Caught Up In Faith

Brian Adkins memorial Mass will be this Saturday Feb. 28th at 3pm in St. Stephen Martyr Church.

We learned this week of the loss of Brian Adkins an alum of GW and active member of the Newman Center and the Knights of Columbus. His funeral will be back in Ohio. Afterwards we are planning to have a memorial service in the area sometime. We will give details as they come in.

As you may have already heard there was astudent death in Ivory Tower yesterday, Laura Treanor. She was a lector was our 7:30 Mass last year and joined us for the Papal Mass. You may also have seen her byline in the Hachet. We will make the Tuesday Jan 27th 5pm Mass a memorial Mass for Laura.

Welcome back to another semester. The weather is a little chilly outside during this first week, and may make you hustle from building to building as fast as possible. Of course hustling along may mean we miss things along the way. The spring semester will bring plenty of goals and projects to acomplish before May. While you are looking ahead don’t forget to see what is happening now, especially how God is seeking you here and now.

Well I haven’t been writing for a while. Like everyone else have been caught up in finishing up things for the semester. In addition this is also the time for Alecia and I to look to next semester. We are also trying to get our newsletter out so hopefully you will recieve that soon. The winter break is a busy break with Christmas and New Year’s in there and then suddenly it’s time to come back, and we are all back together again. We will miss some people when we get back, all those who are studying abroad next semester. We hope they have a good time and we will eep them in our thoughts and prayers and know that they are still joined to us by bonds of love through God now and always.

We are back from the Fall retreat, and had a wonderful time. The weather cooperated, but more importantly everyone on the retreated cooperated with each other and with God working on their hearts. To set aside time for just you and God is very important, if you don’t feel you can take a whole weekend at least take time each week especially on Sunday away from all your distractions to focus exclusively on your relationship with God.

As you begin October, you are, are should be, heavily involved in your classwork. But as you go about the business of midterms, papers, and projects, as you deal with all the demands placed upon you, do not lose sight of the others around us. Since October is a month dedicated to Mary, I would ask you to say a rosary this month for the needs of someone else, near or far, friend or stranger.

We’ve gone just over halfway though September, and things are starting to settle into place. All are weekly offerings will be going by next week, with still a few special events left such as the first timer’s retreat in October. Once things settle down if people want to join in the ministries here they are welcome. As the upcoming Sunday’s gospel tells us it is never too late to start.

Less than a week into the semester and we are already making adjustments. Tropical storm Hanna was threatening the area and local activities were being cancelled so we moved our welcome back BBQ to Sat. Sep. 13th. That is life in campus ministry and campus life, and that is okay. Being always on the move from one thing to another, learning new things, meeting new people is part of the excitement of being on a campus. Just remember that in all the passing currents of life the truth to which we always hold, that God is always with us.

+Vacations are coming to an end. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next week. The Newman center is open so if you are back early fell free to drop by. The regular Mass schedule  begins this Sunday Aug. 31st. Tuesday night Mass and dinner begins Sept. 2nd. The website gives a complete list of all the other things going on. September is a packed month, and I hope you will try some of the things we offer. God is lord of time, if you make time for Him you might be surprised at how much you find you have.