Felix Campos: Angel of The Lord

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet one of the most inspirational person of my entire life. Felix Campos was walking in front of our truck asking if he could give the truck a shine for just a few bucks, we agreed. I was in the sleeper of the truck when I heard him and my dad talking, There was no way I was getting off, I thought he was just like everybody else that had asked us for money. But the more I got to listening to their conversation I became so fond of him. I wanted to met him and see what he was like. So I got out of the truck and we met and cleaned the truck together. We all talked about so many different things that God has to offer for us. Prayer and Life. After talking to him, he explained to us that he had been through a lot of different things that helped him just start believing in God. His father was a preacher in North Carolina and Felix wanted to see him again, but He just didn't know when. He told us that he wanted to get his green card soon because some people had stole his wallet from him after he moved here from the Dominican Republic. He mentioned that his girlfriend had an abortion with his first child, and ever since then he was been heartbroken. He says that he prays to God every night to forgive her for the sin she committed. He was a really good person that had some good morals to his life. It was so clear to me that he was so dedicated to a life of holiness and to be Christ like and it was that that made me really think. Here is this guy who has gone through so much, lives life homeless yet still is so full of love, and prayer to God. As we were cleaning some of the windows on the truck he told me something I won't ever forget. He said, Serving is the one of the best things you can do for somebody, When you serve people who really need help, It is that, that matters and your reward will be great in heaven...After he said that I felt like there was an Angel from God talking to me, It was so real, so vivid, and so true. When we finished cleaning the truck, we walked to the store across the street and got something to drink. As we were walking back he asked us if we were angels that will leave and never see him again. That was so weird to hear that. When we got back, we said goodbye and took a picture. As he turned to leave I notice that sad expression on his face, I felt like telling him to come with us. But I knew I couldn't. When I turned around to see which way he was headed, He was gone. Like if He had delivered the message that was given to him. I knew that he was an Angel, an Angel of the Lord.

Randy Friemel: Artwork From God

Randy Friemel is from my hometown parish of St. Anthony's in Hereford. He's a wonderful artist that truly captures the colors of Christ within, not only his work, but also his character. The imagination of his work sets a very clear point on what we are suppose to be, and how we are suppose to live. Randy has been drawing since he was only four years old! After drawing for such a long time, randy soon realized that his drawings and paintings are a sweet gift from God. So he does everything he can to give glory to God for what he has done with it. Randy has made such a big difference around the Parish by donating his artwork for annual auctions and also helping out in Mass with the music by using his God-given talent to play the guitar for the congregation. Randy Friemel is a good friend of mine, and truly artwork from God...If you have time, check out his website at randyfriemel.com

An Unforgetable Experience

Well, this is the follow-up on my recent trip to the Conception Seminary College this past weekend, and let me tell you. It was pretty awesome. The place is in a very quiet and peaceful place full of color and tranquility. The buildings made of brick from a deep color red, the grass is as green as it gets. There is no "greener on the other side" here. The trees are so tall and so unique, each one nearly has its own color and blossoming flower, whether its white, pink, or red. The place sets a tone of how beautiful the love of Christ is to us. Its so beautiful, the sunsets are like you've never seen before in your life. Jesus Christ is truly present.

Well for me the weekend was pretty awesome, attending like talks from different seminarians and workshops, and prayers with the monks. We had a lot of fun playing ultimate frisbee and soccer with the guys. It reminded me of how much of a community there is here, even though its just guys, It helps me understand that most of us guys don't need love that doesn't last. We were all having a good time. Laughing and getting to know everybody as easy as, I don't know what.

But as we finished playing games for over three hours. I was so exhausted and sore. When I looked at my watch, I noticed that it was about thirty minutes before our next session. So I wasn't gonna go all sweaty, greasy and grassy. So I got in my room and took me a shower. A warm one. Which was NOT good for my sore, aching body. Well during vespers with the Monks, I started feeling really light headed and dizzy. I thought I was gonna throw up, The last thing I thought about doing was tapping Nathan, who was sitting beside me and telling him, Hey I think I'm gonna throw up, but apparently I didn't make it that far. Passed out right there and then. All I remember were the monks running toward me and looking up and seeing just blur. They carried me out of the Basilica and had me sleep inside the campus health center for the rest of the day. So that was a very interesting and rare experience for me. I will remember that for the rest of my life.

