I grew up going to a Catholic church with my family; we went to mass every Sunday and on holidays.  I was baptized, celebrated first communion and completed confirmation.  As a child and a teenager church was something we did before football games on Sunday because we had to…I didn’t know why.  My first real exposure to faith as a part of life occurred at the age of 16.  My father lost his job and for several days and weeks afterward he was going to the church everyday…not just Sunday.  Why would he do that?  What is going on there every day?  We never discussed it but I definitely noticed.  Those “actions” by my father told me more about his faith than any words he could have said to me.  Today, as a father of a 16 year old girl and a 12 year old boy I try hard to remember my actions say more about my faith than anything I say to them.

What is your first memory of experiencing faith or seeing faith in others?