An Angelic Kind of Day after CREDO

+JMJ+

What a perfect way to begin a new week: celebrating the Feast of the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael and Michael! I can't help but sense how God's timing is really perfect.

This weekend I had the joy of spending time with Catholic youth in Cincinnati, Ohio. The occasion? CREDO, a Eucharistic Centered Retreat.

Over the past three years I've been blessed to take part in YOUTH 2000 here in Chicago, upon which CREDO is modeled. What, might you ask, did we do this weekend?

Picture this:

A high school gym...with an alter, a band...and at the center of the room, a tower of candles-the 'Burning Bush'-upon which is enthroned the King of Kings--Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

When I arrived at the high school where CREDO was being hosted, I was lead in through the gym, and the moment I walked in, I felt at home (and I had the sense that God will bring me to many such gyms turned retreat chapels during my life). I spent some time in the school's actual chapel, praying and preparing for the presentation I would give later Friday evening, based upon the theme for the retreat--"Credo, I believe, help my unbelief," from the Gospel of Mark.

Funny, it was only earlier that week that I'd realized I was invited to speak before JESUS, that He would be there, in the room, really present, not in the Tabernacle, but there, exposed in the midst of us...in the Monstrance. It was hard for me to wrap my head around, but after talking with Fr. Michael, who was coordinating the retreat, I felt more at ease and had a solid direction to take into prayer.

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To make a long story even longer...the weekend was such a joy! I met so many wonderful people--not only the many adult volunteers who spent their weekend working behind the scenes with great joy--but also so many awesome teens and wonderful Dominican Priests! You truly had the sense that so many of us really wanted to be there, that we were brining our hearts and so open to all that Jesus wanted to give us through the sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist, the talks and the experience of Eucharistic Adoration (and some pretty sweet Praise and Worship).

What was the best part of the weekend? Well, Jesus of course! But along with His presence and grace came meeting so many people, hearing stories, sharing smiles, tears, and of course JOY!

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Rewind a little...on Friday morning when I was walking through O'Hare Airport, I felt a little lonely, but I had this deep peace that this was part of my story, too. That God, in His generosity, is inviting me to share more of myself with others, and to learn more and more how to see HIM and receive Him in everyone around me! How could I ever be lonely if I could just understand a little how Jesus is truly present everywhere, if not physically, always in spirit?

So, why am I glad today is the Feast of the Archangels? Because sometimes when you come home from a retreat, things are really hard--it is hard to pray, hard to hold onto the graces received. But, how generous is God?? The day after CREDO ends, to remind us that His angles are always with us!

P.S.~ For the record, I've never seen "Days of Elijah" rocked out the way they do it in Cincinnati!

P.P.S.~ The picture is of the Burning Bush from YOUTH 2000 Chicago this past Winter, but this is exactly how the Burning Bush looked at CREDO--Oh, and JESUS is in the picture too, Really Present in the Monstrance!