Celeste is the founder of the St. Monica Ministry, a global support community and prayer network for the families and friends of lapsed Catholics. Established with the blessing of the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, the St. Monica Ministry comprises forty-four chapters operating at parishes across the U.S. Through the ministry's Holy Hours and special events, meetings and book discussions, and signature Hands & Hearts rosary-making program, Catholics with fallen-away loved ones are finding strength, solace, and steadfast hope for their prodigals' salvation.
Celeste Behe remembers exactly where and when it happened. She was folding laundry in her room on a sunny August day in 2008 when her 17-year-old son sauntered in. "Hey, Mom," he said, "just so you know, I'm not Catholic anymore.
"I don't believe in God."
So began a journey that Celeste had never expected to make, and why should she? Celeste and her husband Mike had raised their children in the Faith. They had homeschooled the kids, given good example, and striven to make their home a domestic church. The family prayed the rosary every evening, attended Mass together, and lived the liturgical year. The boys were altar servers and the girls assisted the nuns at a local Carmelite convent. What had Celeste and Mike done wrong?
In the aftermath of her son's declaration, Celeste vacillated between knowing that she and her husband were not responsible for their son's choice and believing that they were 100% at fault. Meanwhile, Celeste and Mike were doing everything they could to draw their son back to the Faith. Though their efforts were sincere, many were misguided, and a few only made matters worse. It wasn't until Celeste came to know St. Monica - the mother of the once-prodigal St. Augustine - that she discovered how to let go of guilt and walk lovingly with her unbelieving son. Today, as founder of the St. Monica Ministry, Celeste shares what she's learned with Catholics whose kith and/or kin have drifted from the practice of the Faith.
In addition to establishing and managing the St. Monica Ministry, Celeste has written for a number of Catholic publications, among them the National Catholic Register, Faith & Family magazine, and Catholic Digest. Her diocesan newspaper column, "The Catholic Storyteller," took First Place in the 2021 Catholic Press Awards. Celeste's stories are relatable and always entertaining, even while conveying the timeless truths of our Catholic faith. A Bronx-born Italian, Celeste speaks from her heart and talks with her hands. She is an accomplished Toastmaster who has won more than two dozen awards at the local, division, and district levels of Toastmasters speech competition.
Presentations
Please note that each presentation includes an optional bonus talk: "Starting a Parish-based Chapter of the St. Monica Ministry"
God Wastes Nothing: How a Public Repudiation of the Catholic Faith Generated a Catholic Apostolate
It started with one son's apostasy. Today, five of Celeste's nine adult children are away from the Church. In this presentation, Celeste shares the sometimes harrowing, always heartbreaking tale of her prodigals' loss of faith. She also shows how God has used her experiences to bring help and healing to others who are walking with prodigals. The bottom line? Everything God does, everything He permits, He uses for our good and for the accomplishment of His will.
She Will Crush the Serpent's Head
“All I can do is pray” are words often spoken by those who have little hope for their loved ones' return to the Faith. But far from being a last resort, prayer is our most efficacious tool for turning the hearts of the fallen-away. In this presentation, Celeste shows that the key to our prodigals’ salvation rests in the hands of Our Lady. While Biblical scholarship and theological arguments for faith have their place, the surest way to bring loved ones home to the Church is by commending them to their Blessed Mother, especially through recitation of the rosary. This presentation may be supplemented with a rosary-making session and an introduction to the Rosary of Supplication for Prodigals.
"Here I am; send me!"
A bona fide "awkward Catholic," Celeste was convinced that she wasn’t cut out to lead a ministry. She repeatedly imagined scenarios in which she brought the fledgling St. Monica Ministry to ruin. But Celeste came to realize that the Holy Spirit would provide everything she needed to accomplish her mission, if only she would follow His promptings. If you are burdened with feelings of uncertainty, unworthiness, or out-and-out ineptitude, this inspiring presentation is for you. Get ready to respond to Our Lord’s call with Isaiah's bold words: “Here I am; send me!"
Tales from the Catholic Storyteller
This custom presentation will be geared to your event. While "Tales from the Catholic Storyteller" varies according to the audience, it is always guaranteed to be humor-laced, lighthearted, and 100% Catholic. Please contact Celeste with the details of your event.
