Happy feast day of Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano

As I've recounted many times, in 2010 when Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life was just beginning, the young people chose their two patrons: St. Maximilian Kolbe and Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano.  Today is the feast day of the latter.

If you don't know anything about Bl. Chiara, you can read a short reflection here.  You can also watch a documentary about Bl. Chiara here.

Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano, pray for us!

Happy feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe!

When we began Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life five years ago, one of our early meetings centered on choosing two patron saints for the group.  Each of the high school students was asked to report on a particular saint, mostly young saints or those from the 20th century.  The teens then voted on which two they would like to see as our patrons.  And so St. Maximilian Kolbe and Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano became the patron and patroness of Kenosis.  

St. Maximilian Kolbe has been called a martyr for the family because he offered his life for one particular family.  He offered his priestly fatherhood so that another man could continue to live his vocation as husband and father.  

Today is St. Maximilan Kolbe's feast day, and Deacon Greg Kandra has a great link to the biography of the man he died to save, Franciszek Gajowniczek.  He lived to be 93 -- 53 years after St. Maximilian Kolbe saved his life.  

Learn more about him here.

Happy feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe

Three years ago when Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life began, the high school students chose two patrons -- Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano and St. Maximilian Kolbe.  Today is the latter's feast, and in his honor, a quote from him:

"No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hetacombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we are ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?"

What will happen if I don't stop?

Last night we were very blessed to have Fr. Earl Fernandes, academic dean of the Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati, as our guest speaker for Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life. Fr. Fernandes addressed the topic of same-sex attraction.

After a brief overview of the Church's teaching on marriage, sexuality and same-sex attraction, Fr. Fernandes showed the USCCB's video about sexual complementarity, "Made for Each Other." He then answered dozens of questions written by the teens.

Several questions dealt with how to speak of the topic of same-sex attraction and behavior with family or friends. One questioner wanted to know if anything should be said to a friend who is struggling in this area.

Fr. Fernandes mentioned common interpretations of the Good Samaritan parable that describe the priest and the Levite as "too busy" to stop. But, Fr. Fernandes said that the road to Jericho was very dangerous. Consequently, some interpret the priest and Levite as asking themselves, "What will happen to me if I stop?"

The difference of the Good Samaritan was his question -- "What will happen to this man if I don't stop?"

Similarly, we are called to ask, "What will happen to my friend, to my relative, to this person, if I don't say something, if I don't share the beauty of my faith? What will happen to this person's salvation if I remain silent?"

Although the topic of same-sex attraction is a delicate and controversial one, we can remain confident that the Church's teaching is one of authentic love, as She longs for the eternal happiness of all of her children.

Stations of the Cross meditations, Part III

Our Kenosis teens prepared these Stations of the Cross meditations during this Holy Week. We hope and pray that they present you an opportunity for fruitful reflection during this Triduum.

Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

The nails pierced the median nerves. Pain shoots not just through Christ’s hands and arms but through His entire body. These nerves. This body. The same sensory system that allows us to feel joy, is causing such great physical pain.

Lord, the depth of Your suffering is only a shadow of Your love for me. When I am sorrowful or happy, these are only a glimpse of the profundity of Your plan for me. A plan for happiness, for eternity.

Jesus, help me to accept the grace You offer to bear my own pains, with my eyes always heavenward towards the point of it all.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Dear Jesus, You died on the cross for love of us. You forgave those who hate You, and even as You died, You prayed for them. You taught us that there is no greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friend. Even when we are treated unfairly and we feel like we are alone, help us to know you are there, encouraging us and teaching us to love those who sin against us.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Lord, as Your body was taken down from the cross – bloody, bruised, pierced, wounded – you were surrounded by Your mother Mary, your disciple John and Joseph of Arimathea. The world would look at Your body and shun the blood, the violence, the mangled limbs. But the eyes of faith of those who surrounded You most closely told a different story. This was no meaningless death, no waste of a life. It was a sacrifice of love. Each nail mark radiated the pure light of love. Each mark of blood represented infinite sacrifice. Each wound poured forth a gift – a fruit of love given to the end.

