Attending Mass at St. Basil's and Assumption
Volunteering with Little Saints at St. Martha's
I attend mass at St.Basil's and Assumption with my cousin and other family members when they are in town. I have also been able to volunteer at St. Martha's with their Little Saint's Program. I work with students in grade one and two and other volunteers teaching children about different stories from the Old and New Testament through scripture, crafts, and games.
Finding Faith in Songs/Lyrics
I find a lot of comfort in music. I find that my personal faith connects with the lyrics in many different songs. These help me a lot when I am going through different things in my life. I find them especially comforting when I am unable to attend mass. They are a little reminder in my day that our Lord is always watching out or us.
Mumford and Sons: Below My Feet
This is one the songs I listened to while I was recovering after major surgery in the hospital. The words meant so much. They kept me grounded and reminded me that God had a plan for me and that everything would work out in the end. Even though it was a very tough time, I was reminded that a Lord has a plan for all of us and as my family always tell me, "God wouldn't put you through something if He didn't think you could't handle it".
Meaningful Lyrics:
Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Oh keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn
Oh keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn
And I was still
I was under your spell
When I was told by Jesus all was well
So all must be well
This is one the songs I listened to while I was recovering after major surgery in the hospital. The words meant so much. They kept me grounded and reminded me that God had a plan for me and that everything would work out in the end. Even though it was a very tough time, I was reminded that a Lord has a plan for all of us and as my family always tell me, "God wouldn't put you through something if He didn't think you could't handle it".
Meaningful Lyrics:
Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Oh keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn
Oh keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn
And I was still
I was under your spell
When I was told by Jesus all was well
So all must be well
The Fray: You Found Me
This is one the songs I listened to when I was first diagnosed with a chronic illness. It was a really difficult time for me, it made me really question my faith in a loving God. I wondered why something so horrible was happening to me and other people. For a time it took me away from my Faith, but that only lead me into a darker place. These lyrics and the entire song made me feel that I wasn't alone, it showed me that our Lord is merciful and He is there during those darkest times. It wasn't He who was late, but rather my ability to pray and open up to Him again and when I was at my lowest he was still there for me.
Meaningful Lyrics:
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
This is one the songs I listened to when I was first diagnosed with a chronic illness. It was a really difficult time for me, it made me really question my faith in a loving God. I wondered why something so horrible was happening to me and other people. For a time it took me away from my Faith, but that only lead me into a darker place. These lyrics and the entire song made me feel that I wasn't alone, it showed me that our Lord is merciful and He is there during those darkest times. It wasn't He who was late, but rather my ability to pray and open up to Him again and when I was at my lowest he was still there for me.
Meaningful Lyrics:
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Coldplay: Fix You
This is a song that I have listened to throughout my life. It was always a song I enjoyed, but found even more meaning in it once I found out I was sick and needed surgery. I would often repeat the lyrics in my head "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you". I always imagined it was the Lord speaking to me through the music. It was Him saying, put your trust in me and I can help you. I wrote these lyrics on a card that I was able to put up in my hospital room and take with me while I was also recovering once I was back home. The words and meaning brought me a lot of comfort.
Meaningful Lyrics:
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face and I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face and I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
This is a song that I have listened to throughout my life. It was always a song I enjoyed, but found even more meaning in it once I found out I was sick and needed surgery. I would often repeat the lyrics in my head "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you". I always imagined it was the Lord speaking to me through the music. It was Him saying, put your trust in me and I can help you. I wrote these lyrics on a card that I was able to put up in my hospital room and take with me while I was also recovering once I was back home. The words and meaning brought me a lot of comfort.
Meaningful Lyrics:
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face and I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face and I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
My Faith Journey
My faith journey has not been an easy road. It has been filled with moments of up and down, there are times when I was strongly connected with my faith and instances when I struggled with understanding why certain things were happening in my life. I often questioned why a merciful Lord would put someone through so much suffering. At the time it seemed like there was only darkness, but looking back I can see that right when I questioned my faith the most, the Lord was there with me, watching over me, and ready for me to come back to Him when I was ready. It was the support of my Catholic community that really helped strengthen my faith. They were there to comfort me, they prayed for me and they watched over me when they knew I couldn't. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel and that has really strengthened my faith. Being exposed to different cultures, meeting new people, and experiencing life in other communities brought me closer to others, but also to God. It has strengthened my faith and my ability to be kind and compassionate to everyone I meet.