Part of what we do as missionaries is put on retreats. This past weekend, however, I found myself in a different situation. I attended a retreat put on by some of the students at UNL. Yeah, this is NOT the norm for missionary life, just in case you're wondering!
The retreat was called "Koininia," the Greek word for "community," and I COULD tell you all about it! But then I'd have to kill you. No, just kidding. But, seriously, as a member of this community now, I really do have to keep some of what happened a secret.
What struck me most about the weekend, however, does not have to be kept a secret. All of the retreat, from the prayer and sacrifice prep, to the talks about our walk of Faith as Catholics, to the logistical nightmare of feeding over 70 people delicious and homecooked meals for an entire weekend, was entirely student-led. And almost all of the students who played the essential roles that made this encounter with Christ for their peers possible were students involved in what we, FOCUS, are doing on campus.
Basically, the weekend was a beautiful example to me of the zeal for the souls of their fellow students that these students have. Even though it involved planning, organizing, and being present for an entire weekend of talks and activities, these students made this sacrifice to have the opportunity to tell their peers how God has worked in their lives. Not quite how the average college student spends a weekend!
Our purpose is to launch college students into lifelong Catholic mission. These weekend was a beautiful testimony to me of how many of the students here are already beginning this lifelong process, and are totally willing and ready to make the sacrifices that this mission requires. There right there with us, striving to win over their brothers and sisters in Christ through radiating the love that He has for us.
Praise God! : )
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What's sustains us...
I've devoted a lot of time to sharing what has gone on here on campus. There is plenty more to tell, as well! Each week, there are exciting new activities happening...Thursday was a Eucharistic procession all over UNL's campus, Friday through Sunday was a special conference for Greek fraternity and sorority members where some amazing conversions took place, tonight was an awesome healing Mass that ended with many students spending over an hour in adoration of Our Lord...and all the while we fill our days with meeting with students, putting on Bible studies, and evangelizing strangers. But in the midst of continually putting on events, listening to students, and directing them towards pursuit of what is good and true, how do we as missionaries continue to give of ourselves from 9am to 11pm, as often a day's work requires? Well, put simply, we don't!
What do I mean? Well, if we were giving ourselves, I personally would have used myself up the very first day on campus! The purpose for our being here is to share Christ's love, which is the only reason why we're able to keep pouring ourselves out in the midst of the difficulties that we encounter.
So what does this mean on a practical level? It means that at least one hour of each day is spent in personal prayer with the Lord (three times a week, this happens all together as a team), and that we also participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day. Twice a week, we say morning prayer together, and every other week we spend a half hour as a team praying for each other's personal intentions. Any add-ons for me personally? At the moment, I'm renewing my Marian Consecration, saying a rosary and reading Scripture daily, and also trying to do more Ignatian prayer. I've also been trying to frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation every other week, although sometimes it is more like once a month. Have to work on that one!
How does this help? We can't give what we don't have. It's only by our filling ourselves with the graces that God is continuously offering to us that we are then able to help the young people on campus encounter the reality of God's awesomeness. The joy that comes from living an authentic Christian life is very attractive! What is at the center of this life? Prayer!
Additionally, one of the most important ways to help students understand the lifelong mission that they are entering into is to help them understand the importance of developing a prayer life. It's pretty difficult to encourage them to do this if we aren't doing it ourselves! We need to instead be at their side praying with them.
So, there you go, the secret is out! FOCUS missionaries are on campus to be instruments of God's love, not because their super-human. Praise God!
What do I mean? Well, if we were giving ourselves, I personally would have used myself up the very first day on campus! The purpose for our being here is to share Christ's love, which is the only reason why we're able to keep pouring ourselves out in the midst of the difficulties that we encounter.
