Q&A: When Have You Experienced Wonder?

When people hear about Grand Isle, their first instinct is to assume it’s a town with no inhabitants that’s slowly washing away into the gulf. Or they are surprised to discover it because they've never heard of it before. But here we are, still standing, with a school, a lively fishing industry, and a flourishing church community. A few others and I who attend Grand Isle School have lived here all our lives and are an active part of our Catholic community. As such a tight knit group, I have experienced wonder by simply being surrounded by people who care so much for my well-being and my faith. I’ve looked in the face of wonder when our youth group leader chose to band together and get funds for a Catholic summer camp so we could experience God in a new and different way. I experienced wonder when our priest, Fr. Mark, and members of my church sought out my mother, an active church goer, when she was sick and couldn't attend the services, to make sure she was okay. They were happy to provide her with anything she needed, from homemade food to a personal Mass in our living room. As a student from Grand Isle School, I’m proud to say my personal wonder is the love that God has instilled in the hearts of his followers. 

Jolee C. Richoux 
11th Grade 
Grand Isle School
 





My parents have always taught my brothers and me that God's beauty is everywhere. Every place that we look is full of God's handiwork, and it is just amazing. Miracles surround us, and most of us do not even know that we are experiencing it. Many take these miracles for granted and just carry on with their life. I was taught to be thankful for everything, to give God all the glory, and to not waste the blessings that He has given me. My experience with wonder is probably more personal than most. Yes, a beautiful sunrise, a snow-covered mountain, or a newborn baby are all examples of God's wonder. However, grandparents are too. I’ve experienced wonder through my grandmother, Bunny. How did God know that I needed her? It's hard for me to understand that he made her perfect for me before I was even born. He loved me so much that He gave me her. She is one of my best friends and biggest supporters. Out of everything that God created that is amazing and wonderful, grandparents are the absolute best. I pray everyone has a Bunny.

Jonah Curole
7th Grade
Holy Rosary Catholic School









I felt wonder when my sister was born five years ago with a few strands of light brown hair and deep brown eyes. Before she was born, my mom told me what a little sister was like. My mom said a little sister is like a gift from God. I didn’t know what that meant because I was four. But my mom said that a little sister was a big responsibility. She said that with a baby around the house it would be hard to spend time together and that it might be hard to adjust to a baby. When Savanna was born, she was tiny. She was so small that she had to be kept in the hospital for about four or five days. When I met her and held her for the first time, I was filled with wonder and amazement. Savanna is five years old now and is perfect!

Cheyenne Dodd
4^th Grade
St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School