Why I Believe: Emily Kate Marticello

It has been about five years since I returned home to the faith and I am still in love! The Catholic faith has always been a part of my life. I was baptised as a baby, but for a long time, that is as far as it went. My sister tried to put me in catechism classes between the 6th and 7th grade, but I resisted going. When I was a bit older, both of my nieces went to a Lutheran school that required them to attend Mass on Sundays. I would be the one to take them every Sunday. It was during this time that I started to feel a tug at my heart every time I brought my nieces to church. I began to want more of this feeling, but something was missing; I am Catholic through and through, and I did not want to leave my faith.

Eventually the tug I felt in my heart became too much for me. The feeling did not leave me until I finally came home. Right after Easter in 2013, I found my home at St. Andrew’s Parish in Pasadena, California. I have never looked back. The following summer I joined the parish’s Right of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program so I could complete my Sacraments. I received First Communion and Confirmation, and I have been involved in my Parish ever since. I have been a catechist, and usher, and I manage the social media accounts for the parish. I have been involved with the Children’s Liturgy, the Liturgy committee, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the young adult group, and have continued to work with RCIA. I have even had the opportunity to work in the parish’s front office, which is a blessing and a gift. All of these opportunities have been a joy, and I especially love social media because it gives me the chance to connect with people. At the end of the day, I continue to believe because this faith is who I am. I believe because I have felt the love of God! He knew I needed to come home and he brought me even closer to my faith.

KIMBERLY JOHNSON lives in Pasadena, California
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