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By: Lila Lowery 22  One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, 23  and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24  They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25  He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25) Everyone has felt far away from God. Even if you feel like this constantly or just once in a while, it happens. No one’s relationship with God is perfect. What truly matters is what we do when we feel distant from God. Do we abandon all hope and trust in Him, or do we lean on our faith instead? In this Bible passage, the disciples are quick to lose faith in Jesus. They must have thought that He was so foolish, falling asleep in the midst of a storm. But Jesus had a plan like He always does. He awoke and calmed the storm, putting at ease the waters and His disciples. Jesus questions the disciples’ faith, because He was with them all along, despite being asleep.  It can feel like Christ is ‘asleep’ in our own lives too. When we are faced with trials and hardships, it’s easy to feel alone. But the truth is, you are never alone. God is always with you, watching over you with love and compassion. God is always working in your life, even when things seem quiet. My friend told me once, “The teacher is always quiet during the test”. This really altered my perspective on feeling distant from God. Life on earth will never be perfect, that’s what heaven is for. So it is inevitable to go through hard times. But, these hardships can be used to prove our faith in Christ. If we only believe and trust in Him when things are going well, then where is our faith? We need to keep coming back to Jesus, no matter the circumstances. If you failed your chemistry test, God is still there. If you’re seeing friends’ posts on social media without you, God is still there. His heart is just as open to you as it is when you are happy. When we don’t experience God the way we expect to, it does not mean he doesn’t care. His ways of revealing Himself to us are His alone, above human understanding and will. So when we don’t feel His presence immediately, we shouldn’t give up on Him. We have to rely on our faith in the goodness and love of Christ to prevail.  Although God never wishes adversity on us, He can use it to reveal Himself through our struggles. Just like He is there in the joyful and happy moments of your life, he is there in the sad and discomforting moments too. Jesus knows about struggles, He had the most brutal suffering and death imaginable. So while you are suffering, take comfort in relating to Jesus, He knows how you feel. Use Christ as a role model to deal with suffering. I mean, Jesus could have been scared of the storm too. He could have doubted His Heavenly Father, but He did not. He had the greatest faith, knowing the storm would come to a still. And lastly, God is bigger than all of your problems. When we are stuck in our own bubble, it seems like what we’re going through is the most important thing in the world. But, when we zoom out our perspective, we see that there is so much more out there. There is more life to live, joy to be had, and things to discover. Even if it does not seem like it at the moment, your circumstances will not remain the same forever. And all of this is because of God. He is the light of our lives, casting out the darkness. We serve an all-powerful God, who can control the winds and the sea, like Jesus did in Luke 8. If He can do this, of course, He can ease your pain and hardships. But all of this happens according to God’s plan, not our own. So when you think God is asleep, keep being faithful, because He is truly working. It’s because He never left.

