The Cross is Central

The cross must be at the center of our lives. This was the main message at the Amigos de Jesus youth group session on Friday, September 17 at Annunciation Catholic Church. After beginning with a recitation of the Rosary, Brother Joseph reminded the youth that this week the Church focused in a special way on the cross. Tuesday was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Wednesday was the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Friday the Franciscans celebrated the imprinting of the wounds of Christ (stigmata) on St. Francis. Why this focus on the cross?

In their small groups, the youth reflected on this important question by looking at the Gospel from the previous Tuesday. Jesus assured his disciples that, "whoever does not pick up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Many of the youth shared their own reflections on suffering and finding meaning even in their pain. God is working in our pain, and our pain is never meaningless.

The youth also spent a good deal of time decorating the bulletin board in the back of the Church with photos from the youth group's summer events: Bible Camp, Amigos Retreat, and Encuentro Juvenil. Meanwhile, other youth were decorating the youth office windows with photos.

The group rejoined around 7:30 pm to celebrate the birthdays of Arlene and Veronica with brownies. Br. Joseph reminded the youth about the fall festival on October 2 and the need for volunteers to work in the Amigos de Jesus booth.

Thanks so much to Kim, Perla, Massiel, and Miguel for going to door-to-door with Br. Joseph and Br. Anthony on Saturday afternoon. It was a good start to this new ministry. You have no idea how God can touch people's lives thorugh somethign so simple as a prayer or an invitation to church.  Thanks also to the youth who helped out with the Confirmation classes on Saturday evening. It is greatly appreciated. Your witness to your fellow youth is invaluable.

God's peace my brothers and sisters.
Br. Joseph