About 6 years ago I was truly struggling with my place in my church parish as a young adult. I had been a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in Atlanta, Ga. for the last 27yrs. I had been a very active youth. Participating in the children's choir, and I was one of the first female an altar server.
As a teen I was very active in the youth group, and I was even chosen as one of the Archdiocese, "Most Outstanding Youth." I joined the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Saint Peter Claver my senior year in high school, I was lecture, and a Eucharistic Minister, and because I was a dancer I was always asked to dance at special occasions. However, as a young adult I was left asking the question," what is my place now, what can I do now?" I went through a phase then where I became angry at the church and would skip Sunday mass altogether, consequently, I felt my spirit fading, and I even contemplating leaving the Catholic faith.
I remember asking God to show me what I should be doing to serve him and my church, and how I could make a difference. I wanted to be much more than a seat warmer. Your elders always say be careful what you ask for. One Sunday in January 2001 Fr. John Adamski, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes approached me with a vision. A vision that was new and unorthodox in the Catholic Church. He wanted me to start a liturgical dance group. Was this what God wanted me to do? Was this the answer I had prayed for? Was I worthy? Well, after weeks of ducking, dodging and doubting I realized this was what I had prayed to God about. He was answering my questions, and giving me an opportunity to serve in a very unique way, so I answered God by forming the Amazing Grace Liturgical Dancers, and to date, through many ups and downs Amazing Grace has become one of the most sought after Catholic Liturgical Dance groups in the America.
I was fortunate enough to have studied with some of the most influential people in dance. People such as the later Gary Harrison, Terri Kiser, Barbara Sullivan of the Atlanta Dance Theater, the Val Gene Grisby, and the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble while in college, so I was able to bring those techniques and experiences along with my faith and spirituality to the ministry. The other dance members who range from ages 9yrs-39yrs all bring their individual experiences, spirit, and style, which further enhance the ministry.
Although some are still not ready to open up to new ideas and ways of doing things, many have accepted Amazing Grace Liturgical Dancers with open arms and welcome the addition of dance to the liturgy. Dance done reverently and appropriately can be beautiful and moving, and I know that I have been chosen to step out on faith and open up people hearts and mind to another way of praising the Lord. A challenge I believe I am prepared with. I know that my gift is from God and it should be utilized and shared with all, and I intend on doing that. I asked and showed me, so I answered, and many others heard the calling and they too have joined me.
It is now 5yrs later and I feel more complete in my faith and my parish. As a result of my decision to start Amazing Grace I have become more visible in the church as a young adult and I have sat on many committees to host masses and celebrations especially targeting our youth & young adults. Most recently I was chosen to meet with people from all over the country in Baltimore, MD at The National Black Catholic Congress, where I sat on the Youth& Young Adult Track. I was able to express my journey from a youth to a young adult, and tell them what I think other youth & young adults want to see and do to feel like they have a place in the Catholic Church.
We definitely don't want to lose them because they, we, are the future of the church. I am thankful to Fr. John for presenting me with the challenge of starting Amazing Grace, but I know none of that would have been possible without God answering my prayer. I ask you my fellow young adults, what is your place in the Catholic Church? Are you going to stand-up or step back?
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit to the priest for me. I needed to unburden myself of the numerous venial sins I had committed since I last participated in this Sacrament.
Purest Gold: God's Refining Fire in our Lives »
After salvation, many young Christians wonder if there's anything more to their newfound faith than just the security blanket of "being a Christian." Time and time again, God shows himself as a "refiner," and our lives are as gold. God started leading me in this study to understand what He was doing in my life, as well as in the lives of others.
Picking up my pen to write this column, I couldn’t imagine how time flies. Since the last publication of this column I have gone through a lot, especially the loss of my dear mother to whom I dedicate this article. Not only her, but seems I lost a whole generation of my close family.
How to Achieve Business Excellence »
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before Kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29
Spiritual Development for our Youth »
Most of us youth in today's fast moving world are easily thrown off by difficulties and worries.
The theme of conversion is a thread that runs all through Lent, but conversion takes on different aspects throughout the phases of Lent. The first two and a half weeks focused on the interior turning of hearts; the liturgy urges the faithful to reflect and examine consciences thoroughly.
Saint Josephine Bakhita »
Feast Day: February 8
Patron Saint Of: Sudan
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering.
Catholics Must Fast More Intensely This Lent»
The Norbertine Canons of St. Michael's Abbey have created this digital Lenten retreat so that you can journey through this holy season alongside them. If you want to have one of your best Lenten seasons yet, join us in our Lenten Program "The Great Fast" - https://theabbotscircle.com/the-great-fast-join
When Your Faith Is Put to the Test - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon»
Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command.
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