It is 6 p.m. and music can be heard at Elmwood Avenue on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus. Listening more attentively, it is evident it is coming from the well-lit Newman Center. Peering in the many windows of this rather small structure, it becomes even more obvious that a crowd of students and Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are already practicing for the 7 p.m. Eucharist.
Yes, we were invited here on Sunday, February 23, 2014 to pray and sing with the students. Indeed, we couldn’t have warmed-up with a better choir. This was a group that likes to sing.
During our evening visit, we also noted that Father Jason Blahnik likes to position himself at the front door before and after Mass despite the 
cold temperatures. No one leaves this place without a warm greeting and an invitation to come back for any one of the activities offered throughout the week.
In addition to meeting many students after Mass over convent-made chocolate chip cookies, we were pleasantly surprised that one young woman signed up for Camp Franciscan right on the spot and is inviting her friend. (If you haven’t heard of Camp Franciscan, you might want to click here and send in your registration ASAP!)
Music outreach to college and universities this semester is a great inspiration. We are grateful for this invitation and more experiences like it.
