Mykenzie Garza: Growing in Faith

Mykenzie Garza says she grew up as a Christian, but only practiced her faith during church on Sunday.

She says becoming Catholic was never an idea that she considered.

“I had a prejudice against Catholics. I was told they were hypocrites and not real Christians.”

Then she began dating her boyfriend, Matt, who had attended Catholic schools and showed her a different side of Catholicism. Now she awaits her confirmation into the Church.

“My curiosity of the religion grew as I researched Catholic theology and history. I read a lot and talked to so many people including Fr. Ben. He has been a huge part of long conversations about what being Catholic really means and even misconceptions I had about being a Christian.”

She says watching her best friend be confirmed last year at St. Al’s and seeing her faith transformed was inspiring.

“Attending St. Al’s and focusing on my faith became a huge step to a much happier chapter in my life. I have felt such a beautiful presence in this parish. St. Al’s has also introduced me to so many amazing people.”
 
Mykenzie is on a co-op in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and through Fr. Ben connected with two Michigan Tech alumni, Dave and Deb Gaber. “They have been such a blessing. I have attended Mass with them and they helped me after I was in a car accident in a winter storm. As I expressed to Deb how thankful I was to them, she said, ‘God works in mysterious ways’.”