"Everyone should look at himself and see how he does his own work. Then he can be happy in what he has done. He should not compare himself with his neighbor. Everyone must do his own work." (Galatians 6:4-5) Oftentimes in our lives, we fall into a constant and brutal cycle of comparing ourselves to others and then feeling immense envy. In my own life, I have seen this very cycle before. Whether it is schoolwork, looks, or other people’s social lives, I find myself envying those around me. When I first heard Olivia Rodrigo’s song "Jealousy, Jealousy," it took me back to all those painful emotions I once felt in my own life. The feeling of seeing pictures of your classmates hanging out, seeing a girl who has the perfect looks, or seeing how talented others are. These feelings may even cause harm to our own lives. Looking at the minuscule details of someone's life might give you the idea that everyone’s life is picture-perfect. In reality, we all have our own crosses and burdens we must carry, but some might be more hidden than others. In Galatians 6:4-5, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the people of Galatia. He advises them to examine their own actions and behavior rather than comparing themselves to others. The passage highlights that we should focus on our own works and accomplishments, rather than our peers. We should take pride in our accomplishments but stay humble and refrain from boasting. It also emphasizes that we are responsible for our own actions and shouldn’t rely on others to do our part. Taking away from these two verses in Galatians, we learn that it is important to refrain from comparing our works to others. We should take time to enjoy God’s works in our lives because God has a unique plan for each one of us. By focusing on our own journey and responsibilities, we can find true contentment and fulfillment in our own lives. The act of constant comparison can lead to negative consequences such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. When we measure our worth against others, we often overlook our unique qualities and the progress we've made. Instead of celebrating our achievements, we diminish them by thinking they are not as significant as those of others. This mindset can slow down personal growth. By focusing on our own path and being grateful for our blessings from God, we allow ourselves to live a healthier and happier life. Additionally, we must recognize that everyone has their own struggles and challenges. Social media often presents a false version of reality, where people showcase only the highlights of their lives. Behind the scenes, every one of us has struggles we must deal with and overcome. I want to remind you that we are all human, and each person's journey is unique. Another huge struggle of mine is putting trust in God’s timing. Sometimes I find myself comparing people's lives to my own life. I ask questions like: why hasn't God done this in my life but they did it in _? God's timing shows us that what might be the right time for someone else can feel like the wrong time for us. This difference teaches us to be patient and trust in a bigger plan. Even when things don't happen as we want or expect, believing in God's timing helps us understand that there's a perfect moment for everything. This faith encourages us to stay hopeful and trust that everything will work out for the best, even if it doesn't match our own plans or God’s plan for others. Galatians 6:4-5 teaches us the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability. By focusing on our own actions and achievements, we can find happiness and fulfillment without the need to compare ourselves to others. Embracing our individuality and being grateful for our blessings can lead to a more content and meaningful life.  God allows us to each grow as individual people each made for a different purpose. Some people may be amazing field hockey players, some may be great singers, and some may be academically gifted. We are each built with our own gifts and talents that contribute to the foundation of God’s Kingdom. Another important reminder is that our value is not measured by how successful we are, but simply that we are God’s children and each one of us has an equal amount of value. In our own lives, we have to realize our own blessings and accomplishments,

By: Ellie Wallace “We have learned to know and to believe in the love that God has for us. God is love and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” (1 John 4:16) God’s love put in simple terms is universal but individual. Meaning that each person receives the love of God, however, we do not always see it the same way. We are all individual people and have different aspirations for our life, however, His love remains the same. We are all children of God and therefore we are blessed with an abundance of love which is one of the many ways we are united by Christ. In the verse when it says “we have learned to know and believe in the Love that God has for us” it implies that as we learn to understand God’s love and what it means for us, we are growing closer and closer to God. Similarly, when the Gospel of John states “whoever remains in love remains in God”, it touches on our involvement in the love of Christ. Now you may wonder what you are called to do with the love that God has given you, and the answer is fairly simple. As a child of God and a recipient of his Love, we are called to share the love that we are granted with the rest of the world. By doing so we are bringing those we love closer to God, and are able to change the lives of those around us one action at a time. There are three main points that are essential to understanding God's love in your life: Say YES to God!! As I explained in the passage above, when we allow God to bring his love into our life we are allowing His guidance to lead us on our path of faith. Life comes with many twists and turns, however, when we say yes to God we are displaying our trust in Him and the path he has crafted for us. Surround yourself with those who will lead you closer to God and his love This one can sometimes be the hardest to put into action, however it is one of the most important. As followers of God, we must surround ourselves with people who will bring us closer to His love instead of leading us astray. God has a way of bringing us closer to Him, by revealing his love to us through our relationships.  Bring your burdens to God There is nothing that God wants more than for us to surrender our burdens to him. When we take the distractions and things that trouble us and give them to God we can seek peace in the love that we receive back. The more that we give to God, the more love we will be able to take away and share with those that God has blessed us with. For me, taking time to understand God’s love has allowed me to not only strengthen my relationship with God but to learn more about myself as a follower of Christ. Growing up in the environment of a Catholic education and being able to constantly surround myself with the love and mercy of Christ is something that I will forever be grateful for. Establishing a firm foundation of faith from a young age has shaped me into the person that I am today. However, I have not always been as close to the Lord as I am now. Last year I was introduced to an entire new side of my faith that I had never experienced before by becoming involved in the Youth Ministry program at my Parish. I was able to experience an immense amount of love from amazing individuals who are committed to helping me grow on my faith journey. Never does a day go by when I do not feel God’s love radiating from my genuine Christian friendships that God has blessed me with. By allowing God’s love to enter my heart when I need it most, I have formed a stronger connection with God and put myself right where I wish to be on my path of faith.

