Tell a story about a time when you received a “wake-up” call in your life. What was your response? What happened as a result? When and where did you meet God in that experience? 

The wake-up call in my life has come more than once. It has come as a question that has repeated itself to me many times over my life – What is my purpose? Why am I still here? Over the years, I’ve had many responses to this question.

Before I arrived in Canada, I experienced very difficult times and was amazed I lived. I was shot at, nearly had my head crushed, and was buried in a mine shaft. When I think about how I was able to survive these things I was more motivated to find my purpose. To me it meant I still had unfinished business to do on this planet and that I was obligated to find whatever it was and achieve it. I felt grateful to God, but also kept God distant. I thought I didn’t really need anyone, like a Lone Ranger.

Then, after moving to Canada I trained to be a nurse’s aide. My purpose was to start work in a new country and to be able to support a growing family. When I worked as a nurse’s aide in an extended care home, I wondered if my purpose was also to be with people in their last days. They were often lonely and I could be there with them. I thought maybe I was meant to be a nurse too, because I also felt stuck after five years as a nurse’s aide. But that didn’t work out. Later, I worked full time in financial services, but that didn’t work out long term.

Then a few things happened. I read some books on finding life purpose. One book said to write down the purpose that resonated. I chose and wrote down this: that I was here to serve, to love, to inspire, and to live my truth. I kept the paper before me and thought about what those words really meant. I started going to St. Michael’s and slowly got more involved. What pushed me to get involved was I had started to pray. Also, my wife, Monica and I were friends with Padi Wilmer* and his family. And, I remember Archbishop Melissa encouraged us to be the change we wanted to see.

I also realized I needed to stop drinking and I was able to quit while at St. Michael’s. First, I quit drinking for 100 days and then had a sip for my birthday and went back to drinking heavily again. But, slowly, over the next ten months I kept trying. I thought how could I live my purpose to love, serve, inspire and live my truth if I was drinking? Now I have been sober for two years. When it came to communion, at first I didn’t take the wine anymore, but I prayed and felt belief that it was the blood of Christ. I am able to receive it.