The Catholic faith is a great gift, and many who have received that gift have a desire to make a difference in the world by sharing the Good News. Young people, in particular, have a great desire to have an impact on the world, which is why it was not surprising when a student from All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville, IL asked the Rev. Francis Hoffman (aka Father Rocky) how to make a Catholic impact.

Fr. Rocky was visiting All Saints Catholic Academy for a live broadcast of Go Ask Your Father™ and offered advice that was relevant not just for young students, but Catholics of all ages.

“Impact. Think of a rock falling into the water,” he began. “If it’s a little rock it makes a little wave, and if it’s a big stone it makes a big wave. That’s impact, and to have impact you have to have spiritual density. That means you can’t be like a cattail that gets blown in the breeze. You have to stand for something. You can’t be pushed around, but you have to stand for what’s true, what’s right, what’s good.”

And how does one gain spiritual density? Fr. Rocky told the students, “To have that impact, you have to be a person who prays. You have to know Christ. So you’re going to have impact if you have that spirit of service and joy.”

While Fr. Rocky’s response applied to Catholics of all ages, he did take some time to address how young people, in particular, can make an impact. “I would think for youngsters, the two virtues I like to promote the most are courage and generosity,” he said. “Sometimes it takes courage to tell the truth, doesn’t it? And it takes courage to be generous with the stuff that you have. That’s how you have an impact.”

He concluded his response with a recap of all the simple ways we can make an impact in the lives of those around us. “Stay close to Christ, stand up for what you believe in, be kind toward others, and you’ll have an impact,” he said. “Just by your joy, your spirit of service, and your good example to others.”

Listen to the live question and response below:

Go Ask Your Father airs weekdays at 1:00 p.m. Eastern/10:00 a.m. Pacific on Relevant Radio® and the Relevant Radio App.