By: Eva Wallace "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). As someone who has really been focusing on their faith journey in the past eight months, I am beginning to notice more and more the blessings that I have been given and am receiving. After joining a youth group at the beginning of the summer, I have watched myself grow deeper in my faith than I ever thought possible. Along the way, I have gained many blessings and met so many wonderful people who have added to my life in the best ways. If you were to ask me how I really believe these things came into my life, I would tell you that it is all faith in God. I think it is no coincidence that I am happier now that I have formed a relationship with God. God rewards those who seek him out.  However, it is important to remember to seek out God for the right reasons. You must “earnestly” seek him. You must want to have a real relationship with him first. Do not do this for the sake of reward. When I joined my youth group, I had no expectation of the good I was about to receive. I wanted something to make me feel whole, and joining the group has not only done that, but more. I didn’t know it then, but when you truthfully want a relationship with God, and find that, the blessings will follow. Seek God, and prove that you have faith in him. As it is often said, “live the faith”. Prove that you have faith in his  plan for you .  If you are reading this as a high schooler, that line right above is crucial during these four years. Things are constantly changing as you grow up and try to discover who you are in the world around you. But I always say, “the one constant in your life is God”. No matter what, God has a plan for you, as soon as you look for him, you will realize that plan. And God so deeply wants you to realize that plan because he wants his child to be happy, but he can only show it to you if you look for him.

By: Jane Hill "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.[ a ] Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1:17) According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of Justice is ‘ just behavior or treatment. ’ From this verse, we as children of God are encouraged to seek justice, however that may be defined in our personal and spiritual lives. From this verse, I noticed the compassion within the intention of doing just deeds for others. The instructions of the verse are calling us to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves and comfort the oppressed. From these instructions, God is telling us to use our free will to do good and help others as they would help us. In my life today, I can choose to use my free will for good and find justice within others by helping anyone who needs light within the darkness. Even simple good deeds like complimenting someone's hair or giving someone a genuine smile can change so much in a person's day and encourage them to seek justice in the modern day. Dear God, Help me find justice within the hearts of others. Let me live with the hope of making the world a better place and growing within the good of my free will. Show me the oppressed, the poor, the sick. Guide me towards their pain with intentions to do good and only good. Thank you God for granting me the gift of free will, with hopes that I will find your calling to me and help find justice within the right intention. Amen.

