As an international student of ‘Christianity and society’ and being a member of the English community of parochie Maria, Ukrainian Yulia learns more about her faith and the way people from different cultures practice their faith.
“It’s interesting to see how everyone practices their faith slightly differently, while still all being Christians. I enjoy seeing that, because it reminds me of a diversity that is vital for a religious community,” she says.
According to Yulia, an important part of believing is to remain humble. “Studying theology can be risky: you might feel your above average knowledge of Scripture makes you think you understand God through and through. But an individual should not claim to have endless wisdom and having life’s mysteries all figured out. That’s God’s domain. I’m grateful to realize I won’t ever know all the mysteries surrounding the faith and life, and that I don’t have to.”
Yulia feels very much home in the “diverse, welcoming and open” English community, because that same sense of humility is what drives the community and keeps the faith strong and alive.
“Everyone is welcome here, don’t be scared to come and explore your faith with us.”
Feel free to join us for English mass, every Saturday at 17.15h. St. Catharine's church is located at Kruisbroedershof 4 5211 GX 's-Hertogenbosch.