I am so grateful for receiving the great gift of the Catholic Faith at my baptism. I feel a huge obligation in returning the gift that was given to me directly by God.
Every Catholic Church has a role to play in the history of humanity. All who are baptized, confirmed, receiving the sacrament of reconcilation, and finally experiencing Holy Commumion, know that these gifts are worthy of receiving.
And the list beautifully continues, as some go on to receive holy orders, as sisters, as priests, as third order seculars, or as deacons. And others go and follow the call to become a seminarian because they personally hear the voice of God directly inviting them personally to the priesthood.
As Christians, we are eternally grateful to have the richfulness of faith given to us. Never to be taken for granted. Why? Because we have a soul and our soul has a destiny and that destiny is either heaven or hell. And when we follow the rules and regulations we are given, we receive the reward for eternal life, to be with God forever.
There is always room for those who have not studied the faith, yet desire strongly to do so, you too, can contact any catholic church office, and receive proper guidance in starting with CCD classes. Your entrance into the faith, is a wonderful journey, you will learn directly from your new pastor, and our Lord will guide your journey toward him and you will be greeted by gracious men and women who love the faith, and are honored to serve and be an example of light and encouragement each step of the way.
After celebrating the feast day of Saint Peter, and having a great grandfather with that exact name, I decided to go a little deeper into the spiritual realm of this reality. Let me explain. I felt strongly more connected than ever to the faith, as if God was allowing me to almost feel a sense of privilage because someone in my family was given the name by his parents the exact name of the first Pope that entered into the vatican and led the city of Rome and all the faithfilled Catholics all around the world. I believe God is reminding me that my great grandfather was blessed to receive a name of the first Pope for a reason. Some of us need a powerful reminder to recognize the importance of who we are in the eyes of God. I know who I am. I know that God loves me so much, he is allowing me to spend more time on this earth to put together all the pieces of my life journey into one full mosaic.
He has given to me examples of this through the examples of my great grandmother, my great grandfathers wife who was a very pious woman, and who loved God so much, she was a living saint to me because I remember her always in prayer. Always walking to mass. Her life devotion was totally dedicated to Christ.
It struck a cord in me then, and it strikes a cord in me now, thirty five years after her death, I am still reminded of her contributions that spoke volumes to my heart. The love of her life returned to Jesus, and all she could do was devote herself one hundred percent to God. To prayer. And in being a living example of saintly behavior, she wore her rosary beads and a cord around her waist, that was similiar to what the sisters use to wear with their habit. Although she was not a nun her two twin cousins Valeria and Maxima were. This beautiful lineage I speak of inspire me to share the joy of being Catholic.
Our stories must be shared. They are gifts worthy of being told because God even then was touching all of their lives in a deep and profound way. And someone had to have inspired all of them personally to enter into a holy relationship with Christ. I may never know those stories in particular, but I trust that God had spoken to them as he is speaking through me now.
