Monday, January 31, 2005
47 + 1 day
Day off- total recovery day. At day’s end, originally turned down an dinner invitation, thought better of it, and out we go.  Each evening of my 48th year needs to be productive- social, home cleaning, book writing, virtual homework, parish youth ministry… I’m going keep going this year!!!  << Friends + Family >>

 

  Sunday, January 30, 2005
47
The birthday began early in the morning in a karaoke bar that in previous nights had seemed to attract transvestites, bikers, and the suited after-office crowd.  "You make me feel like dancing" was the group song and we did.  A run to the wine crowd (Most older than my own spry 47 had found that the night had already claimed them.  Four wondrous hours of nap and then off to the airport. A tearful meltdown by a diocesan director who was iced in at the airport overnight had disrupted by introvert travel time.  Wile ice storms had disrupted many, my direct flight from Savannah to Dulles actually arrived 20 minutes early.  Trudge off to the satellite parking, scrape off the windows, and then a relaxing early Sunday afternoon ride home with gentle snowfall swirling all around.  Home to a considerable pick-up around the place (ah, just like the old days!), a lite nap, and then off to colleges with left-over dorm room move-in materials.  << Friends + Family >>

  Friday, January 28, 2005
THE RESEARCH
If youth ministry is to be about the adventure, we somehow missed that connection this day.  SIGH! << Youth Ministry Stuff >>

 

  Thursday, January 27, 2005
THE BRIDGE CLUB
There is an informal group of young adults who are the bridge to the present energy and the future success of the field.  Only formal role is mine- I serve as the "faculty advisor and bail bondsman" for the group. In reality, I am a immense fan and attempt to cheerlead as much as possible.  This group has  "fuego"  Nonetheless, I missed the traditional piano bar run as I was feeling a little dizzy, in need of a nap, and had on-line homework to toss in. << Friends + Family >>

  Wednesday, January 26, 2005
THE MEETING(S)
The annual membership meeting is engaged and underway. The schedule for me is a little kinder and gentler. I have abandoned the need to be present in all corners with all people.  If this is truly a membership-driven organization… the members will work it all out.  << Work Day >>

  Tuesday, January 25, 2005
THE ADVENTURE
Coming into Savannah yesterday on the plane, I again am aware that the evangelization and catechesis involved for faith formation and discipleship must involve the "selling" of the adventure. Meanwhile, the adventure today involves doing homework on-line from a hotel room, watching "24" on Fox, and calling it an early night. << Work Day >>

 

  Monday, January 24, 2005
PRO-LIFE
Today many gather in a very chilly Washington DC to make a statement for life.  Today I load up out of Dulles to find my way towards the annual membership meeting of the NCCYM.  I will be working throughout this week to find life as well!  This is always a good crowd for that sort of thing! << Youth Ministry Stuff >>

 

  Sunday, January 23, 2005
DISCERNMENT
I joked with retreat leaders Jenny and Steve Angrisano that I was hoping for a silent retreat, but I did almost accomplish that.  The gentle snowfall of Saturday allowed for a peace that was welcomed. The passion and harmony of the retreat leaders also allowed me to direct their questions towards myself and where I am in this world, in this church, in my own skin. It was all good stuff. << Friends + Family >>

 

  Saturday, January 22, 2005
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY GET A LIFE!!!
"LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Conservative Christian groups accuse the makers of a video starring SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney and a host of other cartoon characters of promoting homosexuality to children.
    The wacky square yellow SpongeBob is one of the stars of a music video due to be sent to 61,000 U.S. schools in March. The makers — the nonprofit We Are Family Foundation — say the video is designed to encourage tolerance and diversity.
    But at least two Christian activist groups say the innocent cartoon characters are being exploited to promote the acceptance of homosexuality.
    "A short step beneath the surface reveals that one of the differences being celebrated is homosexuality," wrote Ed Vitagliano in an article for the American Family Association.
    The video is a remake of the 1979 hit song "We Are Family" using the voices and images of SpongeBob, Barney, Winnie the Pooh, Bob the Builder, the Rugrats and other TV cartoon characters. It was made by a foundation set up by songwriter Nile Rodgers after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in an effort to promote healing.
    Christian groups however have taken exception to the tolerance pledge on the foundation’s Web site, which asks people to respect the sexual identity of others along with their abilities, beliefs, culture and race.
    "Their inclusion of the reference to ’sexual identity" within their ‘tolerance pledge’ is not only unnecessary, but it crosses a moral line," James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said in a statement released Thursday.
    Rodgers said he was astounded by the attack.
    "That is so myopic and harsh," he told Reuters. "You have really got to look hard to find anything in this that is offensive to anyone. The last thing I am going to do is taint these characters."
    Dobson was quoted by the New York Times on Thursday as having singled out the wildly popular SpongeBob during remarks about the video at dinner this week in Washington, D.C.
    SpongeBob, who lives in a pineapple under the sea, was "outed" by the U.S. media in 2002 after reports that the TV show and its merchandise are popular with gays. His creator, Stephen Hillenburg, said at the time that though SpongeBob was an oddball, he thought of all the characters in the show as asexual."
Kinda makes you wonder ’bout Darth Tater, don’t it???  << Culture >>

