Challenges We Face

John Paul Evans, 27, Great Eccleston

As young people growing up and trying to find our way in life, there are many challenges we face from friends, television and media that all have an impact on our lives. Being a young Catholic person is not in keeping with the norms of what is presented as the "real world", world where you can choose to love God - but don't tell anyone in case you offend someone who doesn't believe in God. Yet in spite of these pressures I still love God - because He loves me. I am fortunate to have grown up being an altar server since I was almost 8. Now nearly 20 years later I still love to serve at Mass, and it is this active participation at the Holy Eucharist that has been how I have lived my faith. Despite the challenges faced at school, that of being bullied by non-Catholic children for going to church, I never stopped attending or serving at Mass. Now I look back and thank Our Lord for these blessings. I say blessings because this is what Christ Jesus taught us, "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account" (Mt. 5: 11)

Hope beyond hopes!

My faith means a lot to me. I know that as long as I have my faith, there will always be someone beside me who loves me and wants to protect me, no matter what troubles and difficulties I face in life. This is especially important to me, because I have a disability, which should keep me back from things and be a burden but I feel that it isn’t. I feel that God has provided me with the tools and friends necessary to cope, continue and excel in what I do. I have also, over the last year or so, been on several pilgrimages and diocesan events with the Lancaster Diocesan Youth Service. At these, in peaceful environments, I have been able to discuss with others what their faith means to them and say what I felt in return, which in some way feels different than just talking about religion in school or at church. This sharing brings a new dimension to my faith – to discover that others are trying to live what I am trying to live. These experiences have helped me to be able to put the everyday problems of life into a new perspective, and have given me wonderful, peaceful experiences, new friends. They’ve made me feel great and probably improved me as a person. I would suggest such events to any young person in the diocese who wishes to feel closer to God, or build on their faith, because it has had that effect on me. I feel that as long as I have my faith there were always be hope no matter the situation. I find it difficult to fit my faith into my busy schedule as I’m sure most people do, but I’m also sure that with how much God loves us, we should at least show him some token of our love in return.

Miracles never cease to happen

Catherine Newton, 18, Kirkham

Faith is what you need to get by in this world. If my friends or other people were to ask me where God is in my life or what has He done, I would say God created everything around us, He even created me. He helps guide me towards what is right and is that little voice inside me.

There are many challenges that come with having faith but now I am older I have a greater knowledge and understanding and find it easier to practise my faith.
I am very privileged to be brought up as a Catholic as it helps me through everyday life and I know God is always watching over me. Over the last two years I have deepened my faith thanks to being part of the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. I have been twice already and am looking forward to going next year and celebrating the 150 year anniversary of the apparitions. When in Lourdes last year I went in the baths and I found this very emotional as I saw a miracle take place with a lady within the diocese. This helped my faith grow and made the experience greater. All I have to say is that I’m proud to say that I am part of the Lancaster Diocese and am looking forward to Lourdes 2008.