Campus Ministry

When I first started at Notre Dame College I was concerned at first that I wasn't going to continue on with my faith. I felt that once I started college that I wouldn't have time and that I would be more focused on the academics, instead of balancing both faith and school. There was just one day where I just heard a calling from God saying "You need to grow in your faith, so go to mass". When I heard those words I knew that there had to be reason why God was calling me to go to mass that Sunday. Once I walked through the doors of the chapel I felt welcomed with open arms by people that I had just met and it made me realize that I found a home where I feel safe. Going to mass that night change me, from that day on and I knew that I wanted to be more involved with Notre Dame's Campus Ministry. I felt like God was calling to do it. Since I have been at Notre Dame College and have been so involved with Campus Ministry I am happy, changed for the better and I have found a family that loves me for who I am. Without Campus Ministry I don't know what I would be doing in my life right now.

Thank you,
Mackenzie Brown

What Am I Missing Here?

Here's an interesting fact from the Environmental Defense Fund:

"... For example, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, our government used trailers made with formaldehyde-treated plywood to house homeless victims of the storm. As you may know, formaldehyde is a chemical that causes cancer and exacerbates asthma and other respiratory ailments.
This high-formaldehyde plywood -- which is imported from China -- is perfectly legal for use in the U.S. But because of its toxicity, it can't be used in countries including the EU, Japan, and even China has banned its residential use."

http://support.edf.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10574.0&dlv_id=20569

PHOTO: Associated Press (AP)

Some might say it's better to have a cancer-causing trailer than no trailer at all, but if the country that produces the product also bans its use, I'd look elsewhere for my plywood. Wouldn't you??

Check out the Environmental Defense Fund to learn more about lessening the toxicity of the products we use.

Put people first. Anthony

Relationships

I've been meeting with members of the Campus Ministry Leadership Team this week. Being with these faithful young adults face to face reminds me of why I enjoy what I do and of the importance of real, human contact. Other forms of communication - Facebook, Twitter, blogging, email, Skype, etc. - have some value, but they are grossly over exaggerated and devilishly deceptive. There is no substitute for being in the presence of another human person - seeing, hearing, feeling connected - all the senses engaged. This is relationship.

This is also the power of the Eucharist, the real presence, that sustains our relationship with God, and our commitment to be that presence to others is what helps carry others through the spiritual valleys. Of course, we cannot offer a gift we have not opened ourselves; thus, the ongoing need for personal conversion and prayer. Recognizing God's awesome love, freely given to all, is the first step toward authentic relationship and effective evangelization.

The Ultimate in Peer Pressure

Today (June 24) in the Church we remember the cruel death suffered by John the Baptist who was beheaded by the order of King Herod. After being promised anything she would ask for, Salome, at the urging of her mother, asked for the head of the Baptist on a platter. Though Herod regretted the promise he made, he felt compelled to honor it because all the guests at his party had heard him.

It takes a strong person to admit a mistake and reverse direction despite the anticipated ridicule. Changing one's mind is hardly a sign of weakness; rather it is the ultimate sign of confidence and strength. Needing to save face (or public image) and honor an inappropriate or immoral commitment is truly the ultimate sign of weakness.

Thanks be to God who loved Herod and John the Baptist the same!

The empathetic college student

A recent study at the University of Michigan suggests today's college students lack empathy when compared to college students of previous generations.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100528/sc_livescience/todayscollegestudentslackempathy

Certainly our college students are engaged in activites such as service learning and community service at a higher level than ever before, right? What, then, is the relationship between empathy and engagement? Are we failing to create emotional engagement/identification despite a higher level of physical involvement?

Perhaps the self-centered voices are simply louder.

Anthony

Tragedy in the Gulf

We will continue to mourn the unimaginable losses in the Gulf and around the globe for years to come. Pictures like this must be viewed over and over again so all experience the righteous anger and profound sadness that will hopefully lead to change.

God's plan for creation cannot include this. There is no lesson to be learned later, some mystery we do not comprehend. No, both the reasons and the solution for this disaster are apparent. The manifestations of greed - over consumption, power mongering, self-indulgence - must end. We must demand better of ourselves, those we elect and those we support.

Sacrifice without a price, a toll, is not sacrifice at all. We cannot sacrifice and live excessively at the same time. The two cannot coexist; either we sacrifice for the good of all, or we hoard for ourselves. Anything else is mere deception.

Anthony

It's Not Too Late to Re-Commit

It's week four of Lent and if you are anything like me you may be struggling with your Lenten sacrifice. Personally, I planned to give up negative self-talk and impatience.

Ironically, when I fail to do these things, I tend to beat myself up for falling short.

I am not patient with myself.

At these moments, it is tempting to become stuck in a cycle and quit. You may think "well, I screwed this up. I think I will just throw in the towel."

For me, my mistakes provided an opportunity to practice what I preached at the beginning of Lent.

So now, instead of beating myself up when I fall short, I remind myself I can simply start over.

Re-commit.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus reminds us we cannot condemn one another since none of us is perfect.

He also tells us He forgives us and encourages us to re-commit. “Neither do I condemn you.Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (John 8)

We often can forget this also applies to our condemnation of ourselves. If we mess up, we need to remember that Jesus forgives us instantly.

We must also forgive ourselves and continue trying to make better choices.

So this week, practice forgiving yourselves for your mistakes and re-commit to living a better life.

"Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."