Integration 3 Living a Good Life Thank you so much, everyone, for coming to celebrate Caterina Calderon’s life. I am sure we will all miss her laugh and unique way of looking at life. I am certain that we can all remember her as the caring person she was; she might not have been one that enjoyed giving out hugs, but she did have a way of making us all feel better when we were sad and supported through our toughest times. Caterina was so passionate about her friendships, work, and family. She was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, to her two parents, Eduardo and Marisabel, where she grew up alongside her sister, Luisana. Caterina gave immense value to her family, she supported them and was supported by them throughout her life, as I am sure most of you know. Her mother was her role model, Marisabel taught Caterina about love and care in every way possible and to always see the good in others. I remember many times when Caterina discussed her admiration for her mother and her ideas, without a doubt a person she was largely influenced by. I also recall the amazing bond they shared, and how close they always were. Her father was also of great importance to her, as she would always mention to her work partners, her work ethic and practices came from observing him through his lifetime. A peer told me recently that above all, she chose to have fun at work, as according to her “that was just as important as the work itself”, and the joy she brought to everyone's life is proof of this (Why we need to slow down our lives, Pico Lyer - Moreau FYE Week 1). Caterina’s parents were key factors to the person she was. In Caterina’s senior spotlight in high school, her professors described her enthusiasm and hard work in school. After working very hard she was accepted into the University of Notre Dame. Attending the school, she made the best friends of her life, being caring and considerate towards them. Being so close to her family back home, it was hard for her to start a new life in America, but like everything she did in her lifetime, she persisted and succeeded. Caterina, when https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/modules/items/146715 questioned about success and persistence always remembered her time at Notre Dame, the difficulty she went through, and how she overcame them, she used to quote Father Hesburgh’s persistence in his life, and related this idea to one her father used to tell her "O não você já tem", he would say, that would mean that “you can't know if you don't try” leading her to always try because there was always a possibility for greatness. Caterina lived by this, living a life well-lived. (Hesburgh, Jerry Barca, and Christine O’Malley- Moreau FYE Week 2). Caterina was an opportunity taker, if an opportunity was available, she would grab onto it, she worked in various places until she found the perfect job for her, working in a large scale company while always keeping an emphasis on advocating for those in need with social impact projects. (Navigating Your Career Journey - Moreau First Year Experience Couse, Meruelo Family Center for Career Development- Moreau FYE Week 4). Caterina was widely successful at work, but what stands out the most to me is that she never forgot her origins or passions. Caterina was selfless, she put others' wishes and needs above hers, and was always willing to help. The most important thing for her at times was her dachshund, Pedro Jose, whom she carried in her heart all of the time. The devotion she had for her dog was almost as strong as the one she had for her children. Her husband attests to this, saying she would often not sleep or eat in order to care for their children and to cuddle up with Pedro. Her husband passed away a couple of years ago. Caterina’s husband's passing was really hard for her, but she was reminded of something their mother used to tell them, that we should pity the living, not the dead, and that soon enough they would be back together, I can only imagine that they are (Three Key Questions, Fr. Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week 3). Her friends always talk about Caterina's desire to help those who need help the most. She believed that everyone deserved the same chance at life, and wanted to give those who were not https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/modules/items/146719 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/files/472740?module_item_id=146728 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/files/472740?module_item_id=146728 as lucky as she had been the same chance to experience life with all of the knowledge and opportunities she herself had enjoyed. She had hopes and dreams most, if not all, of which were accomplished along her lifetime. She sought greatness in whatever she did; volunteering, work, home life etc. She wanted to change the world for the best, "step by step" as she would say, believing that a difference could be made by anyone with passion, honesty, and good intentions. (Week Five: Discerning a Life Well Lived Discernment Conversation Activity, Moreau - Moreau FYE Week 5). Caterina was a child of God, one who always believed that His plan would work out and that she would be blessed enough to enjoy all of the great things life had for her. She believed in Devine Providence, we would often hear her say "let God take it upon his own hands' ' or "whatever will be will be' '. She would allow life to make its way, believing that everything happened for a reason, including obstacles along the way, the good and the bad. Caterina always enjoyed a challenge, even if the consequences did not seem positive at the beginning. Although at times she would tell us how hard it was, whenever she came out of it, she was a stronger version of herself, as she used life’s lessons to improve who she was. She knew this about herself, she recognized how bad turned into good, and how bright she shined after, that in addition to her ideas about life finding its path were what made her beautiful, and at times carefree (5 Minutes, Aria Swarr. - Moreau FYE Week 6). Finally, it is important to note that Caterina knew of her sociable and communicative nature. She often quoted the Pope, saying: "The future is made of you, it is made of encounters because life flows through relations with others". Her nature was always to be her original self with other people, always being there for them, and giving herself to everyone who needed her. It makes sense when we think of the meaning of her name, Caterina, since it attests to “purity”, and https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 what was Caterina if not a pure, authentic being? (https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_in cludes_everyone/transcript - Moreau FYE Week 7) I think we can all agree that we will miss Caterina, and definitely never forget her. Let us celebrate our cheerful, passionate, loving Caterina, who I am sure is up above sitting beside her most loved family looking out for all of us, with a dachshund by her side. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/modules/items/146825 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40247/modules/items/146825