In response to: Professor Cornel West and Professor Robert George - “A discussion on: The Nature and Basis of Human Dignity”

As I began my day today with prayer and opening up God's word, I felt my heart being so deeply encouraged by the events of last night's debate between Professor Cornel West and Professor Robert George. I was inspired on an intellectual and spiritual level like I haven't been in a really long time and it was tremendous to see the Holy Spirit alive and well in a room full of people listening to a very challenging and controversial topic.

This Sunday I asked for prayer requests for my friend who attended last night’s debate. My friend, a definite intellectual, a self-proclaimed "struggling non-believer" knew of Cornell West and finally agreed to come to St. Paul Inside the Walls for this event.

While he enjoyed a majority of what was presented to us at a very high level by Dr. George and Dr. West, I was amazed at his response when I asked him what he found most significant. He said it was Dr. West's reflection on the massive despair and darkness the people of the world felt on that faithful Saturday after the crucifixion. Dr West challenged us to not rush to the Joy of Sunday's resurrection, but to sit there in darkness and feel what they felt. He described how there was nothing "sentimental" about the cross. My friend, like many of us I'm sure, was deeply moved by that level of emotion and passion.

I know in this Lenten Season we are focused on the Passion and the Joyful Resurrection. However, we often skip over Saturday because we know the truth of this incredible happy ending. I think that I was definitely challenged to focus more on the reality of that moment, and it only makes Christ's rising that much more amazing!

This all being said, I left my friend with a proposed, not imposed, invitation to Mass which he graciously accepted and will be coming with me one of the next couple Sundays. Evangelization truly comes in all forms! Praise God for that!

As we let the words of these men sink into our hearts and minds today and in days to come, let us be encouraged by the divine role we all are playing in opposing the "moral decay" of our society and standing up for the rich tradition and truth of our faith in this challenging, changing world with courageous hearts! It is a blessing to plant seeds with all of you for eternity.

Pax,

Trevor Jones

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In response to: "Cairo burning: the Muslim revolution, Western decline, and the Pope's response"

I just wanted to express my gratitude for the excellent seminar provided to us at St. Paul’s Inside the Walls this past Wednesday evening. I found Dr. Sylva’s presentation exceptionally informative and it has given me a keen awareness of how important understanding global issues are pertinent to the future of our Church and faith. Because of this, I plan to take full advantage of future talks/seminars being offered at St. Paul’s Inside the Walls and hope to encourage others to attend as well. In deepening my relationship with Christ within the Catholic Church, I feel that God has mercifully graced me with the profound understanding that loving Jesus also means loving His Bride but I’m finding that I often struggle with how I can best do that, in other words, how do I go about successfully proclaiming truth along with love? I strongly believe that your ministry can help me accomplish this and I’m totally excited to finally have direction and eventually some clarity on the struggles that I’m encountering with my faith. Thank you and bless you for your invaluable ministry which is a much needed service to our Church!

Ivette Valori

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The Church of Paterson is fortunate to have such a beautiful evangelization center. I look forward to attending future workshops that will allow for growth and enrichment for me as well as for those I minister to and with. Much of what you shared regarding making catechesis an evangelizing encounter with Jesus made an impact on those who attend. It really is all about relationship, isn’t it?

Linda Macios
Director of Religious Education

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When in Rome…

Before departing for the Eternal City, Father Geno cautioned the group that we were not traveling to Rome for a vacation, but instead for a pilgrimage. I don’t think I understood the difference at first, but after eight days, and many hours of prayer and reflection, I was able to wrap my head around the miracle that our group of 28 had experienced. My faith will never be the same.

I had been to Rome once before, but it was nothing like this. Father Geno promised us from the very beginning that the days would be long with a packed itinerary. He wasn’t kidding! We visited all of Rome’s main attractions, learned about the Catholic origins in this great city, and shared mass in dozens of cathedrals. I enjoyed watching Father Geno walk around on his former stomping grounds, showing us every nook and cranny of the wonderful city. He was like a local celebrity! It seemed everywhere we went someone was shaking his hand and welcoming him back. It is a true testament to how many lives one person can touch, just as Jesus did.

On the day after our arrival we joined pilgrims from all over the world during a morning audience with Pope Benedict. We were within feet of the Holy Father! I especially enjoyed when they recognized groups from all over the world, and we were sure to cheer extra loud when the Diocese of Paterson was called. What a wonderful gift to hear Pope Benedict speak. It is a moment none of us will ever forget.

Later in the week we were given special access to the Scavi excavations underneath Saint Peter’s Basilica. My group and I walked through the ancient necropolis in awe as we learned about the origins of our faith. It just so happened that on this same day, at the same time, they were moving the tomb of Blessed Pope John Paul II upstairs into St. Peter’s. It was a tremendous feeling walking through these excavations, and hearing the prayer vigil going on overhead in the church. It was a wonderful celebration of Catholic history, and brought a full circle to everything we had been learning throughout the week.

On the evening before the beatification of Pope John Paul II we joined over 200,000 pilgrims at the Circus Maximus for a prayer vigil. Father Geno was able to pull some strings and got us a prime spot in the media loft overlooking the whole event. It’s hard for me to describe the feelings I had looking out at thousands of Catholics holding candles and joining in prayer for this great man. I wept out of joy for the experience and wonder of how religion can bring so many people together. I had never felt so overcome by the Holy Spirit, and in that moment, I couldn’t have been prouder to call myself Catholic. It is a night that changed my relationship with God forever.

Following a high from the night, we all woke up at 5AM and raced to St. Peter’s Basilica in hopes of snagging a spot close to the beatification events. After one too many bumps and bruises, we retreated back to our hotel where we watched the beatification events together. As we celebrated the life and work of Blessed Pope John Paul II, I was finally able to reflect on how the week long pilgrimage had changed my life. It was a journey of searching for greater spiritual significance and a finding a renewed faith in God.

As we boarded the plane back to New York, I made three promises to myself. One, to share with everyone I met the miracle I experienced during our pilgrimage. Two, to let go of all the little things that crowd out Christ by remembering the sacrifices that so many brave Catholics have made before me. And third, to become an active Young Adult leader at Saint Paul Inside the Walls. I began this trip only knowing one person, and ended it with dozens of lifelong friends. Father Geno has touched my life in an enormous way, and I cannot thank him enough for offering me this experience. He inspires me to be a better Catholic, and to continue to grow closer to Christ every day. I also want to thank Father Paul Manning, Father John Rozembajgier and Father Derek Anderson for helping us to “stay close” to God during our journey. The experience would not have been the same without you.

“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.” –Pope John Paul II