Here’s a rewritten version of the article,aiming for 100% uniqueness while preserving the core message and sentiment:
A Midwestern Homecoming: Finding Faith and Family in Hillsdale
it began with a casual suggestion,a shared link to a house that sparked an unexpected flicker of possibility. “I think you’d like this place!” I’d offhandedly remarked. My parents, Anne and Joseph Schmitt, did indeed like it, but their roots ran deep in Colorado, a life meticulously built over three decades.
“The thought of moving felt impossible,” my mother, Anne, recalled. “But I remember us praying together, ‘If this is God’s plan, let it unfold.’ And then, remarkably, everything just fell into place.” Within three months, they had relocated to Hillsdale. A fortunate twist of fate allowed them both to continue their careers remotely, a rarity at the time. A few years later, my mother embraced a new calling as the music minister at St. Anthony of Padua Church here in Hillsdale. My father, though officially retired, dedicates his time to crafting exquisite wooden pieces for our family and the church, from an Advent wreath to a stable for the Nativity scene. His middle name,Joseph,feels notably fitting given his woodworking talents.
The profound blessing of having my parents living alongside my own children is difficult to articulate. It feels as natural and traditional as breathing, yet when I was a student at Hillsdale College over fifteen years ago, the idea of returning to this small Midwestern town and finding my parents, brother, his wife, and my nieces all here would have seemed utterly improbable.
The benefits of raising my children with my parents so close are immeasurable. We have “built-in” childcare, shared weekly Mass attendance, and their constant presence at every critically important sacrament my children recieve. Our Sunday family dinners have become a cornerstone, weaving an intergenerational tapestry rich with our Catholic faith.
“grandchildren are an extraordinary gift, a true abundance,” my mother shared. I’ve noticed a similar trend among my friends; several have also seen their parents move to Hillsdale, driven by the desire to be actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives and drawn to the vibrant, faith-filled community of Hillsdale and St. Anthony’s.
Dan and Shelley Murnen, as an example, made the move from Toledo last year to be closer to their five grandchildren. They express immense joy in participating in their grandchildren’s daily routines – school drop-offs, attending concerts and baseball games, and celebrating birthdays. Shelley also highlighted the privilege of sharing in the daily faith life of her children and grandchildren, and being part of the strong Catholic community at St. Anthony’s.
“Attending Mass with them is a dream come true, and their faith community is truly wonderful. It’s an exceptional place to be,” Shelley enthused.My mother echoes this sentiment,often engaging my children in conversations about their faith and taking them to daily Mass when she’s babysitting. “My hope is that my children can see in us a lineage of faith,” she said.
In her role as music minister, she directs several children’s choirs, in which my older daughters participate. It’s a heartwarming, if slightly amusing, experience to hear the children in the choir not only call out “Mrs. Schmitt!” but also “Grandma!” – a testament to the interwoven lives we now share.
