The Young Adult Group is comprised of many exceptional and interesting people. Some are natives, some are "Yankees", some are cradle Catholics, and some are recent converts - like Valerie.
Age? 23
Where are you from originally? Ada, Michigan
Where did you attend college? College of Charleston
What do you currently do day to day? I work as a nanny taking care of two precious babies.
What do you do for fun and recreation? Travel, go to the beach, kayak, SCUBA dive, fish, sail, hike, camp, read, listen to music, cook, speak French.
Favorite books? The Count of Monte Cristo, Poisonwood Bible, Writings of St. Thérèse, Mere Christianity
Favorite Movie? Indiana Jones, The Godfather, Lord of the Rings, Life is Beautiful, Singing in the Rain
Were you born Catholic? If not, how did you become Catholic? A little over two years ago I first became intrigued by Catholicism. My father is a Lutheran pastor and I am grateful for my strong Christian upbringing that helped develop my faith. However, in college I realized that I was still operating out of the theology of my parents and I felt the need to decide on my own exactly what "version" of Christianity I believed. What started as a search for "the right church for me" became more of a quest for truth. Through some conversations with a Catholic friend I was surprised to learn that many of my preconceived ideas of the Catholic faith were in fact misconceptions. I was almost embarassed that I had never thought to learn more about the Catholic church, the very first Christian church. I started reading a lot, asking questions of many different people, and praying to be led to the truth. By God's grace, He opened my heart and my mind to honestly consider Catholic beliefs that seemed strange because they were foreign to me. As I learned about the Eucharist I was attracted to the idea of Christ's Real Presence and found myself wanting it to be true like I wanted fairy tales to be true when I was little. I made a sort of "deal" with God. If He could convice me that He is truly present in the Eucharist and that the only place I could receive Him is in a Catholic Church then I would become Catholic even without understanding everything else. In the end I had to step out in faith before He gave me total certainty in my decision, but as I walked forward to receive Jesus' Body and Blood for the first time at the Easter Vigil Mass I knew that it was really Him I would be receiving and that He had been eagerly anticipating this moment-- that my whole life had been preparing me for this divine encounter. I have never looked back.
Favorite or Patron Saint? Saint Thérèse de Lisieux
Favorite thing about being Catholic? Obvious answer is receiving Christ in the Eucharist, but another one of my favorite things is that I can walk into a Catholic church anywhere in the world and feel at home. When you're alone in a foreign country it is comforting.
What do you like about being a part of the young adult group? I like being able to mutually encourage one another when we come together. I find myself being inspired and rejuvenated by hearing or seeing someone else's excitement about their faith.
Valerie is a member of the Young Adult Group and is a Cathedral of St. John the Baptist parishioner. Thanks for the interview, Val!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Interview: Meet Valerie Soop
The Young Adult Group is comprised of many exceptional and interesting people. Some are natives, some are "Yankees", some are cradle Catholics, and some are recent converts - like Valerie.
Age? 23
Where are you from originally? Ada, Michigan
Where did you attend college? College of Charleston
What do you currently do day to day? I work as a nanny taking care of two precious babies.
What do you do for fun and recreation? Travel, go to the beach, kayak, SCUBA dive, fish, sail, hike, camp, read, listen to music, cook, speak French.
Favorite books? The Count of Monte Cristo, Poisonwood Bible, Writings of St. Thérèse, Mere Christianity
Favorite Movie? Indiana Jones, The Godfather, Lord of the Rings, Life is Beautiful, Singing in the Rain
Were you born Catholic? If not, how did you become Catholic? A little over two years ago I first became intrigued by Catholicism. My father is a Lutheran pastor and I am grateful for my strong Christian upbringing that helped develop my faith. However, in college I realized that I was still operating out of the theology of my parents and I felt the need to decide on my own exactly what "version" of Christianity I believed. What started as a search for "the right church for me" became more of a quest for truth. Through some conversations with a Catholic friend I was surprised to learn that many of my preconceived ideas of the Catholic faith were in fact misconceptions. I was almost embarassed that I had never thought to learn more about the Catholic church, the very first Christian church. I started reading a lot, asking questions of many different people, and praying to be led to the truth. By God's grace, He opened my heart and my mind to honestly consider Catholic beliefs that seemed strange because they were foreign to me. As I learned about the Eucharist I was attracted to the idea of Christ's Real Presence and found myself wanting it to be true like I wanted fairy tales to be true when I was little. I made a sort of "deal" with God. If He could convice me that He is truly present in the Eucharist and that the only place I could receive Him is in a Catholic Church then I would become Catholic even without understanding everything else. In the end I had to step out in faith before He gave me total certainty in my decision, but as I walked forward to receive Jesus' Body and Blood for the first time at the Easter Vigil Mass I knew that it was really Him I would be receiving and that He had been eagerly anticipating this moment-- that my whole life had been preparing me for this divine encounter. I have never looked back.
Favorite or Patron Saint? Saint Thérèse de Lisieux
Favorite thing about being Catholic? Obvious answer is receiving Christ in the Eucharist, but another one of my favorite things is that I can walk into a Catholic church anywhere in the world and feel at home. When you're alone in a foreign country it is comforting.
What do you like about being a part of the young adult group? I like being able to mutually encourage one another when we come together. I find myself being inspired and rejuvenated by hearing or seeing someone else's excitement about their faith.
Valerie is a member of the Young Adult Group and is a Cathedral of St. John the Baptist parishioner. Thanks for the interview, Val!
