On Saturday, May 2, this year's JustFaith group from St. Francis de Sales and Our Lady of the Lake went to The Lemonade Stand - Muskegon for our final immersion or "border crossing" experience. Earlier in the year we were part of Pancakes R Us serving a delicious breakfast and then eating/interacting with homeless and other poor people of Holland. Our second such experience was a pot luck supper one Friday evening in March where we again interacted with people that we probably would not otherwise have crossed paths with. It was an evening of listening to the stories of a few of our parishioners who were brave enough to open themselves to us strangers; these immigrants shared heartrending stories with us of their struggles in coming here to Holland and struggles that continue as they work hard to provide a life of dignity for their children. It was an evening of sharing bread and sharing stories of death and resurrection - an experience of eucharist, of blessing even amidst the tears of all. Now we have been on our final "border crossing" where we met with others who touched our hearts again. The Lemonade Stand in Muskegon has been a gathering place, a home where most of the members have some mental health challenges; they also have a true sense of family in caring for each other, accepting each other, and sharing in the responsibilities of making a house be a home where they and visitors are most welcome. 

JustFaith has opened our eyes to see people as sister and brother no matter what their color, creed, age, or any other label might say. It has challenged us to look at our gifts and the needs of our world - to see where the passion of each of us and the needs of the world intersect - and then to say "yes" to continue with a deeper, clearer response as disciple in working to bring about the kingdom of God here on this earth. It's been a journey of exploring our Church's teaching on social issues, a journey of integrating justice and our faith in a loving God. The journey has been a challenge calling us out of our comfort zones and in that it has been a blessing. Each of us is richer for this journey of faith. In a few weeks we will conclude our discernment of where our gifts now lead us in a Commissioning Retreat.

After that a new cycle will begin with a new group and an Opening Retreat. Any of you reading this are invited to pray, to discern if God is calling you to be part of this journey and this community in 2015 -2016; the new school year will be the beginning of another adventure in faith and justice. There will be an opportunity to interact with JustFaith graduates, to ask questions, to sign up in late summer - or call Sr. Noella and sign up before then. 616-392-6700, ext 114