While looking at Your body, most would walk away in disgust, yet Your disciples, along with their grief, could experience even a glimmer of joy, knowing they were loved to the end. Please give us the grace to look at You and Your sacrifice with eyes of faith and hope and to embrace the fruit of suffering in our own lives.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

When You laid in the tomb, the earth mourned, the trees wept, the seas wept and the land barren. At this moment the world stood still and the cosmos paused, but Your body laid waiting for the victory. Oh, the anguish, darkness, and emptiness we all feel at times, Lord, You knew in the tomb. The joy You knew in what was about to be accomplished. You allow us Lord at times to experience emptiness in order to purify the gift. Teach me Lord to find joy in the emptiness as You did.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Stations of the Cross meditations, Part II

Today we continue the meditations written by Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life.

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the example set by Veronica to console the injured and abused in their weakest times. Help us to follow in her footsteps and not be afraid to do what we know is right and to help those in need. Like Veronica, give us the courage to stand up for the voiceless souls who are mistreated and condemned and to wipe away any hurt that may be stained on their hearts.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Becaus
e by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Jesus accepts another fall. God’s own flesh is torn open, and He is humiliated by His children. Even knowing the suffering that would follow, He accepts another fall, not to force His children into salvation, but open the invitation to us, even in our sinfulness. Though He falls, He is able to get back up with the hope that just one of His children will get to enter heaven.

Jesus, fighting for the salvation of souls is demanding and exhausting. We are often humiliated, and when we aren’t it is because we were too afraid to stick up for You. Help us to persevere even after we fall. Help us suffer toward Your cross of our own salvation. Help us to fight for what is true and not to count the cost. Amen.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

“A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for your children.” – Luke 23:27-28

Jesus, walking along the road to His death and carrying the heavy wooden cross, is still able to maintain a kind and loving presence to those around Him. If you think about the last time you had a bad day, did you act in a similar manner? Chances are, you were grumpy, annoyed, and tried hard to close yourself off to the rest of the world. Jesus, though, sets us the perfect example of how to remain joyful in our sufferings. Instead of reacting with bitterness to these poor women, He reaches out to them and comforts them even when He is the one who is in most need of comfort.

Jesus, help me to always imitate Your joyful and kindly demeanor, even if I’m going through the most difficult of times.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Lord, you have fallen again. The crown of thorns pushes more forcefully into your head. The weight of the wood crushes your shoulders. Passersby mock and scorn You. In the pain and humiliation You say, “Yes.” You say yes to loving the world – each person unique, unrepeatable, loved into existence. You say yes to every moment of pain, physical and emotional, knowing that it will bear fruit. You see a young man in 2,000 years receiving forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and you say yes. You see a woman living several centuries away whose child is dying, and you say yes. You say yes so that all those who follow You can suffer with meaning. You say yes so that every man and woman can live eternally with You. Even when it means repeatedly falling, you stand again to say yes.

Jesus, we ask for the grace to unite our yes with Yours, that You will open our suffering to Your own and to Your incredible love.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of His garments.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Oh Lord, how is it that our God would take on our flesh to suffer and personally take on our guilt? Your poured Your life out like a libation. You gave Your life as a selfless gift in order to open our hearts to receive that gift. Still Lord, you allow Yourself to be stripped of all in order that You can give all. Lord, teach me to get rid of all attachments in order that I may be a total gift to You and to others. There are times, Lord, when I have nothing to give, but teach me to give that nothing. Jesus, it must have given You great joy to know at the moment Your cloak was stripped from Your body, Your complete selfless gift would change my heart this very moment. Thank you for the gift.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Stations of the Cross meditations, Part I

Once again, Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life spent the Holy Week meeting creating meditations on the Stations of the Cross. This time we asked that the meditations focus on the joy and fruitfulness of suffering. And once again, the meditations are too good not to share. I hope they give you an opportunity for fruitful prayer as we prepare for the Triduum.

