My husband, Stephen Payne, is a devoted husband, father, and lifelong Catholic filmmaker who has spent more than 35 years serving the Church—often without pay—out of love for Christ and the faithful. Today, after decades of sacrifice and service, our family finds itself at a critical crossroads. A convergence of serious health challenges and unexpected financial strain has left us facing the most difficult season we have ever known, and for the first time, we are humbly asking for help simply to keep our family stable while Stephen fights to recover and continue the mission God entrusted to him.

Stephen and his father, Richard Payne, are the co-founders of Arcadia Films, a Catholic film apostolate that has produced more than 120 films over its 35-year history. Their work has reached countless souls and has been recognized with both national and international awards, including A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing and Saints Alive!. For more than three decades, they labored tirelessly—often without pay—out of love for the Church and the faithful they serve.

Only in recent years has Stephen begun receiving a modest salary from Arcadia Institute to help support our growing family. Now, after so many years of sacrifice, Richard is stepping into a well-earned semi-retirement. At the same time, however, our family is facing the most difficult trial we have ever known.

For nearly a year and a half, Stephen has been suffering from serious and persistent health issues. He has struggled with memory loss, brain fog, and chronic fatigue. What has been definitively diagnosed is cardiovascular distress. Both an echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test revealed that one of Stephen’s heart ventricles is enlarged and not emptying properly, likely the result of several years of untreated sleep apnea. These findings were confirmed by a second opinion from a trusted cardiologist friend. Stephen is currently wearing a portable EKG to more closely monitor his heart and, we hope, arrive at a clearer diagnosis.

As a result of these health challenges, Stephen was unable to work for an extended period and only returned to work two weeks ago. He is now attempting to rebuild his livelihood as an independent producer and entrepreneur. Unfortunately, the transition has been difficult. EWTN, which once provided consistent work, is currently unable to offer immediate opportunities, leaving us without reliable income during this critical recovery period.

Stephen needs both time and financial stability to bridge the gap between producing new work and securing dependable compensation. At present, we have nearly exhausted our available funds, and our family is in urgent need of support. We are humbly asking for help in raising $8,000 per month until the end of the summer to cover our basic living expenses—our mortgage, fuel deliveries, utilities, and other essential household needs.

Your support in any form—whether through GoFundMe, PayPal, wire transfer, or check—would be an answered prayer. It would give our children the peace of knowing that their father can heal without overwhelming stress. It would give Stephen the time and stability he needs to recover his health and continue moving forward.

We are placing our trust in God’s timing and in your generosity. Please keep our family in your prayers—they mean more to us than we can express. And if you are able to give, please know that your gift is more than financial support. It is hope. It is a lifeline. It is a tangible act of love that will one day allow Stephen to return fully to the mission God has called him to and continue providing for our family.

If we fail to fundraise the proper funds by February 15 (when our next mortgage is due), we will lose our house and my husband's editing suite-- his only way of providing income for us-- and be forced to waste away off of pure government benefits in a homeless shelter.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness, prayers, and support.