A great end to a long day!

Well, for the second half of my day today (Prison Ministry) was great as always. In fact, I would have to say that this was the best one yet!

The Homily by Deacon Cartwright was amazing, it was one of the best I have ever heard! He talked about the different types of temptations that we go through. He also said that Christ never tried to lead us to the Truth, a good life, faith or anything else, but instead Christ said He was all of that and more!

The homily really touched me when He was talking about discerning God's will. And about how we all have freedom of choice. It was just really impacting and very well done. I told Deacon that it was a great homily and he said that he spent a lot of time working on it. And trust me, I could tell!

Besides the homily, I was able to talk to one of the men there, and he is getting out in 15 days (after serving 20 years). I won't see him again because I am going home for spring break, but all I can say is that he has helped me grow in my faith (just from the 3 times I have met him). I have never seen anyone pray with so much passion! Just about every time he prayers the Rosary, he starts to get choked up, and it is beautiful.

After we left the prison, we went to have dinner (as usual), and it was just a great time to hang out with friends!

What to do during Lent

How can we relate the Lord's prayer to our journey through Lent?

"Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen."

Well, first we praise Him for who He is and what He has done!

Then we ask for His will to be done to us during this season of Lent.

Next, we ask for our daily bread (what we need to survive through this time of prayer and fasting). Also, for the things we need to get through our time of giving up or sacrificing something we love during this season of Lent.

Ah, one of my favorites, "forgive us" well we should all know that this means we should go to confession and also forgive others who we haven't yet forgave.

And finally, we ask for the protection of God. We ask that He help us through our temptations, during this time (like Christ was in the desert for 40 days).

If we follow this prayer throughout Lent and live it all throughout this season, then we will truly be prepared for Easter and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection!!!

The day is only half over.

This morning I was blessed to help out with Habitat for Humanity. We started at 8 am and worked till about 2:45 pm.

They had us work on a house that someone donated to fix up and sell. The money from this house will go to the next 2 houses they build (if I heard right).

I think today was the day that Liberty Students were supposed to help. We had about 4 (including myself) from Catholic Community, then a couple from Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC. Then, just a few other students.

It was a lot of fun! But very tiring. I did try to conquer one of my fears today (heights). I ended up going up on the roof to help paint, it was a good thing the painting was almost done by the time I got up there. Then we had to take down one of those lift things that was on the roof (and that was scary).

Overall, it was a great experience, and now I am off to take a shower then go to Prison Ministry!

Feeling better

Thank you to all who have prayed for me. I am feeling much better now! I still have a bad cough though.

Second Station: Jesus carries His cross

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same.

As a child, sometimes I don't like the problems that come my way. Sometimes I try to get others to take care of them or solve them for me. Sometimes I become upset and crabby when I'm asked to do even the smallest thing to help others.

As an adult I sometimes feel like I'm not appreciated. Sometimes I feel as if I accept more responsibility that I need to. I can feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own. In my self-pity, I don't reach out to help.

My Jesus, Who by Thine own will didst take on Thee the most heavy cross I made for Thee by my sins, oh, make me feel their heavy weight, and weep for them ever while I live.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others. They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death.

As a child, sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel that others don't stand up for me and defend me when I am afraid. Sometimes I don't feel like I am treated fairly, especially if I am scolded or corrected.

As an adult, sometimes I feel abandoned and afraid as well. Sometimes I too, feel like I am treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. I have a hard time when people criticize me at home or at work.

Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me.

My Jesus, often have I signed the death warrant by my sins; save me by Thy death from that eternal death which I have so often deserved.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.

Stations of the Cross

From now until Good Friday, I will put up 2 stations, from the stations of the cross on Fridays.

By the time Good Friday comes around, we will be on the last 2 stations.

I will do this, so we can reflect on what Christ did for us.

Vocation Commercial?

Hey now, if Coke can make a cool commercial with a Catholic priest in it, then why can't the Church do it for vocations?

Alright vocation directors, it's your turn to come up with something.

