I went to the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally on March 18, 2017 with my son and that was a changing point in my life. Who would've known that day would change my life forever. It wasn't until that day that I realized how much God loved me. I know you are probably thinking, he's always loved you, but I just didn't get it.
I have met two women through church who I have decided to call them my Godsisters, Rachel and Teresa. They have been inspiring to me. In 2017, before the rally, Rachel said to me, "Come to the youth rally with us," and I agreed to come along. When I got there, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
There were speakers that talked about God, songs and priests to do mass. When was the
changing moment? There was a band who started to play the song "In the Eye of the Storm" by Ryan Stevenson – it talks about how God will be there in the eye of the storm. I had been going through some stuff at that time, and my heart said, "let God in and he will be there in your storm." OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! WHAT!! I could not believe it. Here is someone who loves me unconditionally, will help me and knows all the good, bad, the UGLY and is still there. I sobbed and sobbed.
During the rally, they offered confessions. I had not done a confession since fifth grade, and that was a LONG time ago. I sat down with the priest, confessed my sins, and I just cried and cried. It was such a relief to me to be able to share ALL of that with someone. I felt like a million pounds had been lifted off my shoulders.
As we finished up with the day, I could not believe all of what I had gone through that day, but it was AMAZING!!! Since the rally, I help more with the confirmation classes for
the children and do more volunteering to be a bigger part of the church.
- Melissa S.