A call, an affirmation and a challenge.

[Didacus]

This Saturday, a priest and good family friend came to my house for a visit. We spoke of scores of things; he is very knowledgeable and completely faithful to the Catholic Church.

However, he has serious concerns over the future of the church, and as many would admit with good reason. I told him there was more hope than he might think with young people being dedicated to the Church and her doctrine. I specifically mentionned to him phatmass having a lot of impressive young people.

Being the skeptic kind, he replied 'Well if that is so, send them to me.'. And this is precisely what this thread is about.

I would like all the younger people on phatmass, who are faithful to the Catholic Church to list themselves on this thread. List your screen name, your age (approx. if you don't want to be specific), affirm that you are faithful to the Catholic Church and if you wish, [i]why[/i] you choose to be faithful.

Once there will have several of you listed to this thread, I will invite my priestly friend (who is 82 years old by the way) to come to this thread and read through. Hopefully, he will see in all you younger people what I see; a glimmer of hope that things will eventually get better, and that the Holiness of our Church will survive just a pure and as strong as it has ever been.


Oh, and a challenge, right... I did mention to him that these young people where very knowledgeable of the Church and Her doctrine. So after I've convinced him to look at the thread, I would, if he approves, put you all to 'the test' and ask a few questions to see just how much you know about your faith and all.

I have full confidence in you younger people, I thank you all for taking a bit of time to read this and to post on this thread. I hopoe that by Friday enough of you would have responded so that I can invite my friend to phatmass and see a glimpse of the Church's youth.

God bless.

[daugher-of-Mary]

SN: catholicgirl833
Age: 18
Why I am faithful? "The difficulty of explaining "why I am a Catholic" is that there are ten thousand reasons all amounting to one reason: that Catholicism is true." (GKC)

[avemaria40]

avemaria40 (i thought u meant phatmass sn, sry)

Age: 17

I'm a faithful Catholic, but I wasn't born this way. When I was almost 15, I converted to the Church after realizing that I needed God in my life and that the Catholic Church was the best way to find Him. I find peace and joy after going to Mass, receiving absolution in Confession, receiving Communion, praying the Rosary, and reading the Scriptures. I am completely happy with my lifestyle and find that it helps me grow closer to God and to serve my fellow man better.

Yes, there are struggles in my life. I have to deal with little things like being nice to my sister even when she says something mean, or bigger things like being shot down for your beliefs by a bunch of well meaning but very arrogant and intolerant people who don't understand why someone would choose a very conservative "oppressive" (their words) religion and why as a woman, I hold the beliefs that I do (no abortion, no birth control, modesty, purity, etc.) People have no idea how much their words hurt and how hypocritical they can be ("don't tell me how to live" while telling me how to live my life) But I don't mind the challenges. Every opportunity gives me the chance to grow closer to God and to serve Him. I see this as spiritual combat, as the Devil is present everywhere.

God's blessings in my life have been abundant. Through Him, I know the joy of serving others, as we are called to, and seeing lives blessed by His Spirit. I feel united to Him at Mass and every trial turns into an act of humility and understanding which helps me to love others better, even in their not so lovable moments. Though I can be cynical at times about the state of the Catholic Church, I always remember that God's will will be accomplished and I pray that He'll use me to better serve His Church

Edited July 3, 2006 by avemaria40

[the_rev]

SN: the_rev
Age: 17

A devout altar boy until age thirteen when I became an atheist. I came back to the faith at age 16, when I felt a call to the priesthood. I am now a canidate for the seminary, however, I had to switch parishes because my former pastor didn't support my vocation because I was to conservative.

I'm faithful because Holy Mother Church needs young men to respond to the call, who love the rosary and love all the teachings of the Church and adhere to them.

[jpamericanka]

JPAmericanka
Age 18

Why I am faithful?: God makes himself available in the most complete way in the Catholic Church. This is the one true Church, the Church we are all called to.

[morostheos]

morostheos
Age 23

I'm faithful to the Church above all because she had the fullness of the truth. When you have that, why go anywhere else? There is nothing more satisfying than living a life of grace within the Catholic Church.

[Noel's angel]

SN: Noel's angel
Age: 18

I grew up in a family of Catholics, Jews, athiests, agnostics and Protestants, so I had a fair view of a number of religions. I was raised a Catholic but our house wasn't a place of prayer or faith. When I got into my mid-teens however, I began to explore the Catholic faith more and I realised it is a wonderful gift that God has given us.
How could I reject the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ Himself? I want to be true to the teachings of Christ, and that means that it is my duty to serve Him as a Catholic.
My faith is a gift, I have no intention of refusing it.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

SN: Raphael
Age: 21
I am a faithful member of Christ's Church and adhere to all the teachings of the Magisterium.
Why? Because we are given a mind to know and a heart to love; what is there to know but truth and what is there to love but beauty, and where is there to find truth and beauty but in God and His creation, revealed to the Church?

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

The Dude
Age: 18
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. The search for the Truth stops here.

[Pontifite 7 of 10]

SN-Pontifite 7 of 10
Age-14
Am I Faithful-Yes
Why am I Faithful-I have been a Catholic for all my life and my conviction for Jesus has grown and grown because of all the many wise and faithful people that have taught me in my 9 years in a Catholic school.

[jenna311]

SN: everythingiam
AGE: 18

I am faithful because...

....the Catholic Church was established by Christ, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. It holds the fullness of truth.

...of the Eucharist. I am finally realizing how much I need it. As Pope John Paul II said, the Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life."

[CoffeeCatholic]

AIM? SN: myrivermysoul
Age: 21

Why am i faithful? Because my parents and my grandparents weren't! I was raised Methodist and have recently found my way back home. I hate that my parents and grandparents and etc etc decided to be heretics and I spend every waking moment praying for their converstion.

There are more young converts back to Catholicism and more young "REverts" then ever before in this generation. why? Because we lived with parents who grew up during the sexual "revolution" and they shed their faith and the truth, and after growing up in that absence, we see the necessity of it and have come back to it. Why do you think that no matter what it looks like, more young people are against abortion and homosexual "marriage" then are for it?

I'm done for now

[jiyoung]

sn: jiyoung
age: 19
I found the fullness of the truth in the Church. I have to act on this knowledge now in obedience to what I know (because with knowledge comes responsibility). But also because I love God with all my heart, and I marvel at the fact that He has created me for His own heart--the beauty of Catholicism, of God Himself is astounding.

I'm currently discerning religious life and I'm about to start at FUS with a theology/catechetics degree.

[Fidei Defensor]

Fidei Defensor
Age: 16

I am faithful to the Church because if I wasn't, I would be going against the holy Word of God.
Matt. 16:18: "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."

One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

[Didacus]