Program builds faith, friendship for girls

Editor’s Note: The following ins the first in a three-part series on youth programs.

MERRITT ISLAND | Divine Mercy Parish is seeking to help girls grow in faith and build strong friendships and identities in Christ through Sisters of Strength. The program began in September and is making an impact.

Parishioner Angela Becker has a 15-year-old son in ninth grade. She knew high school would be a big change but admitted she had no idea how much pressure is put on the students. From academics to clubs and sports, schedules are tight and boys and girls feel the pressure to be a certain way, pushed by social media and popular trends. So, when her Council of Catholic Women symposium presented Walking with Purpose, a Catholic, Florida-grown organization offering programs for women and teenage girls, she began to discern what God was asking of her.

She went online and learned about Sisters of Strength, a ministry for high school girls, then approached youth minister and catechetical leader Danielle Cardamone about leading a group. Cardamone loved the idea that young women would “have at least one space they can go where they can feel genuine; they don’t have to worry about being judged; where they are seen as daughters of the King and are treated as such.”

Right now, they have three girls participating, but both women agree it is worth it, even if there were only one.

The young women meet with Becker and Cardamone on Sundays. Beginning with an informal snack and chance to catch up, the girls share the difficulties they are facing. Then Becker brings in a video clip or story to introduce that week’s topic. Topics range from identity, body image, and friendships to listening to God’s voice and how to discern it. The environment is a safe space in which participants can share their burdens without judgement and ask hard questions. Scripture highlights relevant stories and solutions. Becker said she wants the girls to know “their faith is a gift, and they can do something with it and they need to find their path with God’s help.”

Natalia said she didn’t have a strong faith until about three years ago. Finding herself in a dark place, she was praying. “I felt the Holy Spirit for the first time, and He helped. It felt like a miracle because I remember I was so sad and then suddenly, I just felt peace and I knew that it was God,” she said. Since then, she’s sought to go deeper in her faith to gain more understanding and grow closer to Christ.

“It’s really helpful to get with a group of girls that are in the same position as you and also being able to talk to someone because, as girls — especially as teenage girls — it’s not always fun out there,” Natalia shared. “It’s really nice to just be able to talk to someone who can also give you advice or was in the same spot. Every single time I’m there it feels like people understand me and if they don’t then they try to.”

She said one of the biggest things teenage girls struggle with is being compared to others or comparing themselves to others and the expectations put on them as young women.

“I think it’s very beautiful that people realize this (group) is what girls need. And I think that any girl would appreciate it,” she said.

Most recently the topic was “Running Your Own Race.” It addressed issues of comparison head on. Nervous about her future, she said the Scripture and conversation helped her “keep (her) eye on the prize — Jesus.”

Noting some peers go to church or Bible study out of tradition she said, “They don’t realize how much it could help you or what’s the beauty behind it. But I think it’s just such an amazing thing.”

Natalia said faith is important to her because she’s seen her life without it and realizes how different it is. “Honestly, if you don’t have faith in God, you’re going to start losing faith in yourself and others. Nothing is going to fill the void. It’s going to feel like you’re missing something,” she said.

Savanna is 17. She said she joined Sisters of Strength to grow in faith, become closer to Jesus and make new friends.

“It has helped me gain a deeper understanding of how loving and caring Jesus really is. Spending time reading the Bible together and seeing other perspectives helps me understand certain aspects of my faith on a deeper level,” she said. “It has brought me more confidence in my faith and allows me to talk more openly about it. I have been encouraged to read my Bible and pray more than I used to.”

Becker is impressed by the girls’ commitment and knowledge.

“My hope is that it helps them because they’re going to get attacks from everywhere. And if they have a strong group and a strong foundation that they can just come back to and have their friends they can talk to about what’s happening and get advice, it will make it easier for them to keep going and not lose their faith and not walk away.”

She is doing further research and hoping next year she and Cardamone can find a program to offer young men, so they can build each other up as well.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, November 21, 2025