Alumni Spotlight: John & Maria Drouhard
BY LUKE MURRAY
How did you first find out about City on a Hill and/or Catholic Challenge Sports?
John learned of City on a Hill when he went on a retreat with the School of Love. Mike Dennihan introduced him to the community. Maria learned of City on a Hill through its former director, Dave DiNuzzo. A former FOCUS missionary, Maria moved to KC for work. She lived in the Meyer Catholic Quarter (MCQ) which reminded her of FOCUS and living together in Catholic community.
We both enjoyed meeting people and forming lasting friendships with others who shared their faith and values.
What were you involved with?
Initially, John was involved with both CCS and Tuesdays at the Boulevard, where he played piano for Mass. He eventually also joined a Band of Brothers group and played piano for KC Underground. In addition to the MCQ, Maria started with CCS and then led a Sisterhood group. Both John and Maria attended Reservoir (adoration followed by socializing at Charlie Hoopers).
We first met each other at a birthday party in the MCQ for a mutual friend. We made plans to meet at the upcoming Tuesdays. From that point on, we’ve been practically inseparable.
How did City on a Hill impact or change your life?
The biggest impact on our lives was meeting each other! City on a Hill also led to lasting friendships, including friends who are now the godparents of our children. These friendships are of a different kind than those we’ve made with people outside of our mutual faith. Being rooted in Christ has led to a deepening connection that simply isn’t possible without God.
Why do you give to City on a Hill?
City on a Hill is a beautiful witness to hope in our culture. It gives us hope to see young people choosing the Good, True, and Beautiful over the fast, easy, unfulfilling, and immaterial lures of the world. City on a Hill also gives young people hope that there are truly important and lasting things in the world, things that only the Church can provide through Jesus Christ.
We benefitted from the ministry, and love seeing it continue to benefit others. Building up young people just out of college who are looking for connection to others – just like John and Maria were – is important to us. We’ve loved seeing how City on a Hill has grown and adapted to the changing world around us.
Any general words of advice for the community?
Remain rooted in faith, in both the big ways and the little. Throughout our marriage, faith kept us strong through periods of infertility, miscarriage, and an unexpected pregnancy. It’s given us comfort through illness. Passing on our faith to our children has been such a blessing. Answering their questions often makes us pause and consider how to best explain the depth of our faith in the language that a curious five-year-old can understand. Hearing our babies say the name of Jesus for the first time (our daughter’s first word!), watching them copy our posture at Mass, hear them pray in their little voices keeps our faith alive. And knowing that we will settle in together after putting our children down for bed keeps us grounded. No matter what happens during the day, we insist on keeping those 30 minutes dedicated to Jesus.
About City on a Hill
City on a Hill’s mission is to be the community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints.
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