Prayer for Lent #3

Let us Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for leading us into yet another Lenten season. Please grant us each the strength to fully experience this wondrous season of reflection, preparation and sacrifice. Help us to be wise enough to use both our gifts and sacrifices as a means to focus not on ourselves but on the abundance of your love as demonstrated through the life and death of your beloved Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer was written by:
Amber Vojtecky
Richmond, VA

Ignite Your Torch 2009!!!

Do you know someone that is in high school? Do you want them to be on fire for their Catholic faith? Or do you know someone that is in high school and is interested in Catholicism?

Then you need to send them to Ignite Your Torch!!! This is the reason why I became Catholic and am now applying for the seminary for the priesthood. Watch the video bellow:




If you would like more information please go to http://www.igniteyourtorch.org/ or just email me at cosgood@liberty.edu

Catholic swimming

Now this is how a Catholic should go swimming!

How to fast?

Jesus teaches us at the end of today's Gospel how to fast, which is something that we should all be doing today since it is Ash Wednesday:

GospelMt 6:1-6, 16-18

"When you fast,do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.They neglect their appearance,so that they may appear to others to be fasting.Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast,anoint your head and wash your face,so that you may not appear to be fasting,except to your Father who is hidden.And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

Ash Wednesday

I got this from Catholic.org:

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

I'm sick

Well, I knew that something was going around, and now it's my turn to catch it.

I woke up yesterday and felt a little sick, so I drank an entire gallon of Orange Juice and took some med's. Well, today it has gotten worse. I am hoping that I get better real soon.

I'm in my last class right now (well it hasn't started yet), but I think I can make it through the class. Then go back to the dorm and SLEEP!!!

Prayer and fasting

As Ash Wednesday comes upon us tomorrow, we are called to fast and pray. It is the start of Lent (40 days leading up to the death and Resurrection of Christ).

Lent is a time for us (the Church) to get back on track with God. It is almost like a car. When you drive a car for 3,000 miles, you have to take it in the the shop for an oil change and repairs. In a way, this is what Lent is like. It is a time for us to really pray and fast, so that we can draw closer to God.

Many people even give something up that they are addicted to, or love. We do this so that it too will bring us closer to Him. All of the time that we spent doing on whatever we are giving up, should now be spent in prayer, reading the Scriptures or some type of devotion.

It is also a chance for us to really use the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We as Catholics should use this Sacrament as often as we can, but now is the time we really need to use it! It is what makes us pure before the Lord our God, and we all want that. Right?

New Saints!!!

I got this from Zenit:

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 23, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will proclaim 10 new saints in two ceremonies, planned for April 26 and Oct. 11.

The Pope affirmed this Saturday in the Vatican Apostolic Palace at an ordinary public consistory for the causes of canonization. The consistory gathered 39 cardinals with the Pope, including Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state.

On April 26, the following blesseds will be canonized: Arcangelo Tadini, Bernardo Tolomei, Nuno de Santa Maria Álvares Pereira, Gertrude Caterina Comensoli and Caterina Volpicelli.

The blesseds who will be canonized on Oct. 11 are: Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski, Francisco Coll y Guitart, Jozef Damien de Veuster, Rafael Arnáiz Barón and Marie de la Croix (born Jeanne) Jugan.

what a day

Do you ever feel like you have absolutely done nothing all day? This is how I feel today. I wish I could say that I accomplished something, but really, I think the only thing I accomplished was to take a shower lol (which is a good thing).

Well, I guess I should start on my homework now...

Benny Prasad

I remember when this man came to Liberty last school year. He is an amazing musician. Enjoy!

No job yet

No job at Chick-fil-A. It seems that they have already met their quota for college students.

I am sure that unless a miracle from God happens, I won't have a job until this summer back home in Ohio.

Preparing for Lent

How does one prepare for Lent? We only have today and tomorrow before it is here.

We know that Lent is a time of prayer and fasting. It is a time that we reflect on what Christ did for us. It is a period of 40 days that leads up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ Jesus.

During this time of Lent we are to either give up something to help us deepen our relationship and prayer life with Christ, or we can start doing something (praying more, giving more money/time...).

What is God calling you to give up? It isn't supposed to be something easy, it should be tough. Is there a sin that you are dealing with in your life? Try then to give that up.

As for me, I am giving up facebook, trying to break away from a sin that I have been struggling with for most of my life, and grow deeper in my prayer life (I am nowhere close of where I want to be).

