7th Annual Ohio Benefit Banquet A Success
7TH ANNUAL SPO OHIO
BENEFIT BANQUET
Fr. Walter Oxley,Vice Rector at the Pontifical College Jospehinum, shares SPO's mission to a packed Grand Ballroom in the Ohio Union
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To see footage from the evening’s events, click “Media” above!
The second floor of the Ohio Union was filled with sounds of celebration as Saint Paul’s Outreach hosted their 7th Annual Benefit Banquet on Saturday, October 22nd. With a record attendance of over 370 people, SPO shared a message of hope for the future of the Church. Being on Ohio State’s campus was a unique touch to the program as it brought guests to the very environment in which SPO Student Missionaries spend so much of their time. It is in the Union, in classrooms and within their households that these Missionaries are investing in others and calling them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Guests enjoyed conversation and cocktails in the historic Union The MC for the evening, Fr. Walter Oxley, the Vice Rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum, opened in prayer, and invited up the evening’s speakers. Bishop Frederick Campbell passionately delivered the night’s keynote address, sharing that we as a Christian people need to answer our baptismal call “to live the kingdom and to spread the kingdom” – a call which the SPO students and Missionaries answer daily. The Bishop’s address was followed by Andrew Kebe, the Ohio Mission Director, who shared how SPO has grown, and continues to grow, with its expansion to Bowling Green State University in Toldeo, addition of 4 new full time Mission Leaders and establishment of strategic goals through the work of the SPO Ohio Advisory Board. The evening concluded with two student testimonies, sharing the heart of SPO’s mission. These individuals spoke of how SPO has not only awakened their faith but brought it to maturity through formation and community life, so that they can be sent to share the Good News of Christ to all those they meet on campus. The SPO students closed the evening with a zeal-filled rendition of "Join With Us", a song frequently sung during times of worship The evening drew to a close with Fr. Oxley sharing his own experience with SPO and the fruits it has borne in his life as continually calls young men to holiness as Rector of the Josephinum. Following Fr. Oxley’s comments, the SPO students in attendance serenaded the guests with a song often sung during times of prayer when gathered on campus, bringing the night’s events to a prayerful end.Thank you to all you who came for the evening’s celebration. We are grateful for your prayers and support; your presence helped make the night a success! Know that all you, and all our Mission Partners, are and always remain in our prayers. Praise God for the blessings He continues to bestow on SPO in Ohio! For more information contact:
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Relevant Radio: City Winds Interview
October 3, 2011 by SOneill
Filed under National News, News
Listen to Tizoc Rosales (Development Director) and Brian Fischer (National Mission Supervisor) on Relevant Radio:
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A truly blessed summer!
August 18, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
It was clear from our first prayer time together as a group, that the Lord was about something special this summer. The young people gathered from around the country made many sacrifices and gave up other good opportunities to participate in the Summer Project 2011. An on going theme throughout the summer, was a call to ever more faithfully surrender our own will out of obedience to the Lord. Truly the Lord wanted to invite us into a deeper knowledge of him, a life completely given over, and a better understanding of true discipleship. It didn’t stop there. As we continued to seek the Lord through our weekly prayer meetings, we heard God assuring us of his power. The call to obedience and surrender can seem threatening to our freedom. However, The Lord spoke of the true freedom and fulfillment that is found in trusting him. Ps. 33 “But the Lord’s eyes are upon the reverent, upon those who hope for His gracious help, delivering them from death, keeping them alive in times of famine.”