Visiting Conception Abbey Seminary

Well its pretty close to my departure, my breath is harder, stronger, and I can hardly wait. This is the place were I will be totally isolated from the world of sin. The place where God will shape and mold me into the person that he wants me to be. Just thinking of pure peace and quietness gets me so excited. This is what God wants, I can feel it, growing underneath my skin, and out of my heart. Like a flame that only desires so much more. This weekend I will be making my way to Missouri to visit Conception Abbey, a Seminary College and Benedictine Monastery in the northwest part of the state. I'm a little bit nervous not because I have never been there, but just because I don't know what to expect. I'm only like this because I'm scared of what I'm going to see. C'mon...What can I possibly see that would change the mind that I have already set. I hope and pray nothing. I'am so glad to finally make the step that will first start many others. Lately I have been discerning and just about got it all wrapped up after a past retreat that I had this past weekend. I hope to God that his will be done, hopefully I really like this Seminary because this is the place I want to be, This is the place God wants me to be. I don't think I would enjoy being anywhere else.

Mission-Trip Oklahoma City

This past week I went on a mission trip with the Catholic Student Center to Oklahoma City. It was awesome, well It could of been better but missionary wise it was great. We stayed at a Catholic youth Camp on the outskirts of OKC about an hour away from the city. It was so beautiful out there, the stars were out every night. the trees blew with the fresh breeze, and the creatures churped almost with the sound of nature. Like a song that you already know the words. Our first night there I went outside to meditate a little bit. I remember looking up at the sky, watching the stars twinkle in the midnight blue. I remember saying,"Lord, I want to follow you, I wanna do what you want me to do. I trust you with all my heart. I just want you to allow your spirit flow through me like water, and reveal to me my calling." I said,"Lord I love you, I will go where you go, but If I end up on my knees I will crawl to you."and in that I ended my prayer and went inside to write in my journal, and I just started writing, I couldn't stop, for some reason those words just stuck to my head, so I wrote this song check it out...


If I end up on my knees, I will crawl, crawl to you.


This journeys so rough
One I can't seem to stand
I'd say I just about give it all up
But you hold me in the palm of your hand.


Lead me the way, through heated sun
Guide me to your sands of Endless love
God of mercy of grace show me the way
For its you I embrace, yea Its you I embrace!


Its you I will follow, You I will serve.
Anything you set, I'll do it for you
It's what I want, It's what you deserve
God my god, I will follow you.


This song, when I play it I get this since of peace and shadow of God. So throughout the whole mission trip I could not wait to go home only to play the song I had wrote through the holy spirit. Well as we went. We painted a pantry that this sister has started 10 years ago. "Sister BJs Pantry" we moved all the clothes put blue painters tape on the windows and trip, set up plastic. And started painting away. We used light blue, and dark blue. It took two whole days to paint the first and second coats. The second day also had us finish the gazebo in the garden. Stain it for the day to come. The day coming was the main part of the participation. We were to make sack lunches that had, water, chips, candy, a granola bar, and a sandwich. They were to be handed out to all homeless that got in line that morning. It was the butt crack of dawn but it was well worth it to see people who have no socks, no teeth. old clothes, but had smiles that ran across their faces from ear to ear. It was a trip I won't ever forget, One that will help me be what I wanna be; a missionary for Christ.

A Worthy Calling...

What is it that you desire in this world? Happiness right? We all want to be happy whatever it is we are doing. Whether it be going to college, choosing your future spouse, working those graveyard shifts, or even being the person that you are. This week I realized that happiness is not just a word, its your future. I have been discerning for quite some time now on going to the seminary to become a priest and its not an easy decision, but its not a hard one either. Where will I be the happiest, is the question I ask myself daily. Okay, that's an easy question. I am happiest with God and his presence of peace and joy. So instead of ending my childhood peace and joy with the things of this world I would rather live in unity with God and the church. God has a chosen vocation for everybody, its only our job to seek deep within our hearts and ask God to reveal it to us. remember, a Happy calling is a Worthy Calling.

Immacualate Conception of Mother Mary Mass

Yesterday was a special mass for the Virgin Mary. We Celebrated our Mother's Immaculate Conception with an offering of roses in the front of the alter. Mary is the Queen of all roses and the heart of our Catholic Faith. During the mass we learned of St. Juan Diego, Here is the Story.

