Like the Dewfall

We are often reminded of the presence of the spirit in our Catholic faith. During Mass each week, we respond to the priests greeting "The Lord be with you" with "And with your spirit". The cornerstone of Eucharistic Prayer II, my personal favorite, asks God to make the gifts of bread and wine holy by "sending down his spirit upon them like the dewfall".

Just like the dewfall, God has certainly sent his spirit upon the students, teachers, and immersion participants at the De La Salle Blackfeet School. Saint John Baptist De La Salle once said, "To touch a students heart is the greatest miracle that a teacher can perform," (Med 139.3 - Feast of St. Peter) and that is exactly the situation here. After two days observing and helping the students in fourth grade, my partner Patrick Connolly and I observed the close relationship the students share with their teachers. While we all have our shortcomings at times, the students generally respond to their teachers' questions and instructions with respect, diligence, and thoroughness. The admiration that the children have for their teachers is also very clear through our discussions with them,showing that their hearts have been touched by their work and presence.

I also noticed the presence of the spirit in our interaction with the children during class and at lunch. On Monday, they were clearly shy and nervous about having an immersion group visit them. Because De La Salle Blackeet School begins enrollment at fourth grade, these children have never experienced a visiting immersion group before. By the end of the day, after we had an interactive Q/A session, they were eagerly asking us if we would return the next day. Our presence in their lives quickly touched their hearts, presenting them with positive role models and caring mentors during the week.

The Holy Spirit is with us this week at the De La Salle Blackfeet School and is helping us do our part in the immersion experience. Our work so far seems to be paying off - the children enjoy us helping them and the teachers appreciate our assistance during their lessons and activities. I am grateful that I was inspired by the spirit to journey to Browning, so far from home and my comfort zone, to take part in this rewarding experience. The Lord sent down his Spirit upon all of us, just like the dewfall.

Joseph Rogers '14

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