The summer project was a time of equipping, and many of us were here to prepare ourselves for the mission work on our individual campuses. Two months is a relatively short period of time to work with, however we sensed that God wanted to use us powerfully, even in our brief time together. This summer, the Lord wanted to not only speak through us, but also to use us as his voice to those around us. The projects we were involved with this summer required us to share our faith, and to at times take a step outside our comfort zone. Things like fear, a lack of confidence, feeling unworthy can all be obstacles that hold us back from being used by God. A scripture verse that came out of our prayer time made it clear that the Lord wanted to use us, despite our age, despite our faults, and despite our lack of ability. But the Lord said to me “Do not say, I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you shall go, and whatever I command you you shall speak. Be not afraid of them for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Jer. 1:7-8
Before we knew it, the summer had come to an end and we were wrapping up with our big closing event, “Elegate”. What a way it was to end an incredible summer. Over three hundred young people were in attendance as we heard inspiring music from Audrey Assad and a great talk from Fr. Mike Schmitz. To Elegate means, to entrust a task to one greater. I find this a fitting conclusion to our summer as we all head off into different directions, campuses and environments. It seems to be an overwhelming task we have received from the Lord, to be his servants and become builders of his kingdom. It looks like an impossible project and at times we feel ill equipped for the job. When faced with this reality, what other choice do we have but to trust in the greatest one? Father we wait upon the power of your Holy Spirt and together we say, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
-Max Haben (SPO staff)
Alpha Course
August 16, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to assist with the Alpha Course sponsored by SPO Summer Project. The Alpha course is designed to be an introduction to Jesus for any religious background. Using the talks and questions they provide, we go out into the community and invite others in for fellowship and conversation, and offer an open forum for them to discuss the big questions in life without any outside pressure.
We start by building fellowship with a shared meal. This not only attracts people to the course, but it allows us as small group leaders to interact with peopleand as they grow more comfortable with us, they will be willing to open up. Next we move into the actual talk for the evening. Usually we would watch a video from Alpha’s website, with one of the founders giving the talk. Alpha does a great job of providing a dynamic talk that engages the mind and offers facts that can bediscussed later. Then, when we move into small group, we are able to lean back onwhat was said as we invite the participants to go deeper. The questions we use offer a chance for them to reflect on the core of the talk without actually having to sayanything.
One of the best things Alpha does is teach its small group leaders how to listen. We are there to prompt discussion if necessary and offer questions to ponder. Other than that we just sit and care for these individuals, but by opening our ears and shutting our mouths, we give them permission to begin this journey on their own terms.
-Kevin Bailey (Benedictine College)
Click here to learn more about the Alpha Course…
Women’s Night
August 16, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
I was fortunate enough to attend the first women’s night of the summer at the Women’s House inDinkytown. The theme of the night was Hawaiian, and everybody looked smashing in their floweryapparel. We had some fellowship time and delicious snacks (including puppy chow- yum!), and spentsome time just getting to know each other. I think that one of the greatest things about women is thatwe have a natural desire to know each other’s hearts, so any time we have to just sit down and chatwith each other is such a blessing! It was so amazing to hear how God led women from all over thecountry to spend the summer in Minnesota with SPO- He definitely works in crazy ways! We also playeda hilarious game called telephone charades, which was slightly confusing at first, but still ridiculouslyfun. It’s not often that the ability to silently reenact a pumpkin carving comes in handy, but for this gameit did.
After our time of fellowship, we listened to a wonderful talk by Jessica Shell about femininity. Jessicawas so inspirational, and had many insights about how we relate to God specifically as women. Onething that really touched my heart from her sharing was a quote from Edith Stein which read,
“Only God can welcome a person’s total surrender in such a way that one does not lose one’s soul in the process but wins it.”
This idea made me think of all the things that we as women are tempted to give our total surrender-even inherently good things like family, relationships, or causes that are meaningful to us. I realizedhow easy it is for us to be led astray when we focus on anything but the One who created us. Jessica talked about how sometimes the deepest desires of our hearts are fulfilled in ways we never would have imagined, and that when we look for God to give us our vocation in a certain way we might overlook theplan He already has. For me, her talk was like a gentle but much needed nudge from the Holy Spirit tokeep actively seeking the Lord in my prayer and daily life rather than becoming complacent in the path I walk, because He could be calling at any moment!
After Jessica’s talk, we concluded the evening with a praise and worship session. There are few things more beautiful than the sound of sisters worshiping our Heavenly Father together, and the time of song was the perfect end to a lovely night. I felt so fortunate to have spent time with these wonderful women of God, sharing our faith and growing closer to the Lord. What a fabulous way to spend a Monday!
~Maureen Harrington (University of St Thomas)
Elegate Highlight Video
August 14, 2011 by Ryan OHara
Filed under Minnesota News
A few weeks ago Saint Paul’s Outreach along with EideCom Productions, NET Ministries, and Catholic United Financial sponsored an event for college students and young adults in the Twin Cities. Over 350 people showed up to hear great music from Audrey Assad and a powerful message from Fr. Mike Schmitz. Our hope is that this would be just the beginning of this sort of outreach to college students and young adults in the Twin Cities.
