"Jesus showed me that he is always there, even when I fail to reach out through human weakness."Twenty one students went on retreat this last month. On October 16th and 17th, undCatholic held the inaugural "New Comers Retreat" for students who had never been on retreat before.
"It was a great place to get away from school and a busy life and spend time in quiet and prayer," reported one of the students.
That is one of the reasons to take a retreat: to interrupt the business that takes over our lives.
(Continued below...)
The group gathers for a photo with Father. (And Basil.)
Time spent on retreat is crucial to the Christian life. You get a chance to step out of your routine. Time behaves differently. And when you give God the time, and the space, He speaks.
So silence is built right into the retreat. Friday night began with Night Prayer. On the Saturday evening of the retreat, there was an extended vigil of Adoration with over three hours of confessions available. This was a very inspiring part of this fall retreat.
It makes a difference. Another student reported: "I had an opportunity to speak with and listen to God more than I usually do, and I am going to strive to deepen my relationship with Him moving forward."
Those hills tell you that we aren't in North Dakota anymore.
After each talk, students gathered in small group to apply what they had just heard to their daily lives. "[The retreat] helped me see that I can involve God in my life even when I’m busy."
photos by Cambri Sullivan
We are so grateful to our FOCUS director, Seyha, for organizing the retreat, Fr. Luke for hosting, and Traci Kulesa for assisting with food and logistics. And a special thanks to Fr. Bernie Scheider for saying Mass back at the Newman Center while Father Luke was gone.
We want to thank our Service Chairs on the Student Board for organizing a blood drive on October 27th. Students were able to donate to blood banks across North Dakota and Minnesota. Look for more in next month's E-News.
PUMPKIN PAINTNG!!!
The week before Halloween, the Social Chairs of the Student Board held a Pumpkin Painting Party here at the Newman Center. Why painting instead of carving? "Sometimes you just want to have a beautiful pumpkin without making a huge mess," explained Molly Doyle. She is one of the Social Chairs, andshe planned the event for her fellow students.
(Above left: a finished pumpkin dries on the table. Above right: Mariah Vetter, Student Board President, prepares some baby blue paint.)
All Soul's Day
Please remember Fr. Larry Haas and Msgr. Jeffrey Wald in your prayers. Fr. Haas was a former Pastor of the Newman Center; he died last year, December 8th, 2019. Msgr. Wald was Pastor of St. James' Basilica in Jamestown, ND. He died last week of complications due to COVID-19.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord...
Msgr. Wald's funeral will be November 3rd at 2PM. His funeral Mass will be live-streamed at fargodiocese.net.
Grant, O merciful God
that I may ardently desire,
prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge,
and perfectly accomplish
all that is pleasing to you,
for the praise and glory of
your Name.
Amen.
