Throughout Lent 2025, eight Carroll students are taking turns leading Tuesday evening reflections after Mass at Our Lady of the Valley parish, offering spiritual insights rooted in their personal faith journeys and generational perspectives. The idea was sparked after Fr. Bart Tolleson asked Dr. Eric Hall, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Theology and Catholic Studies, if any of his students might be willing to share during Lent. Dr. Hall gathered several students who regularly engage in meaningful theological conversations during his Friday office hours, and together they developed a plan for the series.
Their reflections center on the spiritual hopes, struggles, and ideals of today’s young adults, with the aim of bridging generational gaps and inviting mutual understanding and prayer. “The goal is to create connection,” said Hall, “reminding us that we are united in Christ, and to offer the parish community someone to pray for as these students begin their journey.”
So far, students Andrew Devine and Celi Chapman have reflected on Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
“I wanted to do this because we don’t often get opportunities to speak and engage with our spiritual elders as much as we’d like when at Carroll. So I’m grateful to OLV for giving me this opportunity. They were very welcoming and appreciative." ~ Andrew Divine, senior, philosophy major, Wasilla, AK
The series will continue throughout Lent, offering a unique exchange of wisdom, faith, and fellowship.
“It was great to get to talk to the parishioners at OLV on Tuesday! The parishioners were so excited to hear from young people about the faith. In my Lenten reflection on Ezekiel 36:26, I’ve been praying about how the Lord desires to give us a heart of flesh—especially through our wounds and sufferings this Lent ... It was fruitful to reflect on something I myself am still wrestling with in this setting of fellowship, and I hope it was fruitful for those listening.” ~ Celi Chapman, sophomore, political science and philosophy major, Clancy, MT