The sudden shift from a stress free summer to the whirlwind that is balancing school work can be overwhelming. Even after a few weeks of school, students desperately ache for a break from the never ending pile of papers, projects and presentations. While an early summer vacation is unlikely, Campus Ministry offers another type of break called Word and Worship.

Like a bite sized version of XLT -an hour and a half long event dedicated to adoration and song- Word and Worship intends to give students some time with God amidst their busy school day.

“Often times we get into a routine at school and forget about God, but Word and Worship allows for [students] to fully immerse God into [their] day-to-day school life,” said senior Bridget Sjoberg.

After a few years of inconsistent Word and Worship events, Brandon Tait, Campus Ministry’s Assistant Coordinator of Retreats and Special Events, with the support of his boss, Francis Cabildo, the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, decided to start Word and Worship up again this year but on a more regular basis.

“God really put it on my heart to [start up Word and Worship again],” said Tait. “I felt God was saying to me that it was important for [students] to hear from each other what God is doing.”

Despite only being about 15 minutes long, Word and Worship provides a concentrated dose of prayer and spiritual lessons.  Since it is so short students can easily incorporate it and God into their day while still feeling the full effects of Word and Worship.

“it’s just to have a brief moment of inspiration during the day to re-center ourselves and refocus on God and acknowledge him,” Tait said.  “With the retreats you have several days to do that. This is more like an inspirational jolt of the Holy Spirit and of God’s love.”

Along with Peer Ministry students, Cabildo and Tait, have been working on ensuring Word and Worship exceeds expectations. Before a theme is decided, Tait starts preparing for Word and Worship by getting students involved. Unlike previous years where mainly adults would speak at Word and Worship, this year Tait aims to mold a more student run and student oriented program.  Through this he hopes to expose all the ways God is present in the SMCHS student body.

“While I think it’s great to hear stories from myself or Mr. Cabildo about how God has worked in our lives, we’re two lives when there are thousands of lives here at the school,” Tait said. “That means there are thousands of ways that God is doing great things.”

The students are able to participate as witnesses to God’s works by sharing testimonies which are stories about times God has been present in their lives. Testimonies help students connect with God and make the message of Word and Worship more applicable to other students’ lives.

“We all hope that we can give a story from our life that others can relate to, so [other students] can be inspired and spread God’s love to others,” Sjoberg said.

Since Tait intends to involve as many students as possible, any student can give a peer testimony if they talk to him early enough beforehand. Word and Worship is open to all who want to speak about their own struggles and triumphs. Tait hopes that by going to Word and Worship more students will be challenged to recognize their own journey with God and eventually participate as a witness. Tait’s goal is that by singing worship songs and listening to peer testimonies, students will be able to focus on their faith and reflect on God’s impact in their own lives.

“The purpose behind Word and Worship is to help everyone recognize that they have a story, that God is working in their life, and that they can recognize and share it,” Tait said. “It’s so easy to forget that God is there but when we pause to pray and listen we can hear that God is speaking and God is working, even in the times it [seems] like he [is] absent.”

The next Word and Worship will occur during both lunches on Oct. 5 in the Sacred Heart Chapel. To prepare, Sjoberg advises to come with an open mind and open heart in order to feel the full force of Word and Worship.

“God can come into our lives when we least expect it,” Sjoberg said. “So it is important to be open to whatever God has planned for you at Word and Worship.”