Meet the Community - Niall Slattery

I was born in London into an Irish Catholic family, and although I was raised in the faith, I gradually drifted away from the church and went on to live a dark life for many years. I got involved in football hooliganism in England, and joined a gang called the Inter City Firm, quicker and quicker my life got out of control. One day in a dire state, I said a prayer, and it was the Hail Mary. After saying that one prayer, I began to feel a peace, and felt that no matter what might happen in my life, Mary would look after me. From then on I began to pray every day, and I never told any of my friends about it. I continued like this for a few months until I came back to church in my late twenties. It was through making an open and honest confession that I came to see what I was worth in God's eyes. Then I became involved in retreat work with youth in the schools around the U.K. I have just begun my thirteenth year in this community.

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