Fall Outreach 2015

The Team that Pray's together, stay's together:

The New team and I have been spending a lot of time getting to know one another! Our first week here, we drove out to the Holy Family Shrine, between Omaha and Lincoln, to spend an hour in prayer together. It was a rainy day, but the view from inside this all glass shrine were just incredible! Looking forward to a great year, working alongside incredible people! 

The team and I at Holy Family Shrine.
(left: Brian, me, Amy, and Alex)

Welcome Week:

Together with some of the student leaders, the team and I have been on campus and at as many of the welcome events as we could! To start we helped by volunteering at the freshmen move in day on north campus. The week following the freshman move in was welcome week, and we made sure to be on campus each day meeting students and inviting them to our events as well! 

Studies have shown that the friends college student make their first 3 days on a campus are likely to be the friends they keep throughout their time in college. This makes the first week extremely important! 

The team and student leaders helping welcome the freshmen,
and help them move into their dorm. Often we are the first face
that welcomes these students to campus!

Spike Ball: 

Spike ball is a new game, that is very popular out in California. Many of the FOCUS teams played out there last year at the beach, and over the summer the team and I started playing as well. It is fairly easy to learn, and very similar to volleyball. It draws many people in who either already know how to play or others who are curious about the game. We have played many times on campus now, and not only is it great for meeting new people, but it is fun too! :)

Spike ball is a huge hit on campus! 

Spending time with students at the Block Party.
(left: Amber, Amanda, me, and Amy)

At the BBQ lunch with students!

SPIKEBALL! Even Durango wanted to learn how to play! 

Student Involvement Fair:

The student involvement fair is mass chaos! Amidst all of the on campus clubs, and recreational groups we found a spot where we could pass out information for all of our upcoming events. The Popsicles/otter pops on the hot day were also a success! From anyone interested we collected contact information, and by the end of the day we had contact cards from 87 students wanting to get involved! 

Some students volunteered their time to help pass out
information on FOCUS and the JPII Newman center
upcoming events and mass times at the
Student Involvement Fair. 

Handing out cups, magnates, bookmarks, and candy to
let students know of upcoming events!

 Thursday Night Mass and Bonfire:

Each Thursday night students attend the 8:15pm mass and following spend time building community doing a variety of things. The first week back we had a bonfire with s'mores, and hot dogs! About 30 students attended, including quite a few freshmen as well as returning students. 

We have a student mass each Thursday at 8:15pm
and Sunday at 9:00pm at St. Margaret Mary Parish
located across the street from UNO.

Some freshmen and I at the bonfire after mass.
(Nicole, me, and Maddy)

Tour of Campus: 

Each year we take a tour of the campus, and this year since both Brian and I were returning to UNO we gave the tour! It was so nice to know my way around campus, and I really enjoyed sharing with Alex, Amy, and Fr. Roza (our new campus chaplain) the ins and outs of where things are! 

Touring campus with the team!
(left: Alex, Brian, Amy, me, and Fr. Roza)

In front of the main campus building! 

  Womens' Night:

Each semester we host women interested in joining a bible study at our apartment for a talk and socializing. This year we had about 25 women attend, and our guest speaker spoke about how our priorities in life need to match up with how we are spending our time each day. She really emphasized how much 30 minuets of prayer each day transformed her life while in college, and encouraged the girls to try this as well.

Womens' night at our apartment! 

Wednesday Night Soccer:

Each wednesday night there is a consistent group of students who get together to play soccer on campus. This was the second Wednesday of the semester, and by far the most well attended! There were about 30 people who showed up, including both Father Taphorn and Father Roza. Even the campus security guard came out to play with us for a bit! :) 

Some of us after the game took a pic!
(left: Amanda, me, Maddy, Megan, and Megan)

The year has begun and we are running fast. In the coming weeks things will start to slow down as students begin to fall into their regular routines, and bible studies should be up and going next week. Please continue to pray for us here in Omaha, and know of my prayers for you! Peace of Christ be with you and your family always.