by Katrina Nangle
A lock-in with the youth ministry at Our Lady of Light parish, St. Albans, was the perfect way to begin Lent.
It provided a loving, tranquil and spiritual environment that gave us something very unique. It allowed us to focus.
During the lock-in, all our worries, troubles and problems were miniscule. Our workload, our extracurriculars and our outside distractions were nowhere to be found. Jesus and His immense sacrifice were on our minds.
At all our events, we are blessed with great guests. This event was no exception. Our first guest and homilist, Deacon Dwayne Davis, who will be ordained a priest this summer, gave us great advice and wrapped up our purpose as disciples so simply. The purpose of life is to love and be loved. This covers all the commandments and moral obligations. It is as simple as that. We are all here to love one another and be loved.
Our next guest, Angela Lewis, held a workshop in which she informed us on how to say no to different peer pressures and the many downsides of engaging in sex before marriage. Sex is a gift from God for spouses that allows them to give themselves totally to each other and make children.
I like Lewis’ approach to addressing these awkward topics. She is real and knows what we are up against.
Brother Gregory-Augustine McMullen also held a workshop with us where we discussed what we would do in a variety of scenarios and what Jesus would do. His testimony moved me. It moved us all.
The New Name Band led praise and worship with us. They also left us with an important message: Everyone has unique personalities and can use their individuality to praise and worship God in a special way.
I was personally moved by the Stations of the Cross. I experienced it in a totally different way this year. I was inspired by Jesus Christ and how He fell three times, each time having more of a want to give up, but He got up and trudged on to Calvary for me. Since God did not quit on me and my salvation, for Lent I will not quit when things get difficult.
And thank you to those who stayed up with us the whole night. We appreciate you.
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Katrina Nangle, 17, is a leader in the Young Adult Ministry at Our Lady of Light parish, St. Albans.
