December 2005 (4.5 MB pdf) - John Paul II Bible School

A New Beginning
When you first enter into the
community of the John Paul II
Bible School, you feel as
though you have entered into
an alternate universe. I have
wanted to attend this school
for several years and some­
times I still have to pinch
myself to make sure I am
not dreaming. I am really
here!
Once you get past the awkward first
day, you realize that you have joined a commu­
nity full of joyful, caring and godly people.
Christ’s love is present here. And though it is hard
to get to know forty new people, community life
grows on you. I now have twelve brothers in
Christ and twenty seven sisters(and that’s just the
students!). The school attracts students from all
around the world; I have classmates from New
Zealand, Scotland, the United States and various
parts of Canada.
In the past two months, we have heard each
others’ testimonies and taken classes on topics
such as purity, faith, charisms and the lit­
urgy. These classes are so crucial
for the foundation of our
faith. They have given
me great insight into
what I believe and why.
Although it is how
the year could seem,
life here is not perfect.
Living in community
definitely has it’s
struggles. We are of­
ten reminded to
stretch and grow, even
when we do not particularly feel like stretching.
We are told “Obedience is the route to holiness”
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A New Start in Life
Michelle Gallant
and that is what I have to remember when I am
dragging myself out of bed in the morning. I also
find it hard to deal with the lack of privacy that
comes with living with so many people. However
that is all part of the growing process.
I came to Bible School straight from high school.
I was a shy Christian struggling in a secular world.
I have found that this is the safest place to
open up and not be judged for it.
Here I know I am loved – first
by God and secondly by the
people He has brought into
my life by being here. I
have changed so much in
the past few months. I
can not wait to see
what the rest of the
year will bring.