Finding God in the Mass: A Classroom Challenge That Changed Lives
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| Finding God in the Mass, |
Are you a Christian Living Education teacher?
Have you ever asked your students how many of them attend
Sunday Mass?
The first time I asked this question, I was honestly shocked
by their answers. Out of more than thirty students, only two or three raised
their hands—and even they admitted it wasn’t regular. For the next few weeks, I
asked the same question and received the same response. The number felt like a
pinch in my heart.
That moment made me realize: I have to do something. After a
couple of months of reflection and prayer, I finally received an inspiration
and decided to challenge my students.
The Challenge Begins: An Eight- Sunday Mass Challenge
Nothing happens by coincidence; everything happens for a
reason. Two months later, our new lesson was about the Seven Sacraments, and I
was inspired to give my students a special task to make a Sunday journal based
on the Mass readings - reflect on them, attend Mass every Sunday, take down
notes from the homily and ask the priest to sign their journal afterward. They
have to do this for eight consecutive Sundays.
I once read that it takes eight consecutive repetitions to
develop a habit. So, in my mind, this challenge would help my students build
the habit of attending Mass every Sunday. It seemed quite difficult, and
honestly, I wasn’t sure if the students could do it. But as the weeks went by,
I was amazed at how things turned out.
The Exciting Process of Transformation
Every week, whenever I entered the classroom, the first
thing I did was check my students’ Sunday journals. At the beginning, only a
few of them were doing it, but as the weeks went by, the number of participants
kept increasing. The students were overjoyed to share that they had attended
Mass and excited to tell their stories—how their parish priests were happy to
see them, read their journals, and sign them afterward. Some priests even wrote
encouraging comments, which motivated the students to keep attending Sunday
Mass.
Checking their journals each week was time-consuming, but it was worth every minute. The students took the task seriously, and I could see small yet meaningful transformations taking place within them. Their creativity in designing their journals, along with their heartfelt reflections and realizations, showed that something beautiful was beginning to bloom in their hearts.
Students’ Testimonies
The eight-Sunday Mass Challenge has come to an end! I asked
my students to write their testimonies about their experience—how the challenge
changed them and what their plans are now that it’s over. The moment I received
their reflections, I immediately started reading them, and before I knew it,
tears of joy and gratitude were falling.
I couldn’t fully explain the happiness I felt as I read how
the students described the transformation that took place in their lives. Their
words were simple, yet deeply moving. Allow me to share with you one of these
testimonies—from Cyrene Camacho, a Grade 11 student of St. Vincent Catholic
School of Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines.
Before I received this task in my Christian Living Education
subject, I wasn't attending mass regularly. I always had excuses sometimes I
said I was too tired, too busy, or I just didn't feel like going. I didn't
realize that by skipping mass, I was slowly drifting away from God. But through
this activity, I was given a reason to come back and I can honestly say, it
changed me more than I expected. Attending Mass every Sunday became one of the
most meaningful and peaceful experiences of my life.
MY EIGHT-SUNDAY MASS CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE
At first, I thought it was just another School task I needed to finish. I went to Mass thinking, "I'll just attend and get this done." but as the Sundays went by, something inside me started to change.
Every homily began to speak to my heart. It felt like God was talking directly to me comforting me when I was sad, reminding me to be humble, and teaching me to be more grateful.
There were moments during the Mass when I suddenly felt
calm, even when I had so many things on my mind. The songs, the prayers, and
even the silence made me feel God's presence. It was in those quiet moments
that I realized God never left me, I was the one who turned away, but He was
patiently waiting for me to return.
THE UNEXPECTED CHANGES
As I kept attending
Mass every Sunday, I noticed how my heart and mindset slowly changed. I became
more patient, more understanding, and more thankful for the blessings I used to
overlook. I started to pray not only when I needed something, but also when I
just wanted to talk to God to thank him for another day, to tell him my
worries, or simply to be still in His presence. One homily that really stayed
with me was when the priest said that our problems and weaknesses are not
punishments, but reminders that we need God. That message hit me deeply. I used
to think that when life was hard, maybe God was disappointed with me. But now I
understand that every struggle is His way of shaping me and drawing me closer
to Him. Now, I see the Mass differently. It's not just a routine or an
obligation it's my time to pause, to breathe, and to find peace. It's where I
can rest my heart after a long week and be reminded that I am loved, forgiven,
and never alone.
MY PLANS AFTER COMPLETING THE TASK
Even though this task is finished, I know my journey with
God has just begun. I plan to keep attending Mass every Sunday not because I
have to, but because I truly want to. I want to continue growing closer to him,
to listen more to his word, and to make him part of my everyday life. After all
of this, it made me eager to become a more kind and understanding person. I
want to show more love and patience, especially to the people around me who may
be going through silent battles. I want to be someone who lifts others up, who
forgives easily, and who spreads kindness without expecting anything in return.
I realized that being close to God doesn't only happen inside the church it
happens through the way I treat others every single day.
I also plan to continue praying more often and reading His
words. I want to live out what I've
learned- to be thankful in both good and hard times, to trust His plans, and to
always choose love over pride. Ending this task doesn't mean ending my faith
journey. It means continuing it with a more open, humble, and grateful heart.
Every Sunday, I will keep coming back to mass because that's where I feel peace
and comfort. It's where I'm reminded that no matter how lost, tired, or broken
I feel, God will always welcome me home with open arms and that's why I will
keep coming back to Him because I've finally found where my heart truly
belongs.
A Hope Renewed
Reading my students’ testimonies—how they were able to
overcome their busyness and laziness to attend Sunday Mass regularly—gave me
renewed hope for the future of the Church. The transformation that took place
in their lives, their promising plans, and their eagerness to become better
Catholics are signs of hope that we, adults, must continue to nurture.
The young people around us need mentors, teachers, and
friends who are willing to walk with them, guide them, and challenge them to
grow in faith. And perhaps, through small steps and simple acts of
encouragement, we can help them rediscover the joy of encountering God
in the Holy Mass.