By: Kennedy Crites New Year's resolutions… Do they even work? What is a “good” New Year's resolution? Well, common ones may be eating healthier or making more money but that doesn’t mean they are good ones. According to Proverbs 23:4 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist.” So maybe some goals are better than others. When I was in 8th grade I set a New Year's resolution to get into Villa Duchesne. I was scared to actually go through with it for a few reasons, one being I was scared the classes would be too hard, and that the girls would be stereotypical mean girls. But I trusted God and took the leap. Was it hard at first? Yes, adjusting to anything new can be hard. But I knew it would be worth it. The main reason why I stuck it out was because I knew I was in it for the right reasons. I knew it would be a school that would make me not only a better student but a better person as well. This is exactly what our proverb is about. It is about not having goals for the wrong reasons. In this proverb, it says “Do not wear yourself out to get rich”. The main thing I took away from this was that you shouldn’t strive only for material gains. The only thing you get from material goals is material gains. The second part of the proverb is “Be wise enough to desist.” The definition of desist is “to cease or abstain”. This just means if you realize the only goals you have are for material gains, you should stop, reassess, and set new ones. Put together this proverb is teaching us that there are good and bad goals, and the good ones are the goals that will make you a better person. At the end of someone’s life they don’t think I wish I made more money, they always wish they’d spent just a little bit longer with their daughter, son, husband etc. Instead of material goals, God wants us to strive to become better people through him. The types of goals that we should be setting are ones that will further us as people. For instance, if you feel like you have distanced yourself from God, you could make a goal for yourself to follow a Bible reading plan or join a Bible study. These are the types of goals that will bring you happiness and set you up for prosperity in this life, and after. After reading this , I hope that you reflect on your goals and maybe tweak some to make them even better. The best goals are the ones that grow with you. Lastly, I want to leave you with one thought: It’s okay to change your goals when you realize they don’t reflect who you want to become.

By: Molly Kreikemeier “1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:3-7). I distinctly remember being around 7 years old, sitting in my aunt’s childhood room at my grandma’s house, which was full of creepy Cabbage Patch Dolls and a whole collection of Beanie Babies in the closet. I couldn’t sleep, the sounds of the wind crashing against the window and the darkness filled my head with a sense of uneasiness. I scrambled to my grandma’s room to wake her up and begged for her to read me a story. At that moment she pulled out a book about Bible stories & parables. When she began reading, the parable of the lost sheep particularly stood out to me. A little less than a decade later, I was sitting in theology class when I was told that none of the parables I picked were available for the Bible project and reflection I was working on for my final exam. Despite my frustration, I chose another one, and to my surprise that parable was also taken. So the fifth parable I chose, which was the Parable of the Lost Sheep, wasn’t exactly what I wanted to write about but was what I needed to hear from God. When I began writing my reflection, I myself felt like the lost sheep Jesus was telling the Pharisees about. Through the Parable of the Lost Sheep, we learn that God seeks every lost sinner and he rejoices when we are found. The story starts off with the Pharisees asking Jesus why he eats with sinners. He responds with the story of a shepherd who has 100 sheep, and when one goes missing, he leaves the 99 others to find the lost one. When he finds it, he rejoices more over the one sheep than over the 99 he left astray. When he finds the lost sheep the shepherd calls all of his friends and neighbors to celebrate. This mirrors the joy when a sinner repents and turns back to God. It is a powerful reminder that no matter how lost we feel, there is always a way back, and that return is met with God’s open arms and joy. Through the parable, Jesus sends us messages about God’s love for us. Just as the shepherd cares deeply for every single sheep, God cares for each individual. Every person is valuable and important to him. Lastly, the parable emphasizes that no one is beyond God’s reach. It highlights the possibility of salvation in everybody’s life. God’s grace is available to all, regardless of their past mistakes or how far they have wandered. God has a love and compassion for each of us and he seeks to save all those who are lost.  In my life, there have been many moments where I have felt like a lost sheep in my faith. Growing up, my family was always Christmas Eve and Easter Catholics. I remember going to mass on those days and all I could think about were what presents I would receive or patiently waiting for my nana’s famous egg scavenger hunt. When my focus was renewed on the service, I was filled with so much confusion. Despite attending Sunday School every weekend, I never truly understood what was going on. I was a constant pest to my parents and was always curious about what being a Catholic truly meant. I was filled with questions like, why are we kneeling? Why are we eating and drinking the body and blood of Jesus? What is the holy trinity? I felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle. I didn’t know any of the prayers we said at mass. I didn’t know when to stand, sit, or kneel. I didn’t know the meaning or purpose of mass. I remember going to get communion the Christmas Eve after my First Communion and having no idea what to do. I simply followed the moves of my mother and filled with so much anxiety, I stood there for a whole minute while the priest waited for me to say Amen, cause I couldn’t remember what to say. Going to a public middle school during Covid was tough. I remember when people would ask me about my faith, I could never explain it, because I never really understood what being a Catholic meant. I felt like a total fraud. Faith in middle school was a sticky subject, and even though I didn't understand my faith, I was open to telling others about being a Catholic. After being constantly teased about my faith by my peers, I thought there is no way God is real. God wouldn’t let others tear me apart for believing in him. My mom soon saw my struggle and decided to move me to a Catholic school. I left everything I had known behind and I was off on a new journey.  