I grew up Catholic in Zimbabwe, where I spent the first 24 years of my life. My parents would always remind us, “Remember who you belong to.” I knew they meant Jesus, but for a long time, I was mostly coasting in my faith.

I did not plan on attending CCO’s Rise Up last year. The year prior was difficult so I thought that it would be better for me to have a lowkey and more quiet Christmas season.

It wasn’t until the second half of my studies at Brock University that I was reintroduced to the Catholic faith through a ministry called Catholic Christian Outreach.