On October 30, 2012 Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey. Homes were destroyed, more than 2.5 million people were without power and 37 people lost their lives. But, with our human spirit and our Christian hope we came together to restore what was lost and to never give up. Spotlight guest John shares his experience when he and his family had to evacuate their home in Seaside Park hours before the super-storm hit landfall. Unable to return to his home for quite a few months his family stayed in temporary housing provided by St. Joseph Parish in Toms River.
It is challenging as a young person in today’s society to decide what it is we truly believe in and are willing to stand up for. It is especially difficult if we are speaking out on many of the beliefs we hold as Catholic Christians. It can often be like swimming against the tide. So what kind of courage does it take as a teenager to speak out against the popular voice…against the current? Spotlight guest Allie shares how making waves over controversial topics actually opened doors into new ways of thinking for others.
– Being shy can be a very common experience for some teenagers today. The 2011 National Comorbidity Survey, polling 10,000 teenagers, reported that half the girls and 43% of the boys described themselves as “somewhat” or “very” shy. Sometimes being too shy can hold us back from being and doing some of the things we really want to. In what ways can our faith help us to be more confident and courageous to break down the walls of our shyness?
Our lives, our persons, rely on a balance of our mind, our body and our soul. These three things are connected and work together. When we keep a healthy connection between our mind, body and soul we not only find balance, but we glorify God and His creation. When we make decisions in our lives to ensure that we are healthy and whole people, mind, body and soul we are drawing closer to God and closer to our final journey to heaven.
Who doesn’t like music? There are so many styles of music that can appeal to anyone. The music and or lyrics in a song can evoke many different feelings like sadness, joy and love. There are some songs that can help us to understand God in a deeper way, and some songs that are actually prayers and help us connect with God. What are the different ways that music can help us to experience God in a more profound way?
Whether big or small, we all face some degree of difficulties in throughout our life. Whether we are trying to overcome regular daily challenges, an unexpected setback or a life-long or life threatening struggle, we need to find the strength an courage to get through it. Our Catholic faith helps us to be strong in the face of adversity. With God all things are possible including overcoming adversities.
How would you categorize your faith? Is it rock solid – meaning it’s the most important thing in your life? Or are there some weaknesses you need to work on? Or maybe your faith is not strong at all. It certainly isn’t easy to be strong in your faith in today’s world. Practicing Christianity… and truly living it out is counter-cultural. Find out ways we can help to make our faith strong and solid as a rock.
