end of winter break update

It's been quite some time since I last blogged.  With the fall semester done and winter breakwinding down, I am almost ready to start the spring semester at Franciscan. I still have a lot of packing to do and a few more "good byes" to make, but come Sunday morning I'll be heading back to Steubenville! I'm really looking forward to next semester. Since I transferred to FUS and planning to graduate in the spring of 2014, my plan is to enjoy and cherish every moment I have on campus.  I know that  the year and a half I have left at Franciscan will fly by.  Don't get me wrong though, I am looking forward to what God has planned for me after graduation!  I periodically look at the Archdiocese of Detroit and career-finder websites and get so frustrated when I see an awesome ministry or teaching job that I can't apply for...yet. I know that the Holy Spirit will guide me to the right job when the time comes. Until then, I'm going to treasure my time as a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville :).

Last night, I was thinking about my goals for next semester. Some of these goals include better organization and study habits, cutting down on caffeine, devoting more time to prayer, and also to devote more time to blogging. A few people have asked me, "whatever happened to your blog?" or "Why don't you right anymore?".  I'm going to try to blog has much as I can! I should also try to take more pictures!  I was looking through my camera a few nights ago and there were only 5 pictures on it from Franciscan. Hopefully this semester won't be as hectic has the first semester and I'll have more time to devote to both.

I'm really looking forward to what next semester brings.  It will have its "ups and downs" of course, but I'm excited to see what God has planned.  I'll be sure to keep y'all updated on my "Franciscan adventures" this semester :). More "updates" coming soon!

Prayers for a happy and safe 2013!

Franciscan Happenings

I've been neglecting this blog for a few weeks now. with midterms and my first s.e.n.t. retreat out of the way I will have more time to devote more time to writing.

I'm so very thankful that midterms are out of the way. For the past two years, I've only had a small number of midterms. That was not the case this year! I had midterms or exams in all of my classes. Let's just say that I'm very thankful that they're over! With that, it amazes me how fast this semester has been going by! There are only five more weeks of classes.

This week I also met with my academic advisor, Bob Rice. At the meeting we figured out that I have two options: I could graduate in the fall of 2014 with a degree in Catechetics OR I can graduate the Spring of 2015 with a double major in theology, catechetics and a concentration in youth ministry. I was actually planning on graduating the spring of 2014.  I am pretty sure that God is calling me to double major and have the concentration.  Although I'm bummed that I'll be here an extra year and worried about how far back it will put me financially, I know that God has a plan for me. I strongly believe that God brought me to Franciscan for a reason and maybe it will take an extra year for me to figure out what exactly His plan is.

Life at Franciscan has been great. Even though I've been really stressed out lately, the campus is so peaceful and calm that I have been able to stay relaxed. It has been abnormabally hot for October here. I have been taking full-advantage though by praying the Rosary at the Grotto.  I will really dislike when colder weather comes which will make praying outside difficult. Here are two pictures that students have taken of the campus:

 

 

 

Funny Story: I had to give a personal testimony for my Intro to Catechetics class. In my personal testimony, I said that I was from Michigan and, like a true 'Michigander', I showed the class where I lived on my hand. A few people laughed, which I had expected. What I did not expect was the whole class laughing when I said that I moved during my senior year to Port Austin, which is at the "Tip of the Thumb".it seems that everyone refers to cities in Huron County as being in the "Tip of the Thumb", but I enjoyed everyone's reaction to that statement. Oh the joys of going to school with people from all over the country!.

 





I have often mentioned "Franciscan Culture" in my posts, so it would seem fitting for me to include one piece of insight in the life of a "Frannie". Believe it or not, it seems like at least one couple gets engaged each week.  Most relationships at franciscan aren't typical relationships in that most of them are courtships. What I mean by "courtship" is that typically Catholic relationsihps are rooted in the idea that the couple is working towards marriage.  These relationships are Christocentric and involve a lot of prayer and discernment.   It is common here that people begin dating during their time here and get engaged durign their senior year of college (although there are a few sophomores and juniors who are engaged). As wild as it may be, it's absolutely beautiful. May God bless them.

