CSU

(note: I posted this earlier, but I think I may have put it in the wrong place...because I don't see it with all the other posts from my class, so just in case you were wondering why its here so late, its because I am still unfamiliar with how to post this in the correct spot...so I am trying again)

The Catholic Student Union

The Catholic Student Union (CSU) is a community of people, who may or may not be Catholic, who get together every Wednesday of the week for an event called spirit night. It contains several ministries that all serve at Saint Thomas Moore Church. Students and other members come and participate in this community in a number of ways, including setting up retreats, prayer sessions, and community service projects. The group is peer facilitated, and only the youth can be officers. One of my favorite things about CSU, is the involvment of the Brotherhood of Hope. The Brotherhood is composed of several brothers in the Catholic Church that provide council and guidance within the community that helps students get through their spiritual lives. These are great men, who have devoted their lives to the youth instead of taking their PhD's and making mad bank!

Together CSU has about 350 members and is constantly growing in numbers and faith. We conduct our own youth mass on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. We host CSU dinners, sporting events, homecomming events, men and women's groups and event has its own Facebook group. This is unlike any other group I have ever been apart of. The fact that it is run by the student members, provides a great motivation to attend each of their events.

I think that the most important service that CSU provides is its ability to bring me closer to God and strengthen my faith. Not only that, but others also. I have seen kids come from all kinds of different backgrounds and faiths and find value in what we as a Community and Church have to offer. These kids have come from places like Miami, and grew up in more unwelcoming circumstances, leading unfufilled lives and were consequently unhappy. Drugs, sex, alcohol and much worse things were part of these people's lives, but when they came here something changed inside of them. Most of them did a 180 on their lives and became better human beings and stronger in their faith. I think it has a little to do with our value in the Sacrement of Reconciliation, or forgiveness. They saw that God is always willing to forgive them for anything that they have done and is always willing to love them unconditionally no matter what. In Luke 15:11-31 of the Bible, the story of the prodigal son is told, and it adresses our devotion to forgiveness and explains how God truley cares for us.

I and just a member of this wonderful group and I hope that I may be involved with it as long as possible, because I am always finding ways to serve Him through it and help myself in the long run.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2209757422&ref=ts