St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words." From May 9 to 16 I had the honor and gift of traveling with 14 college students and their campus minister to Oklahoma City to work with Habitat for Humanity for five days. Pictured above are Aaron McRee, Ted Cramer, Mike Kline, and Brian Neely. Aaron has been our liaison and guide for this mission work for 15 years. Fr. Carl Gallinger started this mission trip 15 years ago as a vocation trip to offer the opportunity to transition from the academic year into the summer with a view toward the bigger picture through the lens of service. A powerful image of this in my mind is that the first mission trip happened just a month after the Oklahoma City bombing. In the midst of chaos and destruction a group from Wyoming brought love and unity. Now all these years later Habitat for Humanity and many others look forward with great expectation for the Newman Center group from St. Paul's to come! These young people continue to evangelize in powerful way. "What a great joy it has been for me personally and for us at Chaparral Energy to have been a witness to God's hand through each and every one of you!!! To volunteer a week of your time on the Habitat projects before beginning your summer break or your new job is admirable. The positive impact which you have directly provided to each recipient of a new home will be immeasurable. But, I think you know that. Otherwise you would not be here. What you may not realize is the impact you had on us at Chapparal." This was sent by email from Mike Maly the CEO of the Oklahoma City based Chaparral Energy Corporation!
This was also a powerful pilgrimage in faith. Transitioning into the summer from the rigors of the academic year in this way affords a last opportunity to spend time with dear friends with whom God has worked in profound ways. As a priest, and as a Vocation Director, I was so taken with the joy, faithfulness, and maturity of each of the members of the group. Conversations that I had with each one around tenets of faith or living patiently with others or persevering through difficult tasks (we worked in lots of rain and mud, and with lots of different personalities) were a reminder to me of the subtle but powerful way that the Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies us.
Perhaps the most enduring aspect of this mission trip and of the Church herself is the power of community. We priests generally live alone or with one other person, but for 8 days to be part of a 16 member family was a true encounter with Trinitarian life. Thinking of others, relishing particular qualities, hearing each other's stories and aspirations, trials and experiences of resurrection and faith. I am certain that the times we prayed Mass together were a major aspect to this and animated and illuminated the "thanksgiving" that was lived in the moment. This was the first trip I've taken since the announcement that I'll be leaving vocation work July 1st to return to parish ministry. It was a good way for me enter into transition from a way of ministry I've known for 7 years and beginning something new. It is such a grace to remember that God is with us always, that we encounter Him through the sacraments, and live the Good News in community, particularly community in service! "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words!"
St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words." From May 9 to 16 I had the honor and gift of traveling with 14 college students and their campus minister to Oklahoma City to work with Habitat for Humanity for five days. Pictured above are Aaron McRee, Ted Cramer, Mike Kline, and Brian Neely. Aaron has been our liaison and guide for this mission work for 15 years. Fr. Carl Gallinger started this mission trip 15 years ago as a vocation trip to offer the opportunity to transition from the academic year into the summer with a view toward the bigger picture through the lens of service. A powerful image of this in my mind is that the first mission trip happened just a month after the Oklahoma City bombing. In the midst of chaos and destruction a group from Wyoming brought love and unity. Now all these years later Habitat for Humanity and many others look forward with great expectation for the Newman Center group from St. Paul's to come! These young people continue to evangelize in powerful way. "What a great joy it has been for me personally and for us at Chaparral Energy to have been a witness to God's hand through each and every one of you!!! To volunteer a week of your time on the Habitat projects before beginning your summer break or your new job is admirable. The positive impact which you have directly provided to each recipient of a new home will be immeasurable. But, I think you know that. Otherwise you would not be here. What you may not realize is the impact you had on us at Chapparal." This was sent by email from Mike Maly the CEO of the Oklahoma City based Chaparral Energy Corporation! 
This was also a powerful pilgrimage in faith. Transitioning into the summer from the rigors of the academic year in this way affords a last opportunity to spend time with dear friends with whom God has worked in profound ways. As a priest, and as a Vocation Director, I was so taken with the joy, faithfulness, and maturity of each of the members of the group. Conversations that I had with each one around tenets of faith or living patiently with others or persevering through difficult tasks (we worked in lots of rain and mud, and with lots of different personalities) were a reminder to me of the subtle but powerful way that the Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies us. 
Perhaps the most enduring aspect of this mission trip and of the Church herself is the power of community. We priests generally live alone or with one other person, but for 8 days to be part of a 16 member family was a true encounter with Trinitarian life. Thinking of others, relishing particular qualities, hearing each other's stories and aspirations, trials and experiences of resurrection and faith. I am certain that the times we prayed Mass together were a major aspect to this and animated and illuminated the "thanksgiving" that was lived in the moment. This was the first trip I've taken since the announcement that I'll be leaving vocation work July 1st to return to parish ministry. It was a good way for me enter into transition from a way of ministry I've known for 7 years and beginning something new. It is such a grace to remember that God is with us always, that we encounter Him through the sacraments, and live the Good News in community, particularly community in service! "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words!"
