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"Dear Jesus": On Mass and Adoration

Christina Mead — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:04:15 +0000

Dear Jesus,

I love you so much. You are my everything. I don’t know what I would do without you. Life can be hard sometimes. Ok, actually a lot of times. It never seems to stop throwing me curveballs and catching me off guard. Things can be overwhelming and then it’s easy to be emotional. I love how I can always talk to you and feel close to you throughout my day but especially at Mass and adoration. I never stop feeling your love and your presence there. You’re so great.

Sorry that sometimes I get distracted at Mass. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything going on and forget the incredible miracle that’s happening right in front of me. But then again, I don’t find it hard to re-focus myself because of this great mystery that the Eucharist is. I can’t believe that you humble yourself behind a piece of bread every single day countless times all over the world. And that you want to come and dwell within me – of all people.

You hide all your glorious splendor in order to be close to me – who can’t handle seeing or holding all that glory. I can’t believe I mean that much to you. When I receive you in the Eucharist my whole body and soul feels more peaceful. I can tell as I consume you, that your love is consuming me. I’ve never felt so close to anyone as I do to you in the Eucharist. And the best part is that it never gets old. You constantly are able to love me like I need, strengthen me for my day and speak personally to my heart. All I have to do is get out of bed and show up.

I’m sitting right now in Adoration. Well, you know that – you know everything. But as I’m looking at you in the Eucharist, I feel like we’re best friends, just sitting and talking.

I know that Mass is the high point of our relationship because it’s when you and I become one, so that your life flows through my veins. You are the one I love and I want to be as closely united with you as possible – like when I receive Holy Communion. I will never give that up because I don’t ever want to be separated from you.

But in Adoration, we can just look at each other, just hang out. Your gaze hits me and all I can say is “I’m nothing without you.” Being there in your presence prolongs and extends what happened in Mass, when we were united. In the silence of Adoration, you help me process what’s been going on in my life. I love when you just simply remind me who I am, and how you’re taking care of me.

I’m really thankful for you. Especially the ways you love me in the Eucharist. I don’t know what else to say. There aren’t anymore words.

Love,
Christina

Camp Tepeyac 2011, Week 04 (Life Teen), Day 05

Camp Photos — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:55:49 +0000

The last full day at Camp Tepeyac for the summer was full of teamwork, fun, and prayer. The day started off with men’s and women’s sessions and organized free time. After that, the campers geared up to run the Gauntlet. They got covered in water and mud and worked as teams to conquer the challenge. They celebrated their victories with a dance party on the basketball court. Musician Mikey Needleman led some worship before host Lisa Garcia gave a beautiful witness. The cross was processed from the amphitheater to the South Lodge and led into mass and adoration. God was incredibly generous with His grace this week!

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Camp New England 2011, Week 2 (Life Teen), Day 5

Camp Photos — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:47:46 +0000

On their last full day of their Epic adventure, the teens were split once more into guy and girl sessions. The guys went on an adventure to find a hidden treasure, while the girls enjoyed some Adoration. In the afternoon, teens participated in an obstacle course called THE GAUNTLET! They had to work together as a team to get everyone to the finish line. In the evening, the teens had their session on Epic Life. To finish off their last night at camp, the teens celebrated mass, and there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

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Camp New England 2011, Week 2 (Life Teen), Day 4

Camp Photos — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:05:02 +0000

On day four of their Epic Adventure, the teens were split into guys and girls again and had separate sessions on being Men and Women of God. After session, the teens traveled to the Fatima Shrine for a rosary walk and mass. The afternoon was casual, playing ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, and the much anticipated MESSY GAMES! That night there was a session on Epic Prayer, where the teens were given time to journal, and then spent an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

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Camp Tepeyac 2011, Week 4 (Life Teen), Day 4

Camp Photos — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:18:11 +0000

It was another day of conquering fears in the sunshine at Camp Tepeyac today! This morning, the guys headed into a men’s session and to low ropes while their sisters tackled the Tango tower. In the afternoon, they traded places, with the ladies in session and low ropes and the boys taking on the tower and the zip line. Later, the campers got to celebrate mass outside at the amphitheater before session led by host Lisa Garcia and a talk from worship leader Mikey Needleman. The campers were called to embrace silence and practiced with journaling and adoration.

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Camp Covecrest 2011, Week 09 (Life Teen), Day 4

Camp Photos — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:43:08 +0000

Day four at Camp Covecrest was yet another spirit-filled day. Teens spent the morning tackling high and low ropes courses while others tackled the river and went white water rafting. The evening session was on “Epic Prayer” where the campers had the chance to pray during adoration.
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Camp Covecrest 2011, Week 09 (Life Teen), Day 3

Camp Photos — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:26:02 +0000

Teens spent the morning of day three at Covecrest tackling the ropes course and going white water rafting. After campers spent the day conquering their fears, it was time to head to an evening session led by Randy Raus, this week’s host. The night was on “Epic Spirit” and diving into the Holy Spirit. Teens had the chance to be prayed over by youth ministers, core members and summer staffers in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Camp Covecrest 2011, Week 09 (Life Teen), Day 1

Camp Photos — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:48:20 +0000

Teens from all over gathered at Camp Covecrest today to start day one of their “epic adventure!” Campers were welcomed by the summer staff and enjoyed a medieval festival complete with jousting, chariot racing and tug o’ war. After a fun-filled festival, teens headed into their first session. Randy Raus, this week’s host, gave a talk on “Epic Love” with Josh Blakesley leading praise and worship. Parishes then met with their small groups and gathered back together to dive into God’s love during adoration.
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Camp Tepeyac 2011, Week 03 (Edge), Day 04

Camp Photos — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 07:46:55 +0000

Edge campers continued to conquer their fears today at Camp Tepeyac! They greeted the morning from the top of the Tango Tower, tackling the rock wall, the spider web, Jacob’s Ladder, and the zip line. Next, they took it to the ground for low ropes, working on team building and trusting their brothers and sisters. Building on that trust and fellowship, they celebrated mass and had men’s and women’s sessions. The night was closed with an incredibly powerful adoration session. God is good and provides so generously!

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Camp Covecrest 2011, Week 08 (Life Teen), Day 4

Camp Photos — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:02:12 +0000

Teens spent day four at Camp Covecrest going on epic adventures! Some went white water rafting while others encouraged each other on the ropes courses. In the evening, everyone gathered for Mass, celebrated by Msgr. Moyer. After Mass, Br. Paul Kostka led a session on “Epic Prayer” where everyone got to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. During adoration, teens had the chance to dive into scripture and journal.
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