Youth Leadership: Hearts Aflame 2015
Participant Sandra Christine of Palmerston North shares her experience.
Hearts Aflame has been a rich experience for me in all its Catholic fullness. Through it I have a new found reverence and appreciation for the Sacraments of the Church. It has helped me to become more aware of God’s holiness and presence – not just in the Church but in me as well.
My 10 days at Hearts has challenged me to be still in the deepest recesses of my heart and to listen for God’s voice – a skill I practise daily. The key is to be patient with myself and to take my time with God; and delight in being able to spend time with Him – just as you would with a loved one – and in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Doing this has encouraged me to respond to God’s call me in life. Being around many priests and religious at Hearts, and having the opportunity to talk to them on my own, to question or hear their testimonies and life stories, has inspired me in my own walk with God. And seeing so many young adults who were also prayerfully discerning God’s call for them has helped me realise I’m not alone in my search for truth and meaning.
Hearts has helped me empathise towards others and to listen more than I speak. It has given me the clarity to be the light of Christ towards everyone you meet, whether it’s in the family or work. It is difficult but in the words of Mother Teresa, ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love’.