I Thirst Ministry
Ours is a ministry with a very specific mission — revealed in its name — and whose focus is specific: Kensington.
We aim to bring the Kingdom of God down into the streets of Kensington, by reminding people of their profound identity as children of God the Father, and making them disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our mission is to plant the seeds of truth in the hearts of young people and families that are overwhelmed by a culture of death, drugs, and abandonment. We believe through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, great transformation is possible to make Kensington become like “sweet smelling incense before the Lord.”
From Michael Grogan
The results have been consistent and profound.
Two, weekly Prayer Groups faithfully attended by eight to ten young neighborhood men eager to pray the Rosary. A weekly “Movie Night” to attract their friends to join them and learn more.
Outreach to the Homeless feeding more than 75 of our Kensington neighbors on the streets each week.
And, in July 2023, we experienced the overwhelming joy of welcoming 21 of our young people into the Catholic Church through Baptisms on one Sunday afternoon!
Four children have now been admitted to St. Peter’s Catholic Elementary School at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann and four others have been enrolled in the Ligouri Academy Private School with Christian values.
Additionally, Parish Missions and the recent publication of Michael’s first book have garnered significant media attention, spreading the word and prompting many new donors from throughout the United States to support us.
Introducing “Project Blue Door”
Gathering the funds to establish a new, more permanent home for Connect With Heaven Ministry’s evangelization and outreach
A special gathering place for people of all faiths interested in connecting with heaven and God’s Love.
Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s most needy community.
“... every front door painted blue in honor of Our Lady brings her blessings on all who pass through it, as well as her divine Son’s grace and mercy.
“So also should the doors of our hearts be painted blue. That those whom we open to and share our lives and our hearts with would also receive this blessing and this grace which we have encountered.”
— Blue Door Blog
This characteristic of the Madonna House organization founded by Catherine Doherty has always intrigued me.
I have always felt that, wherever we establish a permanent House of Prayer, its entryway too would be painted “Blessed Mother blue”.
After much prayer, the truth that has been revealed to us is a movement toward the “blue door” representing Our Blessed Mother's invitation to Her welcoming love. KHOP, the Kensington House of Prayer, will be behind that blue door.
— Michael Grogan
Today, we are prayerfully seeking God's Divine Direction and a clear understanding of His Will for our evangelization efforts, especially as it relates to establishing a more permanent ministry home.
Our quest to find a permanent home
While we are deeply humbled in our achievements and the many successes we have enjoyed, we are always looking forward to doing something beautiful for God, connecting those in our community to heaven’s love.
Today, our quest has led us to find that blue door to our House of Prayer!
There are several houses in and around our current rental that could serve as our new home, the permanent KHOP. We are looking at all of them and evaluating the pros and cons of each.
One of them, we are sure, will soon serve us well.
Of course, when we are ready to make an offer on any house, it could be gone. So be it. God’s Will be done.
Nonetheless, we feel compelled to move forward full-speed on this particular property.
Facts worth considering
Ownership as opposed to renting will afford us much needed stability without the concern that any landlord’s needs might change at any moment. The ministry has been spending $1,500 on monthly rent for our house on Emerald Street over the past three years of our residency in Kensington.
Permanence and stability are key for our establishing trusted bonds with those we serve who need to know where to find us. In the near future, we will be there — behind the blue door — available to each at times of crisis.
From a true champion of our ministry
Rev. Justin Maria Cinnante, O.Carm
Chaplain and Theology Professor at Iona Preparatory School, New Rochelle, NY | Retreat Master | Spiritual Director
“Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him?”
— St. Teresa of Calcutta
Your immediate donation is needed
To purchase a home with any door we paint blue and then, behind it, to establish the House of Prayer that will please Our Mother and enable Her Love and Grace to be spread throughout our Kensington Community.
Personal, prayerful consideration of your participation in Project Blue Door is needed today. Clearly, the timeframe for placing an offer on this property is limited. Understandably, other properties are available in the neighborhood but we have certainly not found any that address our needs so perfectly.
Whatever the amount of your generous donation — whatever you can afford — YOU are making all the difference in ensuring the success of this campaign. Your commitment to Connect With Heaven is appreciated more than you can imagine.
All our donors will be remembered in perpetual prayer in this very special “house of prayer.”
We are already making progress!
We are pleased to share that Connect With Heaven received a $35,000 donation from the Estate of Veronica Weldes, an extremely generous woman and dear friend to our ministry who passed away in 2022 at the age of 89. This extraordinary gift provided a firm foundation for our ongoing work and is now being applied specifically to Project Blue Door. Our gratitude is enormous!
As of January 22, additional donations have been made, paving the way for us to make an offer on a property!
From Brother Timothy Marie
Diocesan Hermit, Diocese of Helena, Montana
Today is the day
Please complete this form with your commitment and make your donation today.
YOUR generous donation will ensure the success of Project Blue Door.
Whatever the amount, you are not only helping us purchase a home, but more importanty, you are making the difference in the lives of those who are in desperate need of support.
Michael Grogan Ministry Inc. (d/b/a Connect With Heaven) has been established as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The corporation has achieved full recognition of its non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service effective from February 11, 2021, ensuring all donations are deemed fully tax deductible by donors.
There are several ways you can make your donation.
Online using this Donorbox Form
Or, by check payable to “Michael Grogan Ministry Inc.” and mailed to P.O. Box 306, Valley Forge, PA 19481-0306
“The Mud”. A documentary.
A 12-minute video that clearly illustrates the challenges that life in Kensington presents and how Connect With Heaven Ministry is working to bring the people here to their personal connection with Heaven.
Resources for Your Discernment
Michael is featured on Catholic Faith Network
A 9-minute interview presented live Monday morning, October 23, 2023 from the network’s Long Island Studios.
Ministry Newsletters
A collection of previous newsletters can be found and explored here. These thoughts and stories illustrate the day-to-day experience of being a legally blind missionary in Kensington and will give you inspiration and hope in the ongoing fight against the kingdom of darkness.
Accolades for “Connect With Heaven. Encounters with God.”
Take a look at the what has been said about Michael’s 164-page book published May 1, 2023.
Weekly Opportunities that invite participation by volunteers
Our Ministry’s ongoing work that allows volunteers to contribute directly in the work of bringing the Kingdom of God down into the streets of Kensington.
Chat with Michael.
If you are considering making a significant donation but have any specific questions you’d like answered, Michael would be pleased to answer them.
Given Michael’s heavy and ever-changing schedule, the chance to catch him at a good time to chat privately is limited. Please use this Response Form to provide Michael the best day / time to place a call to you and he will do his very best to accommodate.