Wednesday, August 31, 2005
HAPPY BLOG DAY
Who knew? In the Spirit of Blog Day, here is my five:
*  Stephanie Klein, young adult living and writing in New York City
*  Gene Monterastelli, Brother Blue/ Nats fan/ sweetheart of a guy
* Mark Oestreicher, Youth Specialties honcho
*  Mike Patin, fellow Arkansasian ambassador and world traveler
*  Ben Wagner, MTV.com guy/ wanna-be rock-’n-roll star  << Blogging >>

AUGUST GOES OUT WITH A WHIMPER
If March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, my August has concluded with a whimper.  I’m out and out tired, it turns out.  I left some delightful company yesterday with a stomach ache, went home in the early afternoon, and promptly slept until the middle of the night.  Woke, watched 90 minutes of late night tv, and fell asleep until mid-morning.  It is now again mid-afternoon and I’m feeling another nap is calling. << Blogging >>

  Monday, August 29, 2005
DEVINE MISS ANNA
Anna Scally was in the area this weekend, bringing wine and joy with her. Of course, Ms. Kristin and her celebrated their reunion in Germany (Click on picture to enlarge) and further conspired on the future of the church.  Be afraid, be very afraid. << Friends & Family >>

  Sunday, August 28, 2005
APeX DAYS
Tonight, the kids were over; consumed a meal at their usual hyper-speed; and then completed their return to college.   The place is a tad emptier as they prepare to resume their school schedules on Wednesday.  Last night was occasion to walk over to the local catholic church (not my parish, however) and see Brad and Gene from APeX Ministries.  Juggling, strait jackets, Christian vaudeville… it doesn’t get much better that these guys.  << Friends & Family >>

  Saturday, August 27, 2005
Roman Catholicism: ‘Hail Mary’ Is More Than a Football Play
Faith is back in the weekly news magazines again as Newsweek has a cover story on Spirituality in America. There is a specific sub-article Roman Catholicism: ‘Hail Mary’ Is More Than a Football Play which specifically examines the student body at Franciscan University. The article states that “as the generation raised under the more orthodox Pope John Paul II comes of age, some young Catholics are searching for a more rigorous form of faith.”  In this article, the marks of this faith that Newsweek uses to distinguish the students at Steubenville include an active prayer life (including reclaiming ancient rituals); moderation in behavioral choices, including those related to drinking and dating; and a sense of continuing conversion which “Franciscan University’s president, Father Terence Henry, says is … "an ongoing experience, a handing over of life more and more to the Lord."
All these are also marks of a maturing young disciple.  In collaboration with the Spirit and the Church, this is our work in Catholic Youth Ministry.  In the cover article, we are reminded that in 1983, the future Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, wrote of the relationship between "personal experience and the common faith of the Church." Both are important, he said: "a dogmatic faith unsupported by personal experience remains empty; mere personal experience unrelated to the faith of the Church remains blind."  The maturing faith of young disciples must be connected to the Church- an important reminder of our roles in relationship to God and Church.  << Youth Ministry Stuff >>

  Friday, August 26, 2005
GENERATE THIS
If I knew what a generator really was, then this would likely make more sense.  What I do know is that the church sign generator is part of this listing of Online Generators and that is cool enough for me! << Funny Business >>

  Thursday, August 25, 2005
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BLOG!
Somewhere in Germany this weekend, the blog passed it’s one year anniversary What a year it has been! << Blogging >>

  Wednesday, August 24, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
IN ALL THINGS MAY GOD BE GLORIFIED
Out of the World Youth Day fires and back into the ArchBalt frying pan.  This afternoon was the instillation of Bishop Madden.  It was a very pleasant, calm, and inspiring ceremony, but difficult of well-traveled bodies.  Had pleasant conversations with Bishops Bennett and Malooly as well. << Church >>

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
A BANNER NIGHT
(Click on pictures to enlarge) I am typing this from over Greenland.  I have attempted to gain Lufthansa’s on-line airline internet access but could not figure it out in my jumbled mind.  I had a full two hours of sleep last night and freely admit to being exhausted.  I was up with some of the older boys on the pilgrimage (names not given to protect the guilty) as we attempted to “liberate” a World Youth Day banner from locations around our hotel.  The easiest one to which we had access was one within a block and low enough to grab.  Unfortunately, we had a noisy neighbor washing his windows supervising our antics as well as a couple in an authorized World Youth Day vehicle necking in the car immediately below the banner.  We gave up defeated.  Victory was had, nonetheless, as a younger, more bolder generation attained TWO banners from one of the bridges that cross the Rhine.  All I have heard is that it involved a bridge and climbing scaffolding- I don’t think I want to hear any more. << Pope / WYD >>

