Posts Tagged ‘MAX Stories’
From Cancer to Camino
This is Dr. Jo Meier-Marquis, Tenured Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas-Houston (UST). A cancer diagnosis nearly prevented her from joining the UST pilgrimage to walk “The Camino.” But by spring of 2024, she had finished her treatment and got the okay from her doctors. Going from cancer to the Camino hadn’t been her original plan, but her passion for study abroad helped her overcome her nagging reservations.
If you watched our previous episode in this series, you know the Camino is not a regular hike. Pilgrims walk up to 14 miles a day, so Jo was understandably nervous about the physical demands after her cancer treatments. But she found support in her fellow UST pilgrims, shared conversations and reflections, and the daily Masses. She also found that the time for peace and reflection on the long walks was renewing for her spirit.
The Camino is a challenge for every pilgrim, and Jo had to face her own unique obstacles both mentally and physically. She chose to face her reservations and anxieties, and she found a reward in the peace and calm of her walks in Spain and since she’s come home to America.
What is it like to walk the Camino?
This is Dr. Ulyses Balderas. He is an Associate Professor at the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. He's also expert in creating amazing study abroad experiences for students to learn in other cultures. In late spring 2024, he led a group of students to walk the Camino pilgrimage.
The Camino de Santiago - or the Way of St. James - or simply The Camino is not your ordinary hike. It involves walking about 15 miles each day, contemplating the steps of St. James on your way to his burial site in Spain - a pilgrimage that’s been popular since the Middle Ages. Now, it is a network of routes across Europe which meet at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Beyond the physical exertion it takes for the pilgrimage, spiritual fruits await for those willing to walk the walk.
Explaining the reason behind the trip, Dr. Balderas stresses the importance of stepping away from life’s routines and reflecting upon where you're headed. He shares stories from the trip about how the group embraced the challenges that came with such an intense physical journey. He also talked about how they learned from each other - adults and students alike - as they went.
Anger, Venting, and Prayer
This is Edgardo Giron. He is a Chemical Engineering major at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. When he was in middle school, his world was turned upside down when his father was deported. Edgardo was angry at God. And it was perfectly understandable. His family was broken, and he felt devastated. His story shows us how sometimes anger and prayer go together.
The next years for Edgardo challenged his faith and he held himself back from living his faith in many ways, but it also gave him a path to find a way back. He stayed in communication with God throughout the trials of his life, even when all he had to share in his prayer was anger.
Eventually, a community of faith that he didn’t even know was there helped Edgardo re-connect with his faith. Seeing how other people faced their challenges helped him come to terms with his own. He saw the happiness of the people in that faith community and realized he wanted it for himself. And he leaned on that habit of communicating with God formed in the hardest times of his life to build a new routine of prayer because he already knew that God would be there no matter what he was feeling.
Check out Fr. Eduardo’s episode of MAX Stories.
Prayer isn’t “one-size-fits-all”
This is Fr. Eduardo Rivera. He is the Campus Chaplain at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. His experiences learning to pray at home and growing through discerning the priesthood taught him what prayer is all about.
Becoming a priest is intense. In Fr. Eduardo’s experience, prayer was his life line when discernment and adjustment to religious life felt overwhelming and lonely.
And that intensity wasn't all bad. He realized that when he stepped away from the distractions of the world to focus on prayer, he found his prayer unique style. But it wasn’t immediate... it took practice.
He realized that quiet time with just him and God was the most effective way for him to pray. His routine for meditation might not be your preferred method of prayer, but who knows, maybe it is exactly what you have been needing.
Thinking about the various ways to pray, check this out for 10 new ways to pray.
Check out the Catholic daily readings from Scripture.
Betrayal and Silence
After a devastating athletic injury, Kamryn felt betrayed by God. In the silence of her prayer through betrayal, while resting in her desolation, she found hope as God spoke to her.
This is Kamryn Spell. She is a student and athlete at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Find out what “word” came to her in prayer and how it led her to trust in God's plan for her life - even if it meant going to school.
