“Learn what you love – and then give it away”

Networking, mingling, and meaningful conversations: The third Assembly of Catholic Professionals Luncheon occurred on August 9 at the Ortiz Center. The special guest was the blogger and author of “Live Big, Love Bigger,” Kathryn Whitaker.

After an update and prayer by Vicar General Fr. James Stembler, Whitaker shared her faith journey. Raised in several protestant churches, she converted to Catholicism on the eve of her wedding. She is a mother of six and lives with her husband, Scott, in Austin.

“Be your authentic self” was her message to the more than 60 Catholic professionals. However, that develops into the quote by St. Catherine of Siena, “Be who you are meant to be, and you’ll set the world on fire.”

However, one fundamental aspect of it is to come to terms with suffering and even approach it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. For Whitaker, the pregnancy with her 5th child was rough. Her son Luke was born prematurely via C-section after an ultrasound revealed that a tumor hindered his growth. While that per se was daunting, Luke needed emergency surgery after a few weeks in the NICU. “I can’t do that; I am not equipped for that,” was her reaction.

The answer she felt was that God didn’t want her to do that alone. Being accompanied in prayer by friends and getting help from an organization named “Holding Hands,” the difficulties became bearable.

One family had a son just born one week apart from Luke, and they supported each other throughout the journey. On one occasion, Whitaker felt compelled to share with the mother a rosary blessed by Saint Pope John Paul II. It was only weeks afterward that she learned that the family was Jewish. Was that a gaffe? However, when her friends moved years later, the mother told her that she kept the rosary in a box, and every time she looked at it, she remembered how she got the strength to overcome those challenging moments. “Now we go to their son's Bar Mitzvah, and they attend the confirmation of our children,” she shared. “We think we are open to change, but only on our terms” – it might be that God has unexpected ways to reach us.

She gave a second piece of advice: “Learn what it is that you love – and then give it away.” God doesn’t want us to hold on to things or people because we might miss what He wants us to give now.”

Lastly, we must face our wounds to heal and be our best selves. She shared a famous quote, “Love difficult people; you’re one of them.” We need to “invite God into those dark spaces,” so Whitaker.