Coming to a community that accepted my faith instead of ridiculing it truly changed my perspective. Theology class that year was an eye-opening experience, I learned about Jesus and his disciples, whose names I didn’t even know before. I learned about God’s never-ending love. I learned about Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. As years have passed my faith has grown to something that my life revolves around, instead of a life with faith in the background. To this day, I sometimes still feel like a lost sheep who isn’t truly a Catholic. I still don’t know all the prayers we say during mass, I still don’t know all of the stories of the Bible, I still forget to say grace sometimes before eating, and I still sin often. Feeling like a fraud can be a normal feeling, especially when you are surrounded by girls who grew up with faith as a family value. Being surrounded by girls who attended Catholic school their whole life, often made me feel insecure about not knowing about the fundamental truths of being a Catholic. I am here today to remind you that it is okay to feel like a fraud or a lost sheep in faith because God accepts and welcomes us from all walks of life. No matter how old or young you are, no matter how rich or poor, no matter how educated you are, God is with us.  Reflecting on this parable, especially during times when I’ve felt lost in my faith, has reminded me of the importance of seeking and embracing God’s love and forgiveness. Today, I challenge you to seek God. I hope that no matter what path you are on, whether it is a path of sin or a winding path of faith, I invite you to feel God’s love. No matter if you know everything about God or nothing at all God invites all to follow. Remember it is never too late to start following the Lord. If you ever feel like a fraud or feel lost in your faith seek God and you shall find. Take some time each day this week to reflect on your journey of faith. Start by setting aside 10-15 minutes in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. During this time write down your thoughts about your faith and make sure to be honest with yourself. By simply acknowledging where you lack or where you need God the most in your life, you are taking steps to be saved. My faith journey was a rocky one but was completely worth it. God is there for me and all. To this day, feeling like a fraud can make me question my identity as a Catholic. But I want to remind you that being a Catholic is so much more than memorization of prayers or Bible verses. Being a Catholic means putting your full trust in faith in God and building a relationship with God. Go forth and find the Lord because he will rejoice in your salvation, just as the shepherd rejoiced in the saving of the sheep.

By: Ella Clayton Being on break can be a nice change from the stress and workload we experience during much of the school year. Although breaks are good and healthy for us every once and awhile, God does not want us to spend life constantly chasing comforts and little work. Proverbs 28:19 states, “Those who work their land have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will be full of poverty.” God is telling us that when we really work at something and are productive, it will result in “abundant food,” which satisfies us, but when we chase the impossible, the fancifull, we end up “full of poverty.” So, what does this mean for us? It means that when we work hard, our hearts will be satisfied, but if we are constantly chasing fantasies, our hearts will never be satisfied. God made our human bodies uniquely. We have all the tools built into us, and different charisms that allow us to be productive and get work done that builds up the Kingdom of God. We have brains that allow us to think complex thoughts, hands that allow us to write and type, and voices that allow us to communicate in a much more sophisticated way than animals. But even more amazing, God, through the Holy Spirit gave us unique charisms, special abilities that we can use to help build the Kingdom of God on earth. These could include hospitality, healing, craftsmanship, teaching, or encouragement, but there are many more. When we use our unique bodies and our special charisms in our work, we are thanking and glorifying God for the gifts He has given us. And when we glorify God, we are building the Kingdom of God on earth. Knowing we need to work is one thing, but doing it is another. Sometimes we are worn out and suffer from a lack of motivation. Often, I find myself wasting time from procrastinating, because I just can’t seem to sit down and get work done. This hit me particularly hard coming back from Thanksgiving break, right before finals. It was hard to focus on all the homework and tests that I didn’t want to do, that felt like I couldn’t do. The problem was that I felt like I could only rely on myself to get the job done. One night I had this random thought, to do a Google search for the prayer, “Come Holy Spirit.” As I prayed the words of the prayer, I asked for the Holy Spirit to be with me as I worked, and motivate me in what I was about to do. When I realized that all the work I did came through God, I had a deeper motivation to be productive, because I was no longer working for myself, but for God. When we are able to do good work that we are proud of, we are glorifying God for the gifts He has given us. But when we sit back, and are lazy, we let the gifts God has given us go to waste. As we all return to the busy, demanding routines of school and work, I invite you to keep God in your hearts as you work, maybe say a short prayer before you begin to center yourself. In doing this, you can thank Him for the gifts He has shared with us. When we realize that our work glorifies God’s Kingdom, we can find great joy in the work we do.

