Greetings from the Garden State! I arrived two weeks ago into the Newark Airport and it has just been a whirlwind of an adventure ever since. The Brothers, staff, and students here welcomed me with that good old Jersey hospitality!
Since arriving I have been trying to just "throw myself in." I've loved going to meetings, walking the campuses, and calling incoming Freshmen. Much of my time has also been used to grab lunch, dinner, or bubble tea (this might be my new favorite drink) with many of the older girls.
| The girls here were SHOCKED that I never had bubble tea before. Thanks to them, now I think I have a new addiction! |
As if having awesome students were not enough, the Lord has also sent some awesome women staff to CSA (Catholic Student Association) this year. I could not be more pumped to work with them. We just had our first Women's Pastoral Staff Meeting (be not confused by the fancy words- basically just women's staff). After talking with some of the student leaders and meeting with the Women's staff, I can't help but think that God is going to move powerfully in the women's community this year! Keep us in your prayers!
Classes don't actually start until September 4th. I am so thankful that I have this time to get to know the community and get used to Rutgers. It is SO different from Florida State! Rutgers used to be four different colleges, so the campuses are very spread out. I am the Mission Leader for the Cook/Douglas Campuses. I'll be in charge of the women's outreach, tabling, helping with the Mass on campus, and helping to plan the local socials.
The Catholic Center (CC) is across from the College Avenue Campus and I've gotten lost several times traveling to Cook/Douglas. It may only be 10 minutes away from the CC, but it's easy for a person with no sense of direction to get a little turned around :) Again, I'm glad I have so much time to explore the different campuses. Stay tunned for my Rutgers bus adventures. I'm attempting to ride a bunch of them next week...
The Executive Board (E-Board) and staff have decided to use Pope Benedict's declaration of "The Year of Faith" as fuel for everything that we will be doing this upcoming year. This past Sunday we had a Leadership Day for our returning students that focussed on Papa Benny's apostolic letter, Porta Fidei. This year will begin on October 11th, 2012.
Our Faith. Something that is NEVER talked about in the public arena. It's definitely under attack, especially on the College Campus. I was so impressed with the E-Board's reflections on this document during leadership day. They encouraged the community to take time to reflect and rediscover the Faith. Within the past two weeks I have told the story of how the Lord saught me out at least 20 times. Each time I tell it to one of the students here I am reminded of how powerfully the Lord has moved (and IS moving) in my life. Being an intern gives you ALOT of opportunities to OWN your Faith!
Here is the document if you're interested!
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html
When I say that I am learning so much- I really could go on and on! I'm learning so much about campus ministry, the Faith, leadership, out reach, and so much more. Most importantly I am coming to know more of who God is and who He has made me to be. Now, I understand why it's so important to go to another campus to do this mission year. It's one thing to do out reach as a student, on a campus you know well, with tons of people who know you. It's just another thing all together to do out reach in a totally new environment. One thing the Lord is starting to show me already is that being a missionary isn't something you can do on your own. I can have tons of zeal and enthusiasm about sharing the faith, but ultimately it's God who changes hearts.
Thank you for visiting! I can't wait for the year to kick off and to keep posting about my missionary adevtures!Stay tunned for a video tour of my apartment in the CC. I basically live in a palace ;)
Love,
Ericka
