Dear you,

 First, I want to thank you for an amazing year. It has been such an adventure to meet you, get to know you, spend time in prayer and play with you, etc. I am amazed by what God has done through the joy of socials, work of the Corporal Works of Mercy, taught through Youth Group, and revealed through Koinonia.

I write to begin to say goodbye- I am moving back home and wanted the opportunity to tell you with my words. I have Major Depressive Disorder and have been in treatment for it. I tell you this because I want you to know three things. 1) In a Christian community, we are meant to share our weaknesses 2) I love you and this community so much that it would take something very serious for me to leave 3) God is faithful, and life is hard sometimes. This disorder I struggle with does not make me love God less- it makes me appreciate Him more because I know I need Him. It doesn’t take away from His power and glory- it makes me realize more fully what He can do through us even when we’re running on empty. He doesn’t make mistakes. Anything that you’re struggling with, anything that feels like darkness is not because He made a mistake. All of our burdens...from depression, to eating disorders, to lying, to pornography, to cheating, to impurity…all of these things, when brought to Him, can be redeemed. He is redeeming me and He wants to redeem you. He is the only one that can make sense of things in life that don’t make sense…like depression.  I don’t understand why this is happening but I KNOW that God can make something beautiful of it. And that is what I want you to remember…no matter what happens in life- the good, bad, and ugly- God can make something beautiful out of it. Spend time with Him. Get to know Him. Practice sitting in His presence in silent prayer. The Mass and silent prayer are the anchors in life’s storms…it is there that you hear the small voice that speaks to the heart.

One last thing I want you to know- I am and will be praying for you. I know that you have so much going on…so many people pulling you in so many directions. But you are not alone in your journey. I am praying for you, the Youth Ministry adults are praying for you, Father Jeff is praying for you, St. Peter’s Parish is praying for you, the universal Catholic Church is praying for you, the saints in Heaven are praying for you, and Mary our Mother is praying for you. You are loved. You are surrounded in prayer. You are an irreplaceable gift from God.

I love you and always will. But God loves you more.

In His peace,

Jess

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