Monday, August 22, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
WHAT A WAY TO GO
(Click on pictures to enlarge) We have completed our cruise up the Rhine to check our castles- very relaxing and therapeutic. I’ve completed some souvenir shopping for the kids and SCSP. We are running late to dinner, but we troop two busloads of folks into a German beer hall- yes, we only drank soda. As I am in the back of the crowd, I am gently apologizing to diners for the invasions with smiles and comments like, “I believe that I am te end of the parade… Have a good evening.”  I get a few smiles, a few kid-weary, world youth day-weary shrugs indicating “It’s over, Why have you not gone yet?” and at the last table I pass, an “excuse me, where are you from?”
“Well, Baltimore, sir,” as I extend my hand, “USA, right about the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.”  (It is now a well practiced routine.)   “And, you, sir, “ I inquire, “are you from here?” (noting the now familiar German take on English.)
Well, I am the Associate Secretary for World Youth Day. My jaw drops.
Sir, before you leave this night, would you please step in to our delegation’s dinner, so that the young people might acknowledge you?  Of course, but only if I might bring my friend, noting his dinner companion.  Immediately extending my hand again, I introduced myself as did he.  “I am the General Secretary of World Youth Day.”
Sweet Jesus, , , I have hit the mo0ther-load.  Two jaw droppings in a matter of a minute.
Our final busload arrives minutes latter with Mark in tow.  Minutes latter my guests of honor wander into the room.  I grab Mark’s very distracted attention and make introduction with my new found friends.  As Mark gets over his shock, I get our group quite and into their seats.  As had I, Mark recognized the moment, and made introductions to our group.  I minutes long standing ovation was followed by a charming translated presentation (associate providing for General- associates do that sort of stuff)
Later on our boy Emmanuel played some violin music in a beer hall. We met, and then went to the Dom to pray with Emmanuel playing Amazing Grace on the steps.  We plan our departures from Cologne with a warm glow tonight. << Pope / WYD >>

Sunday, August 21, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
THERE’S GOT TO BE A MORNING AFTER
(Click on pictures to enlarge) With dew, fog, 700,000 sleepers and cold temps, we woke.  It was a tough morning. It started pleasant enough- a walk with Mae for coffee and doughnuts, which was repeated with John Campbell from Bridgeport.  Upon return to D-8, it was discerned that a kid had gone missing in the middle of the night.  A bathroom run had left him disoriented.  After searching hours for us he had checked himself into the medical center for dehydration- an IV, an hot, and a cot.
A small band went searching for him in D-1 and inquired at the “Info Station” regarding a site for Lost and Found kids.  The info site was all about memorabilia sales, and after the challenges of translation, turned out to have no info at all.
I then volunteered for a walk out to the medical center, about 2 klicks from our site.  There seemed to be variety of ambulance services, military, and EMT crews, seemingly working independently of one another.  After an hour of standing, waiting, requesting assistance, the start of Mass was echoing into the center, and I knew it was time to return to the group.
As people settled into Mass, traffic on the roads separating the numbered neighborhoods calmed and it was easier to traverse home.  It turns out that this was the case for our lost child as well who eventually wandered his undocumented medical visit self into D-8 minutes after I had collapsed back into camp.
For more in the adventures of the walk out, see www.archbalt.org << Pope / WYD >>

Saturday, August 20, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
HONOR AMONG CHRISTIANS
(Click on pictures to enlarge) We were assigned a nice location for the vigil, D1, basically front row left.  We departed early, but had some difficulties in finding our bus parking location.  Nonetheless, we made our walk out- about 9 kilometers through some two lovely little towns where the Germans watch the parade of pilgrims travel by- offering water and candy.
Upon arriving at our spot, D1, we found no room left in the inn.  D-3, and D-5 were equally filled, by D-8 had a good view of the screen and was close to the speakers.  A WYD volunteer told us that we could not be there as we were assigned to another spot.  We had to negotiate him down that we would have been in a better location if we could have been, but we were here to stay.  I wonder why this guy was not protecting our spaces in D-1! << Pope / WYD >>

