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It has been a tough, tough weekend.
For (almost) four years, I have volunteered for the youth ministry program known as Lifeteen at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. It is my unquestionable, unapologetic and undeniable purpose in my life. God has called me here to serve, and I do so.
I do not mention this as a bragger; I intend no self-conceit. I preface this Gun’s Quote in this manner because if you were to ask me who I am and what I do I simply couldn’t respond without describing the above. It is firmly cemented into my very soul and identity. Its removal from my life would fundamentally change who I am.
Today, the very first freshman class that I started with will be leaving Holy Trinity. Very soon, they will part from their families’ homes and go on to college, tech school or the military. One has already departed.
These were the first kids I got to know for four full years. These were the kids that shared their stories with me from the beginning of their high school careers to the end of them. There have been many different kids of struggles, pains, joys, fears, celebrations and, of course, God Moments. Some lost their faith altogether. Some found it.
Today, in my final act of ministering to them has members of our youth group, I served them dinner. They, in turn, left the rest of the group with parting words of advice and what they wish for us. Finally, to end the evening, they stooped down in great humility and washed our feet.
That was a special moment…
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Friday night, I did, indeed, visit one of my best friends, Chris Muer, in Manhattan as I said in my last Gun’s Quote. Chris volunteered for youth ministry as well. He introduced me to his youth minister and his youth minister’s family as well as another adult volunteer. His youth minister, Rick, just started at the parish this year. Chris was there to help.
During his parting speech, Rick said that he had no idea how he would be able to do youth ministry this year without Chris. His help, wise counsel and devotion to the youth in Manhattan filled a void that Rick says would have gone empty had Chris’ arrival never materialized. Rick’s daughters – I believe the oldest was 14 – shed tears over his departure. They loved him. All of them do. I wasn’t surprised.
Chris is a great friend. His life has impacted mine. Like Lifeteen, part of my identify is shaped because of his friendship, advice, council or a swift kick in the butt, whichever I needed at the time I needed it. I minister better, know God better and live better because of him.
He went back to Michigan yesterday. Before heading north, we followed each other on the 2-hour segment of I-70 between Manhattan and Kansas City. We talked on the cell phone the entire time, trying to say everything we wanted to say before he started his new life as a seminarian. Before he took I-435 north and I took I-435 south, we both pulled over and gave each other a big hug.
That was a special moment, too.
Gun’s Quotes Facebook edition is saying goodbye, too. This is the last post that will be posted on Facebook. Next week, the Gun’s Quotes will only go out on Blogspot. I will delete the Facebook group this week.
It’s not that any of these departures or goodbyes will be permanent. Certainly Chris and I will still be able to talk, albeit much less so, and there will be Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter breaks to see teens leaving town shortly. Facebook helps a ton.
Yet, I simply cannot deny the fact that I will miss all of these people dearly. Words fail to convey how each of their stories has shaped mine. I am who I am because of them. While nobody knows what lies ahead, nothing can possibly change the important role that they have, and will, play in my life. It is with great humility I ask God to allow me to continue to play a role in theirs, knowing that role will be different now.
So, I ask God to abundantly bless all of the people who are parting ways with me. I offer this final prayer to them all: (If even slightly plagiarized…)
May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be a Blessed and a shining name.
May you be like John and like Mary.
May you be deserving of praise.
Strengthen them oh Lord, and keep them from the strangers’ ways.
May God Bless you and grant you long lives.
May the Lord fulfill our Parting Prayer for you.
May God make you true servants and wise.
May he give you good friends who will care for you.
May the Lord protect and defend you.
May the Lord preserve you from pain.
Favor them oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh hear our Parting Prayer.
Amen.
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