Last Wednesday, I got rocked by one of the teens in the youth group. She led a night on grace and Reconciliation. Taylor is not Catholic yet, but she is going through RCIA. Talking about the sacraments, she said, "Protestants don't know what they are missing and you Catholics don't know what you've got". The way she shared her desire for full communion had several of us crying including me.

 I asked Taylor why she wants to become Catholic so badly and she began to share with me. I have been so moved by her, I asked her to write it down so that I could share it with you. Here is what she gave me.

"I started wanting to become Catholic because of my youth group. At first I was a proud to be Protestant, thinking of the simple teachings of the Protestant church I went to. I even thought at one time I might be able to educate my youth group about my Protestant faith but that wasn't what God had planned for my life.

About once a week I would go to youth group and each time I went I became more interested till one day at a Catholic praise and worship event called XLT I got hit hard by the Holy Spirit. It was during adoration that I suddenly figured out what I needed to do.

Before this I felt as if something was missing from my life, that something wasn't right. I realized that what was missing was the fullness of my faith. I was always looking for more in my Protestant faith- I felt that there had to be more than just believing in God- among other things, I was looking for a way to express my love and faithfulness to Him.

The Catholic faith was that something. It wasn't just based on believing but showing my faith and love through the sacraments and in return, having my faith strengthened through those same sacraments.

The sacraments meant that I could finally show my faith through more than my everyday attitude but my actions as well- they help me to make my faith more a part of my lifestyle. Even if others don't see my actions I know God does and that in itself makes me feel closer to God.

 I'm 17 now going through RCIA and now more than ever I feel closer to God. I am finally able to go beyond declaring my faith; soon I will be able to fully express myself in relationship to God.

 I feel that the sacraments are a privilege and I'm grateful God has given me the choice of bringing my faith to the fullest. For this new part of my faith, I thank God every night and I'm eternally grateful to him."

Taylor will be confirmed at an upcoming SSYM youth mass. That will be a special mass for her I am sure, but also for everyone who has been edified by her presence at youth group over the last several years, especially me.

Thank you God for working through Taylor to remind us all not to take our faith for granted! Amen.