WOW What a week,
The best part of going there is coming home...Although there might be a few teens that disagree with that statement. We went to Cove Crest to get soaked into God's Love, to get thrown into His Grace, to get drenched in His forgiveness, is that enough analogy for you. From the Mud pit, to the High and Low ropes course, to the White water rafting and oh how can we forget the Gauntlet. We had a blast, and with no major injuries I might ad.
God showed up in all those in attendance, from the 3 guy/girl sessions, to daily mass, (I'll talk about that a little later) Adoration in front of the blessed sacrament, a rosary walk, outdoor stations of the cross in the woods, Awesome musicians, who by the way are from Abbeville, and of course the presenter that delivered an EPIC talk all week long. The group was introduced to a man that goes by the name of "Happy" and talked to the group about the need to go through life looking at the BLESSINGs life offers and not spend alot of time on the negatives, ending his presentation with his motto of "UBI" U are the best, Be Happy, and I Love You! The teens were challenged spiritually to go beyond the norm, be better than the world wants them to be, treat others with the same respect they would have for themselves.
On a personal note: The teens from St. Mary's were great, they were respectful of each other and of others, yea there were a little shananagans in the guys cabin, but it was IN the cabin not out! I am honored to say that was our youth group when asked "Who is that?" The camp staff made comments to me about that. So be proud of yourselves as parents and teens you represented well.
I spoke above about the fact that we attended daily mass, I want to say a few words about that, Your teens loved it sure it was difficult at first but by the 3rd day they were fine with it some actually looked forward to it. I expressed my desire and prayer for them is to attend mass every Sunday, and make missing mass a rarity, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states 3 reasons we are excused from mass on Sundays, our sickness, care of elderly or small children and if there simply is not a church where we are, but that is rarely the case here in the US. As parents we are obligated to getting our families to Church on Sundays and Holy days.
I expressed the way we can live out Cove Crest in our lives every day, is to focus on 4 things,
First is The Sacraments, Sunday mass is a sacrament, Reception of Communion is the best way we can physically receive Christ, as he commands us in the Gospels.
Secondly, Prayer, in praying we are communication with the VERY same God that created those mountains we climbed, the Chattogga river we rafted down.
Third: Community, being with those that are striving after the same spiritual goals you are looking for, That is why I cannot stress enough the need to get your teens to Life Teen events, that means Life Nights, Couch Room on Tuesdays, and checking this blog is the best way we can inform you.
Lastly, Service, in serving other we are serving Him, and this will happen this up coming year.
I know this is alot to digest but we had a week to unfold to you, and reminders for your teens as well. Thanks again for loaning your teens to us, we will see them Sunday evening at mass at 5PM and Life Night at 6, till 7:30 or so. God Bless you all
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