 

  Friday, January 21, 2005
I SURRENDER
Leaving for retreat tonight recognizing that I have not been on a personal retreat (that I wasn’t leading or co-leading) in like. . .  forever!  I am looking forward to some better space for myself. << Work Day >>

 

  Thursday, January 20, 2005
TRUE MINISTRY
First, it was a joke from Mikey’s Funnies. Then, it was a gentle life lesson for a friend who would cast me in the movie of her life as  Bradley Whitford (OK, yes, I still have issues with this! How ’bout Rob Morrow???) Now, I am convinced that it is also about ministry, sharing, and mentoring.  Here goes…
    When Albert Einstein was making the rounds of the speaker’s circuit, he usually found himself eagerly longing to get back to his laboratory work. One night as they were driving to yet another rubber-chicken dinner, Einstein mentioned to his chauffeur (a man who somewhat resembled Einstein in looks and manner) that he was tired of speechmaking.
    "I have an idea, boss," his chauffeur said. "I’ve heard you give this speech so many times. I’ll bet I could give it for you."
    Einstein laughed loudly and said, "Why not? Let’s do it!"
    When they arrived at the dinner, Einstein donned the chauffeur’s cap and jacket and sat in the back of the room. The chauffeur gave a beautiful rendition of Einstein’s speech and even answered a few questions expertly.
    Then a supremely pompous professor asked an extremely esoteric question about anti-matter formation, digressing here and there to let everyone in the audience know that he was nobody’s fool.
    Without missing a beat, the chauffeur fixed the professor with a steely stare and said, "Sir, the answer to that question is so simple that I will let my chauffeur, who is sitting in the back, answer it for me." << Funny Business >>

 

. Wednesday, January 19, 2005
CONTINUED PROOF THAT GEORGE LUCAS IS A GENIUS
Hasbro announces the release, next month, of its latest Mr. Potato Head figure, Darth Tater.  I can well imagine that by April, if you visited ten youth ministers’ offices, at least two of those office will have this figure.  I know that my own will. << Culture >>

 

  Tuesday, January 18, 2005
GOD BLESS FR. PETER DALY. . .
. . .who is a syndicated columnist for Catholic News Service and wrote the following about his experience of NCCYM. The headline was "New Kinds of Vocations."
                From the overhead "sky walks," the cavernous central hall of the Pittsburgh convention center looked full. Inside there were more than 2,000 people at round tables, ready to sing morning prayer. Everyone sang.
                After the prayer, Brian Johnson, director of the youth ministry office for the diocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas, got up to address the National Conference of Catholic Youth Ministry.
                Half singing and half preaching, he soon had us all on our feet — praising, clapping and cheering for the power of God. "I feel Jesus in the air, somewhere over me," he sang. We answered, "That’s right."
                An observer who missed the sign at the door might have been forgiven for thinking this was a Baptist revival. At one point, wiping his sweating brow with a huge white hankie, Johnson declared with a grin, "Yes, I am a Catholic."
                His style might have been Baptist revival, but his message was all Catholic. God still reigns. Despite all our difficulties, the church still lives.
                His message lifted us up. It was a moment of grace.
                During his message (“speech” does not do it justice) I looked around the hall. There were more than 2,000 in attendance at this convention for Catholic youth ministers. Almost none were ordained clergy. At one point a speaker asked all lay ministers to stand and clergy to be seated. Almost everyone remained standing.
                The people were young and energetic. When the music came on, they got up and danced.
                Most of these people work in low-paying jobs in dioceses and parishes. Most are married. Many have young children. They have given their lives in service to the church. They are pied pipers of God. They teach religious education classes, coordinate youth groups, organize young-adult programs and lead choirs. They also organize summer work camps and retreats, youth rallies and pilgrimages.
                Looking at this convention in Pittsburgh, I had a sort of epiphany. "Here they are!" I thought. "Here are the vocations of the church."
                Thirty years ago many of these people might have entered religious life as sisters and brothers. The men might have been ordained priests. But vocations have in many cases "morphed," as youths say, into a new form.
                They no longer are entering religious orders. No longer are they going to teach in Catholic schools. Many do not want to be celibate. But they definitely do want to serve the church.
                Besides the youth ministers there were several hundred other presenters and vendors. They also serve the church with incredible talent. People like Patrick Donovan from the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., who taught us how to use film to reach youth in religious education. Women like Lisa Calderone-Stewart from Milwaukee who told us how to reach the hardest group of all, middle-schoolers, with Christ’s life-changing message.
                In the vendors’ hall there were Catholic musicians, comedians, publishers, recording artists and motivational speakers. There were people who organize faith-based work camps and Catholic concerts and plays. There were publishers of Catholic "youth Bibles" and makers of Catholic T-shirts and baseball caps.
                There were many gifts, but the same spirit.
                Somehow, under the call of the Holy Spirit the style and form of the religious vocation has changed in the last 35 years. But there are still thousands of workers in the vineyard. There are still many people to serve the church.
                Anyone who doesn’t think so, should go to the next conference on Catholic youth ministry. It will lift your spirits and restore your faith.  << Youth Ministry Stuff >>