Prayer in war and tragedy
Chris knows adversity ... and strength. He has seen people tragically bottom out while witnessing others live with courage. All these experiences have shaped him, and through prayer in tragedy and war, he has realized what’s most important.
This is Christopher Zeglin. He is the Associate Vice President of Marketing at University of St. Thomas-Houston. A United States Navy Veteran, Christopher talks about his time working in anti-terrorism, the tragic loss of his mother and brother, and the one thing that remained constant. Hear his story of heartbreak, strength, and perseverance.
If Catholics could do this, it would be fire power
Danielle sees a shaking in the world today. While people say that all the time, she sees the Christian community, as a whole, reaching an undeniable tipping point. The divide between Protestants and Catholics is getting smaller and smaller, and she wants Catholics to get ready for a new level of Christian unity.
This is Danielle Brown. She is the Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. She draws a parallel between Protestant powerhouse Francis Chan’s intrigue with communion and the Catholic Church undergoing a three-year National Eucharistic Revival. She calls this a “John 17 type work” that calls Christians to be one in Christ. Hear her view on the next phase of Christian unity. Learn more about Danielle:
Danielle Brown - The GIVEN Institute
Here. Now. All eyes are on Him.
Nathaniel doesn’t want to be a disgrace. While he and his family are witnessing 50,000 people gathered in a stadium doing one thing – he realizes he is responsible for his family. For him, the time to teach is now and the time to practice what you preach is ever-present.
This is Nathaniel Binversie, a full-time missionary. In this episode of MAX Stories, Nathaniel shares his experience of attending the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind. He attends this event with his family, comprised of his wife and three young daughters. He talks about why he has taken up the mantel of guiding his family to a deeper love of Jesus Christ and how he asks them to engage with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Nathaniel shares his own understanding of the Eucharist at a young age and how that has evolved over time. He describes the challenge of “just being” with God even though he is a full-time missionary commissioned to do God’s work in the world. He also talks openly about the responsibilities of shepherding his daughters through the experience of the National Eucharistic Congress. With an astute awareness of his place in his family, he does not want to fail them in in living up to his own call from God to be the witness he is called to be to others and to those closest to him.
Hear Nathaniel’s inspiring testimony of obligation and hope in the future.
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Nathaniel will be featured on an episode of MAX Studios Original podcast, Protagonists of Change.
It was 140 DEGREES!
One thing is for sure, it’s hot in South Texas. Rick’s job was to capture thousands of people walking in Brownsville, Texas heat with ... well ... Jesus. The heat was brutal, but overwhelming joy for Christ let Rick to only think about one thing: go.
This is Rick Trevino. He is a Project Manager and Content Developer for the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas. Baking in the Texas heat, Rick films the movements of a Eucharistic procession through the streets of historic downtown Brownsville. He describes how he felt in the Texas heat, and also what he saw: the beauty of celebration and worship of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Rick shares how, while thousands processed throughout the city, it was what happens after the procession that is important. How do the people walking go out and share the Good News with those around them – family, friends, neighbors. He challenges people in their pursuit of witnessing to Christ’s love and to be forthright in their invitation to welcome other to Mass.
Listen to him describe his experience of a Eucharistic Procession and how he now sees that we have no excuses. Just go out and spread the Good News.
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Rick will be featured on an episode of MAX Studios Original podcast, Protagonists of Change.
Learn more about the Diocese of Brownsville.
Learn what a Eucharistic Pilgrimage is and why Catholics do it.
Come see for yourself
Pat was born and raised Catholic, but never quite "owned" his faith. But in high school, he admired unique the peace and joy he saw in his some of his peers and thought, "whatever it is that they have, I want that."
This is Pat Gunning. He is the Campus Minister at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear how sometimes spiritual journeys don’t involve dramatic moments or visions. Sometimes the journey involves a joyful presence, a desire for more and an understanding of peace.