“I feel renewed.” “I’m inspired and refreshed.” “It was an amazing day for me and my family.”
In the hours – and days – after The FEST, we hear, read and receive so many comments from hundreds and hundreds of people who were there. People share how they feel energized and renewed in their faith. I hope and pray the same for you and your family/friends.
As God ‘lifts us up’… and ‘raises us up’… and fills us with the Holy Spirit, we need to go forth from The FEST not only ‘renewed’ but also commissioned to continue the work of the Lord. We need to leave The FEST committed to lifting up and raising up others in all their moments of need. We need to be the hands, feet and heart of Christ in our world. So…
…Raise your hand…and volunteer…step forward and say ‘yes’ to the call.
…Lend a hand…in service to your neighbor and those in need.
…Give a hand…of friendship, encouragement and support.
…Join your hands in prayer and praise…go to Church, remember those in need in your prayers.
IF…we all do this, then as Christ raises us up and fills our spirit with hope, strength and peace, we will go forth to carry His message to our neighborhoods, homes, community and world.
Thank you for joining us at The FEST. Please take a few minutes to review some ways we can continue to come together and work together in service to the Lord and care for those in need. Pray for the grace to “raise your hand…lend a hand…give a hand.” Together, let’s join our hands in prayer and praise to the Lord.
Father Bob Stec on behalf of The FEST Team.
Holy Moments Bucket List
If you do these thirty things, you’ll have the best month of your life.
1. Mail a handwritten note to someone you care about, telling them how much they mean to you.
2. Write down the story of your life, reflecting on the blessings, difficulties, and incredible plan of God.
3. Leave an encouraging note on a stranger’s windshield.
4. Invite someone lonely over for dinner.
5. Spend one day creating as many Holy Moments as you can.
6. Send flowers to someone to let them know they matter.
7. Ask someone you admire to recommend a life-changing book…and go read it!
8. Practice generosity by leaving a 50% tip.
9. Spend an hour in silence.
10. Apologize to someone and expect nothing in return.
11. Tell someone important that you love them, in a way that they will remember forever.
12. Tell the truth, no matter how convenient it would be to lie.
13. Give someone a book that changed your life.
14. Pray for the person having the hardest day of their life today and then send them a text of love and encouragement.
15. Donate 10 items to charity…including 5 things you’d rather keep for yourself.
16. Go outside, look at the stars, and marvel at the beauty of nature.
17. Create something new–a writing piece, art, woodwork, jewelry, music, dance, scrapbook, or anything else you feel moved to make!
18. Go for a drive and blast your favorite song, immersing yourself in the present moment.
19. Email your supervisor something amazing your co-worker did.
20. Make the world a more beautiful place by picking up litter, planting a tree, or donating to a public park.
21. Write down your dreams for the next month… year…and decade.
22. Bring a card, soup, or a thoughtful gift to someone who is sick.
23. Do something you loved as a child that you haven’t done in a long time.
24. Surprise someone with a care package.
25. Give someone a Holy Moment grant.
26. Make a list of things that scare you. Pick one and, whether it’s running 3 miles or going to the movies alone, show courage and DO IT.
27. Donate as much as you financially can to a cause that you believe will change the world.
28. Make food and give it to someone who is struggling to find their next meal.
29. Make a pilgrimage…whether that means to a local church, a shrine, or a sacred place across the world.
30. Choose a day to just celebrate life–get a cake, decorate, and invite your friends and family.
You can also find more suggestions and ways to create ‘Holy Moments’ by going to: www.dynamiccatholic.com
FEST Outreach
“Raise your Hand…Lend a Hand…Give a Hand” and join us in building a better community and world for all.
Over the years, through The FEST, we have created several outreach programs to help us ‘raise up’ our sisters and brothers in need:
Mission Possible, in our fifteenth year, is our mission outreach to the Dominican Republic. We have constructed over 100 homes, a church, medical center, and three community centers. Our mission teams travel to the Dominican to assist with home construction, repairs, and lead medical and dental brigades to some of the poorest of the poor. There’s a way for everyone to assist and participate. If you have ever thought about a mission trip, raise your hand, and learn more about an upcoming trip. Learn more and get involved at www.missionpossible.us.
OneHopeNEO started at The FEST seven years ago as a way of lifting up neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland through community clean up days. These efforts evolved into supplying gently used winter coats, hats, and gloves. Throughout the pandemic to this day, it now includes providing food for 425 families in the Clark-Fulton-Stockyard neighborhoods each month. OneHope, the new name for all these efforts, also includes working with community and block club leaders to strengthen the neighborhood, along with teen leadership and development. Learn more or sign up at OneHopeNEO.com.
• Help us collect coats for kids in need
• Serve as a mentor to a teen
• Join us for the community clean up day in the Fall.
Talitha Cumi means, “little girl arise.” (Mark 5:41). As Jesus lifted up the young girl and restored her to health, we have been working with TCU India to help raise up young girls (age 13-18) to help them stay in school and break the cycles of poverty and the caste system that often grips their country. In two short years, we’ve already made real inroads and have success stories (Meghana will graduate from Kent State this summer). Learn more about ways you can be involved at www.TCUIndia.com.
The FEST is more than just a day.
It’s a commitment to build up the City of God every day and across the globe. Allow the Lord to call you and lift you up to serving those most in need in these important outreach ministries. You can always find more information by going to: www.theFEST.us/outreach or by contacting Jake Bihari at jake@theFEST.us or Father Bob Stec at frbob@theFEST.us.