 

 

This coming Thursday is All Saints day! yay! I'm really looking forward to All Saints day because I'll get to celebrate it at home! I will be flying home on Halloween night and will get to spend the weekend at home doing some much-needed relaxing. I haven't been home sicne August, so i'm really looking forward to spending time with my family. 

 

Have a great day everyone!!! 

Firsts

Heyo.
This past week marked a lot of "firsts". The first of October came about along with a true feeling of fall. It was a bit cooler than normal plus the leaves have begun to change colors. I'm very excited for all of the leaves to become orange and yellow because, unlike flat Michigan, the Ohio Valley is made up of hills, hills and more hills! I am always in awe when driving around town at the many cliffs and hilly terrain. I will be sure to post pictures soon! it's already so beautiful here. I have a feeling that fall might just be my favorite season (thank you Ohio!).

Another first this week was my first homecoming weekend. Seeing all of the alumni who had a strong sense of joy and pride was very inspiring. I know that when I come back to Franciscan to visit, I will be feeling exactly like all of them do. My "favorite" alumni to see were those whose children were attending Franciscan. If God is calling me to marriage and blesses my husband and me with children, I would TOTALLY dig if they went to Franciscan. I know that this is so weird to say, but they will be going to Franciscan haha.

I went to my first Franciscan Talent show too! Franciscan is notorious for putting on stellar talent shows and I have been dying to go to one. This is a video from last year's talent show which has become super popular http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apUnAIIaMI. Here are two videos from this year's talent show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBpjXLTR4Go and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKySSDf5FFA. God has blessed everyone with amazing gifts and talents. The talent show really expressed that.

Many parents also came out for homecoming, including my mom! It was my mom's first time coming out here to visit. This was her third time visiting Franciscan, but her first time visiting me, now an official franciscan student. My mom and I have a really close connection and I have missed her dearly.  It was a true blessing spending the weekend with her.

Spending time with my mom also made me feel something that I haven't really felt before---homesickness. When I was at madonna, I never truly felt homesick because I was still close to the town where I grew up.  Before, my best friend and I were able to hang out about once a week and my relatives were just a phone call away. Now, I'm five hours away. Five hours doesn't seem like much, but it's still five hours. Spending time with my mom made me realize how much I miss home. I miss my friends and my family. I miss going to Zack's or Sheesh late on Wedensday nights with my friends. I miss living down the hall from my sister. All Saints break is right around the corner though, so I'll be able to go home soon :).

Also, I started watching Dawson's Creek with my friends this weekend for the first time and I'm so much in love with the show. if all of the season are like the first, i'm hooked. Sidenote, I love 90 television shows. the.end.

The last "first" of this week which isn't as fun as homecoming weekend is first exams. I've had a fair share of exams these coulple of years, so they're not new to me. They're still a pain though, which is not fun at all. If you want to be a rockstar, please say a quick prayer asking for the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Joseph of Cupertino for me and my fellow classmates!

Food for thought: This Thursday marks the Year of Faith, the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,  AND the Synod of New Evangelizing which opened up today (which is super duper cool because the fruit of the synod will be a document which will be most likely published by the Pope in a couple years, which I will most likely have the privelege to study while at Franciscan!).. I shall be writing a blog post about all this "fun stuff" sometime this week. here's more about it: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/. Please keep the Synod in your prayers and prayerfully discern how you can make this year of faith "count".

Overheard at Franciscan.

It seems like a vast majority of people who read this blog are interested in learning about life at  Franciscan. Whether you have attended Franciscan as a student,visited or know of Franciscan simply because I'm a student here, one of the most-unique aspects of FUS is the culture driven my faith.  Having attended public school and a different Catholic university before coming here, I can attest that life here is far different than anything that I have ever experienced. We, as baptized Catholics, are called to live a life dedicated to serving God, which everyone here strives for. Although we live serious lives driven in Christ, we still manage to have a lot of good appropriate fun and, most importantly, bond over striving to be true disciples of Christ.

