I don’t know how not to be Catholic; it is so intertwined in who I am and how I see the world.
I am a cradle Catholic and never have had a big “aha!” moment or a lightning bolt experience like St. Paul on the road to Damascus. My faith story is more of a quiet constant in my life.
My parents each had reversions in the 1980s through the Charismatic Renewal, which embraces the works and movement of the Holy Spirit, a personal relationship with God and building community. This laid a strong foundation as they learned more about their Catholic faith in the early 2000s. Some of the biggest influences in my early life were witnessing my parents’ daily prayer, learning about the depths of the Mass as an altar server, going to adoration as a family, and being surrounded by families who also prioritized faith.
When I went to college in the Diocese of Duluth, I was lucky to find a group of friends who loved their faith and liked to have fun. Having friends like this helped as I made the Catholic faith my own. They introduced me to the teachings of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. In fact, with every move and new chapter, God has provided me with a strong community. I love having friends from all walks of life but have found that I also need close friends who share my faith and values.
Now in my 30s, I have appreciated the time to be with God and recharge at Pacem in Terris, connect with other Catholic healthcare workers and invest in one church versus parish hopping. I am grateful that my immediate family still shares the faith, and especially for my mom, who is my prayer warrior.
That all said, I have not had a life free of challenges and do not come from a perfect family (who does?). I have had my share of desolation, questioned my faith and God’s plans and given him a piece of my mind. At times, the extent of my prayer life can be “God, it’s just me and you, help me get through this day.” I am a work in progress. And yet, as my friend Father Ben Hadrich would say, “God is faithful.” That is the main reason I have never left: through it all, God keeps showing up. He shows me that he is there, loving me unconditionally.
I think faith is like love. There are feelings and emotions involved, but it is also a daily choice: to keep choosing God and his Church. Meanwhile, he keeps choosing us, usually within that “still small voice” (1 Kgs 19:12).
Altman, 37, is a member of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul. A nurse practitioner, she is studying to be a certified Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM) teacher and is slowly saving up for a house. She spends her free time enjoying many things: her immediate and extended families, live music, time outdoors, traveling and quality time with friends.
