“God will meet you where you are and there's no shame in wherever you are” | Andreya Vo

Andreya was settling into her freshman year of college when she first encountered a campus ministry community that would lead her into a deeper faith and love for Jesus. On this episode, hear how Andreya discovered a hunger for the Eucharist that led her to begin the OCIA process, and how Jesus in the Eucharist met her in the midst of that process to calm her fears and assure her that he was with her. 

(00:23) We meet our guest, Andreya Vo, a student at the University of Michigan in Dearborn, studying psychology. She shares about her upbringing and the role her faith played in her life leading up to college. 

(04:22) Andreya shares a bit about the impact that Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry has had on her and how she first came across the group during her freshman year of college. 

(08:32) Andreya shares how being part of the campus ministry community stirred up within her a desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist. She talks about how joined in the Exodus 90 challenge with some friends and, in doing so, found herself regularly attending daily Mass and Sunday Mass, and growing into a deeper hunger for the Eucharist. 

(11:25) She shares how this led her to approach Fr. Matt, the campus ministry chaplain, to ask to receive her First Communion and Confirmation. Andreya highlights the nervousness she experienced in taking that leap to begin the OCIA process.  

(15:47) She goes on to share how an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist shortly after beginning the OCIA process calmed her anxiety and assured her that he would be with her every step of the way. 

(18:03) Fr. Mario notes how those moments of consolation — like the one Andreya experienced — are important to return to throughout our lives, to always remain confident in the Lord’s tenderness and intimacy.

(19:39) Andreya talks about how powerful the Easter Vigil experience was and how her excitement to receive Jesus in the Eucharist inspired her peers to also grow into a deeper appreciation for the gift of the real presence of Jesus. 

(21:51) Andreya shares the impact that praying before the Blessed Sacrament has had on her, and the  joy she experiences, especially when she can pray before him alongside her peers. 

(25:26) Leah notes how powerful Andreya’s testimony is, highlighting how less than a year ago she was just beginning to interact with the Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry Community. Andreya shares advice that she would give to someone who is hesitant to take the next step in their faith, emphasizing the need to trust in God’s timing.