Associates Drawn to SND Charism

DESCRIBE PERSONAL FAITH JOURNEYS

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He continues, “Finding other Catholic young adults through the Charis retreat and other smallgroup offerings has been crucial to not feeling alone as a young adult in the aging demographics of the Catholic Church. SNDs always have events going on. It is so reassuring that they continue to provide opportunities, letting young adults know about them, and consistently checking in with the young adult community to learn how to better serve one another.”

Jake believes learning different forms of prayer, Ignatian spirituality, and many other topics within the Catholic faith strengthened his mind and heart with a fervor for his faith. “Just knowing that I am in the sisters’ prayers is such a weight/burden lifted off my shoulders,” he admits. “Their presence and prayerfulness help me feel I am not in this alone. Every SND Young Adult offering has been tremendously uplifting.”

Jake applies the discernment steps he has learned through the SND Young Adult offerings to many aspects of his life. “I followed the steps of discernment in preparing to propose to my fiancé,” he shares. The sisters’ focus is on helping young adults discern their own paths through life, no matter where their paths may lead.

Jake encourages other young adults: “Pray. Be still. Pray. Follow joy. Pray.”

Unlike the other three young adults above, Maria Hardgrove, 26, has been acquainted with the Sisters of Notre Dame from birth.

“My great-aunt became a sister when she was 18 years old in 1964. Another aunt joined the Sisters of Notre Dame in 2007 when I was about 12 years old. Both modeled grace and love for the Lord that I am so thankful to have had while growing up and currently,” Maria describes. “My great-aunt taught school, and I recall visiting her classroom as a young girl, meeting many other sisters who were all so kind. Through my aunts, I have met so many wonderful women of faith in the SND community. I don’t think I fully understood, when I was younger, what a powerful and strength-based organization the SNDs are until I became involved in a SND Young Adult virtual event in 2020.”

“My faith is very important to me. I grew up attending Catholic school from kindergarten through high school,” Maria says. She attended many retreats and regularly attended Mass during this time. “One of my favorite in-person events was the TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreat during my junior year in high school,” she reflects. “This was a tear- and joy-filled weekend that really solidified my foundation in the Lord. I have frequently reflected on the miracles that have occurred at the retreat’s site in Carey, Ohio. Following my college graduation, I entered the workforce and made many wonderful friends, one of whom I ended up marrying.”

She continues, “I have been married to a wonderful man for three years, and we have a six-month-old daughter. She has been the biggest blessing we could ever imagine.” A social worker, Maria also works at a practice counseling individuals with mental health disorders.

Maria admits, despite experiencing many wonderful changes in her life, she found herself feeling challenged spiritually. “A wave of new experiences removed me from my normal routine. I had to figure out a new place to go to church and how to remain close to God,” she recalls. “During this time, I also experienced some personal hardships that created trials in my life. My family experienced multiple unexpected deaths. My husband and I suffered two miscarriages. This caused me to examine my faith and relationship with God. I tried to lean on God to guide me in continuing regular church attendance and maintaining my faith. I started to ask questions about my faith with the intent to learn more and grow with God. I wanted to know why I do things, and I longed to have comfort and love to manage some of my brokenness.”

It was around this time that Maria was invited to participate in SND Young Adult virtual events.

“These events were a definite nudge from God. I was searching for answers and positive connections during a negative time,” Maria describes. “God answered by sending the support of the Sisters of Notre Dame as well as many other personal relationships in my life that helped me to cope and heal.” Maria says, since joining the SND virtual events, she finds herself diving into beautiful book studies and discussions with other young adults throughout the country. “It is very encouraging to know others go through similar struggles and they, too, have challenges with their faith. Conversations are always supportive and encouraging, deepening an individual’s faith, discernment, and relationship with God.”

“I feel comfortable being vulnerable with others on these events, which has increased my ability to be vulnerable with God. Isn’t that what He is calling us to do – to let Him bear our crosses?” Maria challenges us.

“I believe these SND Young Adult events speak to real life issues, and help to encourage honest and in-depth discussions,” Maria states. “The sisters are wonderful facilitators, and the questions they pose encourage honesty. Common topics include marriage, starting a family, discerning ministry, relations, and everyday challenges, like keeping up with household chores.”

The young mother encourages, “Whether you feel disconnected, alone, or scared, God is always with us. Sometimes a good first step can be talking to a supportive friend or family member or even a sister, priest, or spiritual director. I know the SNDs are more than a support to me and always ready to lend an ear at any time. During one SND event, we talked about Bible references stating, ‘Jesus wept.’ God sent His son to be human so we could be connected to Him. This means Jesus felt human emotions as we so often do during challenges. Jesus was frequently sad when loved ones passed or unfortunate things happened. I think God wants us to know He feels what we feel. We don’t have to be alone. We can invite God to be with us during challenges. He will comfort us. God is always with us and encouraging us on our journeys. We just have to listen and be with Him.”

“GOD ANSWERED BY

SENDING THE SUPPORT

OF THE SISTERS OF

NOTRE DAME AS WELL AS

MANY OTHER PERSONAL

RELATIONSHIPS IN MY

LIFE THAT HELPED ME TO

COPE AND HEAL.”

– Maria Hardgrove