Meet Katie Schaitberger, Our New Faith Formation Director

Hello!

My name is Katie Schaitberger and I recently started at Nativity of Our Lord as the new Director of Faith Formation. I am excited to return to Minnesota after living for the last eight years in Wisconsin.

I grew up in Eden Prairie with my mom, dad, sister and many relatives close by.  Today my sister is happily married and I have two nephews ages two and five weeks. I am most excited to be more engaged in their lives now that I am back in the area.
 
The last month has brought a lot of transition as I not only moved back to the area, but we were also preparing to say goodbye to my mom whose health was failing.  On July 21, after two weeks in home hospice, my mom died. It was both terrifying and wonderful to be with her in her final moments on this earth.

As I am able to step back a bit from it all, I can see God’s hand working each step of the way.  It is never the timeline we are looking for, but I have great comfort knowing that her pain is no more.
 
I completed my undergraduate degrees in Social Welfare & Justice and Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. While at Marquette, I fell in love with the Catholic faith.

I had grown up Catholic, but never really understood the Church until I met others who were actively living out their faith. I discovered it was possible to live an authentic Catholic life — and still be “normal” and fun!

Now, I have a great passion for evangelization and meeting people where they are at in their faith journey. I know what it is like to not understand why the Church teaches what she does and not be able to find answers!
  
I also fell in love with Milwaukee and spent several years after graduation in the area working for non-profits in fundraising and grant writing. Later, I felt a deeper calling from the Lord to continue my study of the Catholic Faith.

From 2009-2012, I pursed my Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of Saint Thomas here in Saint Paul. During my studies there, I worked for Campus Ministry.  I loved interacting with the students and helping to guide them through the chaos of their college years.
 
I had planned to stay in the area after graduation, but was introduced to a position back in the Milwaukee area (West Bend, WI). It was a great blessing to spend the last eight years in parish ministry rotating through a variety of roles, including youth ministry, small group ministry, sacramental initiation, pastoral ministry, and more!

I enjoyed it all and found that each new experience deepened my love of the faith.  In particular, I love meeting with young families and helping them to learn more about their faith. 
 
I find that it is in these early years of marriage and family life that one can feel most separated from the Church as life fills up with caring for little ones. That being said, I am also passionate about our young people and adults in the Church! I am particularly excited to work with our young people in the Wednesday evening faith formation program.
 
You will find that I want to be as engaged as possible here at Nativity. It is already clear there are many ways to be part of this great community.

I look forward to meeting you! Please do not hesitate to introduce yourself — I would love to grab coffee or a meal and hear why you love Nativity.
 
In Christ,
Katie Schaitberger

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A previous version was published in the August 11, 2019 parish bulletin .