Kosir spent many hours in high school involved with her school’s ministry group and participating in many retreats, attending events such as the National March for Life. Through each religious experience, her relationship with God grew stronger. However, upon graduation, Kosir knew that the Catholic resources on hand at the TCDSB would be difficult to find at university.
“Being in a place for so long where I was exposed to Catholic culture and expected to participate in things like school Masses and morning prayers was easy to take for granted when it came to developing my faith, and it was only after high school ended that I realized all of that,” Kosir said.
She is now in her second year at Toronto’s Ryerson University studying Child and Youth Care with a diverse group of people, and is surprised by how much her faith is part of her university experience.
“I didn’t expect the amount of religious conversations I’ve had, mostly explaining my opinion on religion and mostly defending my faith and beliefs. In my high school, everyone understood what it meant to be Catholic, but (at school) I find myself conversing about my faith much because it is such a big part of who I am,” she said.
Kosir also says that even though she no longer studies religion in class, she strengthens her faith by participating in the sacraments regularly (like going to Mass and confession), as well as staying involved with youth ministry at her parish, knowing that her devotion to her Catholic life will strengthen her relationship with God.
“Having a good set of faithful friends and maintaining my prayer life knowing that God is with me through it all, I’ve already witnessed the countless blessings that my university experience has brought me,” said Kosir, who continues to wear her crucifix proudly.
Alexander Zappone, who is entering his fifth year in the Christianity and Culture Concurrent teacher education program at the University of St. Michael’s College on the University of Toronto campus, found that in regards to maintaining one’s faith after leaving high school that “university is what you make it.”
“Almost any interest and community you belong to exists... If one hopes to keep faith a part of their education in university they only need to seek it and they will find it,” said Zappone.
Zappone, who stays devoted to both his faith and Catholic studies, found that through his Catholic education, his faith became strong. Without religious education, “I doubt that I would have found my faith as satisfying as it is now. Being challenged and exposed to different schools of thoughts and various histories of the Church, I now find that I am able to better put together the pieces of what is a 2,000-year-old tradition and mystery.”
He also suggested that “allowing your curiosity to make your faith your own,” and by seeking spiritual guidance from peers, professors or even the saints, can keep one’s faith thriving.
(Mervar, 18, is a first-year Religion and English student at the University of Toronto.)