‘Humble servants’

Recently, I had the opportunity of a life-time, at least one for myself. Since my discernment of a year ago for the TEC Conference position, I have asked to serve on the team for two national workshops. These two workshops have truly been filled with many rich blessings. This past March and early April I was asked to serve on the team for a workshop in Green Bay. Of course being a Packer fan, I couldn’t say no. It was a wonderful experience, as I was able to work with several other leaders, and over a four day process, help other adults who are deeply involved in TEC come to better understand their role as an adult faith community. After the workshop was over, I chose to take a couple of vacation days and spend some time in Green Bay, primarily touring Lambeau Field.

It was during this time, that I began to think about this column, and as the Spirit continued to work, my thoughts came to fullness during the Easter Triduum. In one of my previous columns, I used a quote by Vince Lombardi: "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we will reach excellence." While I was touring the Packer Hall of Fame, I also came across another quote by Vince Lombardi. "All of the glory that goes with winning, all of the turmoil, all of the winning and all of the money, they don’t last. But the spirit that it takes to try to get there, these are the things that really endure."

As I continue to reflect on these two quotes, and as I think back to the Triduum, I cannot help but think of each of the young men and women who are involved in the youth ministry efforts in the diocese; all of the kids who participate in our summer camps, youth rallies, retreats and the ones who serve on the diocesan youth council. Each one, in their own special way, is striving to make each of these quotes become a little more realistic.

As I watched a senior serve Mass on Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil, and the junior who helped set up for the foot washing service on Holy Thursday, I was inspired by the reverence both of these young men showed. To see them with this much respect and to be so humble in all they did, I could not help but think of the other young men and women throughout the diocese who were doing exactly the same thing. I thought, no one will ever be perfect, but we sure have a lot of youth seeking excellence. Do many of our youth realize full well that our Catholic faith and tradition is the foundation on which we can base our lives, and the foundation which will give us the strength, courage and wisdom to endure?

I want to express my gratitude to each of these young people who continue to live their faith in many special ways and build up the Body of Christ. We can be proud of them, as they are representing our Church and the Church of Southwest Kansas extremely well. I invite you to continue praying for all of our youth. May each of them come to know more deeply what the Church has to offer. We must always reach out with the loving embrace of Christ and invite them to enter into this pursuit of excellence and find the grace of God that allows each of us to endure all things.

May this Easter season truly be a time filled with many rich blessings.