By: Lila Lowery It is almost 2025, and I’m sure you have begun to think about New Year’s resolutions. Over the past few weeks, I have seen numerous posts on social media about resolutions, and glow ups, and how to be completely unrecognizable in 2025. Scrolling through all of this, it is easy to start stressing about your own life, thinking how will I accomplish all of this? Well the truth is, you don’t have to. Social media gives us completely unrealistic standards for ourselves because we see other people’s highlights, not their whole life story. But, I do think it is important to strive in self betterment, but in a different way. In 2025, I will be focusing on my faith journey, and I invite you to do the same. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness and, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:33). The difference between building your faith and these unattainable resolutions is that you don’t have to immediately change yourself. You can come to God as you are, and He will help you pick up the pieces along the way. Just like it says in Matthew, when you seek God and His Kingdom, the rest of the things you want to improve on will become easier, because you have God. The most effective way to strengthen faith is to actively and frequently seek the Lord. He is everywhere in your life, but it can be hard to see it if you don’t have a relationship with Him. So how do you find Him?  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). First and foremost, pray. Prayer is such a powerful tool to get closer with God and to give us more assurance and peace. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to me, because I think I have to say all the right things and do it perfectly. But, there is no right way to pray! God wants to hear from you and desires to be a part of your life. All you have to do is talk to Him. Tell Him about your day, ask for intercession for you and your loved ones, and give your worries and burdens to Him. I like to say a quick prayer before I get out of bed each morning to start my day with Jesus, and do more in depth prayer at night. But, the beauty of prayer is that it’s unique, so do whatever makes you feel connected to God. It is also vital to pray throughout the day to keep Him top of mind. Like before eating, and even just in moments of silence. Invite Jesus into your daily tasks and ventures, because it makes them so much better.  “For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword , penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow” (Hebrews 4:12). Second, read your Bible. For me, Scripture is how I feel most connected to God because diving into the Word is like Him talking and giving advice that is applicable to our own lives. Sometimes when I read a passage, it correlates with my current situation so perfectly. I know that is God, helping me through it and advising me on what to do. This shows how personal our God is and how He wants to help us through every step of our journey.  Reading the Bible can be done in many ways. A group Bible study is great because you can hear others’ perspectives and it is fun to experience faith with a community, like Prayer and Purpose! It is also valuable to read it on your own and set up a time where it is just you and God. The Bible truly showcases God’s care for us because He wants to help us grow our faith, and what to do is shown in His Word. All we have to do is make an effort and sacrifice time to not only read it, but add it to our own lives and live it. Living the Word is so important because the Bible is powerful. Like Hebrews states, it is sharper than any double-edged sword. “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; He will not leave you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Third, look for God’s presence. He is everywhere! The world can be a scary place, but God’s presence makes it so much brighter. In Deuteronomy, Moses is telling Israel to not be afraid of other nations and tribes who will come their way, because God is with them. God is with us too, and always will be. He is with us when we fight our battles, holding our anxieties and fears. God is also there in the mundane and simple moments of life too. He is the flowers you see on your drive to