Thursday, September 22, 2022

Friends,

Tomorrow is the Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, more commonly known as Padre Pio. Padre Pio is one of the great modern saints and serves as an example of how to bear sufferings for the sake of God and others. One of Padre Pio’s most inspiring quotes can be our guide this week: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”

Padre Pio was born in Italy in the late 1800s. He joined the Capuchin (Franciscan) religious order early on in his life before being drafted to serve in World War I. He was eventually discharged due to illness and returned to a friary in Italy.

Padre Pio was very devoted to his celebration of the Mass. He knew that the Eucharist was the privileged place of encountering Jesus. In 1918, he had an intense vision of Jesus during Mass. When it ended, he had the same wounds of Jesus on his own body - in his hands, his feet, and his side. By bearing Jesus’ wounds literally on his body, Padre Pio continued to be a source of inspiration and curiosity for people from around the country.

Padre Pio faced many difficulties in his life from that point on. Even so, he persevered in serving others for the sake of God. He saw Jesus in the sick and the suffering and he did everything he could to bring healing and consolation to them. He helped found a hospital in 1940, during World War II. That hospital still exists today and still brings the physical and spiritual healing of Jesus to all who come through its doors.

Pope John Paul II once said: “The life and mission of Padre Pio testify that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged journey of holiness, which opens the person toward a greater good, known only to the Lord.” Like Padre Pio, we too can accept difficulties and sorrows with love so that God might transform those challenges - and our whole selves - into something greater.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us!

Registration is OPEN for COR Fall Retreat 2022!

By October, we're already so busy from school and sports and activities. It's important for our mental, physical, and spiritual health to step back and reflect on how God is present and working in our lives.

The COR Fall Retreat is the perfect opportunity for freshmen through seniors to take a break from the busyness and distractions, take a deep breath, and reconnect with God and others.

Fall Retreat will be held at Loyola Retreats Campus in Woodstock, IL from October 14-16. All high schoolers are welcome! Juniors and seniors hoping to attend a Kairos retreat, should especially consider coming on the Fall Retreat. This is an excellent first step for Kairos and a great way to get more involved in COR before going on Kairos.

More details and registration can be found by clicking the image above! Register sooner rather than later! Registration deadline is October 12.

Be a voice for change!

Catholic Youth Climate Summit in Chicago

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si' - an encyclical letter on caring for our common home. In that letter, Pope Francis urged us to become good stewards of creation by working toward sustainability and fighting environmental injustice. The Archdiocese of Chicago is implementing the vision of Laudato Si' with the second annual Catholic Youth Summit in February 2023. The summit is youth-led and aims to equip young people in the Church to take action to address the climate crisis and ecological degradation.

If you are passionate about making a positive change in the world, especially in the area of environmental and ecological science, consider applying to be on the leadership team for the Catholic Youth Climate Summit. Here's what you'll receive as a leader:

experience in community and Church leadership
mentorship from professionals in the Church and environmental fields
a scholarship
valuable resume-building experience
an opportunity to make positive change in the world

Apply by October 4 by clicking HERE or on the image below.

LIGHT THE NIGHT:

Archdiocesan Youth Event in Vicariate I

Join Chase and other high schoolers from COR and around the Archdiocese of Chicago for a fun and prayerful evening at the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Click the image for more information and to register with COR.

National Catholic Youth Conference:

Long Beach, CA - November 10-12

NCYC is a gathering of thousands of high school age Catholics seeking to grow deeper in their relationship with God. This year, NCYC is in Long Beach, California! At NCYC, teens get to experience the power of prayer, community, evangelization, service, and empowerment. Watch the videos below to learn more about this life-changing opportunity!

If you're interested in going to NCYC with COR,

please fill out this interest form.

Visit the NCYC website for more information.