I have always been a recalcitrant Catholic.  I attend mass regularly but would stop and drift away as non-practicing Catholic until the worship mood swings back.  This pattern mirrored my life. I’d start something but then rarely takes the time to finish it.  I get excited over an event, and when it happens, I get bored.  I ended a two-year relationship because I got tired of the same conversations with the man who tried so hard to make me happy.

What broke the camel’s back was when I took a huge career risk. I resigned from a stable HR job to grab what seemed a “magical” opportunity, which fell short of what I expected.  That career mistake turned me into a job-hopper for a few years. But I managed to squeeze in a few MBA units (imagine that!).

The message I got from of the Catholic Faith stream is one that I have to learn and relearn every day of my life. I am reminded to wallow in my faith, to dig deep the roots of my Catechism, and to ask the tough questions, because this is how we wrestle with a good fight of Faith and become champions in it.

Miss Pinky Marquez shared how she left the Catholic Church to follow her husband, only to discover a re-appreciation of her Catholicism. Her role as Maria in the play, “Magnificat,” awakened her heart to see how much Mary had suffered for her love of Jesus.

“Knowing that God is in control, who are we to question Him?”- Pinky Marquez

November brings with it our annual traditions of trooping to the cemeteries and visiting our loved ones who have gone ahead of us. It is during this month that we often reflect and face the one inescapable fact in our life: We will all die.

As a child, I used to be terrified of death. I would have nightmares involving the death of my loved ones and of coffins, and this fear was something that I had until the day my mom died. I remember that day the most. I was in the chapel of Asian hospital kneeling in front of the tabernacle and begging our Lord to save my mom’s life as she lay in critical condition in the ICU. At that time, I was fearful and scared. However, through God’s grace, I heard our Lord saying to me: “Surrender her to me, my son.”

September 27, Thursday, was a very stressful day for me. For a couple of days, I was so stressed trying to find 15 files of my applicants that I needed to make a decision on. I looked everywhere in the office and asked all my colleagues for help, but I couldn’t find the files. I nearly cried because of frustration. Then, in my helplessness, I asked my heads and friends to pray that I may find the files really soon.

One of my close friends replied, saying - or should I say claiming - I will find the file before the end of that day. I silently hoped that was true; I couldn’t even eat lunch because I was so worried. After I finished reading his message, I started searching for the files again. Lo and behold, I found it minutes after my friend sent me that message. God really is so awesome!

My day ended with so much enthusiasm as I traveled from Makati to Alabang for the launch of Feast Alabang Singles Ministry’s newest event CHILL. As I entered the venue, it was like God telling me, “Apple, chill! I’m in control.”