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A few weeks ago, sprawled on the couch, snacks in hand, I spent my weekend night scrolling through TikTok — as a millennial too often does. Through my mirage of cat videos and get-fit gym workout ideas (thank you algorithm, what are you trying to tell me?) I came across a video of Jim Carrey. 

I love Carrey, and grew up laughing at his work in “Bruce Almighty,” “Liar Liar,” and timely for the Christmas season, “The Grinch.” But this was a clip from his 2014 Commencement Address at the Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, and despite his uncanny ability to make people laugh, his speech was surprisingly serious.

He advised the crowd of new graduates to have faith, not hope. I always thought having hope for the future was the bread and butter of graduation speeches, but in place of hope, which leaves room for doubt, he asked the room to have faith.

“I don’t believe in hope,” he said. “Hope is a beggar. Hope walks through the fire. Faith leaps over it.”

I find it can be so hard to truly put ourselves at the mercy of faith. Especially this past year, with inflation rates booming, the war in Ukraine roaring, and the necessary but difficult discussions of abuse cases and bankruptcy, it’s not easy to let go and let God. So then, doesn’t it serve as a nice reminder to see that those moments of faith are still hard at work?

This year, I want to focus on the stories that gave me faith and the people who had it. I think it’s important to remember that we all struggle with having faith sometimes, but that as we graduate into the New Year, we should still strive to carry that strength of faith with us, right over the fire.

SYNOD SESSIONS
When I first heard about Pope Francis’ initiative for the Synod of Bishops on synodality, I was nervous for how the turnout would go. How would we be able to convince Catholics to come out and talk about this? Turns out, I was the one who needed to have faith. 

Throughout the year, the Diocese of Albany held dozens of Synod Listening Sessions that were packed with attendees, young and old. From general listening sessions to niche discussions on young adults, the LGBTQ+ community and the Spanish/Latino community, the faith in the room was always palpable. It was inspiring to see how invested the Catholics of the Diocese of Albany are in their religion, and it stirred my own faith to see how many others wanted to help shape and grow the Church. 

FAITH AMIDST LOSS
On Dec. 3, Danielle Marceline, a senior at Catholic Central School in Latham, died unexpectedly on a beach trip in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The 17-year-old was pulled under by the intense current while swimming in the ocean with a friend.

The loss of Danielle was felt by so many. Her volleyball team, her friends at Catholic Central, and above all, her family, with whom Danielle was very close. In an interview with Danielle’s mother, Christine, I got the incredible privilege of learning about this amazing young woman. She was brave and kind, reserved with her peers in school but fierce on the volleyball court. And despite the heavy grief Christine felt, the faith that she carried during such a dark time is revering.

“You get angry at God because how could he let this happen, but he’s taking care of us with all this community support and everything that we’re receiving,” she said. God “is embracing us through our community and all this support. It gives me faith.”

FAITH IN OURSELVES
On July 31, Stephen Mittler walked out from Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake and stood in front of the very church where his dark journey began. Mittler, who was abused by a former priest at Corpus Christi, stood alongside Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger as he recalled to a gathered crowd the abuse he endured.

Mittler’s story is one that takes great courage to share, and it made me think of the times when we have to put faith in ourselves. The bravery and courage of all survivors to come forward is something to take note of. In the face of adversity, we should trust and believe in ourselves. We should have faith that we can do hard things.

It was also inspiring to see Bishop Scharfenberger standing alongside Mittler, acknowledging the sins of the Church and the hope for a path forward. The only way out is through and this meeting was a crucial step toward a better Church.

REQUIEM CONCERT 
This November, I attended a concert about death. “Requiem: What Remains is Love,” was written and composed by Maria Riccio Bryce — an Amsterdam musician, composer and music director at St. Luke’s Church in Schenectady — that discussed life, loss and what happens when we die.

I sat down with Riccio Bryce back in October to write about the upcoming show and the theme struck such a chord with me that I decided to go. The concert was immaculate. Held at her own St. Luke’s, the choir was angelic and the acoustics were amazing. But the kicker was the thread of faith throughout every song. I always thought of death as this scary, final curtain, but Riccio Bryce’s songs encouraged the audience to not fear death, for the love we feel will never die. In all honesty, it’s not an easy thing to believe, but if death feels anything like the euphoric singing I heard in that show, then that wouldn’t be so bad.

KEEPING FAITH
Above all, thank you dear reader for having faith. Thank you for picking up our paper to see how God is present in our little corner of the world. I pray that we can all find ways to keep the faith, in both ourselves and others, this coming year. Best wishes and Happy New Year!

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