Laura Schoenecker
Believing in a God who loves me and wants a relationship with me, who wants what’s best for me, and who sends the Holy Spirit to help me — that’s my God and that is whom I have found in the Catholic Church.
I have been Catholic all my life. Initially, it was just what I did, without question, without thought. But through some bumps in the road, I have taken a more serious look at the faith tradition I have now chosen to embrace and to own. The more I have learned, the more convinced I am that Catholicism is the route for me.
Many years ago, our 11-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. That brings you to your knees pretty quickly. In our case, we turned to our Catholic faith to help get us through some tough times. We found comfort in the Mass, with its rituals, traditions and Scripture. We were nourished by the Eucharist. I remember sitting in a reconciliation service with tears streaming down my face, being overwhelmed but feeling God’s love and presence with me. Our faith taught us that no matter the outcome, our God would get us through. Our son is doing great today, and he and his wife have a baby of their own, Reese Marie. God is good.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with an ocular melanoma, a form of eye cancer. Once again, I turned to my Catholic faith to sustain me and give me strength. I received the sacrament anointing of the sick, which brought me grace and comfort before my surgery. I spent five days in a hospital where from my bed I could see a crucifix on the wall, a reminder that I have a God who understands pain and fear. Each day, I walked to the chapel, where I saw statues and sacramentals and felt peace in God’s holy presence. I was told I would be blind in that eye within two years. Five years later, I still have vision. God is good.
I share this not because my story is extraordinary, but because it is not. We all have bumps and detours on our journey. We all have a story to tell. My faith in God has given me strength, peace and healing. My Catholic faith has given me many avenues to grow in that faith, lean on that faith and grow in my relationship with our God. God is good.
Schoenecker, 61, is the director of religious education at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague. She and her husband, Ron, are lifelong members of the parish, and two of their grown daughters and their families are parishioners. A son and his family live in Richfield. The Schoeneckers have seven grandchildren.
“Why I am Catholic” is a new ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to [email protected] with “Why I am Catholic” in the subject line.
Recent Comments