I Love My School A Million...

   When most people get to college, they never even think twice (or even once) about going back to their high school for a visit. It's time to party, live life and forget the past. And then there's me and the rest of the Naz Acad alum. Going back to our high school is a MUST. With all the tradition wrapped around the place, and the faculty who you just can't get enough of, you don't think twice about it; you just go. 

    Thanksgiving last year was the biggest influx of alum I had ever seen at Mass. This year, it was just me and one of my best friends since most of our classmates were stuck still at school. But if I was home, there was no question about it; I was getting myself up early to go and visit. You see, there's something about our Chapel and Mass that one can never escape. It brings you such a feeling of warmth, love and faith. It's a feeling that truly can not be expressed; it must be experienced.

    And so, at the last possible minute, we slipped into the last pew. We opened our programs and smiled at every song selection. Back when we went to school there, we would so easily harmonize with each other during Mass. We couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces as Mass began. Now, it's never a complete Naz Mass without a Music Department fail and of course, within the first few minutes, they failed by not coming in on time and switching tempos. Oi. But never the less, Mass was always enjoyable.

   Most of you have never witnessed a Nazareth Mass, and if you ever get the chance, be forewarned: newcomers always, ALWAYS get freaked out during the Our Father. Every single person in the chapel moves toward the center and it gives a loud, thunderous sound. We all join hands and pray together. We lift our hands in praise to God and then stand still until the sign of peace. It becomes the loudest sign of peace you could ever hear. Every time I am moved to tears, because those few minutes are what we are all about. Every. Single. Time. Tears. 

   While it's so nice to walk around and get to see each those teachers we will always love, there is something so special about sharing the Mass with all 450 students and the faculty. There is something so spiritually moving about the thunderous roar of Eastland shoes moving across the Chapel. There is something more than comforting in holding hands with students past and present and teachers, all at once; everyone connected. And there is something so unique, which makes one truly love their school a million, about having the Communion Ministers still say, "Body of Christ, Becky," even when you graduated two years ago. Yeah, this school is almost something magical but it's so real. And I really do love my school a million. 

    So let's talk about normal. Every college student skips class for various reasons. Most of the time, college kids are sick, "sick", need a mental health day or simply are skipping because the very next day starts some type of break and they have a plane to catch. I fall into this catagory, only IF I am completely incapacitated by the flu (like I was LAST week). However, today, I did the normal with the extraordinary. Yes, I skipped classes (with permission) BUT it wasn't for any of the above reasons. Today, I proudly skipped class to be a student leader for a local high school's senior girl retreat. WOOHOO!
    Needless to say, I was riding my high horse of happiness (AKA the school van) on the way there and I really couldn't wait. When we finally got there (everyone loses their way sometimes...), we were met with a sister who HAD AN ENGLISH ACCENT. I don't know about you, but I love ACCENTS! So immediately I was in love with the place. Then we walked around to find our "sacred space"  and found the CHAPEL! AHHHHHH. So it's completely in the round and all you see through the windows is NATURE; trees, leaves, squirrels, loveliness. Not to mention JESUS in EXPOSITION! Oh my goodness, it was a slice of HEAVEN!
   Ok so anyway, our lovely ladies of God get there and talk about ROWDY RAMBUNCTIOUS TEENAGERS. Oh wait...that's me. Yeah, I was ready to BOUNCE. OFF. THE. WALLS. from happiness. Everyone seemed so open to the retreat and I just know it's going to be a good one; I know there's going to be happiness and tears and GOD, totally! We break up into our groups, make our goals and share, discuss, and get to know each other. And then we get to the real deep stuff; cross the line and path of angels.
    If you've ever done a cross the line, you know it consists of real deep personal questions. It talks about discrimination, beliefs, race, the whole nine yards. And then there's th question: Cross the line if you've ever felt alone in a crowded room. Every single girl moved forward. Including myself. It happens, we all feel alone at times. But that's why we do our path of angels. Everyone lines up on either side of the hallway and then one by one every person walks down the middle so that they have to listen to the BEAUTIFUL comments everyone has for them. Talk about moving. Wow, tears. After every girl went through, we thought we were done. But no. The Spirit was so present that each of the girls encouraged the leaders to go down as well. Now if you read my most recent blog about adventuring and getting injured, you know that I have a brace on my knee and have to hobble instead of walk. In the words of one of my best friends, "my swag is off". Yeah, my swag! So I hobbled down the LONG hallway to the cheers of beautiful, young women I have never met before.
   Finally, after that oh so moving exercise, we all moved to the Chapel. Yeah, the little piece of Heaven I mentioned earlier. The final part of the retreat was the letter reflection. I won't tell you too much except that truly this was a time when the girls were made aware of how much they are loved by family. Having done this reflection before, I can truly tell you that it creates a lot of tears and emotions. I even found myself crying with all the girls. Being in that sacred space, with all those girls, with the calming music, I could feel nothing but love. Especially as I sat on the floor a bit incapacitated with my slacking knee and shared moments with dear hearted Sister.
    I can honestly say, that for the first time being a student leader for a retreat, nothing allows me to be more peaceful that spreading LOVE in anyway. Yeah, I guess that's my calling: to love in every way possible. "Our vocation is to love." (Mother Teresa)