My life serving in the African American Catholic Community
By Jennifer Neely

Youth Article Index

We've Come This Far By Faith: St. Augustine Parish Youth Ministry About St. Lawrence Abstinence Education Notre Dame's First Black Valedictorian Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist: Two Sacred Sacraments and Blessed Acts Who Am I My life serving in the African American Catholic Community African American Young Adult Ministry is an act of Social Justice It's Time to Walk the Walk Your talents: Gifts from God and a call to action. A Purpose-Driven Life Not My Own Abstinence Saves Lives Our Forgotten Children "Prayer Changes" Pro-Life Pilgrimage If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There Transitioning from High School to College Examination of Conscience PRE-CANA Archdiocese of New Orleans's IMANI Team

Youth Article Index

At the age of nine I was blessed to be introduced to the African American Catholic Community through my foster mother, Ivy Guidry, who is a member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church. She suggested that I join the youth choir and immediately my foster mother talked to the choir director about me joining their ministry. While I was in the choir I began practicing catholic beliefs. This was the beginning of my experience in the Catholic Church. For many years, I participated in the youth choir and in the general congregation. During those years I was not committed to any denomination.

At age 14, I left the Catholic Church and was baptized in a Baptist Church. It was interesting and a joyful experience. However, at age 15, I returned to the Catholic Church, rejoined the youth choir, and became a member of the Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM). Through this ministry I was introduced to youth prayer services, faith sharing and the teachings of the power of the Eucharist. My passion for Christ deepened and I desired to fully convert into Catholicism which I did during the Easter Celebration 2008.

In my senior year in high school I was elected as the CYM youth president, this also helped my spiritual growth. I then joined the Altar Server and Lector ministries. Holiday celebrations such as New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, I volunteered to participate in plays and celebrations offering my creativity and time to the church. My involvement with other parishes and Dioceses activities helped me to understand how God works through me and how to accept it.

At times, it is very challenging and uncomfortable to accept how the Lord works through me but I learned that the overall outcome was better for me and it brought me great joy. For instance, during my adolescent years, I experienced the lack of knowledge about love, trust, and family. In life we want to give and receive both love and trust. Everybody wants a family; yet, at times we may not know it until we experience the loss of family members. Moreover, we must devote all our love and trust in the Lord for he is the Father of all families. However, in the African American Catholic Community I feel loved and wanted.

My name is Jennifer Neely. I am a 19 year old freshman at Lamar University majoring in Political Science. My ultimate dream is to become a Criminal Defense Attorney. I enjoy celebrating our Lord with my brothers and sisters in Christ at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Beaumont, Texas.