I am a little biased, but I think that this message by Bishop David O'Connell of the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey is wonderful! Give it a listen and be assured of my prayers for all of you as we near the end of the semester.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Scheduling
Every Sunday before our University Mass, the student and professional staff of Catholic Campus Ministry meet to discuss our plans for the upcoming week. It provides a great opportunity for us to get organized and spend some time making sure we are offering the very best for our small, but dedicated contingency of Catholics on campus.
As of late, I have been trying to compile different schedules and lists for all the opportunities and programs that we will be offering before the end of the semester. Between five different student leaders and two professional staff members, though, it can get a little chaotic.
At yesterday's meeting, I felt a little guilty as we went through the schedule for the rest of the semester. Like most weeks, the student staff and I will be seeing each other every day, but as the end of the semester approaches, our daily encounters will become more frequent. At one point, I found myself being relieved to discover an entire day in the midst of Lent when we weren't meeting or programming. It isn't that I don't love spending time with these students or that I am burdened by them. Quite the opposite. The success of this year and of our campus ministry program is a direct result of their tireless and selfless effort to give. Simply put, I wish I could give them more time to themselves and more opportunities to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
With all of this on my mind, I was touched by Fr. Matthew's homily at Mass. He said that anxiety and anxiousness are not really of God. If we are constantly worrying about tomorrow or how we are going to accomplish our plans in the future, we miss out on seeing God now; present among us today. I think that his words are very encouraging, but also very challenging. As I continue to schedule or as I continue to plan for the rest of the semester, it is hard not to get anxious about the workload ahead.
Throughout the course of this year, I have come to the realization that, quite truthfully, the students are the ones who best understand the need to enjoy the present and seek God throughout each day. Unplanned visits, concerns, worries, joys, prayers, messages and moments that I share with the students day in and day out are wonderful reminders that there is plenty to thank God for. My sincere hope is that they too are recognizing God in these moments.
So, my encouragement to anyone and everyone reading this, is simple: live each and every day with God in your mind and on your heart. Leave the worries and anxieties of the future where they belong: your desk calendar! I am confident that if we work towards this together, then these next few months will be a joyful and wonderful witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Amen? Amen!
As of late, I have been trying to compile different schedules and lists for all the opportunities and programs that we will be offering before the end of the semester. Between five different student leaders and two professional staff members, though, it can get a little chaotic.
At yesterday's meeting, I felt a little guilty as we went through the schedule for the rest of the semester. Like most weeks, the student staff and I will be seeing each other every day, but as the end of the semester approaches, our daily encounters will become more frequent. At one point, I found myself being relieved to discover an entire day in the midst of Lent when we weren't meeting or programming. It isn't that I don't love spending time with these students or that I am burdened by them. Quite the opposite. The success of this year and of our campus ministry program is a direct result of their tireless and selfless effort to give. Simply put, I wish I could give them more time to themselves and more opportunities to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
With all of this on my mind, I was touched by Fr. Matthew's homily at Mass. He said that anxiety and anxiousness are not really of God. If we are constantly worrying about tomorrow or how we are going to accomplish our plans in the future, we miss out on seeing God now; present among us today. I think that his words are very encouraging, but also very challenging. As I continue to schedule or as I continue to plan for the rest of the semester, it is hard not to get anxious about the workload ahead.
Throughout the course of this year, I have come to the realization that, quite truthfully, the students are the ones who best understand the need to enjoy the present and seek God throughout each day. Unplanned visits, concerns, worries, joys, prayers, messages and moments that I share with the students day in and day out are wonderful reminders that there is plenty to thank God for. My sincere hope is that they too are recognizing God in these moments.
So, my encouragement to anyone and everyone reading this, is simple: live each and every day with God in your mind and on your heart. Leave the worries and anxieties of the future where they belong: your desk calendar! I am confident that if we work towards this together, then these next few months will be a joyful and wonderful witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Amen? Amen!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ecclesiology
I have been thinking a lot about the Church throughout the world recently.
