Rooted in faith and family

I am Desiree Sammy and currently 24 years of age. From my earliest memories, my life has been shaped and anchored by the people closest to me and the lessons they have taught me. In the suburban town of Sangre Grande, I grew up in a nuclear family where love and faith were not just spoken values but lived realities each day.

As an only child, my parents have always been my world. They are my greatest influence, my constant support, and the foundation upon which my character and faith are built. Everything I am today has been shaped by their guidance, sacrifices, and unwavering presence in my life.

Beyond my immediate home, my life has been enriched by the warmth of my extended family, especially my cousins, with whom I share many cherished memories.

I am also deeply grateful for my friends, who have become an important part of my journey, offering support, laughter, and companionship through every stage of my growth.

As a child, the Church was simply where I went every Sunday. It was familiar. It was routine. It was where I learnt my prayers, attended Mass, and watched the adults around me live out their faith.

Discovering a place in ministry

As I grew older, I became involved in altar serving at St Francis of Assisi RC Parish. Like many young people entering ministry, I was excited to serve. I wanted to contribute and belong.

Serving at the altar placed me in a unique position. It allowed me to witness the beauty and sacredness of the Eucharist up close. It taught me discipline, responsibility, reverence, and leadership.

However, more importantly, it introduced me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that would continue to grow throughout the years. Growing up in the Church was not always easy.

While I have experienced incredible support and mentorship from many people within the Church, I have also encountered moments that challenged me deeply.

When faith is tested

There were times when being young felt like a disadvantage. Times when opportunities seemed just out of reach because someone believed I was not experienced enough. Times when mistakes felt magnified. As a young person in ministry, I sometimes felt that one mistake could overshadow years of dedication and service. There were moments when criticism travelled faster than encouragement and when negative comments felt louder than the many positive voices around me.

Those experiences taught me resilience, humility and that faith is not built when everything is going well rather it is built when you choose to remain faithful despite disappointment.

A calling through communication

As my journey continued, another unexpected opportunity emerged through the Communications Ministry at my parish. What started as helping to document parish events slowly developed into a passion for Catholic media. I discovered the power of storytelling and the impact that photographs, videos, and digital media could have in sharing the Gospel.

Before long, opportunities arose to volunteer with Catholic Media Services Ltd (CAMSEL) and Trinity TV, where I assisted in covering various Church events. My highlight was doing interviews for the Eucharistic Congress where I was able to capture the experiences, testimonies, and joy of participants and share in their powerful encounters of faith.

For someone who loved both faith and communication, it felt like discovering a calling within a calling. I realised that ministry was not limited to the sanctuary. (Thanks to Kristian Luces and Renee Pereira).

While my faith journey continued, so did my academic and professional one. Today, I am a student at The University of the West Indies pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies, while also working in the Treasury Department at Republic Bank. Entering the professional world taught me lessons surprisingly similar to those I had learned in ministry. Those experiences forced me to find my voice. Not the loudest voice in the room, nor the most experienced, but my voice. The voice that God gave me.

A dream called World Youth Day

My desire to attend didn’t begin this year. Ever since World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, I dreamed of being part of this incredible gathering. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented that dream from becoming a reality. While disappointed, I chose to surrender it to God and trust His timing.

When preparations opened for the next World Youth Day, I signed up with hope but also with surrender. I prayed about it constantly. I asked God to guide the process, and, in a moment of simple faith, I asked Him for a sign that this was the right time.

Three days later, while driving, I received a phone call that changed everything.

I was invited to represent the Archdiocese as the multimedia journalist and faith communicator for the pilgrimage. I could hardly believe what I was hearing!

As the conversation continued, tears filled my eyes. In that season of my life, I had been praying intensely for direction, for growth, and for opportunities to use my gifts more fully in service to the Church.

In that moment, it felt as though God had answered in a way far beyond anything I had imagined. The news humbled me. It excited me. It overwhelmed me with gratitude.

Looking back, I realise my story has never been about titles, positions, or achievements. It has been about discovering where God is calling me and having the courage to say ‘yes’.

The joy of creativity and expression

Amidst the responsibilities of ministry, university, and professional life, I have always believed in making room for the things that bring joy and balance. Music has been one of those gifts, and over the years I have studied music theory up to Grade Five level while learning both the keyboard and drums. Alongside this, I also discovered a love for the performing arts, participating in theatre productions with Crossworthy Productions where I had the opportunity to act and perform in various plays.

(Thanks to our seminarian, Jameke Brown).

Made for more

Today, at 24 years old, I am still learning.

Still growing. Still making mistakes. Still discovering who God is calling me to become. But if there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is this: God has a way of using every experience; the joys, the disappointments, the opportunities and even the setbacks to shape us into exactly who He created us to be and perhaps that is what being made for more truly means. My advice to young people is simple: don’t be afraid to make your faith your own. Get involved in your parish, stay close to the sacraments, and build a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer.

There will be challenges along the way, but if you keep Christ at the centre of your life and remain open to His call, you will discover that He can do far more with your life than you could ever imagine.

Finally, all thanks, praise, honour, and glory to God for without Him I am nothing.