Friday, August 19, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
I Will Give you a DONKEY
(Click on pictures to enlarge) I led a catechetical session this morning.  Over 1,000 were in attendance in a church that maxes out around 850.  Folks overflowed into courtyard in front of the church. Cooper Ray and Danielle Rose were the musical talent.  Emmanuel Browsinky from Baltimore was supposed to also play violin but was so late (overslept) all he got was an “Amazing Grace” meditation before liturgy began.
And the catechesis was Cardinal Francis Arinze from the Vatican Office of Worship via Nigeria and past and present candidate  for the papacy.  WHEW!  I was unsure to be more psyched by the many or the one.  Arinze was delightfully down the line regarding church teaching but had many memorable one liners.
*  We all need to read the bible more.  Once someone attempted to quote St. Joseph from the Bible.  If you can find where Joseph says anything in the Bible, I will give you a donkey.
*   If you do not have a Bible, send me your shoes.  If you send me your shoes, I will send you a Bible.  You do not necessarily need shoes, but you do need a bible.
The evening finished with a well designed Stations of the Cross that had a poorly designed power point supporting it.  SIGH! << Pope / WYD >>

Thursday, August 20, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
Keeping the Church Afloat (or awake)
(Click on pictures to enlarge) Archbishop Timothy Dolan lead this morning catechetical session with musician Chris Padget (formerly of Scarecrow and Tinmen) and Mark Pacione.  He was very charming, enthusiastic, and passionate.  He is the face that we want to present on behalf of the church to young people.
This afternoon, the Pope arrived by boat along the Rhine and eventually Pope-mobiled within a block of our hotel.  Of course, I only know this by others’ reports and this was my afternoon to    …zzzzzzz  << Pope / WYD >>

Wednesday, August 19, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
Keeping in Step II
(Click on pictures to enlarge) Mark Pacione and I snuck out early this morning to our catechetical session sites.  We were scouting the church facilities (wonderfully modern with a very helpful associate pastor), trailblazing the path from the train station to the church, and seeing who was around.  There we discovered this wonderful Ugandan choir who offers the gifts at mass in song and in step to tribal drum rhythms.  Wow!
The late afternoon brought our official pilgrimage to the Dom.  It was a nice mix of music and inspirational signage along the Rhine, leading to a truly beautiful and inspirational church.
Oh, and of course, we did the "Shakey-Shake" in two different languages before we began the pilgrimage. << Pope / WYD >>

  Tuesday, August 19, 2005 (posted August 25, 2005)
Keeping in Step I
(Click on pictures to enlarge) Then, we are off on our tour of the city, which surprising started off at the Dom.  Many of us (yes, me too!) took the 509 steps up a tight stone spiral staircase for the view.  There was a landing 400 step up where many caught a breather.  As an early person to this level, I greeted many other pilgrims with high-fives for their accomplishments.  A wacky band of Italians joined me, and we all greeted their native brother Mark. << Pope / WYD >>

  Monday, August 15, 2005  (Posted August 15, 2005)
OFF TO COLOGNE
(Click on pictures to enlarge) We enter into our long bus ride in good spirits despite the drizzly morning.  Breakfasts at the Munich Hilton have been very filling and the first shift of our ride found many with stomachs full and ready for a bus ride nap.  We stopped three times along our way, about every two hours. Of course, I took the opportunity for reading ad power-pointing, but also had a late “resting of the eyes” and many conversations.
At our lunch break, the excitement for Cologne and World Youth Day grew as we meet many other pilgrims also making their way to this world wide gathering.  I’ve been taking a lead the last few days in reaching out to other groups and now the folks are reaching out themselves. We met others from Italy and Germany on this stop, but most memorable was the contingent from Zaire which had Dominick and Mary as part of their group.  Dominick was noticed by our group as he was wearing a Ravens t-shirt, clearly a way to win your way into the hearts of Baltimore pilgrims.  We told Dominick that he should wear his shirt everyday so that we might find him!
Each bus took a few moments during their travels to pray the Rosary as this is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother.  This was another reminder that our trip in not just as vacation, but a pilgrimage.  Later in the evening, we would also celebrate mass.
Many other delegations were at our next stop as well, including a charming group of young French women. We passed on the highway many buses of enthusiastic pilgrimages waving flags, smiling, and cheering.  One of our buses made signs announcing who we were as well.
We saw the twin spires of the Dom (Cologne’s cathedral) in the mist from many miles outside the city and found the structure truly impressive as we drove by.  As we check into our rooms, many can still see this focal point from their windows. I know that I can it from my window.
Finally, I greeted seminarian Ernie who traveled from his studies in Rome to join our delegation.  He seems like a good egg, working the room immediately. << Pope / WYD >>

