After I graduated college and joined the military, I started volunteering for a parish youth group. I figured it would be a perfect way to dissociate myself from the hustle of work and diversify my friend group beyond my then-insulated circle of “sailor-mouths” and military-focused individuals. Having helped out with my college campus ministry for the past four years, I was certain that I had enough experience to help these kids fall in love with Jesus. Volunteering for a youth group would be a positive and easy way for me to pass the time.

My pride and passivity had never been checked so quickly.

I had been volunteering for all but two weeks before Fr. Michael, our parish priest, invited all the parish volunteers to a catechist formation retreat. I was not enthused. Even more than my hesitancy to give up an entire weekend was my hesitancy to open myself up to other people about my faith. I was entirely intimidated.