Dozens of young people from across the archdiocese came together Saturday for the Catholic High School Symposium, sponsored by Catholic Charities and Respect Life Denver.
The event boasted several speakers who shared powerful testimonies of faith, each highlighting the transformative power of trust in God, God's love for us and redemption. Their moving stories spoke to the resilience of embracing God’s calling, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
Tanner Kalina, a Catholic speaker, author and Denver Catholic columnist, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. His testimony emphasized the importance of recognizing God's deep love for us, no matter our past struggles or failures.
As he shared, he reminded the audience that God can transform our "failed witness" into an even greater one. Referring to the "Felix culpa", or "happy fault," sung about in the Easter Exultet, Kalina highlighted that through the fall of humanity, we are given the gift of redemption in Christ.
Caroline Perkins, another speaker at the event, echoed a similar message of redemption, noting that "secrets keep you sick." Drawing from her own experiences, she reminded the students that it’s never too late to start living in purity and to make decisions that align with God's will. Perkins emphasized that each decision, no matter how small, adds up to shape our lives and, ultimately, our healing. She highlighted the importance of pursuing purity in all things, especially for those struggling with sexual sin, as it is never too late to turn to God for healing and grace.
When following the Lord and seeking his will, Kalina added, prioritizing life should be at the forefront so that we may align ourselves with the light that comes with new life, particularly the light present from the moment of conception. For this reason, Kalina encouraged those gathered, each person ought to embrace their role as "missionaries of life" and "missionaries of light," always seeking to honor and protect life at all stages.
Expanding on the pro-life call, Maddie Haas shared a deeply personal story of facing a crisis pregnancy while in high school. Nearly 20 weeks pregnant, Maddie found herself at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do. In the sacrament of Confession, she found peace, hearing from the priest that everything would be okay. With the support of her mother, Haas chose to carry her child, and as she looked at adoption profiles, she felt an overwhelming calm and clarity. She chose to parent her child herself, and her faith in God was central throughout her journey.
Reflecting on her story, Haas shared that her daughter is the greatest blessing of her life. She encouraged the students to always keep their faith strong, especially during times of temptation and uncertainty.
"If God is for us, who could be against us?" she asked, reminding the audience that all things are possible with God.
Building on Haas’ testimony, another young mother, Abby, shared her story, pointing out that trauma meeting trauma only leads to despair. She shared how abortion always leaves a scar, and that true healing can only come from embracing life, not death. Abby’s testimony, paired with a beautiful adoption story, illustrated how love, action and listening can bring light into dark places, restoring hope and bringing wholeness to families.
One of the most moving moments of the symposium came through the story of the Avi Project, named after Emily’s son, Xavier, also known as "Avi." Emily, who is now living her dream in graduate school, shared how the light of her son’s life and adoption process had brought immense healing to her. She described the process of moving from darkness to light, embodying the “Felix Culpa” theme and showing how, even in the most difficult circumstances, God brings forth something beautiful.
Throughout the symposium, a profound message of hope and healing resounded for those gathered. The overarching message from these courageous speakers was clear: Be available, stay calm and encourage others with positivity and love. Healing happens through the light of life, and through our stories, we can change lives for the better.
The symposium demonstrated that, above all, it is the love of God and the support of community that enables us to face any challenge, overcome any obstacle, and ultimately, live out the full potential he has for us.
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