May God pour out His proudest blessings upon you during this Lenten Season!

Catholics at Liberty Update

May the peace of the Lord be with you all as we get ready to enter into this season of Lent.

I am afraid that this week there isn't a lot of good news about the Catholics at Liberty.

On Wed. night we got together and tried working on the Constitution but unfortunately we didn't get anywhere. Our weekly dinners have dropped in attendance and Mass attendance has fallen too. For more info you can click here: http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2009/02/catholics-at-liberty.html

On a positive side, I have spoken with Dr. Jerry Falwell Jr. and he is allowing my scholarship from his dad to cover the 2 summer classes I need to graduate!

I also spoke with a few of the seminarians and Fr. Kyle (vocation director for the Arch-diocese of Cincinnati) and we have 9 men including myself that are in the process of entering the seminary this fall! Please pray for us, and for more to come!!!

Last night I went to the prison again for prison ministry. And I attached a picture of a painting one of the men made for me. I have written more about it here: http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2009/02/prison-ministry-feb-21.html

From now until Easter I am going to post my personal devotions to share and encourage others throughout this season of Lent.

Prayer requests:

1. For the Catholic students at Liberty (especially those who are struggling/losing their faith)
2. The new leadership of the Catholics at Liberty
3. For myself (I might have found a job at Chick-fil-a (please keep praying)

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

Prison Ministry Feb. 21

Last night I went to the prison again to help out with the prison ministry. This was only my second time going to help out, and it just gets better every time!

The men there have so much faith, it is unbelievable. After the communion service one of the men lead us in praying the Rosary. We prayed the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery and I have never seen anyone pray the Holy Rosary with such passion. The man who lead it started to cry while leading it. And when I saw/heard that, it brought a few tears to my eyes.

These men absolutely are on fire for God, and have more faith than many of the people I see in Church on Sundays.

One of the men blessed me last night by painting a beautiful Picture for me. And on it he wrote:

"May the blessings of the Lord always rest upon you in love, in peace, joy, wisdom and strength. You can do all things through Christ."

Catholics at Liberty

It has been a rough and disappointing semester thus far, and unfortunately I don't see it getting any better for the Catholic group here at Liberty.

It has only been a few short weeks since I have stepped down from the leadership here, but, unfortunately the people who have stepped up to leadership haven't really stepped up.

Our group has dropped down to 6 students (3 that are Catholic and 3 non-Catholic) at our weekly dinners. Our Mass attendance has dropped dramatically and the constitution, well, no one is stepping up.

We have had one meeting to put together the constitution and it was made very clear by the new leadership that it was a waist of time.

Please pray for the Catholic students here at Liberty, as many of them are losing their faith, and very little is being done to help them.

Blessed Damien de Veuster to become Saint

This is an article from Foxnews: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,498008,00.html

VATICAN CITY — A 19th-century Belgian priest who ministered to leprosy patients in Hawaii will be declared a saint Oct. 11 at a Vatican ceremony presided over by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Rev. Damien de Veuster's canonization date was set Saturday during a meeting between Benedict and cardinals at the Apostolic Palace.

De Veuster will be canonized along with four other people, the Vatican said.

In July, Benedict approved a miracle attributed to the priest's intercession, declaring that a Honolulu woman's recovery in 1999 from terminal lung cancer was the miracle needed for him to be made a saint.

He was beatified — a step toward sainthood — in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

Born Joseph de Veuster in 1840, he took the name Damien and went to Hawaii in 1864 to join other missionaries of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Nine years later he began ministering to leprosy patients on the remote Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai island, where some 8,000 people had been banished amid an epidemic in Hawaii in the 1850s.

The priest eventually contracted the disease, also known as Hansen's disease, and died in 1889 at age 49.

The Rev. Alfred Bell, who spearheaded Damien's canonization cause, said the priest had given his all to help those in need. "He went there (to Hawaii) knowing that he could never return," Bell told Vatican Radio. "He suffered a lot, but he stayed."

Bell said Damien's concern for others was a model for all the faithful today, particularly the young.

"Father Damien's example helps us to not forget those who are forgettable in the world," he said.

