Joan Manuel I.M.

Hi my name is Joan Manuel. I am a student at the University of Toronto Mississauga studying Psychology and French, which comes easier to me because I speak Spanish. Our Lady has always played an important role in my life and family. She is the patron saint of Cuba where I was born. She gave my parents (and mom especially) the strength to move to Canada. Our Lady of Charity was also important in my conversion. I made a prayer to her at the start of my grade 12 year and that was the same year I hit rock bottom. They say desperation is often God’s workshop and by God’s grace Our Lady led me to my UTM Catholics family.

By attending CCO faith studies on my campus I was able to place Christ at the center of my life. Before then, I was just going through the motions and felt so much distress. Through the witness of my fellow catholic brothers and sisters that God granted me the grace to return to confession. This led me to finding peace in Christ. Since then I have seen the fruits of saying “yes” to God by leading faith studies and being a coach. Just like Our Lady of Charity, God keeps inspiring me to say “yes” to share Jesus on campus; to those that don’t know Him and those that don’t know Him well enough.

Why do I want to be on Mission?

I want to go on mission to experience God’s love and to share that love with new friends. I hope to grow and to return to campus to be a greater gift and blessing.

Over this year God has been providing me with more and more opportunities to grow in greater love for others through service. I am so grateful for serving in Youth Ministry, Life Teen program, confirmation catechesis, and the faith studies on campus. With each “yes” I have had to trust and rely more on God. I am grateful for growing in my capacity to love others and for the Lord’s graces that have led to my “yes”. It was through my relationship with Jesus and the witness of other brothers and sisters in Christ that I was reminded of my deepest identity as God’s beloved son. This is why I am happy for this chance to go on mission; to help others discover their deepest identity as Christ’s beloved sons and daughters and to encounter Christ’s love.

Another reason I want to go on mission is to grow in more Christ centered friendships. Christian fellowship was pivotal in my growth in faith. I know this mission will help me do the same for others. As scripture says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. In this mission I know God will give me opportunities to meet new people and make long-lasting friendships; friendships where we will inspire one another to grow and to build up the Church in Ireland one person at a time.