Dead Ends, New Beginnings

When God Writes Your love story

- Marj Duterte

I was driving one day when a thought suddenly crossed my mind—“You could be happier, Jay.” I was in a relationship of five years then. We didn’t have major fights but I wasn’t happy. Because my girlfriend wasn’t Catholic, I had also stopped going to Mass. My parents were worried about me, but I continued with the relationship because I thought maybe things would change when we get married or have a family. My heart longed to be happy but I did not want to let go because I was afraid that it was all that was meant for me.

In November 2017, I finally heeded what my heart was trying to say and I broke off our relationship. To heal my broken heart, I tagged along with my college friend Steef and his wife, Kate, and they brought me to the church of Padre Pio. For the first time in five years, I heard Mass again. I realized how I missed going to Mass. It was a baby step for me but I started going to Mass again every Sunday after that.