The Vatican's saint-making procedures require that a miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession be confirmed in order for him or her to be beatified. Damien de Veuster was beatified after the Vatican declared that the 1987 recovery of a nun of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary was a miracle. The nun recovered from an illness after praying to Damien.

After beatification, a second miracle is needed for sainthood.

The Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints said Audrey Toguchi's 1999 recovery from lung cancer defied medical explanation, and in July, Benedict agreed. Toguchi, too, had prayed to Damien.

The Vatican announced the date for Damien's canonization and that of nine other people. Five will be declared saints at a ceremony April 26, five others, including Damien, on Oct. 11.

Are you going to be a Saint?

I got this article out of the Zenit online news. I though it was really good and very short:

New Saints: Challenge to Our Time!A response to: 10 Blesseds to Be Canonized

The more the Church recognizes the sanctity of her people, the more she gives us courage to carry on our mission of evangelization and struggle toward holiness! The canonization of the new saints in the near future is a big challenge to us who are still running toward this great desire of our hearts. Anyone who desires to see God must imitate what they did. Let them be our intercessors to the Father

Ferdinand LukoaSalvatorian Institute of Philosophy and TheologyMorogoro, Tanzania

Are you willing to help?

When all of the Catholic Campus Ministry Student Leaders in the Richmond Diocese met with His Excellency Bishop DiLorenzo, I realized that none of them know how to defend their faith.

I am trying to be polite here, but the Church is doing a horrible job in Catholic Education (expecially in religious ed classes). These students (and its all over the country) are being confronted with questions and they can't give answers.

I myself have dealt with this here at Liberty. But, thanks be to God for my Biblical background I can defend the faith.

I am now wanting to come up with a program for Catholic students in college to be able to help them know their faith, defend their faith and evangelize others.

Would anyone like to help me?

You shall not steal

So how do I be polite about someone stealing from me? It is the legal way of stealing. I am sure it has happened to you at some point. But yet, we pay it. We have to, or we end up having to pay a lot more.

I owed money on my credit card and for an overdraft that happened earlier this year. I was told that I would be charged $25 to pay for the overdraft and that would be clear, then pay $68 for my credit card. So I put $100 in my bank account.

Well, today I find out that I am in the red again. They took out $25, then $27 for my overdraft (because of fees they say), then $68 for my credit card. So now I am in the red by $20. On top of that they charge $8 a day plus $14 for going over.

So I talk to them, and now they reduced the original $120 that I owe (from going over) to $52. What a rip off!!!

They took more money than they were supposed to, and now I have to pay more to get even?

Mr. Turner (my congressman), I am writing you to get bailout money!

What are Catholics doing?!

I have been reading many different blogs since the beginning of this year, and I am heartbroken by what I am reading by Catholic blogger's.

I agree that we must be pro-life and that we must encourage people to go to confession. But, when do we examine our own conscience? How long has it been since you have gone to confession? I hope and pray that you have gone very recently.

I am reading that the Catholics all around the world are upset with the Holy Father for lifting the excommunication. People are upset about the Legionaries of Christ (but some people are rejoicing), people are upset and signing a petition to have the Catholic politicians that are pro-abortion not be able to receive communion.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?! Yes, being pro-abortion is a grave sin, and yes the bishops need to start being the church leaders they are called to be and deal with the issue's of pro-life. But, we cannot judge.

There are many people in this country that are receiving communion that shouldn't be. I am afraid that some of the people wanting to deny it to others may be in the same boat. Examine your conscience and go to confession so that you will have a clean heart.

AND QUIT REJOICING WHEN OTHERS FALL!!!

Blogger's Choice Awards 09

This blog has been nominated for "Best blog about stuff". Don't ask me how, but it was. So go vote!!!

Ignited by Truth

What an amazing conference this was! The only problem with it: IT WASN'T LONG ENOUGH!!!

They had many great speakers like Tim Staples, Fr. Larry Richards and many more! I learned so much more about my faith and I hope it got everyone else there fired up for their Catholic faith too.

I would have to say the best part of the entire conference was Adoration. They had a special room for Adoration that people could go to during the conference (I was unable to go), but they had it in a room where there was a big window, so it was as if we were all at Adoration during the entire conference.

