LMU Students

“If Not You Then Who?”

Coming to a Jesuit University, doing service is not required but most are eager to jump in a help those in need or just live in solidarity with others by having an open mind and a kind heart.

 

Upon coming to Loyola Marymount, one of the first clubs I joined was Christian Life Community, CLC. As the weeks progressed, I stepped up and was soon honored as Co-Service Chair of CLC. Taking on this responsibility meant to plan with a committee all the service that CLC would be involved in here on and off campus. One great trip we do each week is go to Marycrest.

 

Marycrest is an elderly home for women. We as students go to mingle with the ladies by playing games and talking with them. Giving a person the time of day can go a long way. One thing that touched me the most was how I could talk to a woman for about an hour and then as I leave she tells me that she is proud of me. Something so simple and especially from a stranger was so touching because honestly she did not know me besides where I go to school and that I am a business major. As I reflect with meditations and examines, I realize that it is deeper than just the surface. Now that I am older, people can see me for who I really am with a single conversation. It is not judgment but acceptance. The people that care to hear me talk whether it is in CLC, in my dorm, or even on an LMU tour care to hear me for who I am, a man with and for others.

 

As I branch out, I discover more service sites in which I can have diversity and one that I cherished this past week was going to Verbum Dei High School in Watts, CA. I traveled with a Service Group called “Magis” meaning to do more to this high school to help tutor some kids on a Saturday morning. To my surprise, this was a Jesuit High School. I felt at home again because I too come from a Jesuit High School. So I sat down with a student by the name of Niggi and we got to work on Ethics and Decisions of St. Ignatius. I found this subject very intriguing and learned so much from this young man. As we all sat there as a group of 20 guys, we talked about school, sports and girls. Some of the students told us that they wanted a better education and that they were going to work hard and be great student-athletes. They said that they see the older kids fail and get kicked off sports teams and they want to change that for the generations to come. We kept talking and one of the students said that he had hoped of attending Loyola Marymount one day and maybe being a lawyer to make the big bucks. Then I asked him what are you going to do with the money and what he said shocked me. Even though these students were 3 years younger than me, they had hopes of helping their families by buying their moms houses, giving money back to their school and helping the community out.

 

This was great and all it took was waking up early on a Saturday morning to help some kids study for class. Serving the community around us is a real eye opener. We really do not understand what a great impact we make on some people. All it takes is one spark and then a chain of service or hope can change the world for the better. A great Quote we adapted in CLC this week was “If Not You, Then Who?” This is true to the heart when I say step up and it will change you for the better, be called to serve. 

 

- Bryan

First Year Retreat

The state of mind that retreats bring to me are beyond my normal self, it was the sense of being more of a person that I usually am. Trying to be more open, more encouraging, and more loving is all the thoughts that run through my mind as I try to be in this “retreat mode”.  The rush of the spirit hits me when I think about retreats in my past. I usually go into retreats with heavy weights on my shoulders with all of these thoughts on my mind that I struggle to express. As the retreat progresses, my tension and struggles slowly goes away and I feel free and more open to talk freely about my problems because I realize that I am not alone and others my age struggle just like I do. As the retreats come to a close, my tension is gone and I feel like I can fly figuratively. The idea of being on a cloud is what goes on in my mind.

            This was one of the reasons why I chose to go to LMU too. I loved going on retreats in high school and also being active in my faith. The Jesuit Traditions and meditations really help people reflect and care about the whole person. It gave me a greater purpose to work and strive for in my life as a leader. I slowly learn different perspectives of life through others and myself.  I picture life like a painting and all the strokes are the activities that I do. Retreats are at least half of my painting in the fact that they are major in my life and I always live it up to the best of my ability whether I am a student participant or a group leader.