(Trigger Warning: This article includes sensitive topics like relationship abuse and eating disorders)
After escaping an abusive relationship where I experienced infidelity, emotional, financial, and physical abuse, I turned to my faith which opened a light of sisterhood and brotherhood at Temple University.
The summer before I entered Temple’s campus, I was a miserable person. I was coming to terms that my relationship officially ended, I developed an eating disorder where anything I ate practically made me nauseous, I went through therapy, and I was a teary-eyed mess.
If you knew me today, you wouldn’t believe that was me months ago, but my mom, Grandma, and my dog Zoey all witnessed that.
But during that period, I mentioned to my Mom I’d like to get back into my faith, and she was in full support of that, and she referred me to the Newman Center at Temple University.
I introduced myself to Father Matthew Bierdrzycki about my circumstances and wanting to find a place of healing and fellowship. Immediately after that I was added to the GroupMe in which I introduced myself to the executive board, current parishioners, and our lovely missionary corps.
They all welcomed me with love before I even stepped foot on Temple’s campus.
From that day forward I knew I had a place I could go and seek refuge in when classes and life gets tough because I saw how every member treated one another with dignity and respect in the GroupMe. But most of all everyone was treated with love as that is, in my opinion, the Catholic way of life.
During the first few weeks of college included Weeks of Welcome, a series of events during move in to help freshman and returning students adjust on campus, a bonfire, Newman cleaning day, adoration and ice cream, SPAG (spaghetti pasta and grace which is our free dinner event every Thursday), and a Cheesesteak run just to name a few.
I went to most of these events in which I was able to put faces to the names of the people whom I have chatted with over the summer. Their personalities were the exact same as they were online.
Heck, even some of them said “you are the girl who keeps being active in the chat and I wanted to meet that person.”
Those moments made my gut feeling of the Newman Center being another home for me real. I met some close friends, one particularly Her Campus at Temple University’s Social Media Director Julia Rudi who I am nominating as my confirmation sponsor.
Others include Temple Fencer Keely Carter a graphic designer for the Temple News who leads my Bible study, Temple rower Josie Washnieski a business and criminal justice major who aspires to seek justice for the US military, and more amazing souls who I share a common thread with our faith in God.
I also started becoming really close with the missionaries (post college grads who dedicate their life to serving the lord and connecting people to God) through my consistent attendance at Newman through weekly events like SPAG, adoration (we pray to the exposed eucharist), Order of Christian Initiation of Adults to earn my confirmation sacrament (this is because I didn’t receive it in 8th grade like traditional Catholics do), and Bible study.
Lastly, my Bible study with Carter has grown my love for the Lord tremendously as we delve through the books of the Bible. I have found a greater understanding of the word of the Lord through this.
It is also a safe space to be open and honest about our struggles so we can mold ourselves to be better than we once were and hold each other accountable. However, that accountability comes after the support and love they share.
Outside of events, Bible Study, Adoration, and OCIA, I oftentimes find myself doing homework at the Newman Center as it is a pensive place to study. In addition to that, I have learned many new competencies in the game room, such as variations of Billiards and Poker to name a few.
Through those mundane moments I realized I am not as alone as I once was. I have a group of genuine people who see me for me, doesn’t think I am weak, and enjoy my presence.
I ultimately discovered I am now someone who values their faith and how it anchors me in my life.
As one door closes, a multitude of doors opens, and I thank God everyday as I feel the happiest and I grew more as a person after reconnecting with Him.