By Joe Bedard and Archie La Salle
On the evening of October 17, college students and young adults from across the region filled the Bishop Barnes Newman Center at Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) for LIFELINE.
LIFELINE is an encounter with Jesus Christ and an experience of true community within the Church. The gathering, which included Mass, a speaker, praise and worship, and Adoration, sought to inspire young adults to live their faith lives in school, work, and wherever they find themselves.
The night was hosted by National Evangelization Teams (NET) Ministries, in collaboration with the Diocese of San Bernardino’s Office of Vocations. It moved in four parts: Mass, time together as a community, a talk, and an hour before the Lord in adoration and worship. The core theme was pulled from Psalm 96:7 “Give the Lord Glory and Honor.”
NET Ministries’ focus is evangelizing and mentoring young people in schools, parishes, and universities. Its mission is to form young adults as missionary disciples who share their faith, foster community, and inspire youth to deepen their relationship with Jesus and the Church.
Historically, LIFELINE was tailored to junior high and high school youth, but this was the first time it focused on the needs of the young adult community. Over 80 young adults from CSUSB and parishes as far as the Low Desert Vicariate gathered at the Bishop Barnes Newman Center.
The night opened with what every Catholic gathering should - the Eucharist. Father Arinze Ezeoke, Director of Community Life and Pastoral Coordinator at St. Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace, celebrated Mass for the young adults gathered at the Newman Center.
After Mass came community time. College students and young adults who arrived as strangers had the chance to meet, talk and share where they are in their faith.
The speaker was Francis Calbildo, a longtime minister at Sacred Heart parish in Rancho Cucamonga. Calbildo spoke about forgiveness and where it begins: with ourselves. In times of doubt and fear, he said, it is easy to fall into darkness. He reminded the room that healing starts with forgiving yourself first.
The night ended the way it began, with Christ at the center. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration and the band Seen and Heard led the room in worship.
The next LIFELINE event, which will focus on high school students, is scheduled for December 5 at 6 pm at St. Peter & St. Paul Parish in Alta Loma.
Joe Bedard is the Marketing and Media coordinator and Archie La Salle is the Campus Vocations Coordinator in the Diocesan Office of Vocations.