Parents inspire us everyday — especially the amazing people on this list. These 8 stories about great parents brought us inspiration and encouragement in 2022.
Toni and Nick Baier
Toni and Nick Baier do something really extraordinary. They have opened up their home as a Catholic Worker House, called Sacred Tent, where they offer a place to live and a loving family environment for people experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet. And they do this with four (almost five) little children in tow!
Rachel Bulman
This mom of 6 young children shares encouraging messages on social media to help parents live their vocations well. The wife of a deacon, she shows what it means to live a joyful Catholic life as a family in a vibrant and inspiring way.
Hannah Neeleman
When Hannah Neeleman entered the Mrs. Utah pageant, she made a promise to her mom: If she won, she would milk the cow in her crown. Hannah is a rancher’s wife and an amazing mother to a brood of seven darling children. So when she won the pageant, she kept her promise!
Francesca Pellegrino
As the President and Founder of the Catholic Coalition for Special Education, Inc. (CCSE), Francesca works to make it possible for children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities to find a supportive and welcoming place attending Catholic schools.
Ann and Joe Baker
The world is in awe of an 8-year-old boy, Sam Baker, who became the youngest person ever to climb the infamous El Capitan in Yosemite. Faith and his incredible parents fueled Sam on his journey. Ann and Joe Baker set huge goals for their son and help him to achieve his full potential.
Maria and Joe Keller
These parents lovingly welcomed their son, James Nicholas, who had a fatal prenatal diagnosis and died 30 hours after birth. Their inspiring faith throughout the experience led Pope Benedict XVI to write to the couple and encourage them to share their story with the world.
Chris and Linda Padgett
When their teen daughter came to them with news of her unplanned pregnancy several years ago, this couple responded with wisdom, grace, and unconditional love. They shared their story, and many other inspiring ideas for Catholic family life, on their delightful social media channels.
Jennifer Hubbard
Jennifer Hubbard’s daughter Catherine was one of the 1st-grade victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Ten years later there is now a beautiful animal sanctuary in the middle of town that not only honors Catherine’s love of animals, but has become a national model for kindness and compassion.
And today we celebrate...