For me personally, my mom has influenced me greatly when it comes to my faith. My mom is from Puerto Rico and like most Puerto Ricans, is greatly into her faith. I remember even as a little girl, how my mom would constantly take me to church and at night we would always say a rosary with my grandmother. Now that I am older, I am starting to see the impact it has made on me. I find myself praying even if my mom isn’t around and telling me to pray like she used to. I have even noticed that when I lose something I always pray to St. Anthony to help me find it, like my mom always does.
My mom has always taught me that being Catholic is a privilege and that I should not forget what I am, and be proud of it. Every Sunday, my mom and I always sit down to say a rosary together. It’s something that I am so used to and something that I will probably do one day with my own family.
Through my mom’s influence, she has helped me to better understand my faith. Because of this understanding, I am not as confused as many other people my age who question God and the whole Catholic religion. (It also helps me a lot in religion class.)
One other way that my mom has influenced me in my faith is by making it fun. Instead of making religion seem boring and tedious, she does things that make it exciting.
When I was younger, she and some of her friends who had kids my age would once a week come together and basically have a party. We would always start off with a rosary. After that, we would learn about our religion, but through games, songs and other activities.
Afterwards, there would be food and we kids would play outside while the adults talked. It was fun and something I would always look forward to.
Once in a while, we would also have picnics or barbecues in which we would invite a bunch of people including many Franciscan Friars and nuns that we knew. I also remember that my mom would take me to the Youth 2000 events near us. I loved the music that they had because it was exciting and fun. Now that I am older, I still enjoy it and I am able to learn much, especially from many of the talks that they have there.
I personally could not see myself without my mom always being there to guide me in my faith. I am so grateful for the way she has brought me up and the way she has helped me to grow as a Catholic.
Rachel Bonadonna is a junior at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale.
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