Prayer Witness Talk
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2022 Stewardship of Prayer Witness Talk - Mike Molnar
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STEWARDSHIP OF PRAYER WITNESS TALK
NOVEMBER 26/27, 2022
Given By: Michael Molnar
When I got a call from Father Bill asking me to speak at Mass, my immediate reaction was this would be out of my comfort zone. My second thoughts were what an honor and opportunity. Plus, it is very difficult to say no to Father Bill.
My name is Michael Molnar and I did not grow up a Catholic. I married my wife Stephanie here at Saint Pius in 2011 and through the process I got to know a lot more about Catholicism. When our first child was baptized, I asked Father Bill to talk because I had some general questions about the Catholic Church. I think he had been waiting for that talk … he was ready… when I got home my wife asked me how it went… I said, “I think I just signed up for RCIA.”
On March 26, 2016, I became a Catholic. Over the next three plus years I traveled around the world for work and when it was Sunday, I would find a Mass. Bosnia, Thailand, Tanzania, China, to name a few countries I attended Mass at. While there is nothing like mass at St. Pius, I was always welcomed in and found a sense of being at home.
On July 6, 2019, my entire world got flipped upside down and my faith was put to the test. I was involved in a bad boating accident. I had to be flown to Memorial Hospital South Bend which is a Trauma 2 level hospital. On the way there I prayed that God protect me. After 10 surgeries, 19 units of blood, and 3 plus years of therapy I can do most things I was doing before my accident.
I believe that a huge part of my survival and successful recovery had to do with my faith and with our community that we have here at Saint Pius. The two doctors that saved my leg… they are parishioners here. Father Bill coming to the hospital for my first anointing lifted me up when I had doubts. My Brothers from TMIY, many of whom I did not personally know, where praying for me and once I was able to join them, they prayed with me. There are so many others who I did not mention, but I was told to keep it to 2 or 3 minutes, and we all appreciate how we finish mass on time at Saint Pius.
Today my wife and I are blessed to have 4 children. We are lucky to be able to send the ones who are old enough to Saint Pius X School. Our first born who sparked my desire to get baptized is now in 2nd grade preparing for her First Reconciliation and First Communion. The prayers in preparation that we share together are a special time for our family.
Dedicating time to prayer is challenging at the moment. I have a very busy house and a busy job. Sometimes I stop at the grotto at Notre Dame to light a candle and have a few moments of silence. Sometimes I will say an “Our Father” while bouncing our newborn in the middle of the night. Prayer right now for me, is fitting it in where I can.
For me, the Communal Anointing of the Sick service is a time for personal reflection and prayer. I challenge you to find a special day or service that connects personally to you. Use it as a day of reflection and prayer. Usually, I end up with feeling the need to reach out to people who are going through life’s challenges. To share how much faith can help in challenging times. To put purpose to the suffering I have had to endure.
Faith and prayer are an integral part of my personal life balance. I continue to try to grow as a husband, a father, a son, and as a Catholic man. This church and the community we have here are blessings for me and my family. We are so grateful. Thank you for giving me the honor of sharing a little with you today.