It astounds me that every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we do so with all types of people from throughout the world. At times, I think we limit ourselves by believing that our celebration encompasses only like-minded people either within our parish or dare I say, the neighboring diocese. Rarely, though, do we consider the international and multi-dimensional Church outside of our personal experiences.
What I have been "wrestling" with as of late, is the idea that the prisoner, the Chinese family attending Mass underground, the Haitian priest, the students of Pitt-Johnstown, the parishioners of thousands of parishes throughout the US, the drug addict, the Pope, the dying and the homeless of our society (just to name a few) are all celebrating the same mystery, the same Eucharistic meal day after day. In a certain sense, Mass is the great equalizer! We all come as sinners and offer what we have, but we do so as equals. It is beautiful to think that no matter our social status, political ideology, net worth or even our physical location, we are able to share in something greater than ourselves.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton said, "The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him."
I think that this is true not only of friends, but of all humanity. It isn't always easy, nor is it something we have to think about every day, but our faith calls us to constant conversion. It is a faith that draws the entirety of humankind to be "one, holy, catholic and apostolic," not just the people we remember or that we are alike.
So, next time we enter into the mystery of the Eucharist, we should consider the connection we have, not only with the Body of Christ present in our hands and on our tongue, but also the Body of Christ that is spread throughout the world. We are a universal Church; one Body in Christ and we do not stand alone!
It astounds me that every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we do so with all types of people from throughout the world. At times, I think we limit ourselves by believing that our celebration encompasses only like-minded people either within our parish or dare I say, the neighboring diocese. Rarely, though, do we consider the international and multi-dimensional Church outside of our personal experiences.
What I have been "wrestling" with as of late, is the idea that the prisoner, the Chinese family attending Mass underground, the Haitian priest, the students of Pitt-Johnstown, the parishioners of thousands of parishes throughout the US, the drug addict, the Pope, the dying and the homeless of our society (just to name a few) are all celebrating the same mystery, the same Eucharistic meal day after day. In a certain sense, Mass is the great equalizer! We all come as sinners and offer what we have, but we do so as equals. It is beautiful to think that no matter our social status, political ideology, net worth or even our physical location, we are able to share in something greater than ourselves.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton said, "The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him."
I think that this is true not only of friends, but of all humanity. It isn't always easy, nor is it something we have to think about every day, but our faith calls us to constant conversion. It is a faith that draws the entirety of humankind to be "one, holy, catholic and apostolic," not just the people we remember or that we are alike.
So, next time we enter into the mystery of the Eucharist, we should consider the connection we have, not only with the Body of Christ present in our hands and on our tongue, but also the Body of Christ that is spread throughout the world. We are a universal Church; one Body in Christ and we do not stand alone!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Servant Leadership
At the end of Christmas break, some of my student leaders and I traveled to St. Louis, MO for a Catholic leadership conference. There was a lot of talk about what it means to be a "servant leader," so naturally it has been on my mind lately.
Yesterday, we celebrated the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement is one that can not easily be forgotten or ignored. I got to thinking that his life and his model of leadership was one of true service to God and to his nation. I find it to be fitting, then, that some of his words from The Drum Major Instinct are reflected upon:
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.
You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve.
You don't have to know Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" to serve.
You don't have to know the Second Theory of Thermal Dynamics in Physics to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace,
a soul generated by love,
and you can be that servant."
It is easy, as a leader or as someone who holds a lot of power, to expect the service of others. I'm sure any king or sultan could attest to the bliss associated with being served. To be a true leader, however, is to serve and lead by example. It isn't always easy or perfect, but it is a constant attempt to do as Jesus did and wash the feet of his apostles. My constant prayer as a Campus Minister is that I follow this model of leadership and realize that true leadership is a result of authentic and self-giving service. I'm not perfect, nor do I always have all the answers, but please know that I am trying.
And to be honest, I think that this is what Dr. King was getting at in this sermon. Trying, even if failing, is a better service to your fellow man then doing nothing at all because at least trying shows a genuine love for someone else. In this respect, everyone can be great because everyone can love. Very simply, everyone can be great because everyone can know God.
