Washington Catholic Senior Champions Prayer, Bible
The People of Faith feature is compiled by Steve Halbig, who asks a series of questions of people of the diocese – some who have reached the “age of wisdom” and some who are younger. All will share stories of faith.
This month’s People of Faith features Washington Catholic High School senior Sam Baker, a convert to Catholicism who provides another perspective on our faith.
My plans for the future are undetermined at this time. One thing I know for certain is that I want to have a career that will help people. Some careers that I have considered are the priesthood, a physician or a military officer.
The people who have influenced me the most in my life so far are my parents. My father has inspired me by overcoming multiple trials and I look to him for advice on all things in life. He is always there for me to talk to and counsel me in my time of need. My mother supports me in all different aspects of my life. She is by far my number one fan; in fact she has a sweatshirt to prove it. My parents have also influenced me in my spiritual journey. Even though we didn't join the Catholic Church until later in life, my parents always looked out for my religious education by weekly church attendance, Bible clubs, church camps and small group Bible study.
The best thing about being a teenager is having freedom and physical abilities while still having the safety net of your family's support.
The toughest part about being a teenager is managing the pressure of every day such as doing well in school while at the same time trying to have a life outside of school socially. Also as a senior, trying to figure out what I want to do after high school.
I attend Mass every Sunday with my family, and every Thursday with my school. I also attend Mass when I am out of town traveling Including once on a cruise ship.
When asked to describe how his faith helped him through a difficult time in his life, Sam said: My freshman year in high school, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I was young in my faith at the time. Through the sacraments such as the Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick, along with a strong prayer life, my faith was strengthened. I had surgery to remove the tumor, and have made a full recovery. Without my growing Catholic faith, I don't know if my recovery would have been as quick, or as complete.
One thing I would change about the Catholic Church would be to focus more on Bible teaching and apologetics for the youth. I am a convert and grew up with "Bible Drills" (looking up Bible verse quickly), memorizing the books of the Bible, and reading my own personal Bible regularly. Many of my peers that are "Cradle Catholics" have little to no knowledge about their Bibles, and are not comfortable defending their faith to others.
One change I would like to see in my community is overall faith and better church attendance.
Tell us a few more things about yourself. I am the first born son of Michael and Carrie Baker. I have one sister, Zoey. We were both born in Lansing, Mich. I lived in Michigan until I was eight. My family then moved to Tennessee very briefly, before settling in Washington, Ind., in 2005. I have been at Washington Catholic since the seventh grade, and I came into the Church in the eighth grade. I love to run. I started running when I was five. I have completed two full marathons and one half marathon. I have also competed in semi-state in cross country.
Some things I do in my own spiritual life that I would recommend to others:
1. Read the Bible daily
2. Pray multiple times daily
3. Attend spiritual counseling with my priest on a regular basis
4. Attend Mass weekly (at the very least)
5. Go to Confession regularly
My best wisdom in life comes from the Bible.
Matthew 5: 16: Let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