So what does this mean on a practical level? It means that at least one hour of each day is spent in personal prayer with the Lord (three times a week, this happens all together as a team), and that we also participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day. Twice a week, we say morning prayer together, and every other week we spend a half hour as a team praying for each other's personal intentions. Any add-ons for me personally? At the moment, I'm renewing my Marian Consecration, saying a rosary and reading Scripture daily, and also trying to do more Ignatian prayer. I've also been trying to frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation every other week, although sometimes it is more like once a month. Have to work on that one!
How does this help? We can't give what we don't have. It's only by our filling ourselves with the graces that God is continuously offering to us that we are then able to help the young people on campus encounter the reality of God's awesomeness. The joy that comes from living an authentic Christian life is very attractive! What is at the center of this life? Prayer!
Additionally, one of the most important ways to help students understand the lifelong mission that they are entering into is to help them understand the importance of developing a prayer life. It's pretty difficult to encourage them to do this if we aren't doing it ourselves! We need to instead be at their side praying with them.
So, there you go, the secret is out! FOCUS missionaries are on campus to be instruments of God's love, not because their super-human. Praise God!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Snow and exorcists...
The first order of business: IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not sticking yet, but it's LEGIT snow! I can't believe it...everyone is laughing at my amazement. ; ) What's really weird is that it was 70 degrees out yesterday...I guess this is just another day in Nebraska!
So what else has been happening on campus for us missionaries, aside from the days filled with awesome interactions with students, Bible studies, and prayer? Well, the most recent noteworthy event was the exorcist coming to campus! Here is an article about it:
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/exorcist-visits-unl-to-show-students-realities-of-spiritual-life-1.2660833
Fr. Lampert was his name, and he did an awesome job talking to the 600 students that attended! Most of them came out of curiosity, and it was GREAT to have so many students present who couldn't help but come away affirmed that the battle which exists between good and evil is real. Additionally, Father emphasized the importance of fostering a close relationship with God in order to come out of this battle on the winning side! Fr. Lampert was an extraordinary example to all of us in that he has seen God's power over evil in a unique way that most of us haven't, and his being able to share this reality with the students present was great!
One of the things that Fr. Lampert mentioned was the importance of not dabbling in any practices that could invite evil into your life, even if done totally innocently. I think that this was especially good for students to hear about, since this sort of dabbling is so often marketed to us as "innocent fun." Not so much! Father's point of "why do it if you know it's origin is not from God?" was very well taken.
Overall, Father's confidence and peace was an incredible example. He clearly recognizes that God is in control, and that life is about serving Him. Father was very joyful, despite the fact that he has seen and helped multiple people possessed by demons, and the source of his joy, his closeness to God, was very clear and truly awesome! Keep all the students who had the opportunity to hear Father in your prayers!!!
God bless!!
So what else has been happening on campus for us missionaries, aside from the days filled with awesome interactions with students, Bible studies, and prayer? Well, the most recent noteworthy event was the exorcist coming to campus! Here is an article about it:
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/exorcist-visits-unl-to-show-students-realities-of-spiritual-life-1.2660833
Fr. Lampert was his name, and he did an awesome job talking to the 600 students that attended! Most of them came out of curiosity, and it was GREAT to have so many students present who couldn't help but come away affirmed that the battle which exists between good and evil is real. Additionally, Father emphasized the importance of fostering a close relationship with God in order to come out of this battle on the winning side! Fr. Lampert was an extraordinary example to all of us in that he has seen God's power over evil in a unique way that most of us haven't, and his being able to share this reality with the students present was great!
One of the things that Fr. Lampert mentioned was the importance of not dabbling in any practices that could invite evil into your life, even if done totally innocently. I think that this was especially good for students to hear about, since this sort of dabbling is so often marketed to us as "innocent fun." Not so much! Father's point of "why do it if you know it's origin is not from God?" was very well taken.
Overall, Father's confidence and peace was an incredible example. He clearly recognizes that God is in control, and that life is about serving Him. Father was very joyful, despite the fact that he has seen and helped multiple people possessed by demons, and the source of his joy, his closeness to God, was very clear and truly awesome! Keep all the students who had the opportunity to hear Father in your prayers!!!
God bless!!
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