As a “cradle Catholic,” it’s always been important to me to understand my faith, as I too often heard that “cradle Catholics” just followed without questioning or knowing. Though I’ve practiced my faith without ceasing since baptism, I explored other religious and spiritual ideas but never encountered any with the same Truth offered by the Catholic faith. The Sag Bridge Mission Society’s (SBMS) dedication to nourishing, promoting, and safeguarding the truths of the Catholic faith is the main reason I’ve been so excited to be involved with the Society. In challenging and/or confusing times, the Catholic faith is the foundation, and that’s why the education and spiritual development offered by the many SBMS activities have been so fulfilling for me.

My first exposure to the Novus Ordo in Latin was at my parish in Chester, England, which was run by Franciscan friars. I fell in love with the combined approach of scripture readings (first, psalm, second, and Gospel) in the vernacular and the Mass parts in Latin. It’s still my favorite type of Mass, and I’ve been privileged to experience it over the 6 years that I’ve attended St. James. The SBMS does wonderful work encouraging and accepting priests who wish to follow the Mass rubrics they find most edifying. 

My spirituality and life outlook are largely Franciscan, most influenced by the Franciscan nuns who managed and taught at my high school. I was privileged to win the Franciscan Service Award at my high school graduation, and although I’m now 20 years past that, I still take seriously the duty to carry on a legacy of service. Since childhood or high school, I’ve sung in choirs or been a cantor and taught religious education to Confirmation classes.

As a single woman, I feel I have a special calling to be “in the world but not of the world” and share the love, compassion, and Truth of Jesus with the many non-practicing or non-Christian individuals I meet at my secular job and in day-to-day activities.