We need to contintually work on the details of our faith in the same way that athletes spend years working on the minute details of their sport, our faith journey is built through daily, intentional practice.
I recently came across a video showing a boy’s six-year commitment to perfecting his three-pointers. I saw something deeper – a powerful lesson in persistence, discipline, and unseen growth. Just as he refined his skills one movement, one shot at a time, we strengthen our faith through small, consistent efforts – prayer, scripture, and trust in God – even when progress feels slow. Whether we had a mentor guiding us or are learning on our own, the key is to keep showing up, working on the details, and believing that God is shaping us along the way.
Just as a child needs practice to refine their shot as in the video below, they need daily spiritual guidance to grow in their relationship with God. Parents play a crucial role in this, not by forcing faith, but by fostering it—encouraging prayer, scripture, and trust in God through both victories and struggles. Like a great coach, a Catholic faith-filled parent models consistency, patience, and perseverance, leading by example rather than just instruction.
There will be moments of doubt, frustration, and resistance, but just as a coach wouldn’t let an athlete quit after a few missed shots, parents must gently guide their children in the faith and show them the beauty of it. Success in sports and faith is built the same way—one step, one prayer, one lesson at a time. Stay steady, trust the process, and believe that the seeds you plant today will grow into something greater than you can imagine.
If you never had a mentor to guide you in your Catholic faith as a child, know this: it’s never too late to start your journey. Many people grow up without spiritual guidance, but that doesn’t mean they can’t develop a strong, meaningful faith now.
You may feel like you’re starting from scratch, unsure of where to begin. But being Catholic isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to seek them. God meets you where you are, no matter your past. Just like an athlete can learn a new skill at any age, you can grow in your faith step by step, at your own pace.
If you didn’t have a mentor, become the person you once needed. Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you spiritually. Seek out local Catholic communities, books, or spiritual directors who can encourage and guide you along the way. Your journey won’t look like the next person’s – what matters is that you take the first step.
And if you’re now in a position to guide others—whether your own children or those in your community – use your experience to be the mentor you never had. The best teachers are often those who understand what it’s like to learn from the ground up.
Your Catholic faith story is still being written. It’s never too late to grow, to seek, and being part of salvation history – to lead others to do the same.