‘Elegate’ 2011 Saint Paul’s Outreach from EideCom on Vimeo.
Great SPO Get Together Update
Calling all alumni and friends of SPO! Join us for a summertime celebration of Catholic faith alive on campus on August 7th at the NET Center in West St. Paul – home to the new SPO National Office. Reunite with old friends, meet this year’s missionaries, and help us give glory to God for the mighty ways he has worked in this ministry for the last 25 years.
UPDATE: make sure to put a few dollars in your pocket before leaving because you won’t want to miss your chance to get one of these SPO reusable cold cups! Available for $2 while supplies last. School of the New Evangelization and children’s ”Missionary in Training” t-shirts will also be on sale for $3 while supplies last.
| Tentative Schedule | |
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| All activities will be held on the grounds of the NET Center in West St. Paul, MN | |
| 11:00am | Mass |
| 12:30pm | Picnic Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Coffee House Concert featuring music from SPO’s history played by alumni musicians |
| 1:30pm | Outdoor games and activities for children |
There is no charge for this event, but we do ask that you RSVP with the number of adults and children attending so we can plan enough food for everyone. Please RSVP using the buttons below or by calling Joanna at 651-451-6114 x128.
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Summer Project Interviews
July 30, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
Part of this year’s Summer Project included students learning special skills to help out St. Paul’s Outreach. The summer program consists of four types of skill sets that would be taught to a specified group of people. These four different skills sets, or tracks are: Musicians, Prophets & Intercessors, Social Organizers, and Communicators & Evangelizers. I was given the opportunity to learn more about each track through by interviewing an individual from each group. ~Lenore Popp (University of Minnesota)
Interview with Tony Smith
At 19 years old, Tony Smith is a current participant in Summer Project and was assigned into the group Prophets and Intercessors. He is originally from Minnesota and is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.
“I had to do a lot of thinking before the summer arrived. I thought about how I could most be of service to God. Either I would stay at home and be with my family, or I would stay in Minneapolis and be a part of Summer Project. In the end, I felt that God wanted me most here in the cities.”
You were placed into the group Prophets and Intercessors. Can you describe exactly what kind of things you learn about in this track?
“In the group Prophets and Intercessors, we are trying to explore different aspects of prophecy and discerning if we have the gift of prophecy. If we find that we do have this gift, we learn how to use it and make the most of it.”
“So far in our track, we haven’t talked a whole lot about being an intercessor, but I have a pretty good idea of what it means to be a prophet. Prophets are people who hear and share the word of God for the sake of the body – meaning God’s people.
“That means prophets have to be open to hearing what God has to say, and they have to be able to discern if what they hear is something that God wants them to share. They also have to be able to share in the right way, which means staying in line with the authority that they are under. Lastly, they need to make sure they deliver the original message given by God, and not a message with a personal spin on it.”
Camille Brady came to Minnesota all the way from Terlingua, Texas to experience Summer Project. She is twenty-four years old and graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Music.
Camille, what made you decide to be a part of Summer Project this year?
“Fr. Brian from the Catholic Student Center suggested that I apply, so I did.”
Do you have a favorite memory from Summer Project?
“Building relationships [with the people in Summer Project.]”
You were assigned into the group “musicians.” What is this group about?
“Learning what worship is really about and how to lead others into a place of worship most effectively. [It’s also about] knowing the flow and difference between how to worship during morning prayer and prayer meetings, rehearsing and sharing songs.”
Have you done any performances yet?
“An important thing we discussed at the beginning is that being a worship leader isn’t about performing, so I wouldn’t say that I’ve used what we are learning in a performance aspect. [However,] I have played violin during the prayer meetings on Tuesday nights.”
How do you think participating in Summer Project is going to help you once summer is over and school starts up again?
“My life is at a different point already, since I have graduated and won’t be returning to school. The summer project has helped me adjust to how SPO works, which will be great when we go back to Texas. I have learned a lot of important things about living in households that will definitely transfer to next year.”
It sounds like you have already learned a lot from Summer Project. What is the most important thing you have learned thus far?
