March is already approaching and, although it’s the same month as Spring Break, we know that classes and activities can become stressful this time of the semester. During stressful times we can allow ourselves to become absorbed in the distraction, or we can focus on finding peace. There are many opportunities where we can choose to allow God into our weekly routine. John Seifert writes today about how he found that choosing to go to 9 p.m. mass every Wednesday has given him exactly this, peace in spending weekly time with God.
Over 100 Students at Wednesday Night 9 p.m. Mass
Before really getting involved at St. Toms, there would be many times throughout the week I would get frustrated with school, work, and my roommate. I lost focus on the things that were truly important and often approached stressful situations in a less than saintly manner. I realize now that I was dissatisfied with my weekly routine because I was living two separate lives. On the one hand I was an unhappy student angry at everything. On the other, I went to mass every Sunday and believed that by fulfilling my weekly obligation as a Catholic I deserved an easier time through life and classes then I was being presented with. See, it wasn’t bad that I only went to mass on Sundays, however this was where my time with God ended every week. I wasn’t allowing God to renew my spirit throughout my week. This realization came to me when a friend of mine invited me to go to a weekday mass at St. Tom’s. It was during that time I saw mass in a new light. Before I knew it I was going every day to mass. In setting aside a moment for God, I noticed my unhappy moments diminishing, with my approach to struggles becoming clear and kind. I have found that surrounding myself with a hundred of my closest friends at 9 p.m. mass every Wednesday has turned my life into something much better than I could have planed on my own. It’s not just going to mass for me anymore, because the community I have found at St.Tom’s is one I can share my faith with, eat lunch after mass with, or even just get a warm and welcome hug every time I see someone. Once I got in the habit of going to mass and dishing out awesome hugs, I began to see God at work all around, even outside of St. Toms. I went from dreading Sunday mass, to looking forward to it more then just on Sundays. Daily mass is how I remember God throughout my week, and how he reminds me to live my faith every moment of every day. I will use this opportunity to personally invite everyone and anyone reading this, and friends, to join the St. Toms community for a Wednesday night mass…there’s usually ice cream in the gather space after mass too! The Lenten season is the perfect time to find what draws you closer in your personal relationship with Christ. Whether it’s through a daily mass, or 10 minutes every night in the Word, it pleases God when we take anytime to seek him.
Peace & Hugs,
John, PCS Enthusiast
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