Witnesses Along the Way
God often places people along the way to walk with us on the path of faith. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they encourage us, guide us, and affirm the work God is beginning. These witnesses have walked alongside us and seen firsthand how The Carlo Acutis Way has taken shape and the fruits it continues to bear in our faith, our parish, and our service to others.
Fr. Luello Palacpac
As Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, I am grateful to support the discernment and development of a Saint Carlo Acutis Ministry within our parish community. The mission of every parish is to lead people into a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ. In Saint Carlo Acutis, we are given a remarkable witness of holiness who continues to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life.
I am grateful for the faith and generosity of Lismeth, Johnny, and all who have responded to this call. I gladly offer them my prayers, pastoral support, and guidance so that this ministry may always remain rooted in the life and mission of the Church and bear lasting spiritual fruit.
May Saint Carlo Acutis inspire us to become missionary disciples who lead others always to Jesus in the Eucharist. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our patroness, accompany this ministry with her loving intercession.
Rev. Luello Palacpac
Pastor
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Redwood City, California
Fr. Andy de Guzman
During my one year stay at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (OLMCC) in Redwood City, I was able to introduce the devotion to St. Carlo Acutis to our parochial students and Religious Education students. I am fascinated by the life story of this young saint who lived during our time. I believe he can be an excellent model for the children and the youth in the community. Lismeth Pesce and Johnny Guerra are two of our active parishioners and volunteers who have shown deep devotion to St. Carlo.
St. Carlo is known for many things: Love for Mary by praying the rosary regularly; attending the daily Mass devotedly; spending time with the blessed Sacrament in adoration, helping the youth; and promoting the faith through Social Media. I saw all these traits in Lismeth and Johnny while I was with them. And I wish them well in their desire to make the spirit of St. Carlo alive at OLMCC community.
Fr. Andy De Guzman
Administrator
Our Lady of the Pillar, Half Moon Bay, California
Fr. Ernie Jandonero
My name is Fr. Ernie Jandonero, a Catholic Priest Hospital Chaplain, and in-residence at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Redwood City. Johnny and Lismeth are parishioners of the parish and members of a small prayer group of prayer warriors who devote their time to offering a novena for healing for our patients in the hospital and for sick members of the community.
I have known Johnny and Lismeth since last year and invited them to join the Prayer Warrior Ministry, which serves South San Mateo County in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Johnny and Lismeth embraced the calling and have been devoted to novena prayer. I have witnessed how their devotion to nurturing their spiritual life blossomed and manifested in their unselfish service to the parish. Also, they find time to attend daily Mass religiously and have been involved in various ministries in the parish.
As prayer warriors, Lismeth and Johnny learned about various saints and asked for their intercession in their novena prayers. Their desire to learn about the lives of the saints has played a significant role in their pursuit of spiritual holiness. Every saint they learned about in the Prayer Warrior Ministry left a mark on their spirituality that strengthened their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Lismeth and Johnny exemplify humility and truly believe in the power of collaborative prayer. I am not surprised that they took the time to venerate the relic of St. Carlo Acutis when they learned of its visit.
Rest assured of my prayers for Johnny and Lismeth as they continue to embrace their faith with conviction, hope, and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev. Fr. Ernie Jandonero
Hospital Chaplain
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Redwood City, California
Maria Cornell
I have had the privilege of witnessing Johnny and Lismeth’s faith journey since they began attending daily Mass in the fall of 2025. They quickly integrated into our parish community, embracing opportunities to serve, pray together, and share their creativity. They are faithful Prayer Warriors, praying for the sick of our parish and local hospitals. They began sharing their knowledge of and love for St. Carlo Acutis with our community. Johnny designed a banner honoring Blessed Carlo and prayer cards for the children in our school.
With the encouragement and support of our pastor, they are now helping launch a parish ministry inspired by St. Carlo’s life and mission, to encourage young people to grow closer to Jesus through prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. This summer, they also assisted with the relaunch of our parish youth ministry, and Lismeth became our volunteer bulletin editor. I have experienced firsthand the fruits of the time they spend with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration and studying the faith through Sacred Scripture and the lives of the saints. Their joy is evident in every encounter I have with Johnny and Lismeth.
Maria Cornell
Director of Liturgy
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Redwood City, California