 

  Monday, January 17, 2005 (Martin Luther King Day)
THE LAUNDRY HOLIDAY
In this BLOG on Catholic Youth Ministry, my view from my corner of the field was limited to laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning.  The kids come home tomorrow and the focus goes about as far as the front door this day. << Friends + Family >>

  Sunday, January 16, 2005
CARE PACKAGES
Went out to BJ’s Warehouse today and stocked up for the new semester for the older kids- water, juice, soap, shampoo – which will accompany Christmas presents of dishes, towels, etc., etc. Ya’ know- just trying to show a little love for the college students.  Textbooks are next.  I have two on-line classes this semester and went out to buy new underwear for the semester as I often proudly say that I like to go to my virtual classes in my underwear.   << Friends + Family >>

  Saturday, January 15, 2005
NUMBER CRUNCHING
Wrapped up the bulk of NCCYM evaluations today. There is the set of 212 in hand and another set of probably 30 more from which I’ll add those numbers on Tuesday before forwarding to the task group.  It seems as if the there is much more in written comments this conference- especially about stuff that I could not control (ATM’s at the conference center) or opted not to control due to budget (food and water on site).  The most interesting was from this woman who was a last-minute substitute for a participant who could not attend.  She commented that too many of our youth ministers were talking about drinking and that surprised her.  What shocked her is that many of the participants were talking about their relationships as well and she found them to be involved in immoral choices.  While I appreciate each and every evaluation of the conference experience, how exactly am I , are we, supposed to respond to this one???? << Work Day >>

 

  Friday, January 14, 2005
FOUR CHAPTERS DOWN- AVIATOR FLYING ALONG
Four chapters have been forwarded the to lovely editor.  Goal for the weekend is two more for Saturday, and, at least, one each for Sunday and Martin Luther King day.  I’m feeling rested, good, and productive.  The game is one.  Would like too have an edited first draft as on Thursday, January 20, just to inaugurate in another term of ministry and life. << Work Day >>

 

  Thursday, January 13, 2005
MONA LISA SMILE
I viewed this going into it thinking that this was the chick version of Dead Poets’ Society.  Instead, I get a  treatise on seeking and finding personal happiness (which, when you think about it is also what DPS is also about. HMMMM, the good news is that I continue to make some quiet little choices for health and happiness.  The secret or science of happiness is headlined on the cover of Time magazine this week. A quick survey within indicates that I just might be slightly happy. It must still be that Bradley Whitford thing, don’t you think?? << Culture >>

 

  Wednesday, January 12, 2005
CIRCLES
The office today started its work within work circles.  My recurring mental theme song is from the late, great Harry Chapin:

All my life’s a circle; Sunrise and sundown; Moon rolls thru the nighttime; Till the daybreak comes around.
All my life’s a circle; But I can’t tell you why; Season’s spinning round again; The years keep rollin’ by.
It seems like I’ve been here before; I can’t remember when; But I have this funny feeling; That we’ll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life; And all my roads have bends; There’s no clear-cut beginnings; And so far no dead-ends. << Culture >>

 

  Tuesday, January 11, 2005
THE AVIATOR AND THE EDITOR
A friend has agreed to serve as the first eyes and the red (or green or purple) pen for a writing project  that has been in extensive draft form for months.  Tomorrow, I hope to send off two chapters.  The effort to complete the project will necessitate some serious commitment.  I aspire to a total lock-down, so much so, I am considering obtaining milk bottles like Howard Hughes in his later years.  << Friends + Family >>

