Every Saturday evening, my parents took me to 5:30 Mass at Cristo Rei Parish in Mississauga, where at times I would be asked to read, as well as join in youth group activities.

I always thought that I had chosen to attend Mass regularly and established my own prayer routine but upon entering the last few months of my Grade 12 year, I’ve come to realize the situation that I will be facing in the next four years.

Going to university will mean independence in a different environment, away from my family’s constant motivation and regular church pattern.

Thinking about this used to make me feel afraid of university life, that it would strip away my faith relationship. But I’ve challenged myself to take on a different approach. Instead of embracing fear, I want to challenge myself to an even closer relationship with God.

Jesus puts those obstacles in front of us so that we can become the best people we can be. The post-secondary world gives us the opportunity to show God and ourselves that we, the youth of today, are capable of choosing faith on our own, in a world that threatens to tear those roots away from you.

Yes, post-secondary life is a new step in becoming an independent adult, but it is also an opportunity to put your faith to the test, leading us to a more mature relationship with our God and our beautiful Catholic Church.

That is why I highly recommend that all youth be involved in their Church before and after high school. There are so many opportunities we are called to participate in — altar server, lector, youth group member, choir member, eucharistic minister, St. Vincent de Paul member, etc.

Join or start clubs involving prayer and helping those in need, such as campus ministry, and different outreach programs.

At home, volunteer at soup kitchens and retirement homes. Take time to go out as a family and feed the homeless and why not try your hand at writing for Youth Speak News to share your faith relationship.

It isn’t always easy to make time for prayer, but I am determined to apply everything I have learned in my high school years and look forward to my post-secondary journey.

I plan on joining faith-based clubs and attending Mass regularly. What will make this next step in my life special is that I will be doing it out of my own free will, choosing to let God walk with me on this wonderful journey.

(Azevedo, 18, is a Grade 12 student at Holy Name of Mary College School in Mississauga, Ont.)