There is a group on Facebook titled, "Overheard at Franciscan" and is a place where all "Frannies" (name for Franciscan students) share all of the crazy conversations that they have been in or have heard on campus. I have decided to blog some of the more funny and relatable ones so that people can gain a true sense of what life at Franciscan is truly like. I discovered this group last summer  and it really made me excited to attend Franciscan. I hope you enjoy!

Girl : "Man in the hall!"
Guy :"Stud muffin in the hall!! Just kidding this muffin is taken by Our Blessed Mother!!"
-overheard in St. Thomas Moore Hall



Girl to girl outside of the chapel: "{insert girls name}, You're hair is so beautiful. You have the type of hair that distracts men during mass."



*heard walking out of Egan*
guy 1: "dude, our professor grades ridiculously harsh, he thinks he's infallible or something"
guy 2: "yeah, that's messed up. he's no Papa Benny!"



Two guys in the bOokstore:
"true love waits.....till the second date"
"I can't believe you just said that. You will now be hated by the entire Franciscan female population."



Girl in the JC to other girl, "Just because you say hello doesn't mean you're going to marry him".



girl: you look so handsome today!
guy: thanks! i'm emulating saint joseph.



guy: "See you later...John?"
Me: "Close."
guy: "...Mark?"
Me: "Joseph."
guy: "Oh. When you said close, I just assumed you meant another Gospel writer."


"I can't wear that"
"Why?"
"Because I got a horrible tan from my scapular this summer"



At the crowded library: "I'm like the Virgin Mary! There is no room at the inn!!"



At the Caf (where so many epic things are said):
"If I wasn't Catholic, I'd be Jewish."
"Dude. If I wasn't Catholic, I'd BECOME Catholic!" 

Also, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_85D6LsCY&list=UUY_tSVY14E0dg2Qvf8BiGqg&index=1&feature=plcp 

Happy Thursday!

7 quick takes

My youth minister (and blogger of Letlovebesincere) writes "7 quick takes" in her blog. Since they're a quick, yet affective way to get your thoughts out in paper, I've decided to do the same.

Here are 7 quick takes on why I love Franciscan University.

1. Classes
Although "classes" is a a very large topic, there are def. highs and lows of all of the classes that I'm taking this semester. My favorite class, has obviously been Intro to Cat. Yesterday in the middle of lecture, a girl asked "Wait, does any know the feast day of St. Therese?!" and the rest of us future catechist all had fear and bewilderment in our eyes because we didn't know. When I looked at our professor, he had the same look and stated, "Only at Franciscan would this question be asked in a room filled with future Catechists".

I also truly love that all of my classes, with the exception of biology, begin class with a prayer. Spanish has been kicking my booty a little bit (note to the wise--take a language in high school even if it's not required. Having to take 4 language classes is a pain, ESPECIALLY when the prof. teaches the class as a "refresher" class for those who have already taken a language). What makes the class so wonderful though is that we begin each class in prayer in Spanish. Whenever we're praying the Our Father in Spanish, I reflect on how I'll be able to minister to people who speak this language and how I'll be able to bring people closer to God through Spanish.

2. The Grotto
At Madonna, I used to go to the Marian Grotto that was behind the Mother House whenever I was in distress or just wanted some alone time with our Lord and Mama Mary. Last year, my trips became quite frequent and I would even go out there,, all alone in the middle of the night (sorry mom). Ever since then, I've gained a lot of respect for Grottos. The grotto here at franciscan is beautiful, yet simple. It's here that I pray before a long day of classes and work and where I asked for the Blessed Mother's intercession for everything occuring in my life (it's also here that I pray for all of my family and friends!). In the morning, chipmunks scurry and play around and on the Grotto. It's so cute and helps remind me that all living things are true blessings and that nothing should be "over looked" in prayer.

3. The Porticula Chapel
The Porticula Chapel is a replica of the chapel that St. Francis built for God. It is such a calm and pieceful place to pray and spend some alone time with God. Just a quick side note--I love that there are so many wonderful places to pray at franciscan. I never find myself in a situation where I don't feel comfortable praying. The whole feeling of life at Franciscan truly is "take time out for God", which is truly awesome.

