SAUGUS -- Stephen Gannon, longtime parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Parish is excited about the future of his parish.

“There’s something happening at Blessed Sacrament. There’s an excitement, there’s new hope. I don’t know how to describe it, but I know it’s happening,” he said.

“I think there’s enough people in this world sick and tired of this world and I think they are starting to turn to their faith for some peace and comfort,” he said.

Gannon, 49, has seen a resurgence of his own faith. Although he has always attended weekly Mass, last April, after attending a Cursillo weekend, something changed within him.

Cursillo, which in Spanish means “little course” is a movement in the Church which promotes Christian community and the evangelization of the Gospel in the world.

“It just changed me,” he declared. “Ever since then I’ve had the chance to become a religious education teacher. I’ve be able to fill a spot on the parish council. I’m excited to live my faith.”

Gannon is also a member of Magis Christi, “a men’s accountability group,” which meets weekly.

According to Gannon, the men gather to share their experiences of the week.

“We hold each other accountable in being more Christ-like. Are we Christ-like in our families? Are we Christ-like with our communities? Are we Christ-like in our actions? It’s awesome,” he said.

“I am very cautious on how I am being Christ-like, because I can turn away many people,” he continued. “It’s more the way I live my life. It’s the way I deal with my children, with my wife, with my friends, without beating Christ down their throats.”

Gannon said he wishes everyone on earth would follow Christ’s teachings. “I wish everyone would get to know him better,” he declared.

“My faith, for me, is a way of life, and the way I live my life is constantly praying and asking God for his direction and opinion,” Gannon added.

This devotion to his faith has led Gannon to apply to the archdiocese’s permanent diaconate program. He is still waiting to learn if he has been accepted.

“I firmly believe I was put on this earth to do God’s work,” he stated. “I just want to throw my pebble in the pond and have the ripples be good.”

Gannon, a Saugus native, has been a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament since he was a toddler. Together with his wife of 24 years, Joyce, the couple has raised two children.