If you weren't able to go this year, you better go next year!!!

PS: Raleigh has one of the most holy Bishops I have ever met!

Update

May the peace of the Lord be with you all!

This week started out really rough but then ended great!

I am still trying to find a job this semester. The good news is McDonalds said they will be hiring in March (it's not good when McDonalds isn't even hiring). I am still making it, thanks to some very kind people who have helped me financially (thank you again)!

I went to the Holy Spirit prayer group on Tuesday and well, I can't even explain in words what happened. Lets just say God slapped me in the face and told me to quit running. (Same thing happened on Friday at Adoration). If you are wondering what I am running from, well, its a long story, but it's here: http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2009/02/vocation-struggle.html and http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2009/02/slap-in-face-from-jesus.html

On Friday morning I got a phone call from Dr. Jerry Falwell Jr's office and they said that they are going to pay for my 6 credit hours this summer so I can graduate this May. Praise be to God for Jerry Falwell's scholarship! I was also told by a student that day that I was going to hell for being Catholic (I tell you, this persecution is starting to become as bad as the first year I was here, but I just keep in mind Matt. 5:10).

This weekend however, a small group of Catholic students here at Liberty went to the Ignited by Truth Conference in Raleigh, NC. That was a blast! We all had a great time and have learned a few things in apologetics. I was able to meet with Tim Staples and some other well known apologists who were very excited to hear about what has happened at Liberty. Most of them even want to help us out by donating some material for the Catholics here to grow deeper in their faith! (Pictures attached).

Well, I am off to bed. But please pray for these intentions:

Praise, Antonio's back is healing really fast. He is up and walking around without crutches!

School and that I can finish this last year well.

Praise, the scholarship from Jerry Falwell is paying for my 2 summer classes!

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

A slap in the face from Jesus

On Friday night I went to Adoration (for the first time in a while). And as always it was great! Although this time, I got what I needed. A slap in the face from Jesus.

As I was praying the Rosary and looking right into the Eucharist, it was as if Jesus came right out of the Monstrance and knocked some since into me. Who am I to think that I can do the plans I HAD?

I had the plans to get married and work in a church after graduation, but when I have tried following through with them, I was miserable. But when I go through the application process for the priesthood, the feeling is AMAZING! It was as if Jesus Himself, came down and chastised me for a few minutes in a loving way.

And right at the end of the holy hour, I heard Him say, "I have chosen you for a reason."

And now I have been asking myself, "Why would you choose me? I am so undeserving, and a nobody."

I am scared to death and ask for your prayers!

Is anyone going tomorrow?

Is anyone going to the Ignited by Truth Conference in Raleigh, NC tomorrow and Saturday?

If so let me know and maybe we can meet up!

A Vocation Struggle

I can't help but write about this struggle I am facing right now in my life. It was only three years ago that I started at Liberty University. I came here to become a Baptist Pastor. The plans I had for myslef quickly went out the window that first year when I entered into the Catholic Church.

I am glad that I became Catholic and have never been happier! But this year has been very rough for me, because I see my friends who are graduating with me this May and they are planning weddings and applying for jobs at churches (all over the world).

Although I am happy for them, I feel a little sad inside. These were plans that I had for myself. I came to Liberty to become a Baptist Pastor and find a Godly wife who would take part in the ministry that God bless us with.

Eevn though I am Catholic now and applying for the seminary, I still find myself looking at churchstaffing.com for Baptist jobs. And I try to justify this for telling my friends about the jobs I find. But if that isn't bad enough, I then start looking at catholicjobs.com for Catholic Youth Ministry jobs. It is almost as if I don't want to give up my plans. I have already had a few interviews this school year and offered one job in Atlanta, but I had to turn it down because I know that these are not God's plans for me.

Don't get me wrong, I am really glad and can't wait to go to the seminary! But, it is hard to know that the plans I have had (getting married, having a family and going right into the ministry) are not His plans.

And this is the hardest thing for me to realize.

What a busy week.

Greetings everyone!

I would like to first apologize for the late update. It has been a very busy week.

