IN HER WORDS: "My name is Gina Brogno, I am 29 years old and live in Roxborough, Pa. I work as an Office Manager in University City am a Weight Loss Counselor for Jenny Craig. I attend classes at Neumann College when possible to finish my B.S. in Behavioral Science and begin my Masters in Pastoral Counseling and Therapy. I'm not a fan of ulterior motives, being the center of attention, seeking approval from others or loving material things. I abhor those things, actually. I have a fond appreciation for the things we can't see, as opposed to what 'seems to be' and I love, with my whole heart. I am new to Saint Mary’s but have felt “at home” here since the first Mass I attended. I struggled for a long time to find a Catholic Church that was genuine and alive with the beautiful Holy Spirit of God. Thankfully, I was led to Saint Mary’s by an Angelic man named Leo. I thank God for him and know this is where I am truly meant to be. I have been walking with the Lord for the past 5 years and these have been the best years of my life. Never have I known such perfect love and nowhere else is it able to be found, except in Him.

The previous 24 years of my existence, I was - as Bob Seger would say- “running against the wind”. I thank God for His Son, my Jesus, every single day and for breathing His life into my nostrils. I live my life for the Lord because He gave His life for mine and I most definitely did not deserve it. Never can I repay that debt, but you bet your bottom dollar that I will spend every waking moment of my life showing Him how much I appreciate it. The good thing about making mistakes is that hopefully the lesson is learned and you remember not to make the same one twice...or three times... when you have Someone to live for, it makes each day a little easier to get through.

My second set of Loves consists of my family. I come from a very close-knit Italian-American family and I couldn’t have asked for a better one – they are the best and I truly love them with all that I am. My Mom, Dad and younger brother Anthony (who also doubles as my best friend), we live about one mile away from each other, make visits every other day and call each other several times during the day, “just to say hi”. They’re cute.

Lord willing, I will come out of Neumann in about two years with that Masters Degree and can continue doing what I was put on the earth to do. In between working 7 days a week, trying to create a healthy balance of work and play time, things can get tiring…“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” I like a challenge and understand that this is all God’s Grace working through me – I can take no credit. All of my jobs are awesome, it is my privilege to do God’s will and nothing in the world makes me happier than knowing I’ve pleased Him. Nothing in the world is able to compare to that. I love waking up in the morning knowing that even if I just helped one person, it was all worth it. On the road to life, I've taken many detours but where I've been, all leads up to where I am today and determines where I'm going, so I’ve certainly got no regrets. Every day, everything is brand new - clean slate and an opportunity to make today better than yesterday..but not as good as tomorrow! Praise the Lord, oh my soul (smile). "