Editor’s note: Evan Sarrat, an eighth-grader at St. Austin Catholic School in Austin, TX, is the winner of the Paulist Fathers’ national student essay contest commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Seventh- and eighth-grade Catholic school students were invited to reflect on Servant of God Fr. Isaac Hecker’s conviction that being Catholic and being American can strengthen one another.
by Evan Sarrat
St. Austin Catholic School
Being blessed with the freedom of religion in the United States, where all men are created equal, has provided me the opportunity to be a part of a Paulist Catholic school community for my entire life. The founder of the Paulist Fathers, Fr. Issac Hecker, believed that “Catholicism and American democracy could be quite compatible and good partners” (Hecker). As a result, I have been able to learn how a Catholic American should act, care, love, and respect others. This has shown me the correct way to treat and help all human beings.
Living in the United States, like Fr. Issac Hecker, greatly shapes how I can practice my Catholic faith. The Bill of Rights is what allows me to be Catholic in the United States. The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion. All people can practice the religion that they choose. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world, people don’t have this same freedom. They are often mocked or made fun of, or even worse, it is a crime to practice their religion. In some unfortunate cases, they have to be a certain religion that the government chooses, even if they don’t believe in it. However, in the United States, people have the right to practice their religion without question. I am proud to live in a country where I can be Catholic without being scared. I can go to Catholic school, pray the rosary in public, receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, and wear a Saint necklace that I got for my First Communion.
Being an American citizen and a Catholic shapes how I treat others. The Catholic teachings and the basic rights of citizens in the United States are very similar. The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal” (U.S.). Similarly, in the Bible, “God created mankind in His own image” (New International Version, Gen. 1.27). However, in our national community today, many people are often criticized and treated unfairly for the way that they look, sound, or act. The dignity of all human beings deserves to be respected, regardless of their circumstances. The Bible tells us that Jesus did not sit with the high priestly class; he sat down with the sinners, the sick, and the poor. This has taught me how to be a person who loves and cares for others because Jesus treated everyone equally. As a Catholic, I know I needed to stand up for that one student who was being teased and called names because they were different, and it wasn’t easy. This reminds me that I can be a better citizen by practicing my Catholic faith.
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to be a better Catholic citizen, until that song, “This Little Light of Mine,” pops into my head. Shining your light doesn’t have to be a big act; it can be something small that just helps others. One thing I do to shine my light is to try to hold doors open for people. Whether it’s a mom with kids, an elderly person, or someone with their hands full, I try to help. I know that trying to open a door while trying to do something else can be a real struggle. It’s a small action, but it goes a long way, even if it doesn’t seem like it. All we have to do is try to think of others before ourselves.
Even though America has more freedoms than other countries, we still struggle with big challenges. Many people in our country are victims of poverty and homelessness. They have to sleep outside or on the streets, which can be very unsafe. Some ways Catholics can shine their light is to help others by donating money during the collection in mass and also making blessing bags with the necessities they need. Additionally, St. Austin’s parish has the Thursday outreach program, where they provide help and financial assistance to get people back on their feet.
Another main challenge in America is healthcare. Healthcare is a necessity for survival; without it, humans might die from disease or injury. Unlike some other countries, healthcare in America is not free, which makes it very hard for some people to stay healthy. Poverty and healthcare go hand-in-hand with each other. If you don’t have much money or are homeless, you can’t get healthcare, which could be very dangerous. One way Catholics can help people without healthcare stay healthy is by supporting local free community clinics. For example, I volunteer at the Micah 6 Food Pantry, where I pass out food to the hungry and restock the shelves. Those in need are also able to get care from a group of UT Healthcare students there, who give them a quick checkup for free. This is a valuable opportunity for Catholics to help people in our community.
Fr. Issac Hecker was a devout Catholic and noble American. When Fr. Issac Hecker said that his Catholic faith made him a better American, I think he meant that the Catholic teachings can help America get through hard challenges. Throughout all of our problems in the United States, there is always a place for Catholics to help. Whether it’s on the street with a homeless person or welcoming someone who has never been to Mass before, Catholics citizens can be there to help those in need. We should always help no matter what the situation is or who the person is; we should be there, like Jesus taught us.
Works Cited
New International Version. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklist. Accessed 26 April 2026.
United States. The Declaration of Independence. 1776. National Archives, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration. Accessed 26 April 2026.
Wiering, Maria. “U.S. bishops vote to support cause for Paulists founder’s canonization.” The Texas Catholic, 15 November 2023. https://texascatholic.com/a-son-of-our-shores-a-saint-for-our-times/. Accessed 26 April 2026.