When
Leila asks... I will answer! My journey through my Catholic faith has been life-long, with lots of twists and turns along the way. Here is my story:
I was raised Catholic and my parents gave me a wonderfully solid Catholic foundation and upbringing, filled with Catholic school and lots of Knight of Columbus events. We went to mass every Sunday, never missed a beat. I was confirmed in high school and was proud to be Catholic at my little baptist college. I attended mass in my little college town, well... when it did not interfere with a party, studying, sleeping in or something else. I did, at the very least, attend once a month. They would have a mass on campus and all the Catholic faculty and staff would provide dinner afterwards. Every Catholic student made it to that!
After college, my life seemed to be moving fast and my secular needs were my priority. My life was filled with chaos and I had little time to devote to my faith. Within the two years prior to reclaiming my faith, I had: Applied and was accepted to the peace corps., gotten engaged, quit my job, moved across the country, found a new job, totaled a car, broke my back, planned a wedding, passed pre-cana, called off a wedding two weeks before the wedding, quit my job, moved back across the country, found another new job, found new boyfriend, moved again, lost new boyfriend and moved once more. Needless to say, my life had little direction and it seemed as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders. It was then that I landed in the midwest and found myself with an invitation to attend the
Fr.assati Society of Young Ad.ult Catho.lics annual conference. A friend of mine had attended and told me it was amazing.
At first glance, I was intrigued with the idea of attending the conference. I wondered if it was what I had been looking for in my life. But I was very hesitant. Money was tight and I did not want to spend money on something that I did not know anything about, especially a boring Catholic conference! I tried every excuse in the book to convince myself that I should not go – I even told my mother that I would drive to Ohio and clean my parents’ house that weekend! For someone who hates to clean – that is desperation! My mom told me no and to go to the conference. But there was still the issue of money. I then received word that my way would be paid for by way of a conference scholarship. My friend had contacted the Frassati Society and requested a scholarship on my behalf. Since my last excuse was gone, I reluctantly registered – the night before the conference. I went to the conference not knowing anybody and being very distant from my Catholic faith. I did not know what I would find at the conference, but I did not have high expectations. What I found was the beginning of my new life. I spent the weekend meeting amazing life long friends (Beth!!!) and listening in awe to speakers talk about what it meant to live out the Catholic faith. I saw young adult Catholics on fire for their faith and leading lives filled with strong morals and convictions. It was truly incredible! And I could see my life changing before my eyes.
My most memorable part of the weekend was time set apart for adoration and confession. I hadn’t been to either in nearly ten years, since my confirmation. Fr. Richard told me during that confession that Catholics have confession more often than that and I should feel free to come by anytime!! HA! I confessed my sins and was absolved.
Fr. Richard then told me that there are a lot of young adults in the world that lead ordinary lives and this was my chance to live an extraordinary life!
I took those words to heart and left the confessional feeling like a new person, like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I went out to the church, knelled down and truly prayed. I looked up at the cross with Jesus’ arms outstretched and I knew at that moment that everything in my life would be ok – that nothing that I had done or hadn’t done or would do would prevent Christ from taking me back as His own. I cried because I knew that all of my little anxieties and my heartaches were nothing compared to what He had done for me. It had never occurred to me so clearly that Christ had suffered and died for me -- Jenny. I had heard that a million times, but I really never got it until that moment at the conference. It was the most defining moment of my entire life!
I know that God had called me to the conference so I could reclaim my Catholic faith and build upon it. I look back in glorious wonder about how everything lined up so perfectly... all the good and all the bad... so I would be at the right place to attend the conference. That was all HIM! My life dramatically changed after the conference. Friends that I had been my best ones for years, did not like the new faith filled Jenny. They wanted to and had to go and man, it was hard. But now, looking back... it's such a blessing! I now how the MOST WONDERFUL group of friends! They are the friends that will be friends for life. The majority of them I met at the conference (including two of my bridesmaids!) ... the others I met by being involved in my parish, which would have NEVER happened without the conference.
My parents are responsible for installing the Catholic faith in my life and the Frassati Society is responsible for bringing that childhood faith into adulthood. My store is not unique -- the Frassati Society changes lives and inspires others just like me at every holy conference! You should see the number of young men that attend... I think hoping to find a Catholic wife... that are now seminarians!! It's AMAZING!!
I am now educated in my faith and can now defend it without hesitation or apology! That is such an amazing feeling. There are hills and valleys in my faith all the time. I am far from perfect and my faith continues to grow. But I would not even be near to where I am now, without attending that first conference! I even planned the Fras.sati Conference for several years... and to think I didn't even want to go! In fact, it was immediately after I chaired my very last conference (as in less than one hour after the closing talk) .... that I met Doug. Yep... all in God's plan!
For a few more fun conference experiences, go
here and
here!
The amazing Cathedral where I had my 're-version'!
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!
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