SPOTLIGHT: Jen Migdal

Meet Jen: A Joyful Catechist Inspiring Young Hearts at St. John the Evangelist

Who LOVES being a catechist? Jen Migdal does—and it shows! The mother of two sons has been sharing her passion for the Catholic faith as a second grade catechist at St. John the Evangelist (SJE) for the past three years—and she plans to continue for years to come.

Her journey into catechesis was meant to be. While volunteering as an aide in a first grade classroom, Director of Religious Education (DRE) Amy Goggin put out a call for a second grade catechist. Jen stepped forward! “I decided to give it a try because this was a way for me to give back and to teach kids about Jesus,” she recalls. “I absolutely love being a catechist!”

An Inside Look at Religious Education 

For Jen, teaching second grade is a privilege. It gives her a front row seat to one of the most important stages of a child’s faith journey—the beginning of preparation for First Reconciliation in third grade and First Holy Communion in fourth grade.

“I love teaching second graders because I get to tell them the story of Jesus—who He is and what He is capable of doing,” Jen shares with heartfelt enthusiasm. She delights in witnessing their “aha” moments—when their eyes light up with newfound understanding. “It’s so special to see them finally get it—to recognize who Jesus is and how much He loves them. Watching their excitement about making their Reconciliation and Communion is so rewarding.”

But her role goes beyond sacramental preparation. Jen sees catechesis as a way to equip children for life, giving them both knowledge and confidence. “I love giving them the confidence to go into the world and to be proud to be Catholic. I want them to know why we do certain things and carry those traditions into their own lives. I feel blessed to teach them how to form a relationship with God at such a young age and build a firm foundation they can pass onto the next generation,” she says.

A Faith Deepened at SJE

Jen’s own journey of faith has been deeply shaped by her time at SJE. Though she was born and raised Catholic, she drifted away from the Church after high school. She and husband Paul were married in the Catholic Church, but it wasn’t until 2017 that she truly reclaimed her faith. “It wasn’t until I came to SJE that I truly became a devout Catholic,” she says.

Jen treasures the richness of her faith, particularly the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “I love the catechism—it contains every detail of our religion in one book. It teaches us how to be disciples of Jesus and how to pass down His teachings from one generation to the next,” she shares.

But above all, it is the Eucharist that holds the deepest significance for her. “Receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ strengthens my relationship with Him. Each time I receive the Eucharist, it brings me so much closer to Him,” she says with reverence.

On the Home Front

Jen’s son Jacob loved third grade RE with Mr. Wheeler as his catechist, and would come home full of stories and smiles. He is looking forward to his fourth grade year with great enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Ethan wrapped up kindergarten and is counting down the days until he gets to join Ms. Mary’s first grade class—he's super excited!

Her husband Paul is a big believer in planting seeds of faith. He always says it’s important to teach the little ones about Jesus and His love, and he genuinely appreciates that Jen devotes her time to helping children build a strong Catholic foundation.

As for Jen, she leads by example—especially for their boys. Whether it's going to Sunday Mass as a family or finding simple, everyday ways to live out the corporal works of mercy, they do their best to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. It's a joyful, sometimes hectic, always meaningful journey!

A Heart for Service

Jen’s love for the Catholic faith naturally overflows into service. Beyond her role as a catechist, she enthusiastically volunteers across numerous ministries at SJE.

She has lent her hands and heart to:

• Totus Tuus summer youth program

• DiscipleShift and Rescue Project, which fosters deeper encounters with Jesus

• Thanksgiving Meals and Food Pantry outreach

• Serving with the Operation Homebound ministry

• Assisting with office work and beautifying the parish grounds by planting flowers

• Participating in Alpha, a program that explores life’s biggest questions through the lens of faith

“I love being a parish partner because I get to try so many new things and meet so many great people,” she says. “I’m always challenged to grow my relationship with Jesus at SJE. My faith and prayer life have strengthened so much since becoming a member here, and I will be forever grateful for everyone at SJE.”

A Grateful Heart, a Willing Spirit

Jen’s joyful witness is a testament to the power of giving back—and of being transformed in the process. Through her dedication to catechesis and service, she is helping to form the next generation of Catholics, nurturing their faith with the same love and devotion that rekindled her own.

Thank you, Jen, for your unwavering commitment and for being a true disciple who makes disciples!