‘The first challenge was over activism’

The suffering was a profound frustration with the way I was trying to medicate my life

Published on: 11th October 2012 — 10:03 AM / OBS: North America

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music by: Xx, Gregory Alan Isakov, Efterklang

DENVER, CO, USA — By God’s grace, this mission is often blessed to travel across this great nation in pursuit of the ‘one billion Catholic stories.’ But sometimes our team does not have to go far, just up to the mighty Rocky Mountains. During our adventures in the mountains, the opportunity to encounter apostolates within the Catholic faith often arise. These encounters are filled with grace everytime. Why? Because of people like the man in today’s story. Click play and listen to this three minute story. You will understand why the Catholic faith has a chance to come roaring back in the 21st century. Does the name Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati ring a bell?

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In the proposition of a 21st century life’s journey, how often do we Americans stop to appreciate a physical challenge and adventure? The first obstacle for Father John Nepil’s high school days was in fact over activism, a physical challenge in the Denver Colorado day to day grind; which far too often captures the soul of many Americans, rural and urban. Whether it is band practice, hockey, or the spelling bee in 5th grade, the pursuit of earthly victory often overshadows the race toward eternal victory in the culture. The hustle we find in the 21st century is not a light subject in today’s video. In fact, pursuing everything possible in high school eventually led to burnout, and other extracurricular activities that we shall not mention here, but he does in the video.

Eventually, the burnout in America was too much for this cradle Catholic. Enough was enough, so John Nepil and his friends ‘medicated’ by going outdoors as one option in high school. God’s blessings upon the state of Colorado are often reaped by it’s locals in the high country as we natives call the sacred tundra and crisp treeline (where Deer turn to Elk for all you non-natives). It was here, in mountains similar to the Italian Alps, where Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati ventured, and where Father John Nepil began to find answers to this life’s wild journey on the front line. By the end of this story from Father John Nepil, the essence of adventure is clear, resolute, and addicting, as proven by the crowd on top of Quandary Peak; a Colorado 14er that rises 14,265 feet above sea level.

Why would a group of college students follow a man of faith to the top of a mountain; And a group of CU-Boulder students none the less! A collection of youth eager for life, fun, adventure…and purpose, yes! The images from the video above shed light to that purpose driven college experience that most students miss out on, but which Fr. John is quickly sharing with the JPII generation, and beyond. Watch, listen, and soak in the beauty of creation with Aquinas Alpine and OBS!

OneBillionStories.com Contributor - Seth James DeMoor
@SethJamesDeMoor — 303.709.3804

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READINGS FOR 11th OCTOBER 2012
First: Galatians 3:1-5
Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

ROSARY: LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
1. Baptism in the River Jordan
2. Wedding Feast at Cana
3. Transfiguration
4. Proclamation
5. Institution of the Eucharist

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