'Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow"

We have finally had a bit of snow here in Steinbach! For me, coming from Victoria, BC, it is super exciting to get even a little bit of snow. I feel so blessed in being able to experience this much snow and just to stand in awe of its beauty. I cannot wait for more to come.

So, I am sure you are wondering what has happened since our last blog. The team had the opportunity to meet with Pierre St-Amant, the youth ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, for a tour of the Diocesan office and St. Boniface. We learned a bit of the history of the area and how the diocese developed over time. Did you know the diocese used to cover the area from Winnipeg all the way to the West Coast?!?! Walking around the area and visiting the St. Boniface Cathedral and the Collѐge Universitaire De Saint-Boniface was so much fun.

We also had a chance to discuss ministry here in Steinbach and how our ministry fits into the plan the diocese has for this parish. The youth ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Erin Kinsella (a NET alumnus), also joined us for lunch. We had the chance to share NET stories (her team was stationed at my parish in Victoria in 08/09) and talk about what events we could do to bring the two dioceses together.

We had our first youth band practice the other day and it was a great first practice. The teens are super excited to learn new songs and, for a few, new instruments. I was given the job of teaching one of the girls a song on the bass. It was an interesting experience as I only started playing just over a month ago! We had fun and managed to make our way through the song. I’m really looking forward to our next practice.

Amanda and I had the opportunity to be substitute teachers for the grade three Sunday school class. Teaching the students about how God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us in our lives to move closer to heaven was a real treat. We even had Fr. Isidore visit us to ask questions about what they had learned.

My favourite part of the week had to be Friday which happened to be Amanda’s half-birthday (exactly 6 months till her birthday). She had mentioned it to our host family but did not expect what they did for her. The two of us were watching a movie with the family and during one of the breaks they decided to go get dessert. Next thing we know they come in with a chocolate cake (topped with candles), singing “Happy Half-Birthday”. We were so touched by how thoughtful they were.

That is all for now. Check in next week for an update on iNFUSE team two here in snowy Steinbach!