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

“And he said to the Jews, ‘Behold your king!’ They cried out, ‘Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I

crucify your king?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.” – John 19:14-16.

Jesus, knowing he was completely innocent of any crime, accepts the fate that the Jews and the Romans dictate. He knows that by doing this he will have to suffer greatly, and yet He continues anyway because He places the good of each of us above His own comfort. His words in the garden echo in our memory, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet, not as I will but as You will.”

Jesus, help us to show this same selflessness that you did, even in the face of situations that cause us harm.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Second Station: Jesus takes up His cross.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Dearest Jesus, Your example of self-gift and humility inspires us to give of ourselves and offer up our sufferings to You. Through Your willingness to accept Your cross, You gave us a model to follow and a way to face our struggles with joy and hope in our hearts.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Third Station: Jesus falls the first time.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Jesus’ first fall shows the weight of the cross, how heavy our sings are. How much more joyful we should be, then, that such a burden has been lifted from our shoulders. His falling and rising shows that He is with us at every moment, even when we fall. He is with us, helping us carry our crosses, and just as He didn’t give up on us on His way to Calvary, He doesn’t give up on us now. The fall wasn’t the greatest pain He endured for our sake, but it shows us that He is with us not only in our greatest trials, but also smaller ones. Jesus’ rise after His fall points to His resurrection, which is the ultimate example of hope because of suffering.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Fourth Station: Jesus meets His mother.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

As Mary looks at her suffering Son, her heart burns with desolation. The angel Gabriel had promised that her Son would redeem the world, but now He is walking from the sinful world to His death. It is at this moment that Mary reflects on the joy of her first yes at the Annunciation, and the grace that has come from the suffering she has endured. If her small suffering in saying yes to God could make God flesh, what could limit the power of the suffering of God? Mary is able to trust that he agony, united to her Son’s plays an active part in the salvation of the world.

Mary, help us to see how God has used our suffering to make Himself visible to our family and those around us. Help us in our agony to know that Jesus is meeting us with a deep understanding of the sufferings of our heart.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross.

Leader: We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
All: Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

It was not long into the journey up the hill that it was recognized that our Christ was not going to make it on His own. The soldiers pressed Simon of Cyrene into helping. How blessed was Simon to be allowed the great honor to share in the suffering of the Lord.

But we can be sure that this is not how he felt. At least, not initially. What overwhelming joy, would Simon have, when Christ rises, and His true nature is known, that he played some small part.

Each time I suffer, I am given the opportunity to join in the suffering of Christ. But too often I cannot see beyond my broken heart. I refuse to see beyond the unfairness of my situation.

Lord, take my heart, all my suffering, all my faults, all my talents. Help me to focus them towards You; towards joining them with Your way of the cross; towards uniting with You in the Eucharist. Only in placing them in You, can they be transformed in the Resurrection into JOY. Please not let it be after the fact that I see the beauty and fruitfulness of this suffering.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

Ruah Woods' event on Feb. 1

10 "Good News" moments of 2011

Last year, I celebrated the close of 2009 with a list of the top ten highlights of the year associated with Theology of the Body, Kenosis and Ruah Woods. I always enjoy remembering what God has done in the past 365 days, so I’m going to embark on the project again this year. What opportunities have we been blessed with this year?

10) Brian Butler coming to town

In April, Ruah Woods partnered with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to host Brian Butler’s Theology of the Body for Teens training program. It was so refreshing to hear Brian speak, holding his audiences captive by sharing the hunger of teens for a challenging, beautiful message. It was also encouraging to see how many teachers, DREs, youth ministers and parents filed into St. Peter in Huber Heights and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Anderson Township to learn how to communicate TOB to the youth.

