Sharing Lightworks at Holy Name of Mary Parish experience

I have to say that I've been quite blessed to be a part of the team beginning the Lightworks ministry at Holy Name of Mary parish in San Dimas. Although I haven't been able to participate very much throughout the process, nor will I be able to going forward (for vocational reasons), it has truly been a humbling experience.

When I first heard about the project, I was actually pretty excited - another step in the vision of Dong Hanh-CLC is unfolding! Those were my first thoughts. Then to attend one of the planning meetings, and see the collaboration among the various age groups within Dong Hanh - cac anh chi with young adults - and then also with the parish priest and other members of the parish; it almost seemed a little surreal. Everyone was very present throughout the process, no one felt like they had to be there, and when it came time to assigning tasks, it wasn't like pulling teeth. All very encouraging!

Then I started to hear comments from other people, pretty close to me... they were and still are skeptical of this whole project. "Why would someone want to go on a retreat for 4 weeks, 14 weeks? Shouldn't Dong Hanh be trying to get them to go on a weekend retreat first?" ...and so on. The challenges, the questions. Yet they seemed to be just part of the journey.

Last week we held the Orientation for the program and in all honesty I was completely floored to see the deep hunger, yearning, desire of those that attended to draw closer in relationship with God and one another. From saying the morning prayer in complete unison to verbalizing one word about graces received, it was there. The Spirit was there. God was there. Working in and through every person who took a step to be fully present to the invitation at hand. Now for the first Lightworks meeting there will be 7 groups!

God was there and is very much alive in this project. May the Spirit continue to bring light to these works that each person may draw closer to God, in whatever way He knows best for each person.

Finally - this morning, as I was leaving the Adoration chapel at a nearby parish (about 10 minutes away), I saw on the table of "freebies" - none other than the Lightworks flyer from HNMP! Perhaps this is a sign of things to come.... who knows, but something quite beautiful is unfolding nonetheless!

Nhi