January 2022

     Hello, my name is Thomas Nimmo and I’m grateful to be able to reflect here on one aspect of my life in which Jesus and those closest to me have helped me to grow.  

     I grew up as a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena since elementary school.  Old Metairie and the community here have always been home for me.  I am grateful to have grown up in this loving and supportive community.  Looking back, one of my constant struggles has been self-doubt and comparison with others.  I can remember always wanting to be better than the next guy and always striving for the next achievement.  I think this can be a good trait, but for me it has often led me down the wrong path of envy and comparison.  In a parish that has been blessed with so many talented and gifted people, I can often find myself saying, “If only I had what he or she had.”  

     My faith and the people in my life have been such instruments of change in turning this negative attitude around.  The foundation that I have found for peace and joy is the simple fact that Jesus Christ loves me as I am and He has a unique plan for me that is not based on how I compare to other people.  I experienced this fact while I was a college student.  I was struggling with deciding whether to transfer schools to somewhere I thought I would be happier.  I was afraid of making a mistake or that I would be seen as less than for having to transfer schools.  My relationship with Jesus, which had grown over that sophomore year, helped me to know that I could trust my desires and make the decision with confidence knowing that He would be there for me however it played out.  

     Currently in my life, I am learning through the Our Father prayer that I have a Father in heaven who gives me what I need for today and I can be satisfied with doing His will today.  Prayer for me has been essential in growing in this awareness of God’s unconditional love.  Sitting in the adoration chapel and soaking in God’s presence has been the source of much peace and joy.  

     My friends in my life are also helping me to change this negative comparison mindset.  I have found many friends in the young adult group here and friends elsewhere with whom I can share my struggles and joys.  This sharing helps me to break out of my own head and my own worries.  It gives me a sense of belonging and peace to know there are others who share similar struggles and upon whom I can rely for help.

     I am grateful to have been baptized and raised Catholic.  I am grateful for God who created me and who is helping me each day.  I am grateful for my friends and family who are helping me to overcome struggles in my life.  Thank you for reading and may God bless you with peace and joy.