Bradley Kanir’s I Give Catholic Fundraiser

When I arrived at the University of South Carolina, I was an atheist. I had lost my faith at a young age, stopped praying, and stopped caring about God or my spiritual life. I had not attended Mass since sixth grade and had no intention of returning to the Catholic Church.

That began to change when someone invited me to Mass at St. Thomas More. I decided to go to the 9:00 p.m. Sunday Mass, mostly because I was curious and wanted to revisit something I remembered from childhood. What I experienced was not what I expected. The Mass was peaceful and reverent, and there was a genuineness within the community that immediately stood out to me. I could tell that St. Thomas More was no ordinary church community. That night left me questioning whether I had been wrong about the faith I had rejected.

Afterward, I set out to disprove Christianity. I began researching, reading, and challenging what the Church taught. Instead, I failed miserably. The more I searched, the more I found answers to the questions that had led me away from God. With the help of students at St. Thomas More, Father Williams and his amazing homilies, and many hours of reading and research, I eventually returned to the Catholic faith. It was not easy to admit that beliefs I had held for years might be wrong, but over time I came to recognize Christ in the Eucharist and the truth of His Church.

Since then, St. Thomas More has become one of the most important parts of my college life. I have found myself attending daily Mass, spending time in Eucharistic adoration, participating in retreats, going to lake days, and spirit and truth nights. There was a time when I thought I would never pray the Rosary again. Now, I find myself praying along with it on Hallow while driving. When I returned home, people told me that I had changed......and I had. I had found purpose in Christ, the Eucharist, and the Catholic Church. I had found something greater to live for.

This December, I have the opportunity to travel to Italy on pilgrimage with Father Williams and other members of my senior class. I have watched previous senior classes make this pilgrimage, and it is exciting that our time has finally come. Visiting the heart of the Church alongside a community who has helped me grow in faith would be a meaningful conclusion to my years at St. Thomas More.

Please consider making a gift to St. Thomas More through I Give Catholic. Donations make retreats, pilgrimages, Masses, community events, and many other opportunities available to college students. Those opportunities can have a much greater impact than anyone realizes. St. Thomas More gave me a place to question, search, and ultimately find my way back to God. By supporting this community, you may help another student encounter Christ and experience the same kind of transformation that I did.