This past summer of 2014 I went for my second time to Toronto Salesian Gospel Roads. The first time I went in 2013 I was filled with an inner voice telling me that I had to go. It was just before I was supposed to get on the plane that I realized that I did not know why I was going. It was very unlike me to do something like this. Why was an introvert like me going across the country to spend a week with strangers? I was suddenly very scared, and confused why I had signed up in the first place. Although I was anxious, I swallowed my fears and got on that plane; it was the best decision of my life.
God works in such beautiful and mysterious ways. By pushing me miles out of my comfort zone, He helped me grow in so many ways. In going a second time to Gospel Roads, I was able to see my growth since the first time I had gone. In the year in between my trips to Toronto, I had become more involved in my Church and grew in my faith. After attending my first Gospel Roads I started seeing Christ in people from all aspects of my life. When I went back to Toronto I did not expect to grow even more, but I did. In the past month or two I have become even more involved in my church by organizing festivities for Don Bosco’s Bicentennial Celebration, leading the Rosary after youth mass, and doing monthly backpack runs.
My second trip to Toronto allowed me to observe more of my surroundings. I was to witness Christ second hand through everyone around me. The testimonies were beautiful; even though I did the same things as my group, each of us experienced everything differently. Each member of my group had a different day that they found the most transforming and eye opening. The adoration we had in Toronto was incredible. There is nothing else like it. Standing in the chapel during adoration felt like one was truly experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. I have never been to such a powerful worship. In a large group of people everyone was having an intimate moment with Jesus Christ, His presence was strong. It was like Jesus was actually standing in the room with us. It was a feeling I constantly yearn for, and will never forget.
(This reflection is written by Elizabeth Peirce, one of the missionaries who went to Salesian Gospel Roads this summer in Toronto.)
God works in such beautiful and mysterious ways. By pushing me miles out of my comfort zone, He helped me grow in so many ways. In going a second time to Gospel Roads, I was able to see my growth since the first time I had gone. In the year in between my trips to Toronto, I had become more involved in my Church and grew in my faith. After attending my first Gospel Roads I started seeing Christ in people from all aspects of my life. When I went back to Toronto I did not expect to grow even more, but I did. In the past month or two I have become even more involved in my church by organizing festivities for Don Bosco’s Bicentennial Celebration, leading the Rosary after youth mass, and doing monthly backpack runs.
My second trip to Toronto allowed me to observe more of my surroundings. I was to witness Christ second hand through everyone around me. The testimonies were beautiful; even though I did the same things as my group, each of us experienced everything differently. Each member of my group had a different day that they found the most transforming and eye opening. The adoration we had in Toronto was incredible. There is nothing else like it. Standing in the chapel during adoration felt like one was truly experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. I have never been to such a powerful worship. In a large group of people everyone was having an intimate moment with Jesus Christ, His presence was strong. It was like Jesus was actually standing in the room with us. It was a feeling I constantly yearn for, and will never forget.
(This reflection is written by Elizabeth Peirce, one of the missionaries who went to Salesian Gospel Roads this summer in Toronto.)