Tzu Ping Liu, an international graduate student from Taiwan at the University of Florida, is entering the Catholic Church this Easter. Liu sought friends on Facebook Marketplace after arriving in the U.S. to study aerospace engineering. Robert Manoogian, a sophomore, responded to Liu's post and invited him to a Catholic Gators event on campus. Initially attending only the meal portion, Liu became curious about Christianity after observing deep prayer during Mass, as his background is primarily in Buddhism and Taoism. Liu found the salvation history book given to him by Manoogian to be 'logical' compared to the disconnected stories of gods in Taiwanese religions.
1 day ago
Tzu Ping Liu, a 30-year-old Taiwanese graduate student in aerospace engineering at the University of Florida, posted on Facebook Marketplace seeking friends upon arriving in the U.S. with his wife.1
Robert Manoogian, a 20-year-old sophomore studying mechanical engineering at the same university, responded and invited Liu to "Mass and Meal" with the Catholic Gators group.1
Initially attending only the meal, Liu soon inquired about Jesus and joined Mass, printing bilingual pamphlets in Mandarin and English to follow along.1
From a background of Buddhism and Taoism in Taiwan, he was struck by the deep prayer of students, prompting online research and reading a book on salvation history given by Manoogian.1
Liu contrasted Christianity's coherent narrative—from Genesis to Jesus' salvation—with the "chaotic" independent god stories in Taiwan, calling it "logical."1
A pivotal Gospel reading on Jesus' baptism during Mass resolved his baptism doubts, feeling like God spoke directly to him.1
Liu is now in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and will enter the Catholic Church this Easter, sponsored by Manoogian.1
They attended the Rite of Election on February 28, 2026, with Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine.1
Liu shares his testimony with Mandarin-speaking students new to Christianity at Thursday dinners, inspiring others.1
His wife was shocked but supportive; Manoogian notes their "big brother-little brother" dynamic in faith and engineering classes has deepened his own faith.1
Manoogian emphasizes that simple invitations, like to Mass, plant seeds that God nurtures, using any platform like Facebook Marketplace.1
Their story highlights how God spreads the Gospel through everyday encounters, changing lives.1
Does Catholic outreach via social media foster genuine conversion?
Social media offers unique opportunities for Catholic outreach, allowing the Gospel to reach beyond barriers and inspire faith journeys, much like a digital Areopagus. Yet, genuine conversion—a humble return to God with contrition and resolve not to sin—requires more than information; it demands witness marked by listening, respect, and prudence rather than proselytizing.
How might the style of our online presence—say, quick to hear rather than judge—better foster that deeper metanoia?