Caleb Regneir

Growing up, we went to mass on Sundays, we prayed the Rosary, I volunteered at church and we said our prayers before bed. I enjoyed these things to a certain extent but they weren't my choices or decisions, they were my parents’.

I always recognized that one day I too would choose to make my faith my own. But in my head that was years down the line, not as a teenager. I felt like I was not mature or holy enough to choose Jesus, and to make my faith my own. It was like I knew a personal relationship with Jesus was available, but I felt unworthy. I thought that a relationship with God was contingent upon some sort of perfection. I became very dissatisfied with my inherited Catholic faith. I couldn't understand that He wanted to meet me where I was at, even though I didn't feel good enough for Him.

This all changed on Ash Wednesday when I was 15. Just like every year, my dad would encourage us and motivate us to take Lent seriously, and to grow in holiness through daily prayer. Every year prior I had the mentality that this was meant for my older siblings, but this year was different. On the way home from school that day I reflected on my dad’s words and I had the realisation that Jesus was calling me to a personal relationship with Him right where I was at. I understood that my age and imperfections were not an excuse to not accept the invitation to a personal relationship with Jesus. So right then and there, I wholeheartedly chose to put Jesus at the center of my life, and to embark on the journey to know Him personally. I was filled with wonder and awe . I was so excited to get to know Jesus. I realised that I could know Him, just as I saw my parents and siblings did.

From that moment, my faith became my own. I followed Jesus not out of obligation, but out of a love for Him. I knew that His plan for my life is one of purpose and greatness. Such a seemingly simple moment, was truly life changing.

When I graduated Highschool and went to University at the UofO my faith came alive in a new way. I got involved with CCO and began leading faith studies on campus with my peers. My eyes were opened when I was leading a group and saw a friend I was leading have a conversion right before me. I saw that Jesus had used me to lead someone to Himself. Through ‘seeing a life changed, my heart for those who don’t know Jesus grew. I felt the Lord speaking that everyone needs to hear this, and have the opportunity to respond.

I thought that if Jesus could do that through me, leading just one faith study on campus, while being a student on the side, how much more could He do if I gave my whole life as a missionary. I knew I wanted to follow Him anywhere, and this was Him calling me to be a full time CCO missionary.