Post-College 13 Years

As I mark another Valparaiso University graduation anniversary, I think about all the blessings I have experienced because, notably, I'm now celebrating the 13th anniversary of my ValpU graduation in 2013.  Talking with then-ValpU President Padilla at my 10th anniversary reunion 3 years ago, I mentioned that 13 is not an unlucky number for me.

I've been blessed to continue friendships with amazing people as we support each other in challenges and celebrate the joys of life, like new children born to my friends Roy and Zach.  I've crossed a large portion of the USA to spend time with Roy and Tyler, even enjoying some good laughs at AI-generated music while riding a Los Angeles freeway.  Months later, Matthew came to visit me when I told him about a Messiah Sing-along in Oak Park.

It's also been a blessing to connect back with St. Teresa's.  Twice during this past school year, I helped with the post-evening Mass meal, including the special Advent event back in December.  While there in December, I talked with Kayla, one of the FOCUS missionaries, about my St. Teresa's experience.  She was impressed to hear me say that I drove over an hour to be at St. Teresa's for that evening's event.  It was uplifting to help provide a wonderful, joyful evening of fellowship and a good meal for the students.

In keeping up with the latest on campus, I've been intrigued by the style of ValpU's new president Dr. Konkol, who shows himself to be very enthusiastic.  During a forum with alumni, he talked about leadership, and gave some insights about leadership I hadn't considered.  Sometimes, I've thought of leadership like someone who's a supervisor or a manager.  Dr. Konkol showed a Ted Talk that illustrated how a leader can be someone who gets people to follow behind an idea.

I think about how I've exhibited leadership in Religious Education, supporting the young people in my charge to grow in relationship with God.  Teaching RE has given me the opportunity to see how adult life has both responsibility and opportunity, especially in how I can be in a position to affirm and form these young people.

Perhaps that approach motivated me during one class when there was about 5 minutes remaining before it was time for closing prayer and the concluding parts of class.  I was eager to share about Theology of the Body, so following a plan I had used previously, I gave the students a 5-minute overview.

As February gave way to March and the date of Confirmation day at Ascension drew near, I felt a stirring at a great opportunity.  One of the FOCUS missionaries at St. Teresa's in Valparaiso reached out to supporters like me to ask if we had any prayer requests for them to take with them for their pilgrimage that included Rome.  When I saw that email, I knew that it would be a powerful opportunity to have prayers offered for the Confirmation candidates in Rome, at the heart of the Church.

Looking back on these 13 years, it's great to see how I have connected back to and built upon the amazing experiences at ValpU to edify others and see God continue to work by the power of the Holy Spirit, Who truly sent me forth on that Pentecost Sunday when I graduated.  I was inspired by this graduation occasion to start this blog so I could keep reflecting on life.  In doing so, I know that I am blessed in the presence of the Holy Spirit and in this mission in which I have found great purpose in life.

A St. Teresa's community member photographed me ready to serve the drinks at the event in December.  I asked for the ingredients ahead of time, and I got good at memorizing them on the fly so I was ready when asked what was in each. 

Here I am getting ready to serve Mexican food at St. Teresa's back on February 15, and I was excited because that day was in the midst of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis's Apostolic Journey in Mexico.

Thank you all for reading my blog posts, and I look forward to sharing more.