Think about it...
Yesterday, we celebrated the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement is one that can not easily be forgotten or ignored. I got to thinking that his life and his model of leadership was one of true service to God and to his nation. I find it to be fitting, then, that some of his words from The Drum Major Instinct are reflected upon:
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.
You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve.
You don't have to know Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" to serve.
You don't have to know the Second Theory of Thermal Dynamics in Physics to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace,
a soul generated by love,
and you can be that servant."
It is easy, as a leader or as someone who holds a lot of power, to expect the service of others. I'm sure any king or sultan could attest to the bliss associated with being served. To be a true leader, however, is to serve and lead by example. It isn't always easy or perfect, but it is a constant attempt to do as Jesus did and wash the feet of his apostles. My constant prayer as a Campus Minister is that I follow this model of leadership and realize that true leadership is a result of authentic and self-giving service. I'm not perfect, nor do I always have all the answers, but please know that I am trying.
And to be honest, I think that this is what Dr. King was getting at in this sermon. Trying, even if failing, is a better service to your fellow man then doing nothing at all because at least trying shows a genuine love for someone else. In this respect, everyone can be great because everyone can love. Very simply, everyone can be great because everyone can know God.
Think about it...
Monday, January 10, 2011
Why March for Life?
On Monday, January 24, 2011, we will be taking a chartered bus to Washington, DC to join in the March for Life. It is a peaceful, prayerful march that stands up against the injustices of abortion, the death penalty and all other hinderances to a culture of life. Sign up outside of Catholic Campus Ministry if you are interested in going. The cost is only $10 and scholarships are available.
If you can't decide or are hesitant about going, take a few moments to watch this phenomenal message from Bishop David O'Connell. He is the former President of The Catholic University of America and currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, one of the 15th largest dioceses in the U.S. It is something worth considering...
Prayers for all of you today as we begin our first full week of classes!
If you can't decide or are hesitant about going, take a few moments to watch this phenomenal message from Bishop David O'Connell. He is the former President of The Catholic University of America and currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, one of the 15th largest dioceses in the U.S. It is something worth considering...
Prayers for all of you today as we begin our first full week of classes!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A New Year
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It is hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. It is even harder to believe that 2010 - an entire year - is already behind us! In some regard, I am thankful that it went by so quickly and effortlessly. At the same time, I don't like to think that I sat idlely by while my life and the gifts God has given me went under used. If anything, this New Year offers us all a clean slate and an opportunity to really reflect on what God has done and where we can be better disciples of His Gospel message in the future.
2011 holds many unknown challenges and so it is important that we recommit and truly resolve, as Catholics and Christians, to give our faith lives the attention they deserve. In part for personal gain, but more importantly, out of love for God and love of neighbor. It is always easier to hear this line, then actually do it, but I think (a) knowing we are not alone in the journey and (b) suffering out of love for others is part and partial to our Catholic identity.
With these thoughts, I leave you with a video of the student leaders from Catholic Campus Ministry at the National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC) Conference in St. Louis, MO. One of the nights they participated in 'Regional Olympics.' Pitt-Johnstown was well represented and we brought home the gold for the Northeast Region of the U.S. We dominated this event, which is due, in large part, to the 'duck-duck-goose' game we played at CCC a month and a half prior. Enjoy!
Prayers during these last few days of Christmas!
It is hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. It is even harder to believe that 2010 - an entire year - is already behind us! In some regard, I am thankful that it went by so quickly and effortlessly. At the same time, I don't like to think that I sat idlely by while my life and the gifts God has given me went under used. If anything, this New Year offers us all a clean slate and an opportunity to really reflect on what God has done and where we can be better disciples of His Gospel message in the future.
2011 holds many unknown challenges and so it is important that we recommit and truly resolve, as Catholics and Christians, to give our faith lives the attention they deserve. In part for personal gain, but more importantly, out of love for God and love of neighbor. It is always easier to hear this line, then actually do it, but I think (a) knowing we are not alone in the journey and (b) suffering out of love for others is part and partial to our Catholic identity.