school, the laughter of your friends, the sun rising in the morning. And of course, God is found in Mass and church services, through the Eucharist, adoration, and confession. God is omnipresent, and wants to be there for every single one of us. So, you’ve seen ways to seek God. Now, how do you implement them in 2025? Here is a challenge to help you do so! Challenge: Read the Bible at least 3 times a week. (Through the physical book, a podcast, or an app or website like Biblegateway.com .) Spend time with God before you go on your phone. Pray at least 2 times a day. Find 3 glimpses of God each day. Write Bible verses on sticky notes and put them on your mirror

By: Molly Kreikemeier, Madi Dunning, Lila Lowery, Gracie Brennan, and Poppy Varley Have you been struggling to find faith in your life, dreaming to be saved, seeking to understand the word of God, or simply just don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Life can be difficult and choices are hard, but oftentimes turning to the Bible and God for guidance can be the solution we need. Here are some quick tips and tricks to get our journey to faith going. “3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). This verse from Revelation reminds us of the importance and urgency of engaging with God’s word. It emphasizes that blessings come not just from reading, but from truly hearing and keeping the teachings.  Don’t Read Just Verses, But Whole Passages: We find that when we are reading just a single verse, we lack the context needed to fully understand what message God is trying to send us. Reading entire passages helps us see the bigger picture and grasp the full meaning. Use Commentaries and Footnotes to Our Advantage: Just as when we are struggling to understand a chapter in a book or the plot of a musical we are seeing, sometimes reading a synopsis can help us better understand the message that was intended to be conveyed. By reading commentaries done by scholars who have studied theology, we are more likely to better understand and convey the message that is being sent. Listen to a Podcast: Sometimes I find it hard to sit and read for long periods of time, so I find listening to a podcast to be a simple solution. Listening to the podcast can also ensure we are engaging with the Bible often because we can complete other tasks while listening. For instance, Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” is a great podcast to start our journey. Find a Christian Community: Having a Christian community can be helpful to encourage reading the Bible and allow other insights to be heard about the same Bible verse. The Christian community makes reading more engaging and provides support and different perspectives, which can deepen our understanding and commitment. Use Highlighters or Colored Pens: Highlighting or underlining key verses can help you remember important messages and make it easier to find them later. You can even use different colors for themes or topics!  Make Sticky Notes: A lot of times when I feel there is a message that I really need to hear, I will write it down on a sticky note and stick it to my mirror as a constant reminder of what God says. Take Notes: Writing down your thoughts, questions, or reflections while you read can really help deepen your understanding. It can often make you feel like you are having a conversation with God.  Set a Regular Reading Schedule: Consistency is key! Whether it’s daily or a few times a week, setting aside time to read can help make it a habit. Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you’re reading. It can be helpful to discuss these with someone in your community or look them up.  Pray Before and After Reading: Starting and ending your reading time with prayer can help center your thoughts and make the experience more meaningful.  Apply What You Read: After reading a passage, think about how you can apply its teachings to your daily life. For example, if you read about kindness, look for ways to be kind to others throughout your day. These steps can help you integrate the Bible's teachings into your everyday actions and decisions. We can’t wait to see others pick up their Bible’s and follow God! We challenge you today to read at least one passage of scripture using our tips.

