Meet Cat: youth minister, mama, Catholic

How long have you been a practicing Catholic? 

I was baptized into the Catholic faith as a baby.

Care to share your conversion, reversion story? 

Although my mom made me go to church every Sunday as a child, I lacked conviction and excitement about the faith until I was 17. I met Jesus in a very personal encounter on a retreat and determined that living and dying for Him was the only thing that would bring meaning to my life.

How does your faith inform your day-to-day life?

I hope that it informs each decision that I make during the day. If God is not my waking thought and the last thought before I sleep, then I lack peace and joy.

What is your greatest challenge in practicing your faith?

concupiscence

favorite Bible verse? 

Sirach 2:1-6 "My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of adversity. Cling to him, do not leave him, that you may prosper in your last days. Accept whatever happens to you; in periods of humiliation be patient. For in fire gold is tested, and the chosen in the crucible of humiliation." 

favorite Spiritual writing quotation?

"Because I was small and weak, Jesus stooped down to me and in secret taught me the marvels of his love." St Therese

favorite saint and why? 

Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) is one of my favorite saints. I aspire to love truth as she did.

What is your ministry in the church? 

ministry to teens, ministry to families with young children (organize monthly children's adoration, other catechesis opportunities for families), occasionally help with adult formation (not RCIA) in our parish

education and job 

FUS grad. My jobs have included teaching English abroad for the Language and Catechetical Institute, youth ministry, and working for a home health provider. I have two boys, ages 6 and 3, and am now a stay-at-home mother.

favorite movie, book, music 

Some of my favorite films are Casino Royale, Zelary and Kolja. I tend to have an affinity for films that don't necessitate a "happy" ending. 

Crime and Punishment, Les Miserables, LOTR, and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe are among my favorite books. 

Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor is my favorite music. 

hobby

I enjoy playing guitar, especially when my boys join me in singing (or try to "help" me play).

What is 'cool'/interesting about you?

I met and married my best friend while living in Slovakia. 

It took my husband and I three entire days to hitchhike across Slovakia. (It took my husband the same amount of time to hitchhike from Slovakia to London.) Things were not going well for my husband and me on that trip until we were first picked up by Moses (Mojzis) and next by Abraham (Ibrahim). 

Thanks for sharing, Cat! Here's the first entry to the 'I'm a Catholic' series.