4. Three Daily Mass
Three daily masses, WHICH I have to add are always full of students. Even 6:30am mass. How awesome is that?! I'm truly thankful and bless to be able to go to mass everyday.  I do, however, have to go to 6:30am masses on Tuesdays and Fridays because my class and work schedule conflicts with the other two times, but I'm happy to go to mass. I want to go to mass.  There hasn't been one homily that I haven't liked or gotten anything from. I'm still thinking about a homily that was given two weeks ago because it's still resonating in my head. That is truly rare for me.

5. Ministry Oppurtunities
As you should know, I love ministry, especially youth ministry.  God has definanetly given me a passion to minister and I wouldn't pursue a different career unless I felt that God was calling me to something else. I will be writing a blog soon about why I'm pursuing Catechetics in my depth, but in short, I feel that one of the greatest gift that God has given us is the ability to minister and evangualize to others. It is all of our calling to bring people closer to Christ, for the glory of God. I have been blessed with such oppurtunities so far in my life. I am very thankful for the oppurtunities that I have had to grow as a Catechist, but more so to minister to youth. One blessing that has been given to me so far this year is being placed on a ministry team where me and 8 other students will be planning and running a "Born of the Spirit Retreat" for 90 teens at a local high school. Please keep my team and the students that we will be ministering to in your prayers. I've also applied and am beign prayerfully discerned to go on a mission trip to Belize. If accepted, me and 19 other students will be headed to rural villages in Belize where we will minister and lead Theology of the Body talks to teens. How awesome would that be?! We will see what God has planned, but also please keep those involved and the students in Belize in your prayers. There are a ton of other oppurtunies for ministry at Franciscan, but I'm trying to make sure that I don't "over do it".  Next semester, when I get more settled, hope to get involved with the local Boys and Girls club.

6. The Enviornment
Franciscan is such a unique place. Some people refer to it as a "Catholic Disney World", others a "Catholic Hogwarts" while others call it the "Catholic version of Harvard". I prefer Catholic Hogwarts :). What is so amazing about Franciscan is being in an enviornment where we can not only live out our faith together, we all strengthen our faith through prayer. We do so when we all attend mass together or join rosary groups. I went to the Port two nights ago around 10:00pm for perpetual adoration and I had to kneel in the corner of the Port because it was crowded with people. At 10:00pm! It's such an amazing feeling that you're not alone. I don't want to compare and contrasts the previous college that I attended to Franciscan, but I will say one comparision for the sake of this blog. Last year, I was sitting in my room singing a Christian rock song (the song slips my mind at the moment). Appearently, i was singing a little too loud that the people in the hall could hear me and they started mocking me and singing the song to be funny. Here, if someone starts singing a Christian song, EVERYONE joins in :).

If you want to really know the enviornment, you should check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6-55Tgurvw&feature=related. Don't be turned off by the name! Guys say all of this stuff at Franciscan too!


I truly feel like Franciscan is preparing me and strengthening my faith to live in this secular world and bring people closer to Christ--that's the whole goal of this university.

7. Academically Challenging Passionately Catholic
That's the mission statement for Franciscan and it's very true. My classes here are more challenging than they were before. None of my classes can be considered "blow off classes" and they all require a lot of work. I'm very thankful for this though. Since I'm paying for my own education, I want my money's worth! All that I'm learning too, I'm offering up to God that He may use my knowledge to better serve Him. The school is also very very pasisonately Catholic, as I have expressed already in this blog. It's so great to be at a school that doesn't just say it has a Catholic identity, but actually lives it!

This concludes this post! I hope to blog more soon and post actual pictures! 

Hi! I'm new to blogging, so please bear with me while I work out all of the kinks.  I've decided to start blogging to tell the world about my experience so far living the life of a future Catechist. On this blog, I'll most likely talk about my experience at Franciscan University, my classes, and also a method of evangelization :). In short, I'm just a girl with a strong desire to minister and to lead people closer to our God.