Saint Francis Junior Monica Wahl honored as a Saint in the City
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Youth & Young Adults
By Joanna Thurmann
“ When we think of being a saint , we often think of statues and icons . But you are signs of God ’ s love in our world through your lives and actions ,” said Monsignor Francis V . Cilia , addressing the thirty-nine young recipients of the “ Saints in the City ” award at a recognition banquet and keynote presentation held at Saint Lawrence Parish on November 10 . One recipient was selected from each Catholic school or parish in the Diocese of San Jose .
Father Joe Kim , Director for Vocations and Seminarians at the Diocese of San Jose and a host of the evening , introduced the four areas of Christian discipleship exemplified by the holy ones of the young church .
“ Saints in the City ” Dinner Honors Young Disciples
Honorees of the Saint Maria Goretti Award were ones who have given themselves freely in service for their neighbor ; willing , determined , and passionate about being and bringing Christ to the lost , least , and last . Recipients of Saint Teresa of Avila Award were those who embraced the breadth and depth of Catholic spirituality , and longed to attain the greatest heights of holiness . The longest list of honorees earned the Saint Francis of Assisi Award by joyfully witnessing to the Gospel and fearlessly evangelizing their communities . Meanwhile , the Saint Thomas Aquinas Award highlighted respect for the richness of our tradition and those students eager to share it with the universal church .
The final honoree was one who demonstrated qualities that make a young disciple effective in the world today ; someone grounded in humility and exuding the depths of faith , hope , and charity in his life ’ s work . Woo Hyuk Chang , of the Holy Korean Martyrs , received this award entitled Kecharitomene , meaning “ full of grace ” in the original Greek .
“ We remember all the saints in November , and we remember that there are still more saints among us today ,” said Father Kim . “ The Kingdom of God really means looking within ourselves . Saints are models in our hurting world . They are active disciples of Jesus , servants who put all their knowledge , gifts , service , and faith especially at the service of the poor . Quoting Bishop Patrick J . McGrath , Cilia added , “ every gift you receive from God is on its way to someone else .”
December 13 , 2016 | The Valley Catholic
A parent testimony from Luis and Anabella Estrada highlighted the key role of parents in raising children to become disciples . It means going to “ Misa ” ( Mass ) and immersing yourself and others in Jesus and His tender love . Most importantly , “ to raise a disciple means you have to be a disciple yourself ,” said Anabella Estrada , whose three children are all actively involved in various faith communities and one of whom was an award recipient .
The Estrada testimony was especially fitting since the dinner was followed by a keynote presentation by Michele Borba , entitled “ Saints in Our House : How Parents and Teens Connect .”
While the real award lies for all of us in heaven , stressed Monsignor Cilia at the end of the dinner , each of us can choose to live like a saint every day .
Saint Francis Junior Monica Wahl honored as a Saint in the City
In recognition of her contributions to Campus Ministry and her parish , Saint Francis High School junior Monica Wahl was recently selected as an honoree at the Saints in the City Banquet , hosted by the Diocese of San Jose .
The Saints in the City program honors youth in the diocese who have shown commitment and leadership in their discipleship to Jesus Christ . Monica received the Saint Francis of Assisi Award for her “ spirit of apostolic outreach .”
At Saint Francis , Monica , a board member of the Campus Student Ministries club , thoroughly enjoys serving and uplifting her fellow students , whether she is preparing slides for liturgies or working behind the scenes at the freshman retreat . In addition , for the past two years , she has taken it upon herself to post inspirational quotes and song lyrics on the “ wall of hope ,” a whiteboard in one of the Campus Ministry offices that receives much attention from visitors . Monica regularly updates this collection of positivity — her way of bringing encouragement to others .
“ I find that helping in Campus Ministry is an easy way to practice my faith , and I ’ ve learned how God can work through me to help others ,” she says .
Junior Monica Wahl with her family and Father Steve Kim , director of Campus Ministry at Saint Francis High School .
Youth Learn About Corporal Works of Mercy
How can teenagers learn about and live out the Corporal Works of Mercy ? High schoolers at Saint Christopher Parish recently found out through a number of Sunday evening youth sessions , as part of the youth ministry program at the church in San Jose ’ s Willow Glen neighborhood .
Under the leadership of Chris Miller , Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Saint Christopher Parish , high school sessions during the Fall semester of the 2016-2017 school year focused on the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy . After learning about the history of the Corporal Works of Mercy and the 2016 Year of Mercy , each week teens were able to focus in-depth on one of the works of mercy . Session plans included : grace & faith in the Year of Mercy , understanding mercy , the USCCB ’ s Two Feet of Love in Action , clothing the naked , give drink to the thirsty , visiting the imprisoned , burying the dead , feeding the hungry , sheltering the homeless , and visiting the sick .
Miller came up with the idea of focusing on the Corporal Works of Mercy while attending The University of Notre Dame ’ s Vision program in July 2016 . The theme for the one-week camp for teens and youth / campus ministers was on Mercy , in light of the special Jubilee Year of Mercy .
In addition to the Sunday evening sessions , Miller organized a multiparish service project on November 21 focusing on the Corporal Works of Mercy of giving drink to the thirsty and feeding the hungry , in collaboration with the youth ministers at Saint Victor , Queen of Apostles , Saint Catherine , and Holy Spirit . More than 25 teens came together to prepare and serve a full
Thanksgiving meal for 50 residents at Parkside Studios , a Catholic Charities affordable housing site .
Miller , when asked about the purpose of the semester ’ s theme , stated , “ What better way to help teens understand Catholic principles than informing and engaging young people to be Disciples of Christ to others ?
For more information about the Saint Christopher youth ministry program , visit http :// saintchris . com / high-schoolyouth-group or contact Chris Miller at cmiller @ dsj . org .
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