Thankful for Sacred Heart Parish

November 2023

Kindergarteners Lucy Koons and Luci Johnson have a lot in common, and it goes beyond having similar names, being the same age, and attending the same school. Whether they realize it or not, the two little girls are both part of a legacy that began years ago with their grandparents.

Just ask parishioner Katie Koons, mom of Lucy and daughter of longtime parishioners Tom and Patti Halsch. Looking back on her years growing up, Katie says that because her extended family lived far away, her parents built an additional “family” for their kids through Sacred Heart Parish and School. Centered on common values and trust in God, this church family included kids of all ages—many of whom have returned to Sacred Heart as adults, like Katie. Today, with husband Jeremy, daughter Lucy, and son Joshua, Katie is thankful to be back in the parish she calls home.

Of course there were challenges along the way. In particular, Katie recalls the complicated relationship she once had with fellow parishioner Anne Marie (Mahoney) Johnson, now a treasured friend. “We did not get along very well growing up,” says Katie, remembering the endless disagreements that drove their parents crazy and got them sent to the principal’s office at least once. “It’s funny now,” she says. “It wasn’t funny then.”

The tension put a strain on their families, but their parents got everyone through it with patience, perseverance, and faith. As Katie and Anne Marie matured, the friction between them began to ease. “We found our footing as friends. We got closer and we’re more like sisters—and then she asked me to be the Godmother for her first child.”

God’s plans for their friendship didn’t end there. Over time, the two young women continued to find common ground, keeping in touch as their families grew. Then came the day this past August when Katie snapped a photo of Lucy Koons (Katie’s oldest) and Luci Johnson (Anne Marie’s youngest) in matching plaid jumpers on their first day of school at Sacred Heart—just like their moms back in 1991.

“God is ultimately in charge,” Katie says, “because look at the way He has weaved our lives together. We could have torn our parents apart from our fighting. We could have gone our separate ways had we not had this wonderful structure.”

Being part of a strong parish family helped them turn things around, and Katie now hopes her own kids will keep the legacy going, enjoying the same kind of connection to Sacred Heart that she has had.

“It’s this family my parents created for us,” Katie says with gratitude. “It’s home.”