Easter Blessings!

Christ is Risen! Allelujah!

Yesterday my teammate, Anthony, and I went down the Jersey shore to run along the beach to train for a race we're running soon. We went to mass down there in a little church with a less than enthusiastic priest. His mention of Easter was just a ho-hum "I'm wearing different vestments because of Easter, if you're wondering". Still, in the mystical celebration of the Easter Eucharist, I dwelt in a consoled moment of quiet conviction. My job is to spread Easter joy. Like the Marys who saw the empty tomb and received instruction from the angels, we FOCUS missionaries live each moment oriented toward this joyful proclamation of Good News. What a wonder that God would call me to such bliss! Yet, at the same instance I asked myself, 'why is it that I get so stressed out in my work? Why do I labor so hard with such anxiety?'

It is a typical struggle for us who are highly motivated by the Gospel, burdened for the dissemination of the Good News, to take the burden too much upon ourselves. It is the Lord's work. He, who is all-powerful, is in control. He says to us, "apart from me you can do nothing".

Team Seton Hall

Heading into the Triduum

These past couple weeks I've been thinking about how I'll spend the Holy Triduum. Seton Hall has school off Holy Thursday and Good Friday, so it is an opportunity for retreat and greater prayer for us missionaries.

I was thinking of going to spend time at the Capuchin Friars of Renewal Novice house in Newark. I also considered simply holing up in my room with my guitar and my little prayer shrine. But today I think the answer came. I will be passing much of these holy days with a Byzantine Rite community in North Jersey. Our Campus Ministry Director, Fr Jim Spera, is a bi-ritual priest. He administers two Byzantine communities. He explained to our team today some of the many differences in how they celebrate the Easter Mysteries. I look forward to sharing the new experience of the faith. In the meantime, I wish you all a very blessed entrance into these solemn, triumphant, and joyfilled days of Easter!

Interesting Issue at the Alma Mater

Click the title to read the Catholic News Agency article.

I imagine many have been hearing a lot about Sacred Heart of Jesus's decision to not re-enroll a child of a lesbian couple. I think Archbishop Chaput's comments are enlightening. This is indeed an interesting place that SHJ finds itself in. As an alumni, it gives me joy that the school emboldens itself enough to stand up for Catholic teaching. What would the child gain from a Catholic education? Certainly we must demand the teachings of the Church, the offering of the truth. At some point, this person needs to hear it. In an elementary setting, does the bad outweigh the good? Would the child only grow confused? Would the other children around it grow confused? What would the implications be if the child were introduced into the truths of Family? Obviously the child can't change the home situation. Would it only prove to depress the child? Interesting questions. Though SHJ is standing in and taking a lot of heat courageously, it's difficult to know whether it was the right decision. Perhaps this was the wrong context, but especially those lost must be exposed to the Gospel. In our FOCUS Bible studies, we rejoice when we have attendees whose lives are stuck in sin. In fact, it might be argued that that is the point! I do acknowledge, however, that SHJ is an institution and there is much more involved. I wonder, if the child were kept enrolled, would there have been more of an uproar from enrolled families who were not comfortable exposing their children to the homosexual question. Would the school have taken more heat from those afraid to "dine with sinners" so to speak, if the school decided to take the opportunity to teach this child truth?

So, again, it's been too too long! Since being back in Jersey we've begun our springtime formation classes for our student leaders at Seton Hall, we've hosted a FOCUS staff recruitment event, went to the March for Life in DC, held our monthly "Pack the Chapel" adoration evening, helped lead an RCIA retreat, and witnessed 2 large snowstorms. Today we were out and made probably the biggest snowman of my life. And put it on the doorstep of one of the big lecture hall buildings.

Life in South Orange has been abundantly blessed this semester. We've left behind the pressure of the first semester, with its National Conference to hype up, Bible studies to get started, etc. I have to continually bring thanks to Almighty God for giving me such a loving and motivated team. They are all fantastic individuals who truly love those they work with, colleagues and students.

Our work is flourishing, our lives are flourishing, and Lent is upon us. Jesus, mortify our bodies and our minds, that we may know you more, and love you more!

