Taking part in the celebration of the Eucharist now helps remind me of who I am as a Catholic because it gives me the opportunity to participate in my faith.

It is important that in the midst of our busy lives we don’t forget about our Catholic identity. I make time for personal prayer every day, but the Mass is just something very special to me.

When I spend that one hour in Church, I let go of all the things that are bothering me and just spend time with God. I like to reach the Church at least 15 minutes before Mass so that I can use that time to thank God for all I have been blessed with during the week, as well as reflect on the challenges I face.

Although I try to focus on the Eucharist, I am only human. Distractions always come up, so what can one do to avoid them? Participate. Become an altar server, lector, Eucharistic minister, usher or join the choir.

I was an altar server in my parish for 10 years and by being so involved in the liturgy, I was able to experience the Eucharist without as many distractions.

I would not have the relationship I have with God today if I did not become an altar server. This is one of the reasons why I became a Eucharistic minister as soon as my time as an altar server came to an end. I truly believe that there is no better way to take part in the Eucharist than to find a way to serve the community.

From the moment of the Last Supper, what has made the  special is that aspect of community.

I have met so many great people in Church over the years, some of them have become my best friends. When I am in times of difficulty and experience feelings of doubt and uncertainty, it is always encouraging to see these people continuing to maintain their belief. There have been countless experiences where I have grown in faith just by listening to the experiences of those in my parish community.

As a young child, I always believed the holiest people were those who spent the most time in Church. But I eventually learned that this was not always the case.

The word “Mass” means “to send out.” I look at the week as my chance to take the Good News I received in Church and share it with others through simple gestures. Opening the door for someone, helping out someone in school or by saying ‘thank you’ to a stranger. This is what I feel God sent me out to do. As a Catholic, what is God sending you out to do?

(Vaz, 18, is a first-year accounting and financial management student at University of Waterloo.)