February 26th 2012:

1^st Reading: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7
2^nd Reading: Rom 5:12-19
Gospel: Mt 4:1-11

Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1:12-15 marks the first Sunday of our Lenten season.  It is a time for us to reflect on our personal lives and our relationship with God.  As I reflected on not just this Gospel, but with today’s other readings as well, there was a powerful line that has stuck with me for a while: the line from Genesis 9:8-15, “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you”.  For me, family is a huge part of my life.  My main motivation for being in college is to set up the right foundation for the family that I one day wish to have.  That includes making the right choices, meeting the right people, and understanding who I am and what I want for them.  We are all part of God’s family, he understands all of that.  He has set up a foundation for us to follow, and to be part of.  Not just ourselves though, but for our families and descendants after.  Lastly, there was a strong sense of commitment that I felt from God.  Each day our commitment to God is challenged, but it is never challenged harder than it is during the Lenten season.  As we go through Lent together as a parish and with the Catholic Church as a whole, understand that you’re not alone.  God’s commitment to us all is very strong.  As you go through Lent push yourself to stand strong in your commitment to him.

- James Douglas K “Nalu” Camanse, Student Parishioner

Lenten Sacrifice Through Service

New Orleans 2010 (Emma: Center with the pink sunnies)

With the start of Lent this week, I found it appropriate to discuss our responsibilities during this time. It is not that we have a responsibility to give something up, but we have a responsibility over the next 40 days to replace something in our life with God’s presence.  I personally try to find something that I enjoy, even tend to rely on, and then give that up. This year I am giving up soda, I usually rely on the caffeine to “get me through the day.” By giving up the caffeine I tend to rely on, I am also forcing myself to focus on why I’ve given it up every time I’m faced with it…which is every day, multiple times a day.  This goes hand-in-hand with dedicating time to add something to my daily routine during Lent. I know I will be turning to my prayer life to lead me through the day instead of caffeine, which will be more fulfilling. I have found in the past when I do something positive to enhance my faith and relationship with Christ that I am much more prepared when Easter comes. Spring Break falls during the Lenten season, and this is another way that I have tried to add something challenging and positive to Lent.  This will be my third year choosing to go on Spring Break Mission trips with St. Toms to serve. This giving of my time and energy has been a great way for me to not only help those less fortunate, but have provided me with opportunities to deepen my faith and discover Christ through all that I come in contact. I challenge all of you to find a way to sacrifice for Christ this Lent as he gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to also to do something that will enable you to deepen your personal relationship with God.

God Bless.

-Emma Ferrell, 4th Day Coordinator and Lenten Sacrifice Connoiseur

If you give up the same thing every year and want to try something new, or if it’s your first time giving something up for Lent, we have provided a list of creative ideas below!

Ideas to Give Up:

-Facebook or another time consuming activity like video gaming

-Complaining

-The snooze button on your alarm

-Warm water for your shower

-Wearing make-up

Ideas to Challenge Your Daily Routine:

-Listen More

-Go to Daily Mass

-Intentionally offer a silent prayer for someone different at beginning of one of your lectures everyday

-Devotional every night before bed

-Dedicate a certain number of hours you’ll give to do some form of community service

Picture: Kevin and his fiance, Audrey Harbeson this Christmas Break right after their engagement

“With Valentine’s Day upon us, we are being reminded of the love we ought to show  others as well as the personal relationships (or lack thereof) that are present in our lives. Before commercialism commandeered this feast, this day was traditionally known as, ‘St. Valentine’s Day.’

Not much is known about St. Valentine but the tradition holds that he was a priest in Rome during the third century who spent his days marrying Christian couples, something the emperor considered a crime. St. Valentine died an undoubtedly noble martyr’s death, but is nonetheless remembered with little pieces of paper adorned with tacky red and pink hearts.

I am fortunate to have found the love of my life and I am pleased that we will be expressing our love sacramentally in the sigh of God and Church in the relatively near future. I know beyond doubt that I am making the right choice and am very thankful to have been blessed with someone so wonderful.

Today’s world, with its many privations, makes it hard to distinguish what true, authentic love looks like. So, at the expense of sounding like Dr. Phil (or, Father Patrick), I want to offer a few questions that you and your special someone can examine this Valentine’s Day: Does this person bring me close to God? Can I see myself with this person for the long term? Do we share similar values, ones that help both of us grow in holiness? Does this person bring out the best in me? Am I truly happy?

For those of you indulging in a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates by yourself this Valentine’s Day (hey, it could be worse, right?), I want to remind you that God loves you, has a plan for you and knows that is best. Love Him, trust Him and do not despair. By being patient and holy, God will reveal His plan for you in time.”

