By Annie Hays, Staff Writer
Every Wednesday from 9 to 10 p.m., Campus Ministry gathers in the St. Jude Chapel to celebrate Praise and Worship. Or as Campus Minister Matt Cranley calls it:
“Our opportunity to reunite ourselves to God and refocus our hearts back on our creator.”
On the outside, this event mainly consists of Matt playing his guitar and singing modern Christian songs. Most in attendance sing along, and sometimes those in attendance even get to see Fr. Stephan Brown dancing along to Matt’s music.
“My favorite part is the singing because I feel that we’re uniting our prayers to God,” said Senior Josephina Brugalette.
But the most important part is what you do not see. While there is time for intermittent quiet time for prayer and reflection, many in attendance see the whole experience as a prayer, and a very powerful one at that.
“Every time I come I feel that God reveals something new to me through prayer,” said Josephina.
Even Cranley, who has been doing this for years, says, “Every time I praise and worship I feel like I’m renewed and refreshed. I’m excited to go back out there to my studies and job.”
While Praise and Worship is about personally reconnecting with God, it is also a community event.
“I like the fact that everyone’s coming not out of obligation like on Sundays, and we take time out of our week to focus on something bigger than ourselves.” But then personally “it helps me deal with my mother’s sickness,” said Junior Abi Fox.
So who is invited to participate in this moving experience every week?
“Anybody, every faith, anybody who wants to praise God is welcome,” said Cranley.
