“God wants to engage with us,” said Christy Cabaniss, director of the diocesan Office of Missionary Discipleship, as she spoke to a group of young adults during a Theology on Tap West program entitled “Striving for Discipleship.”
Megan Lowes-Bowlin, director of the diocesan Office of Young Adult Ministry, introduced Cabaniss, a Navy veteran, wife and mother, at the Jan. 20 event. Cabaniss shared the story of how she found her calling. Although baptized, she was not raised in the Church. She found her way back as an adult and was invited to participate in parish ministry.
Feeling insecure as a newly minted Catholic, Cabaniss decided to become a reader (lector) for liturgies, which was the start of her discipleship journey.
“Discipleship begins with an encounter,” she explained. “I was terrified at first because I thought I didn’t know enough.” She began a formation program to dive deeper into her faith and said she learned that “We need each other on the journey … We need deeper prayer,” which she said leads to an increasing sense of joy by growing in the Lord. “With all the chaos in the world, we need to know there’s something bigger for us ahead.”
Cabaniss said growing in her faith led to a full-time career in ministry, something she had never imagined. She previously served in Baltimore, Maryland and in Pennsylvania and said she was grateful for the support of her family.
“God asks us for commitment over compliance,” she said, adding she’s in this for the long haul with the Lord beside her. “We need to let him in, to surrender and find God in the struggle. God’s grace comes to us individually – as we need it.”
Cabaniss said it’s important to listen for cues from God while discerning a path. Across the four Gospels, there are 20-24 instances in which Jesus invites people, including the apostles, to “Come, follow me,” she said. This path of discipleship is a learning process in which we enter a space with God to find out who he wants us to be. “It’s a call to action from the Lord,” she added.
“Where has God called you? What’s he stirring in you now?” she asked. Attending a retreat or taking advantage of assessments to identify skills can be helpful, also.
“God is not calling us to be perfect … He wants us to try. You are God’s great delight right now. He wants to be with you.”
Learn more about Theology on Tap West here. The next program on Feb. 10 will feature Deacon Lou Primozic, who will discuss “I’m in Ministry,” a local faith-based charity he founded that is dedicated to serving and meeting basic needs of the underprivileged and less fortunate in Northeast Ohio. More information and a link to reserve a spot will be available soon. There also is a Theology on Tap East group that meets in University Heights. Click here for information on both groups.