Hey everyone! I am so excited to introduce you to my dear friend Marykate. She is a senior speech Pathology major at Penn State, and getting to know her better this year has been an absolute blessing. I asked Marykate to answer some questions because I am constantly learning from her and how she shows Christ to everyone in everyplace. Every time I talk to her she lights up my day and I end up going like this:
to something she says. Whether it is a beautiful Truth about God or a point I can relate to, there is always this moment for me. So let's dive right in so you can have this moment(or many of these moments) with her too!
I started off asking her if there were any misconceptions or thoughts she has on being Catholic in college?
"One of the biggest misconceptions and things that I used to believe was that I was all alone in my faith. I thought I was weird for holding myself to certain values and morals and that no one else on a college campus was fighting the fight that I was. However, after coming to Penn State I quickly realized that there are so many people who love Jesus and want to share him to the world! It is a cool thing to be Catholic, and it is a beautiful thing to stand up, and stand out, with others who are walking in their faith beside you, you just gotta find them."
"I thought I was weird for holding myself to certain values and morals and that no one else on a college campus was fighting the fight that I was."
Have you been there? Wondering if anyone else is trying to live virtuously or if it is just you. And if people are there living like you, where can you find them?
I have! Marykate is so right. Once you find people going toward the same goals as you, it makes living differently easier. Yet, even in community, living a Catholic life comes with challenges. So why did she choose to pursue a Catholic life in college?
"The thing that ultimately helped me to choose to live my life as a Catholic is through the witness of my mom and dad and how they chose to live their life. They are completely unwavering in their faith, and have raised my brothers and sisters up to know the truths of the Catholic faith. However, it wasn’t until I had a powerful encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist on a retreat during my sophomore year of High School that I chose this faith for myself. Through this encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, I knew that there was something much greater, much deeper than just saying I believed in Jesus. The Eucharist has been my fuel and fire throughout these years that has kept my heart burning with a desire to know him more everyday."
"Through this encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, I knew that there was something much greater, much deeper than just saying I believed in Jesus."
I can testify to this in her life. Marykate is ON FIRE for the Faith. Are you living your Faith just saying you are Catholic, or are does your life's actions reflect that you are Catholic?
I asked her, now that she is living for Christ, how is she saying "yes" to Him?
"As a senior in college, I have been thinking and praying a lot about what I want to do in my future after I graduate. While the world tells you to go for the most prestigious company, the best grad school in the country, or the job with the highest salary, my heart has been convicted that Jesus is calling me to something much different. Recently, I accepted a position to serve as a FOCUS missionary to help bring Jesus to young men and women on a college campus who are searching for him. I have chosen to put off going to grad school to get my masters in Speech Language Pathology, and say yes to the Lord’s will for my life."
Are you pumped up and excited yet? I am! This gif is me every time I see her pursuing God's call in her life.
For those who are unfamiliar with FOCUS, FOCUS stands for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. Their missionaries commit at least two years to go to a college campus with other missionaries, they fundraise their whole salary, and make their full time job ministering to the students where they are placed. Talk about living by God's divine providence!
Leaving what the world says is success(corporate jobs, best grad schools, etc.) and pursuing the call of Christ on your heart is an astounding thing. Marykate is pursuing a life of giving herself to others through being a missionary! How can you pursue the call of Christ for your life in your day to day life?"
Of course finally, I had to ask her if she has felt the Magnificat(“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior."- Luke 1:46-47), that Mary felt when she said her "yes" to God?
"This has absolutely been felt in my life! I think when you are actively growing and walking in your faith, Jesus draws near to your heart very closely. This particular bible passage reminds me of the great joy, and freedom that come from living a life of faith. While, at times it can be extremely difficult, the moments when you feel your heart on fire with his love, and see his hand in the great things that he is doing in your life I think it's impossible to not feel the same way Mary did when she proclaimed her yes! He knows our hearts, and our deepest desires, so by saying yes to him in whatever he's asking of us, even if we are still unsure about it, I know that he will not leave us disappointed."
"He knows our hearts, and our deepest desires, so by saying yes to him in whatever he's asking of us, even if we are still unsure about it, I know that he will not leave us disappointed."
Amen, Marykate!! The goodness of God is a reminder we all need. God has not and will not fail us!
After reading a snippet of Marykate's story, how can you trust God with your life? Maybe you cannot give your whole life away just yet. Maybe today it is trusting Him with finances or a situation you are in. Our little everyday "yes" 's to God's will enables us to more easily say "yes" to God's bigger callings. How can you release your control on your life and hand it over to God today?
Thank you for reading and please keep Marykate in your prayers as she embarks on this amazing journey!
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