Rev. Nate Wills, C.S.C., ’99, ’03 M.Ed., ’05 M.Div.
Three simple words. That’s all it took for Rev. Nate Wills, C.S.C., ’99, ’03 M.Ed., ’05 M.Div., to unlock the power of belonging and togetherness on his first player walk as Notre Dame football team chaplain.
“I have to admit that the first time I did it, I was pretty nervous. I felt like an outsider. Who was I to be joining in this parade of jubilation? As the team walked in front of the Hesburgh Library, they split into two groups around the reflecting pool. Some went to the left, and others went to the right. I could see ahead and each person seemed to know right where to go. Except me. I must have shown this mix of doubt and panic on my face because one of our coaches looked at me and said three simple words:
“’You’re with us.’”
In this Advent season, we celebrate Jesus being born into the world because God loved us so much that he even wanted to share in our humanity, to be with us. Through our baptism, we’re adopted into the Christian family essentially given that same promise by our loving God: “You’re with us.”
We’re one with him and we anticipate the coming of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, anew this Advent season. Even though it can sometimes feel otherwise, we always belong to the Christian family into which we have been adopted.
We never walk alone. We’re with him, and he’s with us.
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Thank you Father Wills ” Your With Us” was very instrumental- Like the lore of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – Famine, Pestilence, Destruction and Death aliases. The Advent season reminds me of those open doors of hope that our lives need each day and serving others to give them hope. Hope, Peace, Joy and Love can be our greatest four gifts during this Advent time. Keeping them in our everyday lives will propel our Notre Dame family/ own family to victory in this holy season .
Amen! He is with us.
I’m so grateful for it.
A perfect reminder for the start of Advent! Thank you, Father Wills, for sharing these encouraging words.
Thanks for reminding me that I too belong….
Thank you, Father Nate. You’re with us! We are all part of the Notre Dame family. We belong to each other. It’s the definition of kinship.
Thanks, Father. “You’re with us” goes right to the instinctual survival need to identify with a pack, a people, a team. I pray that the temptation to turn that need for inclusion into inter- and intra-species polarization, scapegoating, and discrimination can br replaced with cosmopolitan inclusion in recognizing the universal Word. Peace.
Thank you Father Nate ! 🙏Your message is one will guide me in my advent Journey one with us! I loved your Video it touched my Heart and will remind me that Faith Joy and Love will Cary me through this beautiful time of year !
God Bless you Father !
Just a great message! “You’re with us!” Emmanuel, God is with us!
What a wonderful story Father and thank you very much for sharing it.
“You’re with us”
Such great comfort is provided in realizing that God is always with us in our hearts, minds and spirits! Every minute of every day. Let’s pray for the grace to keep on holding that fact, throughout all the challenges of our lives.
And… as an added bonus, the essence of the Notre Dame community is that we’re all joined by a common bond and as a result, will never be without that human connection.
Peace
Great story Father. Thank you.
Yes, He is with us! Let us be with him!
Our world needs your message.
Thank you, Fr. Wills! Thank you, ND! Waiting with ND’s Sacred Stories is a wonderful, prayerful Advent tradition. Thank you for this gift. You’re with us.
Just a wonderful memory and example for all of us – both as the person walking an unknown path, and as one who knows the way to lead others . I’m so grateful Jesus is always there to lead us – and thank you Father for sharing such a great example of walking our faith together.
Fr. Nate: That was so inspirational especially during this Advent season. It’s always wonderful to feel included and that coach’s words were kind and accepting. To that’s part of what Notre Dame is all about. Thanks for sharing that story.
Way to go Father Nate❗️
Thank you
ND ‘72
Thank you Father
Emmanuel, God is with us allow us to face all that may come our way. May we share this sense of strength and confidence with all whom we are blessed to interact….let us reach out to all who walk with us by assuring them “You are with us.”
Peace and God’s Blesssings
Fr. Nate
I shared your Advent story with my middle school Science classes today. I have never experienced them so quiet. Your sharing hit home for many of them and it was a springboard to praying for family, friends and those in need of a smile or encouraging word
Thank you for your heartfelt sharing.
Blessings on your Advent
Great story Father Nate. “You’re with us” says so much about the Spirit of Community that is the essence of Notre Dame and so fitting for beginning of Advent
Touchdown, Father!
“Ÿou’re with us”is the mantra all we Domers have, both in our Faith, each other, and yes….our Team.
God Bless us all.
Thank you for a beautiful story! It moistened my eyes.
Fr. Nate, We’re so lucky to have you around our students. This is a fantastic message for us today. Thank you so much.
“He” certainly is, and a little reminder is always helpful. Thank you for your words of inspiration. What a beautiful message as we begin Advent. Go Irish!
To which Jesus will ALWAYS reply, “I’m with you, too.
What a great response. I am Sean Lynch’s Mom – and we were privileged to attend your ordination at the Basilica. You’ve done well.
Great to see you, Nate! I shared your reflection with Cara, who happened to be over when it appeared in my messages. Kevin lived in Keough from 2000-2004. It would have been nice if you had been his rector then.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Go Irish! Skol Vikings!
God will always be with you when you have NOTRE DAME in your heart.
“You’re with us”…and “us” is Notre Dame!
Thank you. We are each in one another; as it seems science(especially physics) and spirituality are converging to tell us. We are All One in Another. Peace,