A Note from Samantha, Tri-Parish Director of Formation for Children

Hello! I'm Samantha, but you can call me Sam. As the new Tri-Parish Director of Formation for Children, I am so excited to co-labor alongside all of you to make disciples within the parish communities of Christ King, St. Bernard, and St. Pius X.
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I believe my call to work with children started when I came to know Jesus at the age of 7. I grew up Evangelical and had many dynamic experiences and opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ and seek His will for my life. Because of my own experiences, and that of my two small children, I am convinced of the child's ability to have a deep and profound relationship with God.

In 2007, I joined the R.C.I.A. process at Marquette University and professed my faith in the Catholic Church in 2008. After graduation in 2009, I used my degrees in Theology and Psychology to serve as a missionary with the Evangelical Catholic, a non-profit ministry organization. Following my two years with the EC, I worked as a Youth Minister, Director of Evangelization, and most recently, as a Director of Religious Education. I am in the process of being trained in Infant-Toddler and Level 1 of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based faith formation program.

I am married to my husband of 5 years, Riad, and we have two beautiful children, Declan (4) and Felicity (20 months).

If you see my family and me at Mass or around the parishes, please do not hesitate to come up and say hello. We are anxious to meet you, get to know you, and work together to make disciples of our children.

Sincerely,
Sam El-Azem

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