Serving Beyond the Comfort Zone

Mike Hyatt, a young Catholic originally from Walpole, offers a brief reflection on the first semester serving as a Catholic missionary at Florida State University with the Brotherhood of Hope.

Shortly after the trip from Walpole to Tallahassee, Florida, this past summer, I realized I was in a whole new world. But I knew that in order to grow and to make a difference in the lives of others, I had to step outside of the comfortable limits I had placed on myself before. So as much as I love my home, family and friends, I knew that God was calling me to a year unlike anything I have ever experienced. And I have already been challenged to seek out what my own true potential is that the Lord has given me.

One of the first things I realized is that the community here is incredible and constantly growing. In numbers, yes, but also in the students’ desire to go deeper and become more dedicated disciples in their daily lives. The young men and women I have met in this community give me a firm hope that we can build up a generation of young people on fire for their faith.

In terms of how the rest of the year will go, I am confident that God will continue to surprise me. It can be hard not to look too far down the road, but I can only treat each day as a gift and trust God with the rest. If this ministry experience thus far has taught me one thing, it is how much I need to rely on the Lord’s provision and not stress out when things do not go according to my plan. And the more I get to know these young men that I am reaching out to, the more I realize how privileged and blessed I am to be in this position, as “uncomfortable” as it can seem to be.

I just wanted to thank all of the parishioners at Blessed Sacrament and Saint Mary’s parishes. Your prayers and support have contributed greatly to the mission here at Florida State, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to serve God’s people and build up His kingdom. God bless, and you are all in my prayers!