Artwork by Alia Sisson
My Year of Miracles
by Alia Sisson, Precious Blood Volunteer
2017 was a year of immense and tremendous
change for me. It stands as a testament, not to my
own strength, but to the power of God to work
through broken people. He writes straight with
crooked lines. At the beginning of this year, I was
underemployed, fighting depression, and feeling
directionless. I had lost my spark.
Little did I know that one choice would end up
changing my entire life for the better. I started go-
ing to Mass on a regular basis. For Catholics, this is
standard operating procedure. But this was pretty
radical for a Presbyterian! Having attended two
years of Catholic grade school and three years at the
Marianist University of Dayton, I still had never pic-
tured myself going to Mass by choice.
10 • The New Wine Press • January 2018
A candlelit midnight Christmas Mass at St. Joseph
Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio inspired me to keep
coming back. Slowly learning the ancient Mass
opened my eyes to the sacredness contained in ev-
eryday living. During Lent, I grew more devout and
began going to daily Mass and praying the rosary.
I also gave up alcohol, which—for someone who
adored wine as much as I did—felt like a big sacrifice.
As distractions fell away throughout those 40 days, I
developed a real relationship with God.
By the time Easter arrived, I knew I was ready
to convert. As much as I loved attending Mass, I
yearned to be in full communion with the church
and receive the Eucharist at Christ’s table with my
brothers and sisters. Rather than feel like an outsider,