Laura’s Story

My father’s name is Carlos, but everyone called him Jacobo. We are known as the Jacobo Familia in my hometown in Mexico.

Growing up, everyone in my family was struggling. Everyone. I have a large family. I am the oldest of seven sisters and brothers. We didn’t have a lot of money.

When I was a child, my father traveled to the U.S. looking for education and opportunity. It was hard for him to be away from us. When he came back to Mexico, he brought English with him. I was very intrigued by this new language. I said, “Teach me how to use it and teach me how to speak it!” I wanted to know more about the United States. 

The education system in Mexico was poor and it was not available to all families. To make ends meet, I had to stop going to school in sixth grade and work to support my family. It is very difficult to realize that there is no way to progress in your country. I watched other families suffer too – from alcohol and drugs. You cannot help your family there. So I dreamed. I dreamed of coming to the U.S.

I was separated from my children for seven years.

When I first came to the United States, I worked two jobs. Between my sister and myself, we were able to build a better life for our family. But during that time, I was only focused on working. I was focused on making more money. We struggled. But everything is a sacrifice and we suffered from being away for so long. I was separated from my children for seven years. 

My life was hard before I found Christ. I worked many jobs. When my children finally joined me in the United States, I found out about Risen Christ. My Aunt Maria worked at Risen Christ at that time and still does. She told me this school helps families. She has worked here for over 20 years. It was here at this school where I first encountered Christ. I always wonder and ask myself, “Why did it take me 35 years to find God?” It seems late. But isn’t that how the saying goes? Better late than never. 

I first experienced Catholicism here at Risen Christ, where my children attended school and where we all learned about faith. Risen Christ did everything possible to make sure that my kids could go to this school, to make it work financially.

It was here that I learned about humility, patience and strength to get through my daily activities and work. It was here that I saw the example of Christ in my community. I was surprised that I was treated with such kindness. I felt respected by my colleagues for the first time. I met a community that was dedicated to serving others. You could tell they were living a life full of peace. You can see that they have hope. They have hope even when their circumstances are not good. 

I always wonder and ask myself, “Why did it take me 35 years to find God?” It seems late. But isn’t that how the saying goes? Better late than never. 

I understood that this – that God – is what was missing from my family, missing for my children. I had to open my heart to Him. For my children, finding Risen Christ was like finding hope. 

I would have loved to have had an education in a Catholic school just like Risen Christ. Living a life without Christ is a life of sadness, of fear, and a life without hope. That is what I really missed in my childhood – walking hand in hand with God. Thanks to Risen Christ, especially Latino families, have the opportunity to have their children know God from a very young age. 

I teach religious education now at St. Stephen’s. I tell the children that fear is what stops us from doing something, but we shouldn’t let that fear stop us. I tell them: “Now when I feel fear, I always think about what Jesus said: ‘You are not alone. I am sending the Holy Spirit with you.’ I can go forth and do what I need to do.” I tell them to pray, “Holy Spirit come and fill our hearts.” It is important to them especially as they grow up that they know God. Life is hard and they have been through hard things. It is important for them to understand between what is right and what is wrong, so later in life they can make the right decisions for themselves and their families.   

In the U.S., some people take things so personally. If someone is mean, we let it stay in our hearts. If we face challenges, we feel so sorry for ourselves. But no, no. Jesus gave His life for us. He died on the cross for us. How can I feel sorry for myself, how can I say my life is so hard when I know that He was beaten and He forgave. He didn’t have it easy, why should I?

When you start to open your heart, you will hear Him speak to you. You will realize that there is so much more we can give to His kingdom. And I think that is why I am still here. This is not just a job, but service to God. 

Really, when I think about it, it is only because of God’s graciousness that it all worked out. We bought a small apartment building with four different units and we all lived together in one unit and rented the others. It is thanks to God that we were all able to live here. 

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank the Risen Christ family, the teachers, staff, and donors because without you, our students would not have the opportunity to know God. This school is the conduit for our children to reach Christ. 

My children were given the chance of a better education and because of Risen Christ they are all bilingual. My youngest daughter is succeeding academically at Cretin Derham Hall. I am very proud of her. She is getting all A’s except for Chemistry, where she got a B. I asked her, “Why? Karla, can you get all A’s?” I know she can do it even though it is hard. I am proud of her not only for her good grades, but because the teachers tell me that she is a good person. She listens to the calls of God in her heart too.