Campus Minister's Weekly Commentary

Commentary 9-1-2010

Today’s focus is: As we grow in love, we grow closer to God.
In order to grow spiritually, we must recognize that our relationship with God is intimately linked to how we love and treat each other.  How we treat each other….  Now that would be a topic for continual reflection.  I had a friend who said she does an examination of conscious each evening as she lies down for the night.  She starts at the beginning of the day and proceeds moment by moment, hour by hour checking to see where she missed opportunities to be Christ to others or where she received blessings, favor, or help without any thanks offered back to God.   Often we need correction when our attitudes, thoughts and behavior don’t really line up with God’s expectation.  Who better to speak to us than God himself and how intimate and private that He would care enough to do that in prayer and through the sacraments. 
Prayer is many things for each person and one prayer is just to breathe the Name of Jesus.  My refection one morning this week was just that…
Just breathe My name.  Praying in that way is like the pressure of a child’s hand that calls forth an answering pressure, strengthens the child’s confidence and banishes fear.  God Calling AJ Russell
Consider that your requests, silent conversations, and recited prayers are just that a squeeze of God’s hand.  Do you remember being little and holding on to your Dad or Mom knowing that a squeeze or pressure gently applied would cause them to look down and check about what your need was.  Our God is amazingly approachable. Do not hesitate to squeeze His hand frequently today. 
He is probably one of the few contacts in this day and age that does not put you on hold when a call is made.  Don’t hesitate to get in the habit of having frequent contact with God.  He is very invested in you, your future and your potential that only He sees clearly.   It wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask His plan before proceeding with all of ours. 
Friday will be our First Friday of the month since the beginning of this school year;  therefore, we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel following 7 AM Mass until 3:00.  (All family and friends are invited to make a visit to Jesus with us on this day. Just stop by the office and let our secretaries know you are in the building for that purpose. Religion classes will be in the chapel throughout the day.)
INSESRT FOR PARENTS/ FRIENDS OF TMP  Some of you may have signed up to help with Adoration on First Fridays so that there is always a presence in the chapel during class passing etc.  If you are planning  to be available this week could you give me a call (Barbara Wagoner 625-6577 or just leave word with our secretaries and they will email the info)
The Lord is in His sacred temple; silence before Him, all the earth. Hab2:20
Reflection:  Step out of the world every once in a while.  Enter the silence of our chapel.  Smell the candles, and rest before the Lord in the tabernacle. 
Be still and know that He is God.
Dear Jesus, deepen my sense of reverence for the Holy Eucharist in the Mass today and during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday.
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TMP-Marian Campus Ministry invites you to check out the website below and join the universal church in praying the Divine Office.  Sr. Paul Ann Dinkel and Mrs. Wagoner have begun and plan to pray it daily for the intention of our school; faculty, staff, students, families and special intentions.
Welcome to Universalis
http://www.universalis.com/n-web.htm
The Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office) is the richest single prayer resource of the Christian Church. It provides prayers, psalms and meditation for every hour of every day. It has existed from the earliest times, to fulfill the Lord's command to pray without ceasing.

“The purpose of the Divine Office is to sanctify the day and all human activity.”
“The Office is... the prayer not only of the clergy but of the whole People of God.”
 

Campus Ministry update
Senior retreat had been set for October 25th.  Due to the NET Team being in our dioceses and available to our school on Thursday Oct. 7th collectively a decision has been made to move the Senior retreat to Oct 7th in order to take advantage of these young people and their ministry to Catholic Youth. 
Mark your calendar and begin now to pray for this year’s senior class and the success of this event.  The retreat will be held in the Capachin Spiritual Life Center in Victoria during regular school hours.  If interested in helping with the expense, housing, or cooking needed to host the team, please contact me.  In this early planning, it is my hope that the team can also address the entire school body at the end of the day.
If interested in finding out more about NET check out the website  www.netusa.org.
Barbara Wagoner /Pray for us, we are praying for you
Campus Minister  email   wagonerb@tmp-m.org