A Lack of Young Catholic Community & Loss of Purpose
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
But, what happens if you don’t have fellow cathiloc christains willing to build you up?
My Struggle of Being Catholic in a Small Town
Raise your hand if you are Catholic – once again, a new teacher is going to ask this question. I was once hesitant to admit this: that in a small Protestant town, I am a little different. I used to panic when I heard those words– Are you catholic?– because I knew if I answered, that teacher might paint me as a monster to the rest of the class. My classmates would stare at me, speechless, unsure of what to think. I felt the judgment, I felt the disappointment, and I felt the religious discrimination by fellow Christians. While I was challenged for my own beliefs, I managed to stay firm in my faith; Overcoming the harsh criticism, I came home to my church and found myself in its divine beauty.
It was in middle school history class when I was asked this question for the first time. I raised my hand, surprised to be the only one relevant. The teacher turned to the class and said, "Priests are rapists.” At 11 years old, my classmates stared at me in horror. After this moment, I was convinced I had no voice in this town. I could not comprehend why none of my friends wanted to go to church with me. We are all Christians; why did I feel more alone in town than ever before? I carried the burdens of teachers, peers, and adults who criticized me to the point I felt empty. I had lost my identity and motivation to live. It’s hard to look forward to the future when you are under the impression that your present and past were lies. The members of my home community shared numerous false details, pressured lies, and hateful comments that collapsed the foundation I once stood on.
Losing my beliefs made me question why I was even relevant to this world, for I had nothing to believe in. I decided to rediscover my religion, to form my own opinion. Through months of podcasts, videos, and most importantly, my bible, I searched for the truth. My life changed when I picked up the delicate beads of my rosary and prayed it myself for the first time. I witnessed the crucifixion through the eyes of Jesus’s mother, the sorrowful mysteries forever changing my view on the mystery of faith. With an open mind, I had answered the millions of questions. To the credibility of my own research, I returned home to my church.
Building Community
Don’t worry, Jesus began with just a few disciples!
Reaching out to Family Members
In a period of loneliness and spiritual confusion, I like to reach out to my Catholic family members, even my extended members I hardly talk to. It doesn’t hurt to get new perspectives on life. And if you are a baptized Catholic, you have Godparents! They vow to encourage and inspire you in your faith journey; I’m sure they would be happy to hear from you!
MyParish App
The MyParish app really encouraged me in my faith journey! I encourage you to download it to see if your parish has joined the app; if not, make it a project of yours and give back to your community! I use it for adoration times, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and a social center to connect with my Catholic community. You can even start a teen catholic group, like a book club or painting night, and post it on the MyParish app.
Pray
Last but certainly not least, pray about it! God will provide; be patient in the season of waiting. Your group of God-fearing girls is closer than you think. <3
When in Doubt, Serve the Lord
We are all given a unique body and soul to make the most of this world. We often ask, “What is my purpose?” It is painful to feel lost, walking through life's challenges without even knowing who you are. When I finally found myself comfortable in my Catholic faith, I began to prosper. My purpose is to spread love, to let everyone know they exist for a reason. I live for Jesus. I now walk through life in his image, because when I ran to him, my life felt whole. Life is beyond the limitations of your hometown. It is beyond the hurtful people you encounter along the way. Life is serving others, serving the lord, and finding your purpose in this confusing but beautiful world.