With these thoughts, I leave you with a video of the student leaders from Catholic Campus Ministry at the National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC) Conference in St. Louis, MO. One of the nights they participated in 'Regional Olympics.' Pitt-Johnstown was well represented and we brought home the gold for the Northeast Region of the U.S. We dominated this event, which is due, in large part, to the 'duck-duck-goose' game we played at CCC a month and a half prior. Enjoy!
Prayers during these last few days of Christmas!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Some thoughts on Mary
My best friend gave me a book at the start of this year entitled, Medjugorje Day by Day to help with my non-existent devotional life for Our Lady. I know this may seem weird, but somewhere in my 4 years of college, I came up with a theory that Mary, the very bearer of God, or theotokos, was overrated. Is she important? Yes - extremely! Did I think she was just a little overrated? Maybe? Whoops...!
It was an interesting dilemma, but one that I spent little time thinking about until I returned home from a road trip this past summer with my best friend. After we argued about the necessity of Mary in our prayer lives, it dawned on me that maybe there was something more that I was missing. My question was simple, why would I entrust my problems and prayers to her instead of going straight to God?
Consider this passage from Medjugorje Day by Day:
"A trusting relationship with God and Our Lady does not always come easy to our human nature; we tend to seek self-sufficiency and self-reliance, proud that we carry our own weight. And yet trust and dependence on God actually liberates our spirits and frees us from much fear, anxiety, and doubt. Perhaps our greatest human need is to be taken care of, loved, made safe. And this is exactly what Christ and his Mother offer us.
What proceeds from this trust and confidence is the very strength, courage and peace that our hearts so desire. St. Paul writes, "Therefore I am content with weakness... for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10)."
Where I saw Mary as an 'either her or God' type of relationship, it has become clearer that the relationship is one of 'both always.' Knowing God more fully means we need to better understand Christ's humanity; something that cannot be understood without an appreciation of Mary.
Tomorrow we will celebrate as a Church and as a University community the Solemnity of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Celebrating this special day is very fitting for a college student getting ready for exams or for anyone who is finding this season a little more hectic than usual. We are reminded that we too can and should be bearers of Christ in this holiday season. It is up to us to trust in God through the most necessary intercession of Mary, most immaculate.
Think about it and hopefully I will see you at Mass tomorrow... 4:00p.m. in Whalley Chapel!
It was an interesting dilemma, but one that I spent little time thinking about until I returned home from a road trip this past summer with my best friend. After we argued about the necessity of Mary in our prayer lives, it dawned on me that maybe there was something more that I was missing. My question was simple, why would I entrust my problems and prayers to her instead of going straight to God?
Consider this passage from Medjugorje Day by Day:
"A trusting relationship with God and Our Lady does not always come easy to our human nature; we tend to seek self-sufficiency and self-reliance, proud that we carry our own weight. And yet trust and dependence on God actually liberates our spirits and frees us from much fear, anxiety, and doubt. Perhaps our greatest human need is to be taken care of, loved, made safe. And this is exactly what Christ and his Mother offer us.
What proceeds from this trust and confidence is the very strength, courage and peace that our hearts so desire. St. Paul writes, "Therefore I am content with weakness... for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10)."
Where I saw Mary as an 'either her or God' type of relationship, it has become clearer that the relationship is one of 'both always.' Knowing God more fully means we need to better understand Christ's humanity; something that cannot be understood without an appreciation of Mary.
Tomorrow we will celebrate as a Church and as a University community the Solemnity of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Celebrating this special day is very fitting for a college student getting ready for exams or for anyone who is finding this season a little more hectic than usual. We are reminded that we too can and should be bearers of Christ in this holiday season. It is up to us to trust in God through the most necessary intercession of Mary, most immaculate.
Think about it and hopefully I will see you at Mass tomorrow... 4:00p.m. in Whalley Chapel!
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