God Bless and have a great Valentine’s Day,

- Kevin Andres

“ESTEEM is Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission. Funded through the generosity of an anonymous foundation, ESTEEM is a program answering the question of how to stay involved in church (no matter where life takes me) after college. A holistic approach, the program includes theological education, practical fieldwork, and mentoring opportunities for students. In the end, participants of ESTEEM are able to bring their skills learned in classes and in campus ministry programs to their new parishes, dioceses, and local Catholic agencies. Through ESTEEM, the spirit of faith, prayer, and service can continue to grow even after graduation.

So, what it is it really like? Well, once a week, eight of us get together for a lecture/discussion presented by a St. Tom’s staff member. These lecture/discussions have ranged in topics from leadership to social concerns. In addition, we read a number of books that relate back to the topic covered each week. Yes, I will admit, the time commitment can be a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, the program has made it worth it!

Thus far, my favorite part of this program has been the mentor-ship. Each of us has been partnered up with a resident parishioner of St. Tom’s. On our own time, we meet with our mentor to talk about ESTEEM topics, the Church, or just what’s going on in our lives. In my meetings with my mentor, I have learned how important it is to persevere when joining a new community: “Each community is unique. Your talents and knowledge are needed, but it may take some time to figure out where you have been called to serve.” Thanks to my mentor, I know I can take my energy and enthusiasm to whatever parish God intends for me to join.

Without a doubt, college has been a big part of our lives. Moreover, the community of St. Tom’s is something near and dear to our hearts. St. Tom’s has always been there for us, through the thick and the thin. But like all good books, college will end. In a few months, we will dawn on the cap and gown and walk across the stage to receive our diploma. We will soon enter the real world. Some of us are ready, but I think it is safe to say that many of us are a little nervous. However, the eight of us know that ESTEEM is the bridge between college and the real-world. Faith is always a part of the journey. Wherever we may go, the Church has called us to share our gifts and talents, especially those in leadership. We can always find a home away from home in the Church. All it takes is perseverance and faith.

Thank you Church for having ESTEEM!

-Melanie Papariella

http://boilercatholics.com/sacraments-worship/mass-times/177

BA#4′s Coordinator, Luke Hoefer, reflects here to shed insight on how Boiler Awakening not only builds community in the church and on Purdue’s campus, but is essentially a small part in everyone’s summit of faith.

“All Are Welcome”

There is a man I know by the name of Ben Fuchs. He is currently a senior in communications at Ball State University, and grew up in Pendleton, Indiana. Simply put, Ben is one of my best friends, and has been instrumental in the growth of my faith.  My home parish is filled with people as unique and interesting as Ben Fuchs, and leaving that family when I moved to Purdue nearly four years ago was the toughest part of leaving home. My parents, high school friends, work acquaintances: all child’s play compared to leaving the strong and supportive community at Our Lady of Grace.

I struggled through my first few years of college trying to find a community that could measure up to the one I had at home. I looked everywhere, and could not find one that satisfied me. I even shunned the attempt of students at St. Toms who tried to reach out and invite me in. I thought, “How could they ever measure up to the people back at home?” Well, I was soon to find out just how they measured up.

My good friend Zach Haselhorst, who also hails from Our Lady of Grace, was a Co-Rector for St. Tom’s Boiler Awakening #2 last spring. He convinced me to attend the retreat, and I made it a goal to open myself to this new community and meet some new people. I didn’t have a huge circle of friends here at Purdue at the time, as I had been struggling to find that community at school. I figured this was a good opportunity to see what St. Toms had to offer, at the very least.

I remember very distinct parts of the weekend: Zach calling me out at different parts of the retreat, after already telling me what was coming next. Telling stories of pranks I had pulled at other retreats to Perry, Liz, and Sarah. Wearing leather pants for a skit. Reflecting and hearing other’s stories during small group time. It was an incredible weekend of spiritual growth for me; I was able to work through some issues that I had been dealing with for years. But more important than that was the community that Awakening built for me.

The core of my faith has always been centered on the idea of community. This is the forefront of my love for the Catholic Church. I share my faith not only with my friends, but all those in the congregation, all those in this country, and all those that celebrate the mass across the world. From the Vatican, to my home parish, to St.Tom’s sister parish in Haiti, St. Francis Xavier, every Catholic on the planet is connected through Christ and the Catholic Church. Awakening brings you into this, and shares it with you on a local level.

