Like the wise man building his house on rock so that it stands with a firm foundation, our goal recently has been helping the WSU students lay a strong foundation for the school year ahead to prep them for not only their life in college but their adult lives to come. Over the past two weeks, our FOCUS team has been busy setting up men's and women's small groups that meet weekly. By the end of this past week, we had a total of 8 men's and women's small groups that met during the week. I am leading two women's groups for freshmen in the lobby of one of the residence halls throughout the week, with about 16-18 women in attendance between the two groups. God is so good!
The aim of these groups for the next 5 weeks is looking in depth at the message of the Gospel-- the core foundation of Christianity and God's plan for our salvation. I know I have said this before, but I am daily inspired by the faith and curiosity of these women who are striving to maintain and deepen their relationship with Christ. It amazes me how even throughout all the transitions they are going through in starting a new chapter of life, they are committed to having God be a part of this new chapter. Talk about building a foundation on solid rock!
We have also been busy connecting with students through various fun activities at the Newman Center and in the Winona community. This past Friday, I went with a group of about 25 people (Winona State and St. Mary's University students) up to the Twin Cities to the St. Paul Seminary for an event called Cor Jesu, which is a night of praise and worship, Adoration, reconciliation, and fellowship with over 300 young adults in St. Paul/Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. Also this past week, we had the privilege of attending Mass with Bishop Quinn, the Bishop of Winona, three times in one week! On Wednesday he celebrated Mass at our weekly Newman Center Mass, on Thursday he celebrated a special Mass at the Cathedral for the feast of the birth of the Virgin Mary, and on Sunday he celebrated our 7pm student Mass. Bishop Quinn is a very wonderful, holy, and joyful man with such a passion for students, so it was wonderful to have him around so much this week. Below is a picture of the Mass at the Cathedral on Thursday evening, in which Bishop Quinn renewed the Diocese of Winona's consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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| Sacred Heart Cathedral- Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Winona (Ali Kremer, Sept 8, 2011) |
Our FOCUS team has been so blessed to have such amazing support from everyone in the Diocese of Winona of the work God is doing through us in this ministry! I am still truly amazed at how welcoming the community has been to us. It's wonderful to have the support in doing a ministry that continues to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God here on earth. FUN FACT: The Diocese puts out a monthly newsletter, and FOCUS made the September issue! For a link to download the online newsletter with the article on FOCUS (on the front page, with team bios on page 10), click here!
Thank you all so much for your support and prayers! God has truly blessed your generosity in reaching these beautiful souls for Christ.
Yours,
Emily
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