In a world filled with a lot of worry and anxiety right now, I wanted to share with my MOG family the joy my wife and I feel right now and ask you join us in a prayer of thanks to Jesus. We sent our 17 and 14 year old teens to a Catholic retreat summer camp this week. They were not thrilled - they said we were sending them to "Jesus Camp" and were dreading it. This week, which they went on last year too, is with about 500 other young people and lots and lots of priests, brothers, and nuns and this year even a bishop. The kids surrender (again very reluctantly) their cell phones, iPads, and any other electronic device. It's a week of prayer, confession, adoration, and Mass. It is also lots of fun- sports, swimming, etc. My 17 y/o called us today (she borrowed a phone from the camp) to thank us and to say it was an incredible week. She said she had an "experience" last night at Adoration that has moved her - but she wants to tell us about it in person. I can't tell you how blessed we feel at this moment - that this child who did not want to go has had something touch her! It brings me joy right now! I can't wait to hear her experience and I pray my son also was moved. The question raised this week for the kids was “What’s the objective of our life? The resounding answer is “Heaven!”. How awesome. But, take a look at these two photos posted on line from the camp last night. Maybe it's just the light, but it seems the monstrance is glowing and look closely at the host in one if the photos - I see a dark trickle in the center. I'm staring at these and am amazed. Tomorrow we go to pick them up but there is a final closing Mass- where well over 1000 parents and kids will attend with many priests on the altar. Be assured ALL of you here are coming with us and you intentions will be brought to this Holy Mass . View attachment 3319 View attachment 3320
Wow- just saw today's saint of day for the universal Church - today we celebrate the Queenship of Mary. A true blessing - our going forth Mass with our kids today will be celebrating God's Coronation of Mary as Our Queen ! Peace http://www.thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=2849&title=The-Queenship-of-Mary
Miker, That is wonderful! Praise God for the multitude of His graces! I pray that constructive steps can be taken to support and maintain the momentum of this past week! May Mary wrap your children in her protective mantle so that JoeJerk can't lure them back to the societal norm of religious mediocrity! Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
Amen! Happy that a "reunion" of this week is already planned for this October ! This youtube clip was from 2013 at the camp, but the same spirit of joy, hope, and love was evident last week. Amazing that no one wanted to leave! I know we are facing many challenges, but I think the spirit these young showed is our answer. Who says our Church is dying. I did not see this. In fact I saw the exact opposite. In his closing homily, Father said something very profound. He said that one of the youngsters was sad about leaving and going back to reality. He said the opposite was in fact the truth. The Mass, the week of love and hope was reality. The world out there that tells us evil is good is not reality. He reminded us to take THE REALITY of Jesus Christ and his love into the world and then we will have reality in the world. Not easy especially with what we are facing today, but is there really any other answer? Enjoy the enthusiasm, hope and love these young people showed - singing their hearts out their Prince of Peace.
