Camp Tepeyac 2012

You can't get to Heaven alone. You need a community, you need people there to help you on your journey, and to be with you there on your journey. Last year, after going to Camp Tepeyac, I was on a Jesus high for all of about a month. But after going this year I know that a Jesus high doesn't mean much, because you aren't going anywhere with your faith.
This year, each parish made a covenant - ways that we will be with each other and keep each other in check, to make sure that everyone is doing alright, and helping each other to Heaven. Here was our Parish Covenant:

1. Attend the 5pm Youth Mass and full out WORSHIP Jesus!
2. Tony's Pizza Nights
3. Weekly Prayer Nights + Rosary [monthly: Picnics @ Riverwalk]
4. Group daily mass a week.
5. Monthly Reconciliation
6. Monthly praying of the rosary at the abortion clinic

Today we did our first daily mass and lunch together since being at camp. We also went to our church's youth mass together, but today, I truly realized how hard it is, to try and do this religion thing yourself. There is a reason why mass is a communal gathering, why mass is a celebration, and the reason there are youth groups, and bible study groups. Today at mass, I was praying for our parish group, and then I realized how thankful I am for them! The fact that we didn't really know each other, but have come together and are carrying out our covenant, gives me hope. Sometimes when I pray by myself, (meaning with nobody beside me or I'm not with my group) I get distracted easily and end up not even finishing my prayer because I get so distracted. But when with my parish, surrounded by my community, I am praying to myself in my head, but I do not get distracted - prayer finished.

I learned so much this summer, but I have no desire to tell anyone about it - I want to SHOW the world. I think I'm ready for this. Jesus, I'm coming.