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this song is important to me because to this day I can resonate with the lyrics and feel something like no other when I listen to it.

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twenty one pilots: Car Radio [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

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st bede graduation 2016

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As hard as middle school was for me (socially), St. Bede is my home away from home. The nine (long) years I spent there have affected me like nothing else. The strict uniform, teachers, and general way of life there put me on a path that made my faith go stronger every day. Every single Tuesday we would celebrate mass as a school, the first Friday of every month earned its own mass celebration, reconciliation was practiced each semester, and on every Friday in advent Stations of the Cross were held for us. I know I would be no where near the person of faith I am today with out St. Bede and the support/encouragement of my family and teachers there.

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caitlin and me

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alison & me

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My closest friends throughout junior high, despite the fact that we attended different schools, were (and still are) Alison and Caitlin Blencowe. I met the twins the summer before seventh grade, although I vividly remember receiving first communion with them, and seeing them around my parish ever so often. Caitlin and I go to mass together on Sundays when we both are free, and although Alison rarely joins us, she too has influenced my faith journey. I don't know where I would be without our friendship, the life changing advice they've given me, and the endless amount of laughter we have shared. While Caitlin has taught me to always be kind and see the good in everyone, Alison has taught me to stand for what you believe in and don't let anyone else try to change that, both very important lessons as I further my faith journey everyday. I am so excited to receive Confirmation with both of them and grow in my faith with them by my side.

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This is extremely cliche, but music has often been the only thing to get me through rough times. Through elementary and middle school, I was often bullied and excluded and it took a huge toll on who I was and who I am today. Without music, I don't know how I would have survived so many of the especially hard times. When I heard lyrics I related to at the time, it helped me realize I wasn't the only one who felt hopeless, alone, anxious, and friendless. So many artists I fell in love with had underlying connections to Christianity and Catholicism, which helped me grow in my faith when I connected the dots and saw that some of my favorite lyrics involved loving God and finding your true meaning/finding a way to see past the dark times you were experiencing at the moment. Twenty One Pilots in particular is actually a band very involved and in tune with their faith, and they happen to be one of my favorite bands. The lead singer, Tyler Joseph, attended Christian school and often writes about his faith in very obscure, but still extremely profound ways. Musicians like Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun gave me the hope and courage I needed to continue on my faith journey and helped me accept that it is ok to feel like an outsider, because I wasn't the only one.

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my parents have greatly influenced who I am as a person of faith. since before I can even remember, I have attended mass (previously Holy Redeemer where I was baptized, now at St. Bede where I went to school/am receiving Confirmation) and that has really enforced the faith that I always had and grew in while attending Catholic elementary school. The sacrifices that both of my parents have made to ensure my sister and I both get an amazing, faith-filled education is so baffling. My mom has done so much to keep the strong faith she had as a kid alive through me and my sister, and if she hadn't valued her faith as much, I know for a fact I would have attended a public elementary, middle, (and now) high school. While it is sometimes hard to acknowledge, I know everything my parents do is done so that my sister and I remain happy and receive an education that will get us far in life and give us a strong sense of faith.

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my mom and me