Brian Schwartz

At some point, most of us who are active in Via de Cristo have been exposed to the “Essentials,” usually as a list of things that we must do as a part of this movement. And many of us are examining ways to adapt our current practices due to health issues or other societal changes over the years.

Eleventh Day of Lent with Carolyn Witham, Secretary for National Lutheran Secretariat.

One of the most impactful things about my weekend, and probably many of yours as well, was the “Day in the Life” talk that covered Jesus crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

Over the second half of the year last year, I struggled to find my place in this ministry, and how God was calling me to serve him. I spent time in prayer and discussed this with my reunion brother. I couldn’t tell if this uncertainty I felt was a message that God was calling me somewhere else, or if it was the devil shrouding me in doubt. Then the God moment happened.

Save the Date for our NLS Annual Gathering at Texas Lutheran University (TLU) in Seguin, TX from July 21-24, 2022

Obviously all our Secretariats are tracking the latest health information and trying to make plans while adapting to changing conditions. But as we move forward into 2022, I encourage us all to remember that we serve a mighty God. He parted the Red Sea. He sustained His people for 40 years in the Wilderness. He walked on water, raised the dead, healed the lame and the blind. He conquered Death itself!

Top on my mind and my heart right now is the health of our ministry. The Via de Cristo way is built on connections and personal relationships… having weekends, reunion groups, ultreyas. Covid is an evil that looks to disrupt that and isolate us… because as we all know “An isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian.”

2020 has been a year like no other with Covid tearing at the fabric of our ministry.  However, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continues to sustain us even through these tough times.  As long as we continue to put our faith and trust in Him, He will lead us out of the darkness and into a world free from Covid where we can hold weekends, Ultreya’s, and allow God’s love to flow through us with embrazio!

Following the reports from the CDC, I, as your National Via de Cristo Spiritual Director, strongly urge each secretariat to consider canceling gatherings to comply with published recommendations.