See "The Book of Eli"

I've been trying to watch more movies lately. A few weeks ago I started seeing previews for "The Book of Eli". It seemed enigmatic, somewhat religious though probably a cooked and odd twist of some sort of Mormon type religion. It looked like a mindless, post-apocalyptic, Denzel-shred-everything, dud. Still, I wanted to see it for the 'Denzel-shred-everything' kick. I got a group of guys to go with me last night.

I was delightfully surprised! Though it isn't the best movie of the year and there are inconsolable impossibilities, I was surprised by the relevant and wholesome message. Though I wouldn't go with children because it can get a little violent, I definitely endorse and encourage viewing of the film. You'll be happily surprised too!

Heading to Jersey

Tomorrow I'm headed back to my little home in South Orange. The long period away from campus has been fruitful and exciting. All the time I was able to spend with my supporters is always to be cherished. While at home I've been working hard planning for the spring, planning the trip to Ghana, and resting (only a little:).

I must say that I am very excited to finally be headed back to Jersey to stay--though by Friday morning I'll be on the road again. This time to the March for Life in DC. I'm happy for this opportunity to stand among those campaigning for revolution in our country's ideology toward the unborn.

BACK IN BUSINESS!

It's been too long, I know. After several chastisements, I'm back on the air. From Antioch to Rome LIVES!

What happened was I thought my password wasn't working. So it WASN'T that I was being lazy but I had a legitimate excuse. Had. I tried to log on today and it still didn't work. But then I tried a different password and Voila! I was on. I must have changed it at some point. So here we are again.

I won't attempt to detail the past 6 months, but know that it has been a lot of prayer, work, relationships, preaching, and traveling. I am now on vacation in Boulder, CO for the holidays, but I've had a lot of fun visiting my family and supporters. As team director for FOCUS at Seton Hall University I have been stretched beyond my imagination. God is truly humbling me, but what more could I ask for?!

In the past month I've been in 10 different states and 3 different countries. Seminars, meetings, fundraising visits, and mission trips have put me on the road. A huge highlight was Ghana in West Africa. It was a blessing to be asked by FOCUS to lead an annual mission trip there. FOCUS's mission department director and I had to go down for about a week just before Thanksgiving to set everything up for the real mission trip which will take place in July.

I hope to visit as many of my supporters as possible to be able to share news more personally. I am in Boulder for a week around Christmas and then another week in mid-January. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

10 Day Report

After the first 10 days here at Summer Training I'm realizing I need to be more disciplined about bedtime. There are so many awesome people to catch up with and stay up late talking to, that I find myself getting about 2-3 hours less sleep than I need. It's fatiguing but at the same time very edifying to get back together with a lot of my brothers and sisters. Please pray for us as we continue our training.

Some of the people I am most excited to get to spend more time with are the McCartneys. There are 6 of them here: Matt, Libby, Cate, Jane, Ann, and Meghan (Matt's younger sister). It's been fun hanging out with them after spending the last year far away.

I hope, as the summer begins, you all are blessed by God's abundant grace, respond to it, and are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

Summer Training in Illinois

The St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois opened its doors last week to about 50 FOCUS missionaries who came to prepare for New Staff Training 2009. There will be well over 200 missionaries here by this Saturday, and we are very excited to all be together. I am reporting from week 0 of training. There are several reasons this smaller group of missionaries has gathered before the new staff get here. I am here with a group of about 15 missionaries who are being trained to be team directors. This means they will be sent to a campus and lead the FOCUS team assigned there. At present it is not totally sure, but it's fair to say there is a strong likelihood I'll be a team director next year. This would mean a move, as the U of Maryland already has a TD. I hope to be able to inform you all of my assignment in the next few days.

Life here at training is a bit in a bubble. We spend our days getting excellent formation from FOCUS veterans, then our meals and evenings in the presence of fabulous missionaries in fellowship and fun. This week I've especially enjoyed going to bars in the evening to watch the nuggets!

Some of our leadership classes have been taking teachings from Franklin Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". I'm sure some of you have read the book. Of course along with the lessons we've been pulling out the more Catholic principles from this protestant writer.

Please pray for us as we soak up these teachings and the renewal of spirit from being with all our missionary brothers and sisters. God bless!