  Sunday, August 14, 2005  (Posted August 15, 2005)
AWE-FULL
(Click on pictures to enlarge) We started out in the morning with all our baggage claimed.  After breakfast, we were off to Dachau to visit Germany’s first concentration camp.  An orientation video was only the start as we took a tour of a barrack.  We could only imagine the overcrowding and the oppressive conditions.  As we continued, the shadows of dozens other barrack building were overwhelming as stuck one participant as “awe-full.”  The presence of chapels and  the Karmel Convent was reassuring after visiting the crematorium.
We were back on the bus and off to Altotting and a Marian Shrine.  World Youth Day festivities are already underway as the town square was hosting a rally experience in many languages with skits and music.  Our delegation gathered at St. Konrad Church for Sunday liturgy.   Father Church Wyble presided and Father Augistine Inwang offered a homily encouraging us to make our World Youth Day a spiritual pilgrimage where we pray, consider our vocations, and seek God daily.
We then toured the very small town of Marktle, the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI.  We were greeted by members of the parish who invited us to sing in their chapel.  We sang the Hail Mary as well as “Hush. Somebody’s Calling my Name.” to the delight of our hosts.  We offered prayer in his home church for the Holy Father as he prepares for his first World Youth Day as the Pope.  Here is where I bought my kids some Pope beer!
At this evening’s delegation meeting, we commemorated today’s feast day of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who was martyred at Auschwitz.  Tomorrow promises to be a long bus ride to Cologne where we will remain throughout the rest of our travels. << Pope / WYD >>

  Saturday, August 13, 2005 (Posted August 15, 2005)
OVER THERE
I fell asleep over Canada last night and woke up over the North Sea this morning.  My goodness, how I love Excedrin PM.   We lost many bags but there is great excitement just about being in Germany. << Pope / WYD >>

  Friday, August 12, 2005
on the road
We are off on the adventure that is World Youth Day in Germany.  I’m lugging enough electronics that I am hoping to post blog and pictures while over there. Wish me luck.  Keep all the pilgrims in your prayers.   << Pope / WYD >>

  Thursday, August 11, 2005
The value of cheerleaders
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A man who left an accident scene was tracked down with the help of some cheerleaders who witnessed the crash and turned his license plate number into a cheer, police said. More at MSNBC.com << Funny Business >>

  Wednesday, August 10, 2005
TECHED UP
So, here’s the deal…  I’m all teched up. I’ve got wireless now legally flowing throughout the condo, I imagine my neighbors are stealing it like I was months ago from another neighbor.  The new office laptop, lighter than the previous version, has the wireless card installed inside. Front Page was installed last night and I’m blogging again on a daily basis… miss me? The laptop travels with me to WYD in Germany… Can I, will I be able to blog from the road??? My digital camera will add more pictures to my life and blog. I now have a personal digital assistant which seems to be good for calendar and contacts… Will I eventually go paperless here as well? I’ve discovered the wonders of Google Image Search which has already changed how I do power points.  The office has access to six lcd projectors which are lighter but more powerful than what I used to have.  << Blogging >>
liver and broccoli

<< Funny Business >>

  Tuesday, August 9, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005, duh!)
blogging catch-up
When I signed-off the blog on June 23, who knew that it would take six weeks until I could get back up and running on the blog again.  WHEW!  I was not being neglectful as much as I was being cheap.  I needed to purchase Microsoft Front Page and was seriously avoiding paying full price.
Anyway, I am attempting to catch up on the blog entries! << Blogging >>

  Monday, August 8, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
Mike Patin
Had a great conversation today with Mike Patin. We were conspiring for a busy and active October weekend. << Friends and Family >>

  Sunday, August 7, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)

CHURCH
Started out this morning thinking that I was going to church for another Sunday all by myself.  I’d left the apartment as the son overslept the morning away.  Yet…
at church, daughter Nichole and friend Johanna appeared and sat along side of me.  We returned to find that son Clark had found his way awake and gotten off to church as well. Finally, daughter Meghan had also traveled to a new local church in Florida in search of a parish with whom to travel to NCYC. Church, it seems, is a Miller family value. << Church >>

  Saturday, August 6, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
hide your briesmainds
Saw the movie Wedding Crashers. It is rude, it is vulgar, it earns its R rating…  and, it is probably this summer’s guilty pleasure. Sadly, we lost a lot of good men because of this movie. << Culture >>

