My name is Nancy Harry, and I live in Denver, Colorado, with my loving husband, Steve, and our three wonderful children—Bo, George, and Elizabeth. I am the co-founder of True West, a regulatory compliance consulting firm dedicated to supporting the back-office operations and compliance programs of Independent Registered Investment Advisers in meeting the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and regulations.
Last fall, my husband and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Rome for a Truth & Beauty Project Immersion with our parish, St. Vincent de Paul. Our Pastor, Fr. Hilton, encouraged our group to delve into the rich history of the Church, absorb the beauty of Rome, and discover the profound theological meaning behind its sacred art. This pilgrimage was designed to deepen our faith journeys—both individually and within our marriages.
Stepping away from the busyness of daily life, work, and parenting (which was no easy feat for me!) proved to be transformative. The experience had a profound impact on both of us, especially Steve. After 17 years together and a firm stance against becoming Catholic, something shifted within him earlier in 2024 during our Rome Immersion group preparation time. In the summer of 2024, he experienced a conversion and is now preparing to enter the Catholic Church!
One of the most moving moments of our Immersion occurred on our final night in Rome...
when our group was invited to the home of John and Ashley. John prepared a beautiful meal, thoughtfully weaving in symbolism from Church teachings, sacred art, and his deep love for the Eternal City. Meanwhile, Ashley transformed their home into a warm, candlelit retreat, sharing the story of how they encountered God’s love—both individually and as a couple. As we ended the night in prayer and reflection, I turned to a friend and said, “We need to recreate this evening at St. Vincent for the women of our parish during Advent!”
Fast forward six weeks, and that vision became a reality. Inspired by our evening at John and Ashley’s home, St. Vincent de Paul hosted its first Advent by Candlelight. Women from our Rome group came together to plan, decorate, and design a program, ultimately gathering over 115 women for a night of fellowship, song, prayer, and reflection. The event served as a reminder to pause and prepare our hearts for the true meaning of Advent—the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Our journey came full circle when our family was blessed to return to Rome over Thanksgiving, just six weeks after our Immersion. This time, we shared the experience with our children and my parents, revisiting the places that had touched our hearts so deeply. Most importantly, we reunited with John and Ashley—two people who played such an instrumental role in our 2024 faith journey, paving the way for a truly transformative year/s ahead.
Comments