The people I now share my life with are those that I have met because of Awakening. I am truly blessed to be leading this retreat with Anna Lauer, who has become one of my closest friends because of Awakening. Because of the relationships that are formed at Awakening, our goal is not only to bring new people into the community of St. Toms, but also to strengthen the bonds of the relationships that are already there. That community and those relationships are the foundation of the Church. The mass is a celebration; a party. And you can’t have a party without other people.

Boiler Awakening is an invitation to that party.

-Luke Hoefer, Boiler Awakening #4 Coordinator

Two Purdue Catholic Students have profiled their experience on Spring 2011 missions here to help you decide if an alternative spring break is right for you too!

Pensacola, FL

I went to Pensacola, Florida for spring break in 2011. Myself, fifteen other students, two chaperones, and Fr. Patrick lived in a beautiful pink house on the beach, cooked together, cleaned together, worked together, and played together.  We built a house through Habitat for Humanity, prayed the rosary on the beach, celebrated mass at dawn, and threw Father Patrick a birthday party. While on the trip, Fr. Patrick asked us to really think about what we would say about our trip to our friends when we got back. Not “Oh, it was a lot of fun.” Or “It really made me appreciate what I have.” But something concrete. I used the word “life-changing.” Not only did the experience strengthen my spiritual life and inspire me to get more involved at St. Tom’s, I discovered what a wonderful community the Purdue Catholic Students truly have. The mission trip was the catalyst that plugged me into St. Tom’s, and now, I cannot get enough!

-Elizabeth Schwartz

Guyan Valley, WV (Appalachia)

Last spring break I travelled with a group of 28 students to Guyan Valley, West Virginia for a week that contained hard work, laughter, prayer, and a chance to live and work together in a Christian community. Guyan Valley is remote and run-down, one of the many towns left behind in the rise and fall of the coal industry. It is located in the heart of the mountains, meaning the scenery was incredible! My fellow Purdue students and I began every day with morning-prayer and then headed out to worksites where we did everything from re-building a front porch, to replacing rotting floors, to inserting insulation in a mobile home.  We became truly immersed in the mountain culture of West Virginia by talking with and learning from the people that we served. We even got to listen to a legitimate bluegrass band! It was an incredible experience that I will never forget!

-Audrey Harbeson

Full List of Mission trips for Spring Break 2012

-New Orleans, LA

-Pensacola, FL

-Guyan Valley, WV (Appalachia)

-Johnson City, TN

-Joplin, MO

Applications for Spring Break 2012 Mission Trips is due this Wednesday by 5:00.  Applications are available in the St. Toms office, or can be downloaded from the Boiler Catholics website @

http://boilercatholics.com/pcs/service/mission-trips

“This Christmas Break I was blessed to experience the joy, hospitality and simplicity of the Haitian people with 13 other Purdue students, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph. For eight days we went out in groups of four plus a translator and visited random homes in the mountains of Baudin. Without fail, these Haitian families welcomed us into their homes, patiently listened to our poor creole and answered our prying questions about their health, family, diet…they even let us measure their homes and play with their kids! 

The time shared with the Haitian families, translators and parishioners of St. Francis Xavier moved all of us. I was moved by how happy Haitians are with so little, while I get caught up with petty worries.

This trip was a call to joy.

I was also moved by how much we can do with so little. Every day we carried a large duffle bag of medical supplies, shoes or food to give to the families we visited. For these families a pair of crocs, a bottle of vitamins or a bag of rice means the world. It has made me question how I spend my money and pushed me to give as much as I can to people in need.

It is a call to simplicity and generosity.”

- Pablo Davila, PCS enthusiast

Welcome back to PCS (Purdue Catholic Students) for Spring 2012! The
start of every semester is the opportunity for a new beginning. It is
very often a time when people make resolutions – sometimes to dedicate
more time to exercise, or regular meals, or academics (to actually DO
the assigned readings before each lecture…) But allow me to suggest
the best resolution of all:

Deepen your relationship with God

There are many ways that this can be done. It could mean:
- More personal prayer
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Attending weekday masses (how about the Wedenesday 9pm?)
- More frequent confession

On a community level, this could mean to participate in a:
- Mission trip
- Bible Study
- Prayer-meeting
- Campus Renew Group
- Boiler Awakening Retreat

All these things and much more are available at St. Tom’s. Whatever it
may be, I encourage you to go to boilercatholics.org and see what PCS
has to offer for you.

University is a place of opportunity – don’t limit that to just
academics! Above all, “try to discover what the Lord wants of you”
(Ephesians 5:10) because that is what will bring you to true joy, true
peace and life in fulness. And the only way we will truly find out is
by deepening our relationship with Him.

- Purdue Catholic Students President, Jacob George