A testimony by Kathy Bonessi
On Fire enabled me to get back on track with daily prayer and attention to my relationship with Jesus and finding him in all things. Particularly, praying with scripture and allowing the beautiful bouquet of grace to feed me throughout my day. I have always been active in my parish but my experience with On Fire is what led to my heart’s true passion and what I truly believe is now my calling in this life. Since On Fire, I have followed my passion and have been working on expanding health ministry at St. Louise de Marillac to provide respite care, and programming to assist and support caregivers. Just last year St. Catherine Laboure Parish approved and purchased Nourish for Caregivers a national program which is something I had wanted to do for years.
I practiced in critical care and cardiology, and several administrative roles. I was a member of the hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee and participated in the University of Pittsburgh Ethics Consortium. I realized then the many positions that deviated from teachings of the Catholic Church in medical ethics. I became certified in Parish Nurse Ministry from Mercy Hospital, and began the Parish Nurse Ministry at St. Louise de Marillac. Upon retiring in 2015, I was drawn to evangelization efforts at St. Louise and, along with an amazing group of parishioners, and led the Christ Life program which was a great spiritual awakening for me! During this time, I was called to further my own spiritual formation and joined On Fire.
Through the On Fire coaching sessions, I learned how I could use my gifts in the role of disciple and serving the Church. It was very helpful in discerning where the Lord was leading. Although I had been through coaching sessions and learning my gifts as part of my organization’s leadership development this experience was much more rewarding
I continue to be on a mission to provide a greater understanding of Catholic teaching on end-of-life care and advance directive. Through the years, myself and now a team of people in this ministry have been able to offer hope and direction to HUNDREDS of people and share what the church teaches about end-of-life care and address sensitive questions with honesty and compassion. This ministry has been so fulfilling as I have been blessed to watch loved ones and their families involved in these difficult journeys experience a real sense of hope and peace during this stage of their lives.