This past Tuesday I had to go to court (for a speeding ticket earlier this year), but the good news is I got out of it! I have to do 24 hours community service though. (I learned my lesson and am going the speed limit. Although long road trips from Ohio to VA Beach its hard not to speed when you are so close to your destination).

On Wednesday night I was on the Deep in Scripture radio program with Marcus Grodi. I have to say that I was more nervous about that than I was being on the Journey Home with him. I hope you all enjoyed it (if you were able to listen to it). If you didn't have a chance at listening to it and would like to you can go to: http://www.deepinscripture.com/DISarchive08.html And look at Feb. 4, 2009. Guest: Chris Osgood

On Thursday Antonio (student here) had back surgery and is recovering very fast. He had to have back surgery from football. He has asked me to ask you all for prayers for his recovery!

Saturday night Maria and I were fortunate enough to have dinner with his Excellency Bishop DiLorenzo. We joined many student leaders from Catholic Campus Ministries from all over the Richmond Diocese. It was very good to meet with him and he is really excited about what has been going on at Liberty over the last two years.

On Sunday some of the students helped out during the mass. We were supposed to have many more show up and help out, but many students either came down with the flew or went home for the weekend. (pictures attached).

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Antonio and his back.

Praise for Trish deciding to keep her baby!

Praise for the Johnson family returning home today with their twins!

For me to find a job. (Thank you all for who have been kind enough to send some financial support while I am trying to find a job).

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

Prayer answered!!!

Greetings and peace to you all from God our Father!

Update on Trish. I just heard from Cody that she has decided to have and keep her child!!!

Thank you all for the prayers and for the efforts to help Trish out. I know many of you have been asking for the update on her, and I haven't hear anything until just a few minutes ago. Thank you all!

And now we must continue to pray for her and her child. If I find out any more information, I will pass it along.

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

Swim across the Atlantic Ocean?!

I don't know if this is just stupid or what. But I respect the woman. Who else can say they have swam across the Atlantic Ocean?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,489704,00.html

Going to have dinner with Bishop of Richmond!

I am getting ready to leave here in just a few minutes to head out to Richmond to join all of the other leaders in Catholic Campus Ministries from all over the Richmond Diocese to have dinner with Bishop DiLorenzo.

We will be letting him know what our ministries have been doing. Also, telling him the good things we are doing and the struggles we are facing.

This is exactly what Liberty needs! Praise God for this opportunity!!!

Update on Deep in Scripture

So today I watched some videos of Arch-bishop Sheen on Fr. Leake's blog: http://salesianity.blogspot.com/2009/02/archbishop-sheen-woman-i-love.html

And I realized that I have never had any problem with Mary when I came into the Church. However, I would very rarely pray for her intersession. But after watching the videos today, I knew I had to change that!

So today, I have asked her to be my Mother as she is for the Church. I told her some of my needs that I have, and she has already provided them!!!

Then I asked for her to guide me on tonight's radio program. Well, she has already answered that too!

Just a few min. ago, Marcus Grodi sent me an email and said that we would do it on 1 Cor. 1:10-17. Our Mother really is looking out for her people and her Church!!!

www.deepinscripture.com

Deep in Scripture Radio

I just wanted to let you all know (most of you already know) that this Wed. I am going to be on EWTN radio from 9-10pm. I have gotten some emails asking what station it is going to be on. And if you go to this link you will see what station it is on in your area: http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm

And if you can't get it in your area, you can then listen to it online at: http://viewers.multicastmedia.com/viewer/viewerframes_parent.asp?b=&p=&networkID=3001833&WMP=1&WMPv=7&RPIE=0&RPNAV=0

Marcus Grodi and I will be going over the passage from 1 Cor. 13 (Love).

I went to Court

So today I went to court and I am really thankful that I did! I ended up getting my speeding ticket reduced to a minor traffic violation (means it won't go on insurance), and all I have to do is 24 hours of community service.

I am thankful!!!

Court tomorrow

So I have to go to court tomorrow in Sussex, VA for a speeding ticket. This should be fun. I miss all of my classes because I only have Tuesday and Thursday classes, and I have no money.

I am wondering if he will bargain with me and let me spend one night in jail and drop the charges?

