Breakfast with 30 Bishops

I got a call at 3:30 PM from my teammate Sara saying we got invited to go attend the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) Annual meeting in Baltimore, and we would be heading to Bmore that night and staying in a hotel. I remember thinking...only a FOCUS missionary life...

So Wednesday morning Team Navy headed to the Marriott in Baltimore to attend a breakfast that FOCUS and the Augustine Institute were holding. The morning was for any Bishop that was interested in learning more about these programs. FOCUS had a presentation along with the Augustine institute. Dr. Sri and Dr. Gray were there representing the Augustine Institute. [Random, but here is Dr. Sri's son playing piano. He's only 9!]

It was such a great opportunity and a gift to see so many Bishops that want to have FOCUS in their diocese. Many of the Bishops that attended the breakfast, didn't have FOCUS in their diocese. FOCUS is growing and it was so great to see this side of FOCUS for the morning. After breakfast we headed back to campus and had a "regular" day on the Yard. 


Please pray for our Retreat this weekend we have 70 Mishipmen attending. I'll be sure to write about it next week!

Team Director Summit

The Main Ranch House where we stayed

Kyle, Sara, and I all piled into my car and headed out to Hume, VA  to the Marriott Ranch. (I highly recommend the place, if you're looking for a nice B&B out in the hills of Virginia.) I was asked to attend to see if this was a future role I wanted to pursue in FOCUS.

The 3 days I spent out in the hills of Virginia were a great time to think and pray as to what God is calling me to next. I got to see another role within FOCUS. The team director's job title is to maintain the team and the program at his or her college/program. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes as a Team Director.

Standing next to our "Force Field Analysis" Chart

A team director has the privilege to serve everyone on their team be the direct spokesperson for the Chaplain. Every team has a team director that leads team meetings and helps delegate and monitor tasks. Kyle is our team director, or as we like to say "he's the boss." :)

As well as learning about the new things in FOCUS and some of the roles of a team director, Msgr. Swetland came out from Mount Saint Mary's and gave us a talk on Padre Pio and his life embracing the cross and how that must be a part of great Christian leadership. "The way the world sees love is the cross today." Embracing the cross. Padre Pio had stigmata but also had the wound on his shoulder. He had the wounds of Simon, who helped carry the cross.

All in all it was a great few days spent with some holy men and women!

I'll leave you with a snipit from Msgr. talk,  "Leaders are the first to love and the first to forgive. That's true leadership

Striving for Sainthood

Happy Belated All Saints Day!

Recently I have been thinking a lot about sainthood. The Magnificat (the little book that has all of the daily Mass readings in it) had a great reflection on sainthood. I'd like to share some of the greatness.

"He delights to see his goodness not just in himself, but reflected in thousands of different ways in all his creatures, so that, seeing him everywhere, we may be all the more amazed and happy at his generosity..."

I can't remember who said this but saints have saints as friends. Each person in our lives has so much to show us. We were made in the image and likeness of GOD. It warms my heart and I have a deep down love for all those in my life that show me who God is through their talents and their love everyday. From family to friends, to the lady at the check out, to the friendly face on the street that makes an intention to say "Good Morning" every day. We are so blessed to have friends that live their lives to become the best version of themselves and teach us to do the same.

Do you know SAINTHOOD is real? So we must strive for sainthood! Follow the Lord with your whole heart and give your whole life to Him. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING must be for God and giving Him glory every day. Even when it gets hard, give it to the Lord, He will never leave your side, He is forever in control.

There are many men and women up in heaven praying for us every day and moment. "And even if we do lose heart, they (the saints) do not lose heart, even if we are overcome by terror, they are not overcome by terror, even if we are broken by grief they are not broken by grief; and we are one with them in Christ, members of one another." Turn to the saints, they have so much to teach us!

Let's encourage each other to follow God with ALL of our hearts and to strive for the goodness of sainthood. Thanks for all those who show me everyday what it means to strive for sainthood.

Love to all!

On a non related note: This weekend is Navy's last home football game. They painted Tecumseh for the Troy game.