A Journey of Faith: From Seeker to Catholic School Teacher
In the quiet corners of reflection, I find myself overcome with a deep sense of awe and wonder as I ponder on the incredible journey that has led me to where I find myself today – a Catholic high school teacher. The path has been so much more than simply a career choice; it has been a profound testament to the transformative power of God’s handiwork in my life. There have been moments of doubt and discovery, but mostly I look back and see a hopeful tapestry that God has woven through the chapters of my life.
A Foundation of Faith
My story of becoming a Catholic school teacher begins with the foundations laid in the fertile soil of my mother’s faith. From the earliest days of my childhood, I recall the sweet fragrance of incense at Midnight Mass on Christmas, and the gentle rhythm of the Rosary that we would pray together in the Madonna Room after lighting a candle to lift our intentions up to the Lord. This sacred atmosphere became the backdrop of my upbringing as a Catholic. Proverbs 22:6 beautifully encapsulates this part of my faith journey: “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.”
As adolescence beckoned, I became quite interested in the faith and had a wondrous desire to become more and more active in the parish. I became a member of the parish teen group, which led me to lector for the first time as a teenager, and volunteer at a number of parish fundraiser events. Often on Friday nights I would be at the parish, and I loved every minute of my time there alongside other youths who shared a love for our Catholic faith.
Navigating through the Storm
During my college years there were challenges that arose seriously testing my faith. On a daily basis I was questioned and mocked by fellow classmates for the beliefs that had been ingrained in my heart. The tempests of uncertainty and distractions threatened to erode what felt so dear to me. In these moments of hardship, I found great comfort in the Gospel of Mark “He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still! The wind ceased and there was great calm.” (4:39) Just as Jesus had calmed the storm, I held firm onto the truth that God’s peace could silence the turbulence within me.
College was also a time that marked a significant turning point when I felt a profound calling to delve deeper into a relationship with God. I saw the way my Orthodox Jewish friends had such an incredible connection to God and outwardly practiced their faith without fear. The words of St. Augustine echoing the sentiment, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you,” resonated with the yearning within me for a more intimate relationship with Christ.
