Renee Pomarico was born in 1980 in Philadelphia. After graduating from high school, Renee volunteered two years of her life through the Regnum Christi movement, working in international language academies in Warwick, RI, and Ireland. She was consecrated to Christ on August 22, 2000. Renee is currently studying to receive a degree in Religious Sciences from the Regina Apostolorum.
 

I walked in the door one night after work, just as my mother and sister were putting their coats on to go out. Little did I know that this night would be the beginning of a whole new direction in my life. They asked me if I'd like to go with them to a friend's house. I had missed the first presentation about our parish missions that were scheduled for Holy Week. As I already had plans to meet some friends, I told them 'no'. But God was at work, and he found a way to pull me in. My sister explained that a friend of mine whom I hadn't seen for about a year was helping to organize it. So, I thought, "What do I have to lose? I'll see my friends tomorrow night." And off I went, to see a presentation about parish missions. 

My friend was there, surprisingly enough, and we hit it off, just as if I'd seen her yesterday. I found myself going on a retreat to do missions that weekend. I couldn't stay the whole week, due to my commitments at work, but God used the little time I gave him. He showed me that there was something much deeper in life, which I was avoiding. I realized that my life needed a change. During the missions, I had been offered the opportunity to go to Rome to see the Holy Father, and celebrate Pentecost there. This was in May of 1998, and I was 17 years old. My re-found friend and I both decided that some overseas traveling would be nice. 

I went to Rome a month later, and that trip clinched my newfound decision to volunteer one year of my life to serve the Church in the Regnum Christi Movement. The words of the founder still ring in my ears, making me aware that Christ had given me so much, and I couldn't keep it all for myself. The harvest needed laborers, and I knew very well the situation of my friends and of the world. If it wasn't me, who? If it wasn't now, when? God was calling me, and I had to say 'yes'. 

During my year of service, I fell in love with Christ - not because I had to or it was forced on me, but because I got to know him as he really is. My prayer deepened. I found strength in Christ through the great care that the Regnum Christi Movement gave me. I found a spiritual guide with solid principles, and I was surrounded by an atmosphere of charity, gospel values, and young women who shared the truths of the Catholic faith.  

That small step of generosity led to another. I gave God two years of service. But he still wasn't satisfied. He asked me for my whole life. The peace and interior happiness that came from Christ could not be overcome by my own fleeting desires. Regnum Christi was the way he planned for me to help answer the needs of the Church, completely consecrated to Christ in poverty, chastity, and obedience. I am now totally dedicated to serving the Church through the many apostolates that we are actively working in.  

The Church is still young, and there is not just a glimmer of hope, but a strong and luminous ray that Christ is shining on his people. Society can still be infused with Christian virtues, and the collaboration of each Catholic is still needed. If not you, who? If not now, when?
 

Renee Pomarico can be reached at matere@ids.net.