Listening Session in Soldotna
On Friday, our Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, Matthew Beck and I travelled to Kenai and Soldotna for a full weekend of ministry. On Friday evening, we held our penultimate Listening Session at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna. Our Chancellor, John Harmon also joined us to moderate the evening.
We had a very nice turnout. Once again, we heard many different perspectives, further driving home the reality that the church family is home to people from many walks of life at various points along the journey of faith. We really do need a ‘bigger tent!’
Saturday, we returned to Soldotna (from Kenai) to meet with young adults. Though we had a small crowd, we began with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and then moved to a local restaurant where a few more people joined us for a bite to eat and a chance to socialize. After the lunch, we had a very interesting and fruitful discussion. Though it was a small group, it was a worthwhile exercise.
Saturday evening we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of the Angels in Kenai. Once again, a small group was confirmed, but it was a wonderful celebration. I am so impressed with the quality of music at this parish. They did a superb job!
This morning, I had the rare opportunity to preside at a First Communion at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this joyous celebration, which concluded with a May procession to the outdoor grotto of the Blessed Mother where we sang a few Marian hymns, everyone had a chance to place a flower at the feet of Mary’s statue, and we conclude with a couple of prayers and a blessing.
I encourage all of you to renew your own devotion to our Blessed Mother during this month of May. Try to pray a rosary each day, and ask Our Lady to flood your own heart with the Flame of her Immaculate Heart, drawing you closer to her Son, Jesus. Then, through Mary’s intercession, may all of us be better equipped to carry the love of both Mary and Jesus into the world, especially to those who are most in need.
My apologies to the two young men confirmed in Kenai, as I could not get those photos to upload to this slide presentation.
Peace, and enjoy the pics.
+pde
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