By: Poppy Varley "4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.  9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor“ (Romans 12: 4-10). Throughout your life, you’ve probably had a number of different friends that have come and gone, and some that have stayed loyally by your side for a long time. Or, you might have been someone who has gone through life often feeling alone, never having an outgoing and large friend group like so many others seemed to have. Either way, whether you realize it or not, there is someone who has stayed consistently throughout your life, always reaching out to be your friend: God. And He wants to lead you to a group of friends that will love and support you forever. In this passage, St. Paul strongly urges us to realize the true blessings and community that is surrounding us through God. Friendship is a funny thing, right? Sometimes, people come into your life in ways that you would never expect. Your personalities may differ completely, but there is some intangible force that draws you together, creating a bond that is tougher than anything. It is exactly this bond that St. Paul is touching on within his speech. It isn’t our similarities that bring us together to serve and spread God’s love, it’s actually the opposite. In order to truly and fully live our mission as Christians to the fullest, we have to accept our differences. The very traits that allow us to be divided and split apart, also allow us to have new and creative perspectives, understandings, and opinions that fuel us forward within the Church.  Often in my life, I used to find myself saying, “I couldn’t be friends with her, we’re so different!” or, “ I’ve never even talked to her, how could we have anything in common?” But this distanced and closed-off mindset is not one that God wants us to carry. These very girls whom I never thought I would be friends with, are now some of my closest and most supportive friends, ones who know all about me and bring out the best within me. They taught me things about life and myself that I hadn’t known, and am forever grateful for their place in my life. By branching out and opening myself to everyone, I was able to grow as a person. This is the type of loving community that God wishes for everyone to foster in their lives. It’s important to think of community as something with many moving parts. For example, you might have a skill for public speaking, or commanding a room, while your friend might be an amazing organizer and planner. While blessed with opposite traits, both people possess gifts that are crucial to getting everything done well.  As St. Paul says in this passage, “Hold fast to what is good”. (Romans 12: 9) As you go about your day today, I urge you: Do not let your differences tear you apart, instead, take them and use them to grow. Build up yourself, your friends, your community, your world, build it as much as you can! Hold on to your friendships, value the wisdom and godly presence that you can find within them. Never forget that we are one body in Christ, and must work to act as one, relying on our different skills and strengths to spread His light wherever we go.

By: Gracie Brennan “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,   I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?   When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?   When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:35-40). As children of God, it is very important to help others. Have you ever heard the quote, “Service to others leads to greatness” (Jim Rohn). When we contribute our strengths and put others before ourselves a door is opened to happiness. Even the slightest actions can guide us to greatness. For example, true joy can simply be found by putting a smile on someone's face. It doesn’t matter how grand or little the action is because when we commit acts of kindness to one another, we are also committing them to God. Remember in the passage how the righteous didn’t remember doing all those affectionate deeds for the King? Yet, the King remembered. Even if feeding the king when he desired food wasn’t a huge deal for the righteous, it was a big deal for the King. From this instance, we can all learn that one action of service can establish grand feelings of happiness.  In this passage, the King goes into great description about the righteous. He describes the various good works they have done, such as visiting him in prison when he felt lonely, or tending to his needs when he was ill. However, after the King lists off all their wondrous deeds, the righteous feel as if something is wrong. They don’t remember visiting the King in prison or taking care of him when he fell ill. All of these good works don’t seem to resonate with the kind of people they are. Yet, after the righteous have listed off their remarks, the King says with sincerity, “‘whatever you did for one the least if these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”(Matthew 25:40). Through Matthew’s passage we learn even the smallest acts of kindness can impact a person immensely. It doesn’t matter if our efforts of service are grand or minimal because in God’s eyes, there is purpose within all of us.  As the Christmas season continues, I encourage you to serve others. Whether your service includes taking a trip to your local food bank or simply holding the door for a stranger, anything you do can affect someone immensely. Personally, when I’m having a bad day and feeling sad, my friends will offer support and even crack a joke to lighten the mood. Truly, kindness can affect someone a lot. After my friends cheered me up, I felt as if I could do anything. My confidence was equivalent to a skyrocket! It is clear that one action of service can make the world go round, no matter the size. So, what acts of service are you able to provide to your community? Please put yourself out there because even if your actions seem little and worthless, they still apply to God! Source: Says, The Bible. “Matthew 25:35-40 Meaning | TheBibleSays.com .” Thebiblesays.com , 14 Nov. 2022, thebiblesays.com/en/commentary/mat+25:35 .