Catholic Underground!

I had a really exciting weekend of Catholic fellowship in New Jersey. Now I know what you're thinking...a Philly girl is going to write a blog about New Jersey? Is this a joke? I know...I can hardly believe it myself. I never thought I'd see the day that I had positive things to say about the state I like to joke about so much. But I digress...I visited one of my best friends and college roommate Katie who is serving as a FOCUS missionary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. I drove up with our other friend from college Kathryn. The three things I would like to tell you about our weekend are Catholic Underground, FOCUS and St. Paul's Outreach. I am going to write about them separately, so for now here is my experience at Catholic Underground!

Catholic Underground is a movement led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. CU was a response to JPII's call to reach out by "crossing the cultural threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place". CU is located at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. For all their info, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZoD8JEFjAE&ob=av2e

The schedule: The friars lead Eucharistic adoration beginning with evening prayer. Some of the friars are musicians, and they have a band that plays contemporary praise and worship music during the holy hour. The holy hour closes with Benediction. The second part of the evening takes place in the basement of the church. This is where Catholic musicians, artists, dancers, poets, etc. share their talents with the group. After the Catholic entertainment the Friars lead night prayer, ending with a song to Mama Mary.

Some thoughts about this evening...the first word that comes to mind in AWESOME! It was so beautiful to be among tons of young adults packed in OLGC. Every seats was filled and there were people exploding through the doors and along all the aisles. What a powerful holy hour! Praying and singing in unison with that many young people gave me the chills. Priests were all over the church saying confessions. So many people were able to go to confession! So great! This month's performer was the amazing Audrey Assad, who I will blog about in the near future. She is the biggest up and coming Catholic female artist around!  I'm a huge fan.

I loved being around so many young adults united in prayer. I loved being led by the awesome Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. I loved seeing other religious there, including the amazing Sisters of Life! There were college students, seminarians, FOCUS missionaries, SPO missionaries, and young adults from all over. Some states represented were New York(duh), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and Delaware. Wow! JPII would be so proud!  Another cool thing? Getting there was surprisingly easy! From South Orange, you can take the train right into the city no problem, or you can drive into New York and park at the lot across from the church for just $10! That is the best deal you will ever receive in NYC. There's really no excuse not to check it out!

Philly has Catholic Underground at the Cathedral every other month. We don't have CFRs, but it is still pretty great! I will be sure to blog about CU in April and let everyone know when it is! Please pray for the Friars and all those who help make CU happen. It is such a beautiful way to reach out to young adults in a time when we need it so much! If you ever get the chance to go up to NYC check out Catholic Underground! Don't miss CU Philly in April!

                                                    Here is the awesome banner for CU!

Shalom and God bless!

In Him,

Theresa