New Leadership for Catholics at Liberty

Well, it is official I have stepped down from the leadership position with the Catholics at Liberty. It was really hard for me to do, because I have done so much with it. But I realized that God has blessed me with allowing me to be a part of this ministry. And now it is time for me to step down so that He can bless someone else with this ministry. Bellow is the letter I sent to the Catholic students at Liberty University:
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May the peace of the Lord be with you all!

This will be the last email you will receive from me. I am stepping down as leader from this group and Maria is taking over! We are still looking for more leadership to step up to the plate and take charge!

This May I will be graduating and I need to focus on my studies. I, along with over 60 people (from all over the country) have been praying for all of you during this school year! I now ask for your prayers, as I am in the final stages of applying for the priesthood with the Arch-diocese of Cincinnati. And of course you all will always remain in mine!

I have attached a 1 page article that I would like for you all to read, so that you know how and why this group got started: http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-catholics-at-liberty-got-started.html

With that said, I am still going to be offering rides to mass for anyone that needs a ride. The main purpose of this group is to make sure that the Catholics at Liberty have the chance of receiving the Sacraments.

The dinners on Wed. nights will still be going on (EVERY WED.) throughout the semester. We have them at Doc's Diner at 8 pm. This Wed. night we will have our BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for the birthdays in January! Please come and join us!

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

update from Liberty

Greetings everyone!

I hope that all is well with you, and that you are safe from all of the snow storms!

This past week was a tough week for me, but it was for the best. I have officially stepped down from the leadership of the Catholics at Liberty and Maria (sophomore) is taking over. Hopefully real soon we can get the constitution finished. It has been hard to step down, but it is for the best!

We had the usual dinner this past Wed. night, and then on Thurs. a small group of us did a Bible study. We did it on how to interpret the Scriptures and it is setting the foundation for the rest of our study.

This weekend, I was supposed to go to Greenville, SC with some friends, but I forgot I was going to help Deacon Cartwright with prison ministry. So I ended up staying behind and helping him on Saturday night. It was a true blessing!!! For more about how the prison ministry went, you can go to: http://christopherosgood.blogspot.com/2009/02/prison-ministry.html

Today, I went to mass with a girl from Randolph College, and then I ended up going to three different parties tonight for the big game! It was amazing to see hardly anyone on the roads during the game. Well, I am off to bed, but instead of a picture, here is a really good video I found on a blog today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qj3nWy7HMs&eurl=http://www.americanpapist.com/blog.html&feature=player_embedded

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• A student who is trying to get back together with his ex fiancé
  
• Josh and Katie's newborn son
  
• Myself with trying to find a job
  
• No update on Trish yet with her child. But please keep praying.

In Christ,
Chris Osgood

Prison Ministry

Last night I went with Deacon Cartwright to help with out with his prison ministry. I really didn't know what to expect. Everyone has their own impression of inmates and most people get really nervous and scared. And unfortunately, I had that same thought, going into the prison.

However, when I walked into the room (where the service was going to be), they looked like normal people. Here I thought that I was going to be seeing guys that didn't look human (I have no idea why I thought that), but instead I saw the most kindest and loving people I have ever met.

During the entire service, I was just thinking to myself, these guys are just like many of the people I know and myself. How could they be in prison?

Just watching these men throughout the service, I couldn't believe how serious they take their faith. They would sing with their whole hearts, read the Gospel with such power, and when they received the Eucharist, WOW!!!

As I watched them receive the Eucharist with such humility, I saw a few men start crying, and it brought tears to my eyes. These men GET IT! They understand that it really is Christ in the Eucharist.

It made me sad to think about how much we take for granted. We have freedom, we are able to receive the Eucharist, Confession and much more! But these men, they only get the Sacraments if someone is able to go and give it to them. When they receive the Eucharist, they don't take it for granted, but instead Cherish it!

I heard one man pray for his sister and her new baby. It was really hard for me to hear that prayer request. My niece is only 1 year old, and it would kill me to know that I couldn't see her. In fact it does kill me inside because I am over 400 miles from her.

Yes, these men have made some mistakes in their lives, but so have we. The only thing that separates us, is they got caught and we didn't.

In Christ,
Chris Osgood