9) Kenosis Discipleship Week

In July we had our first Kenosis Discipleship Week – an opportunity for high school students to receive from the Lord and then to learn how to concretely give of themselves to their schools, parishes, family and friends. We had Mass every day, generously offered by local priests. We spent time in prayer, reflection, small groups and education sessions. We also had working groups, bringing their gifts and talents to the table to see how they can reach others in creative ways.

8) Tremendous range of speaking opportunities

It is such a joy to be able to share various aspects of Theology of the Body with an incredible range of audiences. This year, there were plenty of high schools, parishes, a couple of middle schools, Northern Kentucky University, Marian University, the Edith Stein Project at the University of Notre Dame, Theology on Tap, the first Parrhesia young adult conference in Cincinnati. With such a range of topics and audiences (junior high, high school, college, parents, academics, young adults), I am always given new opportunities to learn and to grow.

7) Kenosis Restore retreat: Encounter at the Well

This year’s Kenosis Restore retreat centered on John 4 – the encounter of Jesus with the woman at the well. It was a wonderful opportunity for the teens to pray, reflect in silence, spend time with other Kenosis teens, and learn about Christ’s thirst for union with each of us as a unique, unrepeatable person. These retreats are vitally important to our philosophy of first receiving God’s love in a relationship with Him, which enables us to give in whatever way the Lord invites us to give of ourselves.

6) World Youth Day

Madrid, Spain was my third (and quite possibly, last) World Youth Day, but my first as a chaperone. It was beautiful to watch the teens’ desire to be open to all that God had for them on the pilgrimage. It was also quite stunning to witness a million or more young people kneeling in the mud in complete silence during Exposition

of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Pope Benedict XVI. This is exactly what people need to experience when they accuse the young of an inability to rise to the challenge of faith.

5) Teaching at the seminary

What a tremendous gift it was for me to be able to teach a Theology of the Body master’s course at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary of the West and the Athenaeum in Cincinnati this fall! It was an honor to be able to teach future priests, as well as two laypeople. I was also given the opportunity to further immerse myself in Theology of the Body and in the more precise theological aspects of the teaching that are not fit for hour-long talks or teen retreats. It is also exciting to see how an “adequate anthropology” might impact future homilies, marriage prep programs, and other parish initiatives.

4) Working with the Kenosis teens on various projects, retreats, etc.

This year, my fellow Theology of the Body education coordinator and I have striven to give the Kenosis teens opportunities to use their gifts and talents to build a culture of life and a civilization of love. We have had a junior core of six high sch

ool students on TOB for Teens retreats. Two teens created an incredible new promo video, which debuted at our September banquet. Some students have traveled with us to speak to junior high students. There are countless opportunities to use gifts of speaking, design, video work, writing, prayer and leadership to serve the youth of the Tri-state area.

3) Hearing a young man at TOB for Teens talk about his sudden desire to become a priest.

During a Theology of the Body for Teens program, one young man struggled to put into words the consistent call he felt during the program: “Even though you didn’t talk much about it explicitly, I kept hearing this voice say, ‘Be a priest! Be a priest!’ Then you brought a seminarian to speak to us, and I felt like he was talking to me. I want to consider going to college seminary next year, because I think this may be where God is calling me.”

2) Called to be More vocations pilgrimage walk

How to summarize one week of walking 150 miles with ten high school students and five adults in order to pray for vocations, discern personal vocations and to witness to the astonishing fact that God always calls us to be more? There were plenty of blisters, sore feet, injured knees and

ankles, long days of walking. But there were also beautiful churches (we stopped to pray in 30 of them), wonderful conversations with people along the journey, a wealth of community prayer and plenty of laughter. Even in the suffering, there

was joy. The teens are still talking about the pilgrimage walk and the ways in which it has impacted them.

