see God.” Dan’s prayer is imbued with gratitude, compliance, and a forthright honesty to serve the Lord to those around him.
This same phrase, “What do you want from me?” may be something that we have each uttered, sometimes eagerly, at other times in frustration, and occasionally in despair. It is at those moments of despair, when we may feel furthest from God, or the test of our faith is confusing or overwhelming. But perhaps it is when God is closest to us.
Dan and his wife Rebecca were certainly faced with those challenges to their faith 18 years ago upon the birth of their first child, Sean, who prematurely arrived into this world at just 27 weeks. It was a time when Sean’s survival was measured in hours and even in breaths, and when he received the sacrament of Baptism in the hospital NICU.
Today, Sean is a peer minister at Saint Helen, twice participated in the service trip, and was an altar server for many years. Entering his senior year at Union Catholic High School, Sean is in the college hunt, with an eye towards finding the right Catholic college. He attends Mass together with his family and on his own sometimes.
Serving the parish is also demonstrated by Dan and Rebecca’s daughters Leah (a sophomore at Mother Seton High School) who is also an altar server and is preparing for Confirmation. Youngest daughter Grace, a fifth grader at Holy Trinity School, loves singing with the Hummingbirds, and frequently quizzes Monsignor Tom after Mass about Catholicism, faith, and practice.
This beautiful chapter in their family’s life was distant and unknown to Dan and Rebecca 18 years ago, but God’s blessings were in abundance around the specialized bassinet of baby Sean, and Dan began a new path that grew and matured as he renewed his commitment to his Catholic faith. Dan was drawn to Saint Helen initially by participation in Men’s Cornerstone; the men he met became his touchstone and he wanted to “go where they are.”
“Saint Helen has always done a great job at a message that is welcoming to people. This was around when Bishop Michael came to the parish. That momentum and energy was a big jumping off point to realize that something special is happening here. As a young and growing family we experienced a true sense of community. We were welcomed with open arms.”
During Leah’s First Eucharist preparation, Rebecca made the decision to join OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation) so then it was the full family that was progressing in their faith.
“It made a lot of sense, through Cornerstone, to give back and participate in that.” Dan became part of the Cornerstone Core Team, agreed to participate in the lector ministry and also to become a Eucharistic Minister. In gratitude, Dan says “’yes’ to whatever comes my way.”
“I feel as though the most important piece of this was just having a family rooted in faith and in those values. Sharing those values with our kids is one of the best things of our experience at Saint Helen. I try to reinforce that we are very blessed, and we have to give back.”
“We support the parish and believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. I feel like the things the parish does with money supports the mission that we believe in. Anything I can do – serve others, make disciples, build community – is worth every penny. It has never worn off on me how blessed we are.”
Dan and Rebecca, and their entire family, live stewardship – giving of their time, their talent, and their treasure. At Saint Helen, we do see God in them.