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YOUTH
TESTIMONIES
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Kenneth
Arguelles, 15
Core Leader, Pater Noster Youth Ministry Long Island, NY |
| It was the year 2002. I was in 7th grade and life was great. As a young 12 year old, I ran around every day playing sports with friends, playing games, and other things that kids my age do. I went outside and played basketball every day, which by the way is my favorite sport. Life was good. I didn’t think life could get any better. |
| That all changed when my Dad -- who was the closest person to me, who I loved so much, the person who bent the rules and let me play games on the weekdays -- was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was stunned at the fact that something like this could happen to me and my family. My Dad was sent to a hospital where he received chemo- therapy. The doctors were convinced that my father had only about a month to live, but no, they were wrong. God kept him alive way longer than a month. On July 9th 2003, my father passed away. This must have been the hardest thing I would ever face in my entire life. It was the worst thing that could ever happen. |
| At 13 years old I lost the one person I loved the most in the world. For me, life was basically over. The whole summer I stayed in my bed. Kids my age were supposed to run around and play with their friends but not me. I stayed in bed and got out when it was around 3 pm. I had nothing to look forward to, nothing to live for. |
| I missed my Dad so much, I would give anything just to hug him again. For me then, God no longer existed. I seriously thought it would be better for me to just die so that I could see him again. |
| As I started 8th grade, my grades were going down. I was almost failing every single class. I did not socialize with anybody. I did not talk to my old friends that I have known from the years before. I soon grew apart from my friends. You could say that I have fallen into clinical depression. Life continued to be the same, with me not wanting to live anymore. I did not look forward to anything, or wanted to be anything when I grow up. |
| Then my sister Khristele, Kim, and Kristen, leaders of our youth group called the Pater Noster Youth Ministry (better known as PNYM), talked to me and told me everything was going to be alright. Little by little I started going to youth group again. This was probably the only thing I looked forward going to. The meetings helped me realize that life is worth living. |
| Now at 15, I’m the youngest Core Leader of PNYM. In school, I am in the advance placement classes, which are college level based. |
| God has brought me back to life. He has got me through the biggest trial of my life and I’m sure He will get me through everything and anything else in life. Life is good! God is awesome! |
| ADRIENNE
GOSIOCO, 15 Pater Noster Youth Ministry |
| It was September 24, 2005, when my life would change forever. On this day I would encounter God for the first time in my life. |
| The week before, I really didn't want to go to the Baltimore Conference. I was forced to go by my mother. I went anyway not expecting anything from this trip and I sure did not expect to encounter God. During the Conference there were activities called “dynamics”. In one of these dynamics we were blindfolded so we could see Jesus and talk to him and tell him all of our pain and sorrow and whatever was in our hearts. When I was blindfolded, I could hear everyone around me, then slowly I went into a state of silence and prayer and I couldn't hear anyone anymore. I was soon overcome by a strong emotion and I cried and broke down. It usually takes a lot to make me break down and cry but I had this feeling to just let go and cry. In the beginning of this dynamic, they instructed us to open our hearts and let go and just talk to Jesus. |
| Then suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a person whispering that everything will be OK. I believe it was Jesus because I had a warm and calm feeling after the person had spoken to me and touched me. After that I felt like I was free of all my pain and sorrows because Jesus was there to help me. |
| That night was only the beginning because the next day we all had the great honor of meeting the famous Bro. Bob Canton to talk and pray for us to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He told us to pray certain words over and over. This was called the gift of tongues. Bro. Bob said by saying these words over and over we could receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This was our baptism in the Spirit. In the beginning I slowly said the words he told us to say over and over again with my eyes closed. Then I started to cry because I had an overwhelming feeling to do so. Then I saw Jesus and his Mother Mary walking around each person. When Jesus and Mary had come near me I asked him all these questions and he only smiled. I told Jesus that from that moment on I would serve him more. That moment had indeed changed my life forever. I had received the gifts from the Holy Spirit. Because of this I firmly promised God I would serve him. I know many people when they read this will have doubts but I will only say this: open your hearts and say yes to God because with God all things are possible ! |
| CARLAVEE
ORTIZ-ERVAS, 14 Violinist, Pater Noster Youth Ministry |
| I expected to be touched by God in some way. During the sessions, people told us how wonderful a life with God is. We danced, laughed, cried and sang songs to the Lord. I felt God’s presence surrounded us. The feeling is indescribable! I talked to the Lord because I knew He was there and He could hear me. On the last day, Bob Canton told us to close our eyes and say “Abba Alleluia” over and over. We all started to say the words and soon I was saying other words as well. I was touched by what everyone was saying (although I didn’t understand). Then Bob Canton prayed over me and I fell to the floor. I then felt a cold thing on my hands and on my face and a hot thing on the rest of my body. I cried even more. When I opened my eyes I saw many people on the floor. When I finally stood up, Bob Canton came and prayed over me and I fell again! With tears in my eyes, I looked over to my right and to my left and saw my friends praying and crying. I took their hands and held them as I closed my eyes again. The coldness and the hotness never left me. I opened my eyes again and saw that my friend was sitting on the floor and over her was Mother Mary. My other friend was sitting on a chair and beside him was Jesus. When it was all over I was left with such a good feeling. I’m glad that many of us felt the presence of God and were touched by Him. I hope we get to go to the next convention! |
| JOSEPH
CAPARROS, 13 Joy of the Spirit Prayer Group, Maryland |
| I’ve been to many conferences before but this was different, maybe because of the theme “With God all things are possible.” I loved being with fellow Catholics who love Jesus the way I do. I don’t see much of that in school. Saturday night when we saw the Blessed Sacrament, I remember hearing that we should surrender our lives to Jesus and I did. I told him myself, “I am ready to give my whole life to you.” That night I received a number of prophecies. I was also told “If not now, then when?” So I decided to let God “mold me, make me”. I could feel his presence that evening. I cried when I heard the knocking on the door. I and many others went towards the door to open it and in came Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament! |
| At confession I learned that I shouldn’t do the same sins I committed before confession. The following morning after confession, I felt renewed. Now I can start a new life with Christ and become the loving and caring person I should be. Brother Bob Canton did the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. While I was resting in the Spirit, I saw a bright light and an eye of Jesus. I asked to see Him and I received His glory. |
| ROXANNE
PEREZ, 13 Amazing Grace Singers |
| I felt God in ways that are unexplainable until now. During the three days of this conference, God's Presence was stronger than ever. His Presence was in everyone. He walked through the rooms, the hearts and souls of everyone present. He spoke to us so that all would hear. He made me feel more welcome in His arms, hugging me. He put smiles on our faces and we all knew that He will always be there. He told us that our hard work has finally reached the point where we can rejoice and lift it all up to Him. I felt happiness and peace during the workshops where I lifted all of my burdens up to Him. I felt free and closer each day we praised His name. I received many gifts from God during that weekend. However, one gift really touched me. Receiving the gift of tongues was truly amazing. I felt God talking to me on a whole new level. God told me that I'll be okay and so will everyone be in my prayers. He understood me perfectly and embraced me. He sent the Spirit, and the Spirit reassured me. The Holy Spirit "shaked" out all of my doubts in God. Since then, I am a whole new person who finds God everywhere and in everyone around me. |