1) John Paul II’s beatification

Not only was John Paul II beatified this May 1, but I was blessed to be present at St. Peter’s Square for the big event. How incredible to stand with a million or more people from around the world, as Pope Benedict XVI made the official proclamation. We applauded until our arms ached while they unveiled the portrait of Bl. John Paul II. The beatification gave me the chance to thank a man who I never had the opportunity to meet while he was on earth (though I did see him from a few feet away at World Youth Day 2002). Bl. John Paul II’s influence on my life continues to this day. How fitting to make a pilgrimage in order to thank him and to thank God for sending us such an incredible Holy Father in a unique time in the history of the Church and of the world.

Encounter at the Well

This past weekend we had our second annual Kenosis "Restore" retreat. It is a gift every year to gather a wonderful group of high school students who have completed the Theology of the Body for Teens program in order to focus on prayer, silence, discernment and God's love. There is often a desire after TOB for Teens to share the good news with friends, family, co-workers -- sometimes even complete strangers -- but if this desire is not first rooted in prayer and receiving the love of God, then there is no way for God's love to overflow into others' lives.

This year's retreat was centered on the encounter of Christ with the woman at the well in John 4. Toward the beginning of the weekend, the teens were sent on a perilous journey from "Judea" to "Galilee." Meanwhile, a well was constructed in the middle of the main room. For the rest of the weekend, our talks were given surrounding the well in "Samaria."

In the beginning of John 4, it says that Jesus went from Judea to Galilee and "had to pass through Samaria." In reality, Samaria was not on the way. Why did he have to pass through? Because of His desire to encounter the woman of Samaria and to invite her to receive His love. Our first talk centered on the unique and unrepeatable love that Christ has for each person. We also talked about the beautiful way in which God uses particular people, particular times, particular circumstances to bring us to Him. In short, God has a particular plan for each of us that He invites us to receive.

Saturday morning began with quiet reflection on John 4, followed by a talk about the Eucharist as the source of the well. We also learned about the meaning and necessity of a water -- a concept that is somewhat lost in our current culture and situation. How does Jesus continue to fill us at the well? By giving of Himself in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.

We didn't simply talk about the importance of the Eucharist, however. We were then able to attend Mass together in the retreat center chapel. Fr. Adam Puntel's homily fit perfectly with the theme thus far.

In the early afternoon, we had a panel of four seminarians who answered questions about prayer and discernment. There were a lot of laughs, some note-taking and plenty of food for thought, as the seminarians witnessed to the importance of prayer and cultivating a desire for prayer.

Later in the afternoon we had men's and women's sessions dedicated to a masculine or feminine approach to prayer and the Eucharist. I can't speak for the men's session, but I do know that the women's session focused on the application of John 4 to our personal lives, as well as growing in our ability to receive.

After dinner, we had a talk in the chapel about Christ's thirst for us. We often talk about our desire for God, but we don't always consider that He desires us as well. This was the perfect lens through which to view confession and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which took place

during the remainder of the evening. Throughout the night there was also an opportunity for students to spend a half-hour in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

On Sunday morning we had a final talk to send us forth on the journey. The woman at the well left her water jug at the well, went into the town and told everyone about the Christ. What does that mean for us?

After Mass with Fr. Kyle Schnippel, we were ready to be sent forth, in a similar way to the woman at the well. Ready with renewed realization that we can only give when we are receiving God's love, we walked away knowing that Christ desires to encounter us daily.

It was a whirlwind weekend! There were also games, sports, a talent show (a yearly highlight!) and opportunities for conversation. The retreat aims to be a blend of talks, small group discussion, silent personal reflection and fun. It continues to be a gift to serve the teens in Kenosis. Their faithfulness and desire for Christ teaches all of the adults in ways they probably don't realize.

So, thank you for your prayers. It was a fruitful weekend.

