The Family Room (The Quest)
Join co-hosts Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel as they speak with authors, theologians, and local priests and lay leaders to provide your family encouragement, resources, and hope. Enjoy heartfelt stories and engaging conversations with Catholics who are excited to share their life experiences and acquired wisdom to help your family continue to live out your faith with joy.
Jan 15, 2025
How to Pursue God
Jonah Soucy, speaker, musician, author
A self-professed youth group kid who tagged along with his youth-minister mom, Jonah Soucy was able to observe her patient nurturing of those in her charge. Perhaps due to this early exposure, Jonah has a great depth of understanding about how we can develop a meaningful relationship with God. Growing up in the White Mountain range of New Hampshire, Jonah first experienced God through nature, seeing how creation points to the Creator. He continued to pursue God and spent a year before college with NET Ministries, giving over 117 retreats in that time – and falling in love with ministry.
Now a youth minister himself, Jonah discovered how recent generations learned to find God through liturgy or watered-down catechesis. Today’s youth yearn for something deeper – a true relationship with their Creator. What does that look like? Drawing on centuries of Catholic prayer, Jonah’s book, 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray, offers reflections on 40 prayer methods, along with practical strategies to grow in holiness. The diversity of methods gives everyone a chance to develop their own unique relationship with God. Additionally, the book highlights common challenges faced in prayer, helping you recognize and overcome distractions. Pursuing God should be a lifelong habit. Learning how to hear God and listen to Him takes practice. 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray is perfect for anyone who desires to deepen their relationship with God.
Currently serving as a youth minister in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh-area contact for Life Teen Ministries, Jonah recently received a Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University. He lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with his wife, Shannon, and their son, Aiden.
Resources:
A self-professed youth group kid who tagged along with his youth-minister mom, Jonah Soucy was able to observe her patient nurturing of those in her charge. Perhaps due to this early exposure, Jonah has a great depth of understanding about how we can develop a meaningful relationship with God. Growing up in the White Mountain range of New Hampshire, Jonah first experienced God through nature, seeing how creation points to the Creator. He continued to pursue God and spent a year before college with NET Ministries, giving over 117 retreats in that time – and falling in love with ministry.
Now a youth minister himself, Jonah discovered how recent generations learned to find God through liturgy or watered-down catechesis. Today’s youth yearn for something deeper – a true relationship with their Creator. What does that look like? Drawing on centuries of Catholic prayer, Jonah’s book, 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray, offers reflections on 40 prayer methods, along with practical strategies to grow in holiness. The diversity of methods gives everyone a chance to develop their own unique relationship with God. Additionally, the book highlights common challenges faced in prayer, helping you recognize and overcome distractions. Pursuing God should be a lifelong habit. Learning how to hear God and listen to Him takes practice. 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray is perfect for anyone who desires to deepen their relationship with God.
Currently serving as a youth minister in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh-area contact for Life Teen Ministries, Jonah recently received a Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University. He lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with his wife, Shannon, and their son, Aiden.
Resources:
- 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray, published by Sophia Institute Press
- NET Ministries
- Life Teen Ministries
