Four recent RCS grads — Class of 2015’s Matt Kuehler, Caroline Poff and Vincent Pyle, and Elise Guilfoyle, ’14 — returned to “The Hill” this morning to share their college faith journeys to a standing room only crowd of students, parents and teachers at the last Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast of the year.
All four cautioned RCS students about the new freedoms, distractions and problems awaiting at college. Their collective advice: continue attending church every week, and get involved with a Catholic or Christian college group.
Pyle: “Use what you learned on your Roanoke Catholic sports teams like how to work with people and taking responsibility for your part.”
Poff: “Always rely on God. And keep praying.” Confused about her major and career path inspired her to pray, which led her to meeting a nurse whom she shadowed for a time. She’s now applying to RU’s nursing program.
Guilfoyle: “It was a shock to me coming from Roanoke Catholic and Roanoke” in describing the nonreligious Los Angeles college culture. Rather than proselytizing with words, she showed her Christian faith through her actions and virtues, which has led others to inquire about her faith.
Keuhler: “Make sure you pick your friends, don’t let your friends pick you.” In college your faith life can take a hit with all the distractions. “Go to Mass when you don’t feel like it. Go to confession.” Eventually, as you take ownership of your faith, you’ll be transformed into a new identity.