I have been told what our allotment of tickets for the papal will be. If you haven’t heard yet, there is a sign up sheet in the Newman center for our ticket lottery. I will also have the list at the Newman center masses this Sunday, and then draw the names next week. The mass is 10am Thursday April 17th. Security will require you to be there early, 8am i think, and then it may take a while to get out after mass, so plan on being gone from morning till late afternoon.
Welcome back to all those who have been on break. The end of the academic year is coming into view, and before it takes over your whole life I hope you will take time to reflect on the Easter mystery we have just celebrated. With break and Holy Week coming together there was probably a lot going on last week. We want to take some of that excitement with us. The joy of Easter is about the resurrection, that glorious life that Jesus has opened up to us. We want to always remember that goal and to weave that hope into all that we do now.
Today is the last day of class before spring break, though many students schedules have allowed them to head out early. I of course pray that all will travel safely. I also hope that you will include time to not be busy on your break. We all need breaks from work, so God gave us a sabbath rest, but we also need a break from activity and schedules. Take time to be conscious of being this break. That helps us to conscious of the ultimate Being.
During his time with us at last week’s coffeehouse Cardinal McCarrick mentioned daily meditation on scripture as an important part of hearing God’s will for us. Scripture is God’s word, so it should be an integral part of our lives. In the bookcase outside the chapel we have several Bibles, also I have put out a bigger Bible in front of the pieta statue in the chapel. Why not stop by for five minutes read God’s word in the presence of the Jesus in the tabernacle. God is speaking, are we listening?
We are back from our spring retreat. it was a wonderful experience and I hope that the graces received on the retreat will continue to grow in our lives. It especially touched our seniors. In taking time out to reflect on things that they will be moving into a new part of their lives and leaving one part behind is inescapable for them and for us who remain. But the retreat also put us in touch with the God who is always with us, and with those we love. The closer we are to God the closer we are to all who are in God’s embrace. To all who will be away from us for a short or a long time, know that we are can never be fully parted and can someday meet again by staying in God’s embrace.
PS parishes were told this week how many tickets for the papal mass they are receiving; campus ministries(that’s us) and other education related groups will be told at another time.