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FOCUS Jan-9-2008 (770 words) xxxn
College students at conference urged to 'set the world on fire'
By Claudia Cangilla McAdam
Catholic News Service
GRAPEVINE, Texas (CNS) -- "Go, and set the world on fire!" These words of St. Ignatius of Loyola comprised the theme of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students' 2008 National Student Leadership Conference Jan. 2-6 in Grapevine.
The conference also was the 10th anniversary celebration for Colorado-based FOCUS. The organization has more than 150 missionaries ministering to thousands of students on 33 campuses in 18 states.
During the Christmas break when one might imagine students spending their time sleeping, seeing family and friends or earning money, more than 3,000 young people traveled from all around the country to experience five days of encountering Jesus Christ.
Noted author and public speaker Jeff Cavins kicked off the conference as keynote speaker.
"I believe that God has placed in our hearts a sense of mission," he told the students and their campus missionary leaders. "He has created us to work with him. He has created us to demonstrate his glory and reflect with our daily lives his wisdom, his beauty, his power."
Deacon Alex Jones, a former Pentecostal charismatic minister who is now a Catholic, energized the crowd.
"Evangelization is a call to the Gospel," he said. "You must be committed to the work of the Lord with everything you have -- not piecemeal, not halfway, not half-hearted, not mediocre, but with your whole heart, with your whole being, you're committed to the work of Jesus Christ. That's what the Holy Spirit is calling for from the faithful."
Mother Assumpta Long, one of the founders of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, said a cultural war is being waged on the sanctity of life.
"We are encountering the enemies of truth and goodness," she told the gathering of young people. "We need you desperately!"
Conference attendees came from more than 200 campuses across the United States. There were student representatives from Canada and Australia as well.
Also participating were approximately 100 priests and a number of bishops, including Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who celebrated one of the Masses.
Students could take part in eucharistic adoration, receive the sacrament of reconciliation and attend daily Mass as well as participate in numerous faith-building break-out sessions.
"At one point in my life, I was an atheist, then an agnostic, then a Protestant before finding the Catholic Church," said University of Vermont freshman Matt Wajda. "I came into this conference skeptical and wondering where I stood in my faith. It has been a truly inspiring conference for me. It is going to help me be a better Christian Catholic person."
Mike Sweeney, five-time American League All-Star first baseman and captain of the Kansas City Royals baseball team, captivated the crowd with his personal story of what he termed "my journey with Jesus."
His revelation of his ups and downs in his faith life gave the students an insight into living the Catholic life in the public spotlight. At a difficult period in his personal and professional life, a picture of a bicycle built for two proved inspirational to the young athlete.
"I realized that I'd placed myself in the front seat, and I had been trying to do the steering," he said. He committed to putting himself in back, doing the peddling, and putting Christ "on the front seat of the bike."
"The 'C' on my jersey means more than 'captain.' It stands for being Catholic," he said. "I give you that honor -- to wear a 'C' ... wear it proudly!"
Father Benedict Groeschel, a founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, told the students: "You've been exposed to the apostasy, the betrayal of many Catholic colleges. And the media is out to get the Catholic Church."
"You are a part of a providential movement in the Catholic faith," he said.
While he expressed hope for a religious revival at the hands of today's youths, he warned them of the possibility of persecution.
"Know your stuff. Turn on your brains," he said. "Start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We need to have informed Catholics. Know the New Testament, especially the holy Gospels. Learn to pray. Be devoted to Christ in his silent presence at eucharistic adoration."
FOCUS president and founder Curtis Martin told the attendees: "You are an anointed generation. You were made for a very specific purpose. You were made for greatness."
"If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire," Mother Assumpta said. "You are our hope. Young people will change the culture."
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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