Hi everybody!!
I just wanted to give y'all an update on some recent happenings here at UNL! This past weekend, we hosted a retreat in the country for all of the students leading Bible studies on campus. It was meant to be a time for them to get away, reconnect with Jesus, and reconnect with each other. After sharing a meal together, we began a night of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with a talk about how they are all called to be missionaries and a part of the New Evangelization as student leaders on campus. Confessions were available, as well. Some of us then had s'mores and sang songs around a camp fire, while other students remained with Jesus in prayer. Students and missionaries stayed with Jesus in prayer all night long until 10am the next day. At that time, an awesome priest came and challenged us all to be joyful and share Jesus because when you're in love with someone, you tell people about them! : ) We celebrated Mass together, and spent the rest of the weekend enjoying recreation interspersed with more talks and prayer. About 70 of the 100 student Bible study leaders were able to join us throughout the weekend, and it was encouraging to see their zeal and appreciation for the encouragement and build-up time.
I think one of the most awesome things about the weekend was to see the ardent desire that these students have to reach out to their peers. We as FOCUS missionaries are of course desirous for the whole campus to realize the awesome plan that God has for their lives and the beautiful gift that He's given us in His Church. To see how the students that we are investing in as leaders share this zeal, however, is awesome! Ultimately, it's not only about helping them to make the Faith their own, but also about helping them become equipped to pass it on to others.
Pray for Curtis Martin, the founder of FOCUS! He is currently at the Synod for the New Evangelization at the request of the Pope. What an awesome way to begin this year of Faith!
