March 2020 altered my life trajectory. Along with the rest of the world, my sense of “normal” was interrupted, and I was forced to reevaluate what mattered most to me. A year ago, my answer to the above question would have been drastically different, and I probably would have already accepted my “dream” job offer…I thank God every day that my plans were interrupted. The plans I had for myself the past year were nothing compared to the plans God has revealed to me since March 2020.
At school this fall, the Catholic Bearcat Newman Center at St. Monica-St. George welcomed two new priests, and, in just five months, I witnessed a complete transformation and revival in our Catholic community on campus. I’ve grown in my ability to love the people in front of me, and I’ve learned what it means to be truly joyful.
Our pastor’s favorite word is “GLORY” (yes, in all caps), and he’s taught me that to be joyful, I must find GLORY in everyone I encounter and in everything I do. There are two definitions of the word “glory.” The first is something about honor and achievements. This is not the GLORY I’m referencing. GLORY in all caps is “magnificence or great beauty,” and this year has proved that magnificence can be found in the darkest of circumstances. With campus activities suspended, I spent most of my time at St. Monica-St. George, and, to my surprise, I made friends in my fourth year. My friends pushed forced me to come to terms with a faith I had never questioned. I was raised Catholic, but for the first time, I’ve come to embrace and love faith in a way I never thought possible. This summer, I’m serving as a missionary at Catholic Youth Summer Camp. Our team of missionaries will guide 4,600 teenagers in high adventure activities as they encounter Jesus at summer camp. That’s a job I never thought I would have. It’s a privilege to share my summer plans with you, and I cannot wait to experience the GLORY in store for me.
At school this fall, the Catholic Bearcat Newman Center at St. Monica-St. George welcomed two new priests, and, in just five months, I witnessed a complete transformation and revival in our Catholic community on campus. I’ve grown in my ability to love the people in front of me, and I’ve learned what it means to be truly joyful.
Our pastor’s favorite word is “GLORY” (yes, in all caps), and he’s taught me that to be joyful, I must find GLORY in everyone I encounter and in everything I do. There are two definitions of the word “glory.” The first is something about honor and achievements. This is not the GLORY I’m referencing. GLORY in all caps is “magnificence or great beauty,” and this year has proved that magnificence can be found in the darkest of circumstances. With campus activities suspended, I spent most of my time at St. Monica-St. George, and, to my surprise, I made friends in my fourth year. My friends pushed forced me to come to terms with a faith I had never questioned. I was raised Catholic, but for the first time, I’ve come to embrace and love faith in a way I never thought possible. This summer, I’m serving as a missionary at Catholic Youth Summer Camp. Our team of missionaries will guide 4,600 teenagers in high adventure activities as they encounter Jesus at summer camp. That’s a job I never thought I would have. It’s a privilege to share my summer plans with you, and I cannot wait to experience the GLORY in store for me.