Building life from scratch
  My name is Mark Kale, and I am a cradle Catholic. From a very young age, I have always had a desire to be close to the Lord, yet for few years between 2016 to 2020 due to some low moments, that desire remained silent within me. I moved to Canada in 2022, and building life from scratch, I started seeing the work of Jesus in my life which slowly reignited the faith in me. It was only on August 4th, 2023 that I experienced a powerful calling—a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit that completely transformed my life and awakened in me a deeper hunger to truly know God. In 2025, after moving homes, I became a parishioner ...

My ACAMPS experience
My name is Megan, I live on Long Island, and this was my first ACAMPS. I’m actually pretty new to Shalom as well, I just joined about a couple of months ago. I met some of the Shalom community at a beach mass back in August, and they were just so nice and welcoming, more than I had experienced in the past. I felt like I just clicked with them instantly. That night actually was when they told me about ACAMPS and how I should go. Honestly, it was a super spontaneous decision, but later in the month I booked it. I really didn’t know much about it going into it, but I knew I really wanted to grow in ...

A Festival of Free Things: Williamsburg’s Friendsgiving for the World Day of the Poor
On November 8th, the Shalom Catholic Community in Brooklyn held a Friendsgiving event in communion with the Catholic Church’s worldwide initiative, the World Day of the Poor. This Friendsgiving celebration was organized as a Festival of Free Things: free clothes, free meals, free gifts, live music, friendship-building activities, nail services, free rosaries, and more. Everything was offered outdoors on 85 North 15th Street, between Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The event gathered around 120 volunteers, who prepared food deliveries throughout Brooklyn, served meals, distributed clothing, and set up all the spaces. This was the fourth year the Shalom Catholic Community hosted the event in Brooklyn. Over 350 meals were given out, along with 150 pizzas generously made by San Antonio’s Wood Fired ...

Until the Ends of the Earth: A Celibate Story in Canada
Mylene Otou is a Missionary of the Covenant Community from Montreal, Canada. On August 31, 2025, she became the first Canadian Shalom Missionary to profess Vows of Celibacy for the Kingdom of Heaven.     Let us read her testimony about that day and everything that led to it.  A Day to Remember  As I am writing these lines, I recall that one week ago, I was here at home, at the same table, preparing myself for one of the most important days of my life: my First Vows of Celibacy for the Kingdom, which I would pronounce the next day. For the occasion, two of my Celibate sisters from my mother mission of Toronto were here to help me ...

Filled With The Holy Spirit
I have been part of the Shalom Catholic Community prayer group for over a year, blessed with the opportunity to share my testimony of how the Holy Spirit has transformed my life. I was born and raised, and live in Toronto, Ontario.  I did not quite grow up as a cradle Catholic, but my Mom’s side of the family has had a strong Catholic faith and history, coming from Malta. Although I was baptized at birth, I was not practicing my faith, since my mom was not anymore at the time, and neither was my dad. Besides attending Mass on certain days of obligation, such as Christmas and Easter, I did not have a deep understanding or interest of my faith, ...

It’s hard to put into words what the Shalom Charism has given me
I first prayed a rosary in December 2022, for no discernible reason except that I was exhausted and unhappy with my life. I surrendered and asked for help. Doors began to open after that, doors which I never expected to open. In January 2023, I found a tradition/ practice (and it found me) that seemed to bring out my courage, energy, and determination. Virgin Mary revealed herself to me there, and the Cross revealed itself in my heart. I began to live matters of faith. I dove into the world of this practice: I found my footing there, and I came to care for the people. It quickly rooted in my life & identity. Then my life crumbled in 2023 ...

A Jubilee Of My Soul: Four Sacraments in One Weekend
Three years ago, my spouse and I encountered something we never expected: the beginning of a profound and life-changing journey with the Shalom Catholic Community here in Boston. At the time, we couldn’t have imagined how deeply this community would become woven into the fabric of our lives. Today, it is hard to picture life without them. For me personally, the journey has been especially transformative. I did not grow up in the faith, and yet, through Shalom, I have come to know the love of God in an intimate and life-giving way. What began as a curiosity became an encounter — one that has led to countless moments of joy, healing, and growth. Whether it was spending time in ...

Nothing ever spoke to my heart as Jesus did
I was born in Omsk, Russia, but we moved when I was very young. I grew up all my life in Toronto. I was raised atheist, but in my teen years, my interest in spirituality and mysticism grew. I’ve explored many spiritual directions and groups. Nothing ever spoke to my heart as Jesus did. He said simply and truly. He was there when I needed Him most. His Mother was there when I needed her compassion most, in times of darkness and hopelessness. “He was there when I needed Him most” There was a situation where I finally came face to face with how broken my way was, how broken my heart was. 2023 summer. My deepest desire was crushed, ...

How a block party transformed a young adult’s life in Williamsburg
Hi everyone, my name is Eric and this is my testimony: It’s early 2022. I’m in my room alone and I’m about to do something I’m not proud of. When suddenly, I hear a strong voice warn me: “If you do that, I’ll leave you and never be by your side.” I gulp. “Huh … What was THAT?!? Am I hearing voices?!? I look around but clearly no one’s here.  And then … something deep down tells me it’s … … God’s voice.  I don’t know how I know. I just do. And when it hits me that God Himself — the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings — might’ve just given me an ultimatum … I do ...