You might be wondering what all the E words mean. Well they all describe a extra-wonderful place that starts with an E. Etobicoke, Ontario!
We were unbelievably blessed throughout our time here. After arriving on Friday, we started the weekend off with doing a Youth Rally for the EDGE (Grades 6-8 youth group). There were about 40 people that came out and Paul gave a talk on the person of Jesus. The youth were really great and respectful and we had a lot of fun.
On Saturday we had a Massive Worship Encounter Day. We worked pretty much one on one with each member of the youth band. There was 9 of them and 7 of us. Throughout the day there were talks about confidence in leading, taking your identity in Christ, and how to effectively lead music for liturgy. The band was very receptive to everything and were applying all of the concepts to their band. Near the end of the retreat we give them a chance to take all that they learned in the talks and in the individual workshops and to actually play together as a band. We were blown away by this band. They were so skilled and they all, I personally believe that they have the true heart of worship. Even though they are a group of exceptional musicians, their main focus is to lead others in worship, especially during the Mass. Like I said before we were blown away by this group. We had to play for Mass that night so the group had an hour off (because they were attending the youth Mass the next morning). During this hour they had a band meeting to discuss all that they had learned, on their own initiative. They are so awesome!
We finished the night off with adoration and there was a great response. Someone told us that they were truly lead into worship and that they hadn't felt that way in a very long time.
The next day we had a Youth Rally for the Lifeteen (high school) group. Riane gave a talk called Catholics Empowering Others. We could tell the group had a very good Faith foundation, so even though the Rally was high energy, it was very powerful worship, especially throughout the time of prayer. After the Youth Rally the group prayed for us. We were truly blessed by our whole time here. The parish's Youth Minister, Shaun, had a few words to share with us:
"We were so blessed to have the Massive Worship team over at Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Our teens who experienced the retreat were beaming on Sunday morning, the mass was rocking and the youth rally was teeming with grace, praise and spirit filled worship. We loved every minute of it.
Mother Theresa once said "we can't all do great things, but we can each do small things with great love," the whole team, embodied this message - from the incredible music, the well prepared and excellently delivered talk, hilarious skits and a real eye-opening, soul stirring drama- each of the members of Massive Worship delivered and contributed their small part to leaving a profound and lasting impact on the youth and myself. Someone once said, it is not important to be a great speaker- but a great person who speaks well. The Massive Worship team are not simply great musicians- but great people, who play music- really well! Humility, service and LOVE reign in their ministry and overflows from their presence. This weekend, in Etobicoke, ON, a parish and its young people were changed, transformed and brought that much closer to Christ by these wonderful people- James, Paul, Christian, Brandi, Riane, Emma, and Rebecca. THANK YOU!"
God Bless YOU!
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