“I have learned to be even more open-minded than I have been in the past. Even though things may not go as you planned, there is a purpose behind them. The sooner you can accept the things that happen to you for what they are, the earlier you can begin to not only get over whatever may be frustrating you, but to start growing in the way that God wants you to. Specifically, I wasn’t as happy to be placed in Prophets and Intercessors as I should be, but I now appreciate where God put me. It took me a couple weeks to realize it, but I have accepted it and wish I had accepted it right away.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned thus far?
“To be patient and humble.”
Interview with Jake Riley
Jake Riley was also a student studying at the University of Minnesota. At the age of Twenty-two, he graduated this past spring with a degree in Chemistry.“My most exciting memory probably occurred last night when the volunteer group was cancelled and we were asked to help with the alpha course. Instead of simply helping facilitate discussion I was reminded of God’s great love and limitless forgiveness. The video we watched was great and I ended up taking a great deal from the evening when I had been more open to contributing rather than learning.”
“The social organizers have been given the tools and knowledge on how to successfully organize events that draw in a large and diverse group of people. We have also been taught how to delegate tasks and the important role social organizers play in any group.”
What has been one of the more important lessons you have learned?
“An important lesson I learned was to be open and patient with those that I was working and with the whole experience in general. That helped me learn more from the track I was placed in, and it helped me grow close to some really amazing people.”
“I plan to motivate myself to organize some gatherings amongst my family this next fall and possibly use some of the skills I have acquired to help SPO in the spring.”
Interview with Steve Joerger
Steve Joerger, or more commonly known as “Silly Steve” throughout the Summer Project participants, recently finished his first year at St. Thomas University. He is pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Physics with a minor in Catholic Studies.
What is your favorite memory from Summer Project?
“My favorite memory from Summer Project thus far is all the time spent with the people in Summer Project. I’ve had a great time getting to know everybody and we have all had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.”
Now, you were placed in the Communicators and Evangelists track. What is this group about?
“The “Communicators and Evangelists” group is the formation track that teaches us how to spread the gospel in an effective way. The course has taught us how to give effective talks, how to be a good emcee for a retreat, and how to communicate the Gospel effectively in general. It teaches us to focus on our communication skills with regard to spreading the Gospel message and how to reach every person in an audience with the same words.”
Have you given any talks yet?
“I gave a talk earlier in the summer to everyone participating in Summer Project about Freedom. I worked with Brother Stephen Quense, who wrote a series of talks for Summer Project called “Made For Greatness.” The talk on freedom was about recognizing the false sense of freedom that society has ingrained in us and understanding our true freedom in God.”
How do you think participating in Summer Project is going to help you once summer is over and school starts up again?
“I believe that participating in Summer Project will help me live a life centered on God despite the college atmosphere around me. Living that life centered on God will help me be a better peer minister at school, but will also help me be a better faith leader on campus. Summer Project has given me the tools needed to live a life of faith at school, now I will do my best to live out that life of faith.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned thus far?
“The most important lesson I have learned thus far is to put God before everything in your life and to follow God’s plan and not your own. Summer Project has given me an opportunity to submit myself to the Lord and I have gradually been learning to give my life completely to God each and every day.”
Men’s Night
July 29, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
It is no secret that we are able to discern what is most sacred by looking at what is most attacked in our culture, and one of the greatest distortions being shoved in our faces is a false masculinity. Good thing SPO is there to sucker-punch this lie in the face and put on events like MEN’s NIGHT! A typical Men’s Night involves a large gathering of men who come together to share in fellowship and listen to what the Lord teaches about what it means to be a man. To give you a picture of how powerful Men’s Night really is, I have composed a haiku for your benefit that I will now share. Ahem.
Evil stands no chance
In the presence of strong men
Open to the Lord.
Mmmm… I hope the stunning clarity and deep metaphysical imagery didn’t blow your mind…
You’re probably wondering what exactly goes on during Men’s Night and what topics are discussed? I think the best way to fully grasp the deep existential truths that are typically discussed would be to reveal them in another haiku. Ahem.
Red meat and chest hair,
Sports and ‘rubbing dirt in it’—
These are what make men!
OK, that wasn’t really the discussion at all, but I’m sure these topics found their way into a few conversations over our dinner conversations.
