This is a prime example of God’s will and how everything falls into place when we keep our hearts pliable. SPIRITUS attends formation every Thursday, the different speakers (priests, religious, etc.) are typically scheduled months in advance.
At a retreat the other week, a fellow teammate noticed publicity for an upcoming speaker, Theology of the Body guy, Christopher West. Thursday evening was the date and there was nothing on the schedule for formation. That never happens. After getting approval by prostaff, we made the trek to hear Christopher West present on God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. His message is based off of St. John Paul II’s writings on God’s plan for creation. Theology of the body is meant to help us better understand what we’re made for and who God is calling us to be. The presentation brought new perspective to my understanding of the body and its biological and theological meaning. 
After the talk, a few members of the team and I got in line to have our books/memorabilia signed. Mentioning a few things that struck me, and asking a question or two from his presentation- lead to an all-out pep talk about not settling and how Mary’s yes changed the whole world and our’s can too.
The following Saturday, he had a day-long retreat in Fond du Lac and invited us. I figured it was a distant dream because our mission is primarily scheduled on the weekends. Fortunate (Holy Spirit) circumstances were already in progress though, as Anna Haiar (a fellow teammate and friend) and I were not scheduled for retreats that weekend. That never happens. We got permission to attend, bought our tickets, and went to spend a day diving into the Cor Seminar, an extended version of the session we attended just days earlier. I’m so thankful we received the opportunity to go and accepted!
The stars aligned and we didn’t even have to try, thank you God. I like to think that’s how he works sometimes. He just showers you in gifts, that couldn’t have worked out better. I realize that most of the time he puts desires in your heart and you have to work your butt off trying to accomplish them, but this time was different. It was effortless in that all we had to do was keep our hearts open, and drive to our destination (notebook and pen in hand).
It truly was a beautiful grace.
-Elizabeth Senkyr
Note: Less than a week after these events, I got his latest book, Fill These Hearts, from my spiritual director. God wink. ;)
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