For questions about registration please email Tizoc Rosales at tizoc.rosales@spoweb.org,
or call (651) 451-6114 x122.

One of the things that SPO has given me is an abundance of wonderful relationships.  This isn’t limited to just the relationships that I have here in Columbus, but includes awesome men and women from the other chapters of SPO around the country. This year, as a Mission Leader, I have had the opportunity to get to know those serving in the same capacity around the nation a little better.

 

The SPO Mission Leaders and other Staff members serve in Ohio, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona and Florida.

Last week I was blessed to be able to join my fellow mission leaders in Kansas City, Kansas for a Mission Leader Retreat. I can’t think of a better way to start a new year and launch into a new term of service at OSU. It was so good to be with one another—to share how our service has been going, both the struggles and the joys. I loved hearing about how outreach is going at each of the other campuses, and stories of different ways that people have been serving the Lord, and growing in service of Him.

We spent our time praying together, going to daily mass and hearing talks and reflections aimed at helping us refocus on our task as mission leaders: building the Kingdom of God on the college campuses where we are serving. I was reminded how important this work really is. But the best and most important thing that I took away from this retreat is a reminder that my work isn’t worth too much if I’m trying to do it by my own strength. Serving the Lord is about focusing on him, gazing steadily on him and allowing him to work in me and through me.

-submitted by Terry Cahalan, OSU Mission Leader

SPO Ohio thanks The Catholic Foundation for this wonderful opportunity! To find out more about The Catholic Foundation, please visit their website at http://catholic-foundation.org.

This has tremendous impact on the work of SPO. Because of you, this could provide a Fan into Flame retreat for over 100 students and help defray costs of the School of the New Evangelization or make possible six full time missionary’s training to evangelize students….Truly amazing!

Among the nearly 4,000 non-profits that participated in this on-line event, your contributions put SPO near the top 100. Several of you also left heartwarming and encouraging comments the impact SPO has on young people in the Church.

We give thanks for your support of the work of Saint Paul’s Outreach.

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

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: (614) 352-2440 | ohio@spoweb.org

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)

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…

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’ 2011 Saint Paul’s Outreach from EideCom on Vimeo.