Enjoying Every Moment
“Your college life will either be one of the best or one of the worst times of your life.” These were the words of my high school Morality and Apologetics teacher Fr. Paul. Not only that, but he mentioned how in college, as we start slowly becoming more independent and making our own life-changing decisions, we will find that our souls will be battled over as never before. That resonated with me. As I contemplate my last four years at Georgia Tech, I start to realize how true his words were—not just in the lives of other students I’ve observed, but in my own life as well.
After I learned of my acceptance into Georgia Tech, I was very curious about joining the Catholic Center. I had heard so many good stories of how amazing the place was and how genuinely faithful the community is. My aunt and uncle were specifically excited about it, since they had met each other at the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech years ago when Fr. Mario was the chaplain. In my mind, as a high schooler, I thought a “Catholic Center” was just a small building where a community of Catholic student friends would hang out and study together. But little did I know that there was so much more to it than that! Before even starting the school semester, I had already registered on the CC website to get myself involved. Undoubtedly, being involved in the Catholic Center has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I never cease to be inspired by the pious students and how welcoming the individuals are. Above all, since joining, I have noticed that the people here actively CHOOSE to be here—choose the Catholic faith. Unlike grade school, where one can be a part of a Catholic group not out of personal choice but sometimes because of parental decision, being surrounded by students who actively choose their faith revealed to me what striving to live a holy life looks like among young adults, which to me was something new and something unique. During my time, by the great love of God and all those who intercede for me, I have grown deeper in my faith and have experienced wonderful graces and personal growth that I would never have foreseen. I have had the great opportunity to attend daily Mass, participate in and lead my own Bible study, coordinate daily Adoration, be taught how to be a better disciple in this world by the selfless love and patience of the FOCUS missionaries, go on retreats, serve the homeless on the streets of Atlanta, do internal outreach out on campus, and more (while still being able to study, work, do hobbies, and have free time)! I mention this to reveal that it is indeed possible to have time to do both school and practice the faith.
Caught amidst the frats and sororities and the noise from the football stadium, there finds itself a Catholic Center filled with peace and a sense of home, with Jesus right there in the chapel! It wasn’t until I went on my favorite adventure to study abroad in France that I realized how much I missed the convenience I once had of being able to walk easily to church and the gift of that community and my close friends there.
As I finish my last semester, I look forward to enjoying every last moment of being in the Catholic Center and aspire to take what I have learned into my new adventure in life. Seeing the Church grow within the Catholic Center every year, to the point of every Sunday mass overflowing beyond capacity, gives me the hope that the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech will continue to be that amazing place and genuinely faithful community for future generations to come.
