F2F Blog

I have, too often, attended mass with an unfortunate mind frame.  On numerous occasions I have seen my attendance at mass a necessary chore rather than a beautiful gift.  The main reason for this is simply a lack of understanding.  There is much symbolism, meaning, tradition, scripture, truth, and beauty in the mass that I constantly learn something new every time I invest in learning about the mass.

At Face to Face Parish Missions Ken reserves his Sunday morning sessions to speak about the mass.    Each time I hear him speak on the mass I find a deeper reverence and understanding.   It is truly God’s greatest gift to us.  I like many Catholics have a deep yearning to find a greater understanding of the mass.  That longing was clearly present during the Sunday morning session in Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan this past weekend.  Many people’s desire for a greater knowledge of the mass was enlightened.

“In all 60 years of my life I have never heard the mass explained that way.  I was happy to learn that by making the sign of the cross we are identifying ourselves as a part of God’s family.”  Shared Rosanne Schemenauer.

“I can honestly say that one of the things that inspired me the most was the exploration of the mass.  I don’t think I have ever heard it explained that way and it made going to mass feel like a different experience,” agreed Steve Patton.

I would love to share all of the points of Ken’s talk, but I fear I do not have the time and space to accomplish that in this blog.  I would, therefore, encourage you to grab a copy of Ken’s latest book The Fullness of Purpose, which has an entire chapter devoted to the mass or attend a Parish Mission near you.

Joel Willick

Ten years ago Face to Face Ministries had a retreat in Albertville, Saskatchewan.  To all of the participants and facilitators of that retreat it was clearly seen that the Spirit worked in the lives of many people on that weekend.  Many hearts experienced significant conversion and began spiritual journeys on the path to holiness.  This retreat was a turning point in the lives of many as well as a significant change in the ministry.

Ten years later Face to Face Ministries found itself in the same parish facilitating a parish mission.  Although the organization and layout of the ministry has drastically changed over this ten year period it is clear that the Lord had the same plans for the participants in both retreats.  He strongly desired to work drastically in the hearts of everyone there and call them into a deeper holiness and a stronger relationship with his Son.

As the weekend progressed it was clear that a theme of trust was rising amongst those present.  Simply believing in God was not enough.  He was calling us to surrender all to him and to trust his love for us.  Emphasis needs to be placed upon ALL.  We needed to surrender our hopes, plans, dreams, families, loved ones and everything else in our lives in order for Christ to fully work in our hearts.  This theme was reiterated through Ken’s talks, prayer requests during prayer ministry, the Gospel reading, Bishop Albert’s homily and the many people who shared how they came to a deeper understanding of the importance of trust in God.  Michele Jalbert shared how she was blessed by coming to the realization of the importance of surrendering each moment to God and to trust that God will work in each moment that you surrender to him.

As the weekend came to a close it was clear that Christ had worked in the lives of many.  Dave Yasinski shared how the spirit had worked on this weekend as it had ten years earlier.  “When God grabs a hold of you Jesus doesn’t let you go… I was blessed by the evidence that once Jesus loves you and touches you he won’t let go.”  As the people who were touched by the love of Christ ten years ago continue to be a witness for his love I pray that those touched by the love of Christ on this weekend will continue to be a witness to His love in the years to come.

Joel Willick