  Friday, August 5, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
Brian billick, phone home
The morning started at Ravens camp watching Coach Billick (click on picture to enlarge) put his tam through drills on a hot and humid day. The afternoon brought some school supply shopping and the evening found Meghan and I at Columbia’s lakeside for an outdoor viewing of the classic ET- the ExtraTerrestrial. << Friends and Family >>

  Thursday, August 4, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
Circle of life
Went to see the Lion King at the Hippodrome tonight with the kids.  Little did we realize that we were going to be serenaded with lyrics regarding the communion of saints.  Of course, it a song between Mufasta and Simba regarding the stars and their ancestors, but we knew it was about the communion of saints.
They live in you
They live in me
They’re watching over
Everything we see
In every creature
In every star
In your reflection
They live in you.  << Culture >>

  Wednesday, August 3, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
$83
Meghan arrived for a weekend visit today and Nichole and Johanna came over this evening for a killer game of Monopoly. All four of us remained in the game for a good long while until Nichole and Meghan eventually went bankrupt.  A tally of assets showed how close Jo and I really were. << Friends and Family >>

  Tuesday, August 2, 2005 (posted August 9, 2005)
introducing myself to the archdiocese
May the Peace of Christ be with you.
  Time magazine has a special report on “Being 13” this week. The report starts off like this… 

What does it mean to be 13, backstage adults, watching on tiptoe, waiting to go on stage?

Some things about this age of change are unchanging. If childhood is about magic, 13 introduces mystery: Joan of Arc began hearing celestial voices when she was 13. Into the age of innocence, 13 brings sexuality: early versions of the Little Red Riding Hood story were tales of seduction. Shakespeare’s Juliet was 13, unready for love perhaps but, by the standards of her age, more than ready for marriage. Tom Sawyer is thought to have been 13 when he got “engaged” to Becky Thatcher.  It is an age of prodigy: Bobby Fisher was 13 when he became the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Junior Chess Championship- within two years he was an international grand master.  It is the age of childhood leaning forward and adulthood holding back, when the world gets suddenly closer, the colors more vivid, the rules subject to never ending argument.   (Nancy Gibbs, Time)

  The accompanying Feels Like Teen Spirit article acknowledges that “Thirteen may seem like a rudderless age, especially in the oversaturated pop culture of today, but it can also be a time of deep faith… Young people at this age are increasingly responsible for their life’s direction, but they also want the journey to have a deeper spiritual significance.”
   In a rudderless age, we know that our Catholic faith − our baptismal call towards discipleship − offers direction and destination as well as meaning to our lives. Continuing to nurture the deep faith of today’s young people remains as one of our greater challenges. This is a faith that does not settle for being backstage, waiting on tiptoes in our churches. This is a faith the must be a part of our churches today!
   Greetings!  I am D. Scott Miller and it is an honor to return to the team at the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.  You will find me now serving as Coordinator of Adolescent Faith Formation.  Our 13 years olds, as well as our 17 year olds and our 24 year olds, ALL deserve journeys of deeper spiritual significance and, together, we should recommit ourselves to this effort.
   Please take note of some upcoming events that are directed to assisting our efforts with adolescent faith formation.

• Catechetical Sunday is most likely celebrated in your parishes on the weekend of September 18^th.  Please make sure that all youth ministry volunteers who serve in catechetical roles are included in your celebrations.
• Institute 2005 (.pdf file) will be held on Saturday, October 8^th.  Mike Patin, a national speaker and former director of the office of youth ministry in New Orleans, will be the keynote speaker.  There will be workshops designed for you and those who minister with middle school and high school aged young people as well. (Watch for more information)
• There will be trainings on the new National Directory for Catechesis. There are tentatively five meetings distributed regionally between mid-October and mid-November.  (Watch for more information)
• The Methodology and the Art of Adolescent Catechesis series will be offered again both in November and February.
• The Youth Contact Meetings (.pdf file) will be a further opportunity to discuss our shared ministry.  These are scheduled for Saturday, November 12 in Hagerstown and Saturday, November 19 in Fullerton.

   As you are preparing your efforts regarding catechesis and sacramental preparation for today’s young church − those disciples who are “being 13” as well as others of their generation, please feel free to contact me for assistance, commiseration, and/or support. I look forward to ministering along-side you. << Youth Ministry Stuff >>

Originally published as a letter to the editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette (February 21, 1995)