Billings Catholic Campus Ministry

Hey Everyone….one letter WAY over due

I can’t express how deeply the PLUNGE service trip impacted not only me, but those that we served that weekend. I TRULY look at the downtown part of Billings so much differently now, and even hate driving down there to see the high dinning surrounded by those who live meal to meal. Every time I pass one of our friends on the street I cannot help but think of how fortunate I am living this life. Even on a cold day, complaining about the cafe food, I have to stop and think of how grateful those men and women were to just receive just one meal for that entire weekend. Every chance I get, I tell my friends, family and co-workers about my weekend of helping my new friends and the stories that impacted me  and helping to provide a different view of those that we see on the street. I hope that each of us takes time to pray for those who are less fortunate than us and for those who sleep on the streets tonight, but also that they can each find a warm place to sleep and find the comfort of God in their life. Thank you again for all those who came and took part in our first ever PLUNGE!  But if you didn’t have a chance to make it this year feel free to stop one of us that did go and ask us our life changing experience, and hopefully you can join us next year! TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

Quincy Linhart
BCCM Peer Minister

Does anyone else feel better about going to Confession after talking with Father Ryan last week? Not only was it great to hear a priest’s perspective on the Sacrament, but last week’s discussion also provided us insight into what Confession is really about. Most of us are aware that we go to Confession to be cleansed of our sins, but as Father Ryan explained, it is about far more than that.

Through Confession we are also called to sainthood, which Father illustrated through his example with John Paul II. Even though the former Pope was obviously a very holy man, he partook in the Sacrament of Reconciliation almost every day. Naturally, we wonder, what could the Pope have possibly had to confess, and especially on a daily basis? Clearly, there is something more to the Sacrament, as it is also a call to strengthen our spiritual lives and renew our commitment to serving God and others in our day-to-day lives.

Challenge yourself to go to Confession more often. Even though it may seem difficult at first, it will get easier with “practice.” Doing so not only reduces anxiety about the Sacrament, but also makes you more conscious of your sins, which is certainly fundamental in living a saintly life. And remember, priests are not there to judge, but rather to provide advice and guidance.  There is no better time to utilize this beautiful Sacrament than at the beginning of the Lenten season!

Kasey Stanton
BCCM Peer Minister

Hello friends!

We wanted to give you an update about Ash Wednesday Services on and off campus…

MSUB – 12 noon – Lewis and Clark Room (SUB)

Rocky – 4pm – RMC Chapel (SUB basement)

These are ecumenical services.  There is NO Mass at the above services.

BCCM will be going as a group to the 7pm Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Thomas tomorrow evening as our weekly gathering. We will meet outside the church at 6:45pm. Please be on time as it will probably be crowded!

In the meantime, check out this great video explaining Ash Wednesday and Lent in just two minutes!

Good luck on midterms!!!  We’ll be keeping you in our prayers as we prepare to head into the final stretch of the school year!

What do you know about the origins of Valentine’s Day?  Check out this fun video and get the scoop…

And something to ponder…

‎”Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
~ Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

On this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to take some time to fall in love with God.  Have a great day everyone!

Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest?

Why can’t I just pray to God for forgiveness?

What is this whole Reconciliation thing all about?

Join us this Wednesday evening at 7pm at Off the Leaf on Grand Ave for an evening with Father Ryan Erlenbush as he shares his experiences with us about the sacrament of Reconciliation.  Coffee’s on us

In the meantime, check out this helpful video from BustedHalo.com about the sacrament of Reconciliation!

I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17

Wednesday, February 1st: 7pm at the Rocky Chapel
To compliment our discussion of the Rosary, Quincy and Alicia will be teaching others how to make hemp Rosaries. We can’t have you all come for a discussion on the Rosary and then leave you without one right? For MSUB students coming to Rocky, please park in the big parking lot that is off of Rimrock Road (the last one before 17th Street). If you stay to the far left of that parking lot, you will pass the back side of the student union building…(pass a dumpster/loading dock area)…follow the path and when you get to the main walkway through campus, turn to your right. You should see a large bear statue in front of a building. Come on in that building. Immediately to the right are a set of stairs that go down to the chapel

Challenge of the Week:

“Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.”
~Saint Louis de Montfort

Challenge yourself to take some extra time to pray the Rosary this week, even if it is only a few decades or a few Hail Marys a day.