Proud 2b Catholic Essay

"What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end." If you had presented the Year of Faith to me 3 years ago, I wouldn’t have seen it as a challenge. I wouldn’t have been inspired, or seen it as an opportunity to change my life. Year of Grace, Year of Priests, those were appealing to me. But Year of Faith presents a challenge. A challenge that, a few years ago, I wouldn’t have accepted. Faith seemed like a violent fall, with no guarantee of being caught, or taking a step when I cannot see the whole staircase. As I participated in Franciscan LEAD, and as I approached my senior year of high school, I began to realize that the Year of Faith wasn’t a conspiracy against me, and that a life of faith isn’t a reality in which I have no control.

I come from a family of addiction, divorce, and lack of faith. My parents decided to become Catholic when I was a baby, and God has called me to change the way my family tree will look. Because there are enough people out there who don’t care about others. Society doesn’t need any more people who aren’t absolutely passionate about what they do. The Catholic church needs more people who can not only quote the love of Christ by His words, but can quote His love for us by living a life that is a clear reflection of that. And that is where God is calling me this year. To step out of my comfort zone, and be a credible witness by my love, and by the way I treat others. The Lord has called me to exhibit radiant joy. I want to honor Him by a life full of laughter, excitement, adventure, and possessing a confidence that only happiness in Him can provide.

I plan to fulfill God’s calling for me by earning degrees in Theology and Catechetics, with a concentration in youth ministry. I intend to spend my life helping others to find the same