There was a time when I was just a lukewarm Catholic. I would tell my self I’m just not that Catholic. I attended Mass, but I wasn't really in it. I would see the big families, all 1000 of them, sitting in the front pews who seemed so perfect and so Catholic, and I would think, Wow, they're so faithful. I'm just not able to be that way. I can't do that. This is good enough.
Early on, I began developing habits that would eventually lead me into serious sin. Those struggles followed me through middle school as I wrestled socially, mentally, and spiritually.
Then, in eighth grade, Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers, Florida. My mom grew up there, and so much of the area—especially near the beach—was completely destroyed. Because it was her hometown, she helped organize a mission trip through St. Matthew called Servire Deo to serve the people there.
I expected to help rebuild homes. I did not expect God to begin rebuilding me.
I never imagined I would be impacted the way I was, or that my prayers would be answered in the way they were.
I met friends there—friends I'm still close with today. I remember sitting in adoration, looking up, and finally saying, "God, I'm sorry." I felt like I cried everything out that night.
But even then, I was still terrified of confession.
It took me two more years before I finally went.
One morning, I woke up and thought, I can't live like this anymore. I was a brand-new driver, so I looked up which Catholic church nearby had confession that day. The answer was St. Anne's Catholic Church.
I thought, Well, I guess I'm going to St. Anne's today 2:00
So I got in my car and drove there by myself. It wasn't an easy drive for a new driver. When I arrived, I ran around the building trying to find the side entrance. Once in, there was already a line. I sat down during adoration and waited.
Then, suddenly, the priest stepped out of the confessional.
"Confession is over," someone said.
I remember thinking, No. Absolutely not.
I had finally worked up the courage after years of fear. I had driven there by myself. I was not leaving without going to confession.
So I ran after the priest.
He was walking down the center aisle and heading for the exit. I caught up to him, grabbed his sleeve, and begged, "Please, Father, you have to hear my confession."
He told me he had an appointment.
I said, "But please. I drove here. I came by myself."
He looked at me and asked, "How old are you?"
"I just turned sixteen."
After a moment, he said, "Okay. Come to my office."
He delayed his meeting so he could hear my confession.
I cried the entire drive home.
After that, I started going to confession more regularly. Then even more regularly. Today, I go to confession and adoration every week. Even when I'm traveling, I try to find a church nearby.
There is a clarity and peace that comes from being in the presence of God that I cannot fully explain.
Years later, during adoration, I was at a point in life that i was trying to decide my futer.
I heard him tell me, "Emily, the path you're on is good. It's okay. But I didn't create you to be good. I designed you for greatness."
That has stayed with me ever since.
I knew I was being called to something more, but I had no idea what that would look like. For years, I kept asking, What do you have in store for me.
Then, three years later, I found myself back at Servire Deo.
Same mission trip.
Same retreat.
In adoration of our Lord.
The talk that night was about listening to God.
So I did.
I asked him what I am supposed to do with my life.
For once, I actually stopped talking and just listened.
And in that silence, I heard God say:
Emily, you're going to start a ministry.
I remember thinking, haha what and very sarcastically saying back Well, that's specific.
But on the long drive home, and during the weeks that followed, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I began sketching ideas, writing notes, and building what would eventually become the blueprint for Universal Catholic.