My name is Emily Cloud. I started this blog to share how God has called me to use my gifts. I have served in parish and school ministry for 17 years. I am now the Campus Minister in a Catholic High School in South Mississippi. It is a privilege to walk with my students daily in their faith journey.

By His Grace

“He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My faith journey can be described as a winding road. I’m a cradle Catholic who attended Catholic schools for 13 years. During high school, I was involved in my parish youth ministry program. This opportunity allowed me to attend two mission trips to Saltillo, Mexico, several local youth conferences, and to participate in the National Catholic Youth Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I loved being Catholic, but I am not sure that I had a personal relationship with Jesus…yet.

In college, I chose the world over my faith many times. I rarely attended Mass unless I was home with my family, and I can’t say that I had any semblance of a prayer life. I shied away from discussing faith topics because I couldn’t defend my Catholic beliefs.

Early in my marriage, I felt a strong tug to “get right with Jesus.” For me, this meant to become involved with the ministry that had been such an integral part of my upbringing. I became an adult leader, and later the youth minister, of my parish youth program. Leading teens on their faith journey set my heart on fire and began a change in my life that I had needed for so long.

Little did I know, God was changing my life from the inside-out! I had graduated with a degree that I loved, but once my husband and I started a family, I soon felt that God was calling me to something different. After leaving my career to be a stay-at-home mom and part-time youth minister for three years, I received a job offer to teach at my local Catholic high school. I didn’t know why or how, but I knew this was God’s plan for me. I have been teaching for 10 years and serving as the Campus Minister for 3 years.

Young people hunger for truth and love. Jesus is the answer! I can’t wait to share with you the ways I have found to use Campus Ministry to build God’s Kingdom in Catholic high schools.

I want to hear from you! Where do you serve God? Are you new to Campus Ministry? Do you have insights about retreats, prayer services, and more? Please email me to share.