Back from retreat

Slow blogging! As you can imagine, leading retreats can be a tad exhausting -- though very worthwhile. Consequently, I have not yet had the time to write a follow-up report. Thank you so much for the prayers. It was a wonderful weekend. Within the next day or two, I will give a full report.

Prayer request

Our second Kenosis "Restore" retreat is this weekend, and we would love your prayers! The theme is, "Encounter at the Well," and we will be delving deeply into John 4. Please pray for the 21 teens registered to attend, as well as the 6 adult leaders, and special guest 5 priests and 4 seminarians. We have a wonderful weekend planned and know that your prayers will provide a tremendous opportunity for the retreatants to draw closer to Christ.

Restore retreat: Encounter at the well

The second annual Kenosis "Restore" retreat will be December 9-11. It is open to all high school students who have completed the Theology of the Body for Teens program. Space is limited! Registration is available at the Ruah Woods website.

Evangelization on the highway

A car-full of girls in Kenosis were recently on a roadtrip, when they were engaged in an innocent encounter of waving to another car. The other car -- full of several teen boys -- was not content with a simple waving match on the highway. One of the boys held up a sign in the window with an inappropriate message.

The girls, all schooled in Theology of the Body, decided this was a moment for evangelization. They scrambled for paper and pen in the car, and then wrote: "Respect. We are precious gifts."

The boys didn't get it. So the girls countered again: "Why would you want to use us?"

Still, the boys were confused, so the ladies responded: "Be men. Not boys."

The boys drove away. The girls continued their roadtrip. But one has to wonder how these simple messages impacted the boys. Maybe they tucked the messages in their minds for a later reflection. Maybe they were intrigued. Maybe they didn't believe there were girls in the world wiling to wait for respect.

Maybe something as simple as driving down the highway became an invitation to these young men to live the fact that they were made for more.

Happy feast of Bl. Chiara "Luce" Badano!

Our wonderful patroness of Kenosis, Blessed Chiara "Luce" Badano's feast day is today. If you haven't heard of this 19 year old saint, who died in 1990, then you will want to read about her holiness in the everyday.

"I've realized that if we could constantly keep our soul open and ready for everything, how many signs God would send us. I have also understood how many times God passes next to us and we do not realize it ... Young people are the future. I cannot run anymore, but I'd like to pass them my torch, like at the Olympic games. The youth have one life to live, and we should spend it as best we can." -- Bl. Chiara

Prayers please

It's time for another TOB for Teens retreat. That means we need your prayers! This weekend, a full house of 26 teens, 6 junior core members and 6 adults will embark on an adventure of growing closer to God through learning about Theology of the Body.

It's the sort of event that is impossible without prayer. So if you are able, please offer a prayer or two for all of us this weekend. Thank you!

Women -- God's Precious Gift

A gift from the young men in Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life --

Kenosis promo video

The new promo video is finally available! I hadn't realized before that I was posting a password-protected version. Two Kenosis teens created this piece. Take three minutes to see the good that God is doing in the lives of our young people.

Ruah Woods Prom Video from Zachary Auciello on Vimeo.

Happy birthday, Kenosis!

Today is the first birthday of Kenosis: Teen Disciples for Love and Life. What a year! It is not accidental that our birthday is on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The model of Kenosis is the self-emptying of Christ, which was a fruitful gift of self.

And a birthday gift of a good quote on suffering and the cross is in order. That's not to say that the first year of Kenosis has been a cross! But on this day when we reflect on the joy of embracing the cross leading to the resurrection, it seems like a fitting reminder --

"Suffering is like a kiss that Jesus hanging from the cross bestows on persons whom He loves in a special way. Because of this love He wants to associate them in the work of the redemption." -- St. Bonaventure

What's Kenosis all about?

Ruah Woods' banquet was last night. What a wonderful event!

Check out the Kenosis promo video we unveiled at the banquet. The video was created by two Kenosis teens and features the testimonies of many of our high school students from the Tri-State area.

Ruah Woods Final from TheUG on Vimeo.