# Beyond the pew
*2017-03-01*

> Bill Young discusses the importance of moving beyond a routine Sunday Mass experience to develop a deeper, daily relationship with the Holy Trinity through retreats, conferences, and intentional prayer.

## Breaking the Routine

Many of us fall into a comfort zone at church, sitting in the same spot every Sunday and following the same routine. While attending Mass is essential, God wants a relationship with us every day, not just on Sundays or Wednesdays. He wants to be part of our entire lives. I recently had a conversation with a friend who suggested that the time parents spend waiting in their cars during their children's CCD classes could be a wonderful opportunity for prayer. It is about finding those pockets of time in our busy schedules to talk to God.

## The Value of Spiritual Retreats

Stepping out of our comfort zone often means attending conferences and retreats. I have found great spiritual growth attending the Marian conference at Ave Maria University and the annual men's conference locally. These events provide a powerful environment for growth. For instance, through these experiences, I discovered the '33 Days of Morning Glory' retreat. It is a beautiful concentration on our Mother Mary that you can even do as a self-retreat. I personally felt it made me a better person, and I encourage others to seek out these opportunities to grow spiritually.

## Building Community in the Church

One of the greatest things I did at the Marian conference was purposely sitting in a different location at every meal to meet new people. We should try to bring that same spirit to our local parishes. Sometimes we feel lonely in our faith, thinking we are the only ones striving for spiritual health. I've noticed that in the past, especially when my son was in preschool, there was more conversation and community in the church. We need to do a better job of communicating and connecting with one another rather than just rushing out the door after Mass.

## Prayer as a Weapon Against Evil

Prayer is our primary way to conquer evil with good. In a world where we see mass murders and tragedy every day, we must pray for the sake of humanity. I believe in the importance of the Rosary, confession, and attending Mass, as emphasized by the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. We should also pray for our country, our youth, our priests, our bishops, and Pope Francis. Even in secular environments, like public schools where mentioning God can be difficult, we must remember that we have the freedom to pray and maintain our communication with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*To grow in faith, we must move beyond the routine of the pew and intentionally seek a daily, active relationship with God and the community of believers.*