Photo submitted Katie Herzing is currently employed as a middle school youth minister at Saint Mark Church in Huntersville, N.C.

“I run a Faith Formation program for sixth and seventh grade students, the EDGE program for eighth graders, followed by a Confirmation program,” Herzing said. “There are over 500 students in these three programs. Beyond these programs we also provide social opportunities and summer camps for the students.”

Herzing credits her participation in Life Teen while in high school in St. Marys, with leading her to her current career.

“I remember attending a summer youth conference entitled “Journey to Emmaus” through the Erie Diocese that sparked the youth ministry bug in my life. The next summer after returning from Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) a close friend, Emily Hanes, and I began a weekly Wednesday night you group that nine years later still continues to meet every Wednesday in the youth room,” Herzing said.

For Herzing, one of the best aspects of the job is being able to share her faith with others.

“My favorite thing about my job is that I am able to live out my faith in the workplace and teach others about Christ,” Herzing said. “It is so significant to be able to lead others to Christ and show them an easier way of life. Not that being Christian is easy, but knowing that there’s a great purpose gives meaning to even the most meaningless things.”

The job is also not without its challenges, and Herzing noted that one of her biggest challenges is with Confirmation preparation.

“Many families and students are getting confirmed because their grandma said they have to – instead of as a way to grow closer to the Lord,” Herzing said. “I am challenged each day to provide faith-filled experiences instead of an opportunity to just check complete on the next sacrament.”

Huntersville is located just north of Charlotte, N.C. and Herzing noted that it is a large suburb with a small town feel.

“My favorite thing about St. Marys is the hometown pride and the ability to know your neighbor. In Huntersville, the community opened their arms and embraced me with such love it will be hard to leave – if I ever do,” Herzing said. “These parishioners have become my North Carolina family. They encourage me and love me when my biological family is so far away. I miss my family very much, but having such close friends helps me to be away.”

Herzing added that she tries to make it back to the area once or twice a year to visit with her parents and extended family.

Despite her busy schedule, Herzing also recently went on a mission trip to Managua, Nicaragua to help an organization called Mustard Seed Communities.

“This group takes in abandoned mentally and physically handicapped children when their parents are unable to care for them or have passed on,” Herzing said. “When I arrived I met up with 10 youth ministers from around the country to serve the Lord in a new way. We spent time with the children, did some construction for the new orphanage by digging holes and tying rebar for fences. It was an amazing experience to serve the Lord and grow closer to him.”

Katie is the daughter of Dan and Sue Herzing and the granddaughter of Virginia Herzing. She also has one sister, Jeanette Dietz, who along with her husband Rob, are the parents of Jessica, Jacob and Stacy Dietz; and two brothers, Joe Herzing of Pittsburgh and Nathan Herzing, who is currently a student at Carnegie Mellon University.  

Growing up in St. Marys, Herzing attended grade school at Sacred Heart and then attended St. Marys Area High School in the College Prep Program. Throughout high school Herzing was extremely involved in the Life Teen program.

After graduating from St. Marys Area, Herzing went on to attend Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, majoring in Catholic Theology with a minor in Sociology.

“After college I returned to St. Marys, lived at home, and worked at Elk County Prison as a part-time cook,” Herzing said. “It was an interesting job. No two days were the same.”

Herzing credits Life Teen Youth Minister Aaron Pfoutz and his wife Ann Marie with heavily influencing her faith and her decision to move to North Carolina.

“They are an amazing couple who have helped hundreds of teens in St. Marys experience their faith,” Herzing said. “By participating with them on the High School Core Team I learned more about myself and was able to participate in the ministry and evangelization of these youth. It is such a wonderful experience. I suggest it to all who are at all interested in their faith.”