By Janet Molnar,
Contributing Writer
Catherine Sinanan grew up in Trinidad, West Indies, in a large family of seven boys and seven girls. Her mother was Catholic and her father Presbyterian. She says her mother was a devout, praying woman. When Catherine was about eleven, her younger sister developed a skin problem and Catherine’s mother asked many people to pray for her. At that time, her mother became a born again Christian and began attending a Pentecostal church with her children up to three times each week. Her Dad attended but not as often as the rest of the family. Her mom read the Bible with them almost every morning and taught her children great values such as “honesty is the best policy,” and ”cleanliness is next to godliness.” She began teaching Sunday school for the community where the family lived, hosting it at her own house. Catherine says her dear mother led her to Christ and instilled in her a great faith and trust in Jesus. Her mom prayed for everyone and performed many compassionate acts for people in difficult situations.
When Catherine grew up she married at age eighteen. Although she stopped attending church she didn’t stop praying. Her husband was from a Hindu family but he claimed to be Christian, a Garner Ted Armstrong follower. Sadly, the marriage ended when her children were babies and the following years were hard for her.
It was then that Catherine began working in sales and this has continued until today. In Trinidad she started working as an insurance sales agent and later sold real estate. While employed in insurance, Catherine felt ambitious and loved to cook, so also started a catering business on the side. This lasted for about six months since it was quite demanding and grew too fast with more customers than she could support.
However, Catherine recalls that she always cooked in abundance and had extra un-served food left over since she only sold freshly cooked food to her daily customers. She wondered what she could do with all the extra food. Deciding to give it away, she packed it up in food boxes and drove down to Mucurapo Street to distribute it to the homeless and beggars. The people in that area were mostly elderly. Though it was heart-breaking to see them in need, it was just so wonderful to be able to help them.
Catherine immigrated to Canada in 1989 with her two children - then ten and eleven years old - and continued working as a real estate agent. She had not resumed attending church since she witnessed hypocrisy in other believers. Although she knew this was no excuse, it played a part in her decision. She continued her habit of reading the Bible and daily prayer however, and found strength in this throughout difficult years, facing hard times by herself.
Catherine confesses that there were times when she felt that even though subconsciously the Lord was in her life, she was not totally living for Him. Some of the decisions she made did not always have Jesus in the forefront.
Raising her children with dignity and a hard work-ethic, she says she could not have done it without prayer and the Lord. Her prayers were always for three things: courage, strength and wisdom. She held onto prayer and the fundamentals that her mother had taught her. She is certain that these were the only things that kept her going and kept her grounded.
Catherine’s mother had moved to Calgary years before Catherine and remained here for over 30 years. Her mom’s prayers meant a lot to Catherine. When her mom returned to Trinidad in 1996 Catherine remembers always calling her mom to pray with her in any situation. Her mom was her inspiration and her mentor.
She prayed for the Lord’s blessings to keep her safe so that she would live to see her kids become independent. Catherine put them through university by herself, telling them that education was important and that they should have goals and a purpose. She thanks the Lord that she lived to see the day when both completed university with two degrees each. They are independent, working and taking care of themselves. Looking back, she says the Lord always gave her the strength she asked for.
Catherine tried hard to be an example to her children. She believes single parents should not expect less from their kids because they have that disadvantage. And though from time to time kids may deviate from the values a parent instills, those values will stay with them for the rest of their lives! Catherine says knowing the Lord and the Bible has helped her provide a stable environment in her home. Her character is that of a fighter who believes in never giving up.
Before finding Centre Street Church, Catherine attended a Pentecostal church but didn’t find fulfillment or motivation to keep attending. Her daughter attended Centre Street Church a year before she did, although Catherine often said she would come to CSC for four years before she actually did. From the first time she came she was very impressed with the service, with the videos showing how the church helps the community and with the outreach programs.
Catherine continues to be encouraged by Pastor Henry’s preaching because the word of Jesus comes to the audience with sincerity and encouragement. She also enjoys hearing the other CSC pastors preach. In the four years she has attended CSC, her faith has definitely grown and her experience with Christ is more joyous than ever before … clearer and focused with more purpose.
Her hobbies of fitness, travel, music, reading and cooking keep her busy, as well as working as a real estate agent for RE/MAX. However, Jesus comes first in her life before anything else. He fills her with joy, peace, love, success, kindness, calmness and a confidence that she cannot find anywhere else. Catherine trusts the Lord in faith, praying about any situation or problem in her life, for she knows that Jesus hears her prayers and answers in His time, always guiding her. She affirms, “He is my Rock, my Saviour and my Lord.”
Catherine would love to feed the hungry and wants to help people in need just as she did in Trinidad. She has joined Centered Singles and volunteers in the church café.
Catherine shares her faith whenever an opportunity arises. Sometimes during these interactions, people ask her where she gets her peace from. She loves to tell them about her faith in Jesus!
No matter how hard life can be, Catherine believes there is so much to be thankful for. Know that the Lord will supply all your needs. Recently, while reading John 14 and 15, Catherine was encouraged by the teachings of Jesus, where He said He is in His Father and His Father in Him, as He is in us! Take comfort in this. All we need to do is call on Him and He will answer.