Center for Catholic Education at UD

By Jacinta Mergler, Lalanne Director

The 20^th cohort of Lalanne began their summer program rubbing elbows with some top Christian music artists! Let me explain.

After moving to campus the morning of June 18, the group left immediately to retreat at The Spiritual Center in Maria Stein, OH.  We returned to campus long enough to unpack and repack for a weekend service trip to help with Faith Fest 2018 in DeWitt, MI! 

 This was the 3rd year for the festival which continues to grow in popularity. It's a day-long festival for people of all ages to celebrate their faith with live music, activities, food and fireworks. What makes it even more special is the opportunity throughout the day for adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and an outdoor vigil Mass celebrated with Lansing Bishop Earl Boyea!

 Faith Fest is sponsored by the Diocese of Lansing, a Lalanne partner since 2012. So, when one of the principals invited us to come and help with festival set-up in exchange for free lodging and a chance to hear some good music, we responded with an enthusiastic "yes!”

 Our 20 teachers and one Lalanne alum helped with everything from roping off parking lots in grassy areas to setting up the chairs in the VIP section near the main stage, which would later serve as seating for Mass for a few thousand people. 

 On the day of the festival Lalanne teachers worked the admissions table and stood guard in the VIP tent as the artists signed autographs and took pictures with their fans. They also helped to move equipment on and off stage to set up for Mass and then back again for more musical performances that evening. Throughout the day they helped to make the event enjoyable for all who attended by being welcoming and friendly and doing whatever needed to be done.

 A big take away, of course, was meeting and talking with some of their favorite Christian music artists like Matt Maher, Jason Gray, Unspoken, and Sanctus Real, to name a few. Another highlight was being invited on stage to tell the crowd about the Lalanne program at the University of Dayton as teachers threw t-shirts and Frisbees into the crowd.

 It was a day blessed with little miracles and an abundance of God's grace! We left tired on Sunday morning to head back to UD for class on Monday, but we were all filled with the Spirit.

 Edited by Peggy Brun and Barb Miller