Quick Sleepy Update

Well, Mel called me earlier, around 12:15 to say they'd blown a tire on the trailer. I was worried, but she said they got it taken care of, thanks to the generosity of the people at the tire shop who started on it right away even though they had a 3 hour wait, and gave us a good deal on the tire.
I have to be up in 4 hours to catch my plane.
I am going to sleep.
Good night all!
Keep Praying!

And... They're Off!!

Everyone began the journey today, except me. I'm the cheater. Since I live in Kansas City, I'm flying to New Orleans very very very early tomorrow. We're leaving my house at 4:30. Ugh! Yesterday I went to Six Flags in St. Louis with my home parish's youth group, and all throughout the day my phone kept ringing and it would be another person with something that they need me to bring, that I should have, etc. I heard they made a Wal-Mart run last night for a few essentials.

I found this very cool prayer to use this week. It's called the Breastplate of St. Patrick.

Breastplate of St. Patrick
I bind to myself today the virtue of obedience of the angels, in the hope of the resurrection unto reward; in the preachings of the apostles, in the faith of confessors, in the purity of holy virgins, in the deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today God's power to guide me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to teach me, God's eye to watch over me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to give me speech, God's hand to guide me, God's shield to shelter me against the seductions of sin.

I invoke today all these virtues against every hostile power which may assail my body and soul, against the cries of false prophets, against the black laws of heathenism, against the deceits of idolatry, against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today against an untimely death that I may receive abundant reward. Christ with me. Christ before me. Christ behind me. Christ within me. Christ with the soldier. Christ with the traveler. Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me. Christ in every eye that sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me. Praise to the Lord of my salvation! Salvation in Christ the Lord.

St. Patrick

We'll be using it to make sure we have Christ with us all week as we do his work! Please, Please, Please keep us in your prayers, we are going to be needing them!

Mel is freaking out (Part Two)

Mel is REALLY freaking out. She needs a double dose, or triple or quadruple dose of prayer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her SO much for all she has done. Without her endless (and I mean ENDLESS!) work, none of us would have this amazing opportunity. Her example of true devotion to God's work is such an inspiration to us.


Thank You Mel!!
We love you!

Go Make a Difference

I think I must have thought that two weeks was a lot longer than this. I have accomplished very little of what I had planned to after getting home from school. As Noah mentioned briefly, I am home in Missouri (or Misery as some call it :) ) and will be flying to New Orleans and meeting the group there. I'm not even really thinking about the trip yet, which is probably bad, but I have too much to do between now and then that I have to focus on. Like... packing. and getting a job. My Fiancee is coming home next weekend, so I'll get one day with him before we leave, kind of a bummer, but its worth it!

I am the Worship director for the trip. That means that I picked prayers and readings and songs to use throughout the trip. Our theme song for the trip is Go Make a Difference by Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek.
Refrain
Go make a diff'rence.
We can make a diff'rence.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.
Go make a diff'rence.
We can make a diff'rence.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.
1. We are the salt of the earth,
called to let the people see
the love of God in you and me.
We are the light of the world,
not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.
2. We are the hands of Christ
reaching out to those in need,
the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;
we are the voice of peace.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.
3. So let your love shine on,
let it shine for all to see.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ
will be with us as we go.
Go make a diff'rence in the world.

I'm really excited for AFTER the trip. Because while I know there will be fun moments, I don't think we'll exactly be having the time of our lives. But when we get home, we will feel like we have made a difference, and done it all for the glory of God.
That's exciting.

A Mission to Serve

Hurricane Katrina was a national disaster that destroyed the lifestyle of thousands of Americans. It is said that it will take ten years to restore New Orleans to be a livable location, and most likely will never be the same. As a community we decided that we could not sit around and talk about how terrible the disaster was, we had to use our talents and skills to take a small part in rebuilding the city.

The Newman Community is the Catholic student organization at Ohio University. We hold weekly meetings that explore different areas of our faith within four contexts, service, social, worship, and education.

From June 24 through July 2, seventeen members of the Newman Community and Christ the King University Parish (11 students and 6 parishioners) will be traveling southbound to help with the restoration of New Orleans due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. We found this opportunity through Catholic Heart Work Camp, and are very excited to take this journey of faith. We will be driving to New Orleans and once we arrive, we will start doing restorative work such as clearing houses, dry walling, painting, and other various cleaning tasks.




"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone."
1 Corinthians 12:4-6