Testimony: The bikie who found God

As told to Debbie Warrier
Record Writer

Prayer is lifting our hearts up to God. It is something I never stop doing. As a family we do the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Chaplet of St Michael and Grace. My wife and I do the daily readings from the Missal and watch EWTN. Our children are young but it’s about creating a Catholic culture.
I see the day as an opportunity to be united with Jesus. I go to daily Mass and Adoration. One of the blessings about working in the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community Youth Ministry is that we have a Chapel on site. At night I do spiritual reading and fall asleep saying Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory bes. I aim to have weekly confession and monthly spiritual direction. I am very blessed to be guided and inspired by Fr Doug Harris and Fr Brian Morgan.
My role as 24:7 Youth Minister allows me to introduce teenagers to God’s love. They have self worth, dignity, a reason for being and are special. We pray to the Lord to help us build faith relationships and friendships between those young people. We offer them love, acceptance and hope. Otherwise they might drift into a life of pain like mine was.
I was an associate of a motor cycle gang when there was a gang war going on between two rival clubs. I was lucky not to end up dead or to do something that would lead to a long jail sentence, but I got caught up with some drug charges and a firearms offence. I had my own assault rifle. I had hatred, bitterness, jealousy and worldly competition within me. Deep down I was a good person but just went AWOL.
Whilst in jail I received letters from my best mate at school, Romano Sala Tenna which read: “Mick, you’re a better man than that.” He wasn’t afraid to speak the truth. Previously I surrounded myself with people who were scared of me and told me what I wanted to hear. I had lots of power, money and women but it wasn’t enough. Romano is a member of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community. It is through his persistence and prayer that I went to one of their Life in the Spirit Seminars when I was released. 
I attended the seminar with my then partner (now my beautiful wife). It was there that I first heard the teachings of the Holy Spirit. I also had a Community of people praying for me. The sacrament of Reconciliation was great. Get the junk out of the trunk. It was God’s amazing grace that He put me in an environment where people lived out their faith. 
Now I visit Acacia prison weekly which is confronting. Once whilst driving there I was praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and to St Michael the Archangel for his protection. Suddenly it hit me that I was loved by God unconditionally. Everything made sense after that. Now I just try and float that love out to my wife, kids and those around me.
I use my experiences to assist and teach youth. Some will listen and others are experiential learners. That’s the beauty of Christ. He gives us free will. I opened the door to God just a fraction and now I have a beautiful family and genuine friends. The Truth will set you free.