  Tuesday, January 11, 2005
THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
A friends last night decided to cast her life as a Hollywood blockbuster (which, of course, it would be!)  Anyway, it has been determined that playing the role of me would be Bradley Whitford who plays Josh Lyman on West Wing.  At first, I was slightly bemused and a little complemented. Now, after further thought, I am disappointed that it wasn’t a Matthew Fox from Lost.   Clearly, I need a better agent in my friends’ imaginations. << Friends + Family >>

  Monday, January 10, 2005
NOTES ON CHRISTIAN DATING
TOP TEN CHRISTIAN PICK-UP LINES from www.MikeysFunnies.com
10. "I just don’t feel called to celibacy."
9. "Did I tell you that my great-uncle was a personal friend of Billy Graham?"
8. "I don’t see it myself, but people tell me I look like Michael W. Smith."
7. "What do you think Paul meant when he said, ‘Greet everyone with a holy kiss’?"
6. "You have the body of Amy Grant and the soul of Mother Teresa." (DO NOT get this confused!)
5. "You know, I’m really into relationship evangelism."
4. "I’m pretty flexible–I don’t think a woman should be submissive on the first date."
3. "Before tonight, I never believed in predestination…"
2. "Just looking at you makes me feel all ecumenical."
1. "I hear there’s going to be a love offering tonight."
and then there is this. . . As reported in the 12/23/04 e-newsletter Rude Awaking and placed on Brother Blue’s site: SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I’m a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I’ll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I’m yours.  Call 555-555-5555 and ask for Daisy.  Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about an 8-week old black Labrador retriever << Funny Business >>

  Sunday, January 9, 2005
TIRED OF ME
All right, I have been taking a lead role with the Middle School AYM for two-and-a-half years.  Yesterday, as I was working the issue of media awareness with about 70 kids, I saw it both in their eyes as well as well as inside my own heart a little bit.  It was the "Hey, we are both a little tired of each other, aren’t we" moment.  Time to give each other a break.  We need to begin planning for that. << Parish >>

 

  Friday, January 7, 2005
THE FIRST THING TO DO IS ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
All right, I have always had this preference for technology but have always thought that I was avoiding the image of a geek.  Today completely eradicated that!  Forced to work at home due to a minor family thing (lost key) and an oil change appointment, I found myself living the life of a techno-geek.  There I was, developing a web page on the tsunami (surfing the web for resources while also checking to see if our compatriot national programs had done much of anything yet), developing a broadcast e-mail to the field, cell calling a partner whose web site is down (and basically saying, "Yo, dude, you’re site’s down. . . What’s up wit dat??"); and swapping drafts of all my work by e-mail today.  While I have concerns regarding the techno-geekiness of this all, the sign that there is an issue here is that I am now blogging about it all.   << Work Day >>

 

  Wednesday, January 5, 2005
DISCERNMENT
Ah, the benefits of on-line journaling/ blogging. Trying to figure a little something out today and trying to discreetly write about it as well.  It was during this that I figured out that I had one e-mail, a phone call, another phone call, a third phone call, .and a fourth call today. . .each asking a question but not answering MY question – perhaps it is time to ask it. << Work Day >>

 

  Tuesday, January 4, 2005
INSPIRATIONAL, HUH?
Second work day of the new year- actually went to work. . . inspirational, huh??  Still unpacking the NCCYM- just didn’t have all that many days in the office in December.  AYM is looking at media awareness this month. Back into the full swing- 2005… here we go. << Work Day >>

 

  Monday, January 3, 2005
WAY TO PACE YOURSELF
First work day of the new year- took it off.  << Work Day >>

  Sunday, January 2, 2005
Jesus Christ Superstar
Took the kids to a Broadway touring company production of Superstar last night-  Probably the fourth time that I’ve seen it- maybe the second or third for the kids.  The company had the feel of a street gang that was in occasional rumbles as they invaded the turf of the Temple. Even Herod’s comedy piece "So you are the Christ" took on the feeling of Guys and Dolls.  The scourging had a great special effect where the actors whipped themselves towards Jesus after having dipped their hands into red paint. They would leave red stripes-streaks on the body of the Christ character.  It also left the actors red-handed afterwards. Nice touch.  The only frustration was during the curtain call, both Jesus and Judas did that finger-point-salute that actors do. It called to mind Buddy Jesus from the movie Dogma.  << Culture >>

 

  Saturday, January 1, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Someone please help me understand a holiday which should commemorate change, opportunity, and hopefulness but also starts you off tired, hung-over, and depressed.  On the flip-side of that, I woke up this morning rested, clear-headed, and good to go.  The kids are slow moving, however.  << Friends + Family >>