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September 2007 Issue
Teen answers call to church and community
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Speaking
before a large group of people can make anyone nervous
regardless of age. Annalise Kransz 17, was no different.
Annalise felt an urge to serve her parish, St. Patrick
of Portland as a lector and eucharistic minister but
making the decision to do so was not easy. Would this
strengthen her faith life? Did she even want to do it? |
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Through prayer, which her family encouraged
her to do, Kransz realized God did want her to serve his church
as a lector, as well as a eucharistic minister on Sundays.
After all, she had already served as a lector for school Mass
for years. Looking back on that decision now, she is thankful
for the opportunity. "It's awesome. I really enjoy it," she
exclaimed.
Faith, friends help quash teen peer
pressure
Kransz' faith developed strong roots by attending
Catholic school, something she had done since kindergarten.
She said her religion classes helped teach her how to apply
her faith to everyday life. After receiving the sacrament,
she found she had a greater passion to go to church because
she understood her faith better. "I know he died for me, so
I may come see him one day," she said. "He's looking over
us and he's always there for us, no matter what." But her
walk with God has not come without challenges. "The toughest
part is just the outside. Because you're not always with your
friends all the time, so you face pressure from others who
don't see things the way you do," Kransz said. When faced
with obstacles to her faith, Kransz relies on her friends
and classmates at school, who have been a great encouragement
to her, she said. "We're all here together, and we're here
to help each other," Kransz said. The support her classmates
give to one another comes from all their years together going
to the same school, St. Patrick, in a small, tight-knit community,
she added. "How many people can say they went to the same
school kindergarten through 12th grade?" Kransz asks. "I think
it's really cool."
Proud parents awed by daughter's strong,
faithful character
Kransz also talks about the importance of
the support she's received from her parents, Joseph and Janet.
"They've always stood behind me, no matter what I did," Kransz
said. When she was deciding whether to become a lector on
Sundays, Kransz said her parents' supportive ways shined through
yet again. "They encouraged me to do it. They knew I liked
public speaking," she added. Joseph and Janet Kransz beam
with pride when speaking of their daughter's character and
her strong faith. "She is a leader; she steps up. She is an
amazing young lady," Joseph Kransz said. "She isn't afraid
of who she is… a lot of kids are pressured to not share their
faith, but she is not bothered by that." "She makes me proud
as a parent," Janet Kransz added.
"She has really become that well-rounded individual.
She works hard, doesn't take anything for free." Both her
parents point to Annalise's upbringing in a Catholic family
and Catholic school as reasons for her great character. "Her
class is a really good class. They're really good kids, and
that really helps. They keep each other in line," Janet said.
Kransz also has a 15-year-old brother, Michael, who shares
a typical sister-brother relationship with her, she said.
But she fi nds when life gets serious, the two of them are
comfortable talking openly with each another.
Kransz embraces any and all challenges
In recognition of her exceptional leadership,
during her sophomore year Kransz was selected to be her school's
ambassador to The Hugh O'Brien Youth Conference (HOBY), a
worldwide leadership conference for high school students.
Each year, students listen to keynote speakers, do community
service and become inspired to lead their respective communities
and schools. The following year Kransz went back to HOBY as
a team member. She plans to do that again her senior year.
Kransz said that what she learned at the conference has made
her a better person. Although she has applied what she has
learned practically, she fi nds great joy in helping others
discover their leadership qualities as well. She said she
has become a better leader in team sports.
The senior-to-be has played two years for
the varsity softball team and one year on the varsity basketball
team. She also served as the assistant director for the school
play last year. Kransz' hobbies include participating in the
school's Quiz Bowl, doing a lot of reading, listening to country
music and going out with friends to the movie theater or to
the mall. She also plays an active role in her community.
She has tutored in math and English as part of her National
Honor Society duties and has volunteered at a retirement home
for the elderly. She even helped out at the Special Olympics
last year. As for her future, for now she plans to study meteorology
at Central Michigan University, her mother's alma mater, but
Kransz has not ruled out law school. Kransz's willingness
to get involved stems from her desire to become a better person,
her father said.
"She isn't afraid to work. She is not afraid
of a challenge," he said. And Kransz offers simple advice
to other teens on getting involved and embracing one's faith.
"Stick with it. Be true to yourself," she said. "God will
always remember what you've done, even if others don't.
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