In all seriousness, Men’s Night was a great opportunity for us to gather as brothers (about 24 strong) and build each other up as we pursue the truth about our masculinity. The night began with the ceremonial lighting of the torch (a.k.a. our Weber grill) and subsequent grilling of hot dogs. Immediately the men were subconsciously alerted that the time had come to make their way over to the summer household to join in the evening’s festivities.
We were blessed to be joined by Dr. Dan Keating, a brilliant professor at Sacred Heart Seminary and a brother for the Servants of the Word in Lansing, Michigan. Dan graciously agreed to be the ‘Main Event’ as we all gathered in the living room to hear him speak about the importance of taking this time in our lives to focus on planting our roots deeply in the Lord and also about the gift of being single for the Lord. He challenged each man to approach the Lord openly and in complete confidence of His unfailing love, and to allow Him to mold our desires according to His Truth. He spoke about how we are all called to stand before the Lord with an open heart (and mind!) in order to give the Lord a chance to reveal how He wants us to serve Him with our lives. Because each person is so different, Dan stressed how this is not an easy topic to approach, but he did tell us that the fruits of entering into a time of true discernment are a clean conscience and an abiding peace in our particular calling which will enable us to give of ourselves more freely.
After Dan’s stirring talk, were were given an opportunity to pray as men and respond to the ways the Lord was moving in our hearts. Witnessing a group of men with relentless hearts praising the Lord was nothing short of motivating! In a culture that worships sex as the gateway to personal fulfillment, there is something inherently powerful about men worshipping and asking the Lord for the grace to respond selflessly and generously to His call towards an abundant life. I wonder how many other groups of men in the world were gathered that same night worshipping and asking the Lord for that same grace? If that’s not countercultural, I don’t know what is!
The night was capped by an excellent movie called “Of God’s and Men” about the Martyrs of Atlas. The movie is about Trappist monks who lived peacefully among the Muslims in Algeria for years until a civil war broke out in the country and violent terror attacks became a daily occurrence. When the terror came to their front door (literally), they were forced to make a decision to give into their fears and natural inclinations and return to France or to stay and risk death. I particularly loved how the fears and weaknesses of the characters were depicted and how they were able to overcome these obstacles by coming together as a community and trusting in the Lord’s promises.
The movie was a fitting end to such a powerful night and it truly was a night worthy of the lofty title of MEN’S NIGHT!
-Packer Stevenson (Texas A&M University)
Embracing community life
July 18, 2011 by Summer Project
Filed under Summer Project
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about SPO’s Summer Project? For me, what comes to mind is community. I was once told that community is extremely important, especially when it comes to living the Christian life and walking along on your faith journey. You need people around you who will call you on and help you on your path to holiness. We will all have a number of people in our lives who will in different ways lead us on and help us to become better people.
On Saturday, July 9, all of us in the Summer Project + some friends gathered together in one house to celebrate the Lord’s day by praying and eating dinner together. We also had some time to read the Gospel for the next day. The Gospel was about the famous sower and the seed parable where there is some seed that falls in rich soil and produces much grain, some that falls among thorns and gets choked and some that fall upon the path and gets eaten by birds. One of my wise Brothers in Christ shared his reflection on this Gospel and what he said really struck me.
My Brother said that each one of us is like one of these seeds. However, instead of us falling into one of these places, we can choose where we end up. Some of us choose the path, some rocky ground, some others the thorns, and still others rich soil. Where we choose to land will reflect what we become. We will act in a way that reflects the environment we choose to place ourselves in. If we choose to land among the thorns, we will one day be choked and fall into a life of sin. If we choose rich soil, we will grow and produce grain and become holier.
This is one thing I pondered while I was spending Saturday night with my brothers and sisters while we were sitting around the house eating dinner. We need community to bring us closer to God. Summer Project has provided all of us with this community. Summer Project is a group of 25 people who have chosen to live together in community to grow closer to the Lord. This summer has stretched all of us in ways that may be obvious but maybe even not obvious… yet. Summer Project has been the rich soil we have all chosen this summer and we have and will continue to grow and produce good grain.
Even though we are not going to be all together as a whole group for much longer, I know that through our Lord’s Day celebration and other social or prayer events we have attended as a whole group, we are all a part of each other’s faith journey and all going to bring “forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” –Matthew 13:9
~Theresa Windsperger (University of St. Thomas)