Juan Diego was a very poor boy who lived in Mexico City. His uncle whom he
loved very much was sick and in his deathbed. For many days Juan went up to the mountains to pray. On one particular day, as he was praying, Mother Mary appeared to him. She called his name,"Juan, Your prayers have been answered,from here on, you will see your uncle only improving." and she departed. Juan Diego, being overwhelmed by Joy and Gladness ran down the mountain and told his uncle he had seen Mother Mary. From then on his uncle began showing signs of improvement. So Juan set out to tell the Cardinals and other Priests that he had seen Mary. As he told them they shouted to him "Liar!" "Coward!" "Your only a poor boy how could you have seen Mary!" Juan Diego was ashamed and left the synagogue. As he was walking home, he came up to the mountain where he had seen Mary, But instead of walking over the mountain, he walked around it. The Long way home. Again Mother Mary appeared to him and said, "Turn Around and Go Back, Tell Them you have Seen Me They Will Believe You." Juan Diego returned being persistent and explaining to the priests but still, they began calling him names and spitting at him. Juan Diego left full of sadness, as he was walking home, Mother Mary appeared to him for the third time and said to him,"It is the Middle of Winter, Take these Roses and Tell Them You have seen Me Here." Mary handed him roses that were in the fullest of spring and color. Juan took the roses, and wrapped them in his cloak. When the priests saw he had returned for the third time they intended to speak. Before they could speak, Juan Diego shouted in a loud voice,"These Roses Are For You From Mary! To Prove That I Have Seen Her Three Times!" As he unrolled his cloak, the roses fell to the ground, and the image of the Virgin Mary was Sown on the entire front side of his cloak...The priests dropped in awe and regretted calling this young boy coward...

Most people think that the image of the Virgin Mary standing over the moon and the stars is only a tradition from the Mexican culture. But It is rather for all the Americas for every being and every creature. Studies have shown that the ingraved image of Mary on the cloak of Juan Diego was made from tiny threads off a Mexican plant.(Now used to make a type of Tequila)and that the encryption shown signs of berries only found in the Americas. North America, South American, and Parts of Central America. Please Mary is the Queen of all. Mother of all roses. Mother of all things. She is our Mother, Please pray to Her and ask her to pray for you...

From Huts to Homes, Changing Lifes in Honduras

For over nine years project solidarity, through your support, has truly made a difference in the lives of hundreds of our Honduran brothers and sisters. Re-building a technical school, educating hundreds of children, sponsoring nutrition programs, re-building churches, sponsoring self-sustaining micro businesses, funding an agricultural cooperative, sponsoring fresh water programs, re-building a free clinic and now developing a very unique housing project, in which 54 homes are being built by the very people who will occupy them. This is how hope is being restored, this is how lives are being changed forever...

On the 9th of August through the 17th of last year, I along with Ashton Paetzold, Deacon Jerry, Fr. Michael, my father Rodolfo Carrasco, and two seminary bound students, Matt Pena, and Joe Charley, had taken a trip to one of the poorest countries in South
America, Honduras. It's a very tropical country, and the majority of the people don't have access to health care systems like hospitals, dentists and places like that. Down there if you get suck you either sit down and tough it out while drinking a "natural" herb tea. It was by god's grace to fulfill his duty, and make every step that we could, count. Being there for a week, this trip is truly one I could say will really mold me and shape me, to guide me in every aspect of my life.

This trip really knocked something in my head. It helped me realize of how blessed we are to be born here in the US of A. Right now we are MILLIONAIRES living in paradise compared to these people. We are, were so blessed to have just the simple things

that we take for granite, and we don't even realize it. Like a TV, or Computer, there's a lot of people out there that are hypnotized by that screen, Or like the second knob in the shower, the clothes over our skin, and the roofs over our heads. Just these few things bring tears
to our eyes. We have the privilege to go to daily mass, and these people get lucky if they have mass once every six months. How sad is that? It also helped me realize that just being present
in the face of god's people is a miracle to them. It brings happiness from all
directions into their eyes. These people are so loving, they hug you for every little thing, and their always around you, almost like a child of your own. Somehow you communicate with these people, and towards the end it's all kicks and giggles. It honestly felt like someone had tied a rope
around your heart and pulled really hard. It hurt just to see that these people don't have anything to give but they give their compassion, and just pour-out their hearts to you. It really takes me back to the lesson that Christ taught us, to love your neighbor, as you love yourself. (Mt. 22:39) In Honduras, there is no last name because we are all like a huge family. To
Finish pouring cement in just a half-a-day really felt great. We carried one
bucket at a time, and believe it or not it gets you exhausted. Thank god they had water, just enough to pick up your second wind, and keep on keepin' on. But at the same time, your drenched in your own sweat. It's Like slow-motion when you see that sweat bubble falling from your head. We wanna stop but deep inside something tells you that it'll be alright, and for you to hold the wave of enemies one last time for the better of these people. There towards the end I realized that these people are the apple of God's eye, you can really see and feel the presence of the Lord when you look at them straight in the eye. When our time expired in Urraco Pueblo
I did NOT want to leave at all. it felt like I had known these people forever. I know that if I had to, I would go back to Honduras, because this is what I love doing and I am Glad. I encourage everyone and anyone to consider this trip, It's a great experience with people from another country, and it really opens up your heart for anything that comes your way...
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