My name is Mark Kale, and I am a cradle Catholic. From a very young age, I have always had a desire to be close to the Lord, yet for few years between 2016 to 2020 due to some low moments, that desire remained silent within me. I moved to Canada in 2022, and building life from scratch, I started seeing the work of Jesus in my life which slowly reignited the faith in me. It was only on August 4th, 2023 that I experienced a powerful calling—a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit that completely transformed my life and awakened in me a deeper hunger to truly know God.
In 2025, after moving homes, I became a parishioner at Holy Rosary Parish here in Toronto. Not long after, on February 13th, 2026, during an Adoration night organized by Shalom Catholic Community, I was introduced to their mission. From that very moment, I felt a deep sense of belonging—as if God had a purpose for me within this community. I was instantly drawn to the warmth, faith, and authenticity of the people I met.
As I began attending their Friday night prayer gatherings, I encountered not just fellowship, but the living presence of the Holy Spirit. In those moments of praise and worship, there was a tangible sense of peace, joy, and renewal. The way we prayed, rejoiced, and reflected on Scripture felt alive—like the Holy Spirit was moving among us, touching hearts, stirring faith, and drawing each one of us closer to Christ.
I then had the grace of attending the Holy Week Retreat organized by Shalom, and it became a deeply transformative experience in my spiritual journey.
On Good Friday, we began the day with the Rosary and morning prayers, preparing our hearts to enter into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. A powerful talk by Father Nahum deeply touched me. He
reminded us that we are called to truly live together in love, because it is God’s love that brings about real human transformation. What stayed with me the most was the truth that in the end, it is not position or privilege that matters, but love and respect for one another.
Father Nahun talk
We were also reminded that no human misery is beyond God’s mercy—because God is love, and each one of us is deeply loved by Him, and later, we prayed the Stations of the Cross, entering more deeply into Christ’s suffering
Holy Saturday was equally powerful, yet in a very different way. It was a day of silence, waiting, and deep reflection—but even in that silence, the presence of the Holy Spirit was deeply felt. Through the prayers, Psalms, and the reading from the Book of Hosea, there was a quiet but powerful movement within my heart—a sense of being consoled, strengthened, and gently reminded of God’s
promises.
A talk by Raquel Reis on Mary’s journey during Holy Saturday deeply moved my heart. She spoke about how we are living in the “hour of the Mother,” and how Mary teaches us to embrace silence, trust, and perseverance. In that space of reflection, I experienced the Holy Spirit in a very personal way—not in noise or emotion alone, but in stillness, in surrender, and in a deep inner peace. Even in moments when life feels like a cross, Mary stands with us, helping us remain faithful. Holy Saturday is not a day of emptiness, but a day of hope—a time to hold onto God’s promises, even when we cannot yet see their fulfillment. The Holy Spirit gently teaches us to wait, to trust the process, to keep pushing, and to believe that Lord Jesus is the one who will move the stone.
One of the most beautiful moments of the retreat was the Marian prayer celebration, where people prayed in their native languages, united in asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession. It was a powerful reminder of the universality of the Church and the love of our Mother who brings us all together.
This Holy Week Retreat awakened something new within me. It strengthened my faith, renewed my
spirit, and ignited within me a deeper desire to seek Christ more than ever before.
I truly believe that God is calling many more people into this community. If you are searching, longing, or simply desiring more in your spiritual life, I wholeheartedly encourage you to encounter Shalom Catholic Community. It may just be the place where God is waiting to meet you.
Mark Kale
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