Monday, July 31, 2006
    the end of summer
What???  The weather forecasters are calling for 96° and high humidity today.  Tomorrow, August begins.  The end of summer???  Did I miss a calendar change or what?  Best as I have it figured out- summer’s over, folks.  It was a six week period involving almost three weeks of programming and a glorious 42-hour vacation (see below.)  But, the task list that has been growing since the staff overnight in mid-June is about to reach avalanche status.  It’s time to kick in.
It is official- Summer ended with a glorious red sun rising over Baltimore’s smog. I saw it because I was picking up Clark who returned on a red-eye early this morning from his Totus Tuus adventures.  Last night, I almost saw red as   This afternoon, I am tasked with delivering the red-bird to the airport.  Seemingly, the official color of the end of summer is . . . red! [blogging]

    summer is heating up
Meanwhile, for the international perspective, Tim Russert was interviewing columnist Tom Friedman on MEET THE PRESS yesterday,  (by the by, the comments below fit us a CHURCH, as well!)
MR. RUSSERT: Let’s talk about the Bush administration and a quote from your column on Friday. And here’s what Tom Friedman wrote: “America should be galvanizing the forces of order – Europe, Russia, China and India – into a coalition against these trends. But we can’t. Why? In part, it’s because our president and our secretary of state, although they speak with great moral clarity, have no moral authority. That’s been shattered by their performance in Iraq.
“The world hates George Bush more than any U.S. president in my lifetime. He is radioactive – and so caught up in his own ideological bubble that he is incapable of imagining or forging alternative strategies.” Pretty strong.
MR. FRIEDMAN: It was strong. It’s meant to be strong. Look at the situation we’re now in. You can’t go anywhere in the world right now—and I travel a lot—without getting that feeling from people thrown in your face.  Why is that? You know, I’ve been asking myself that a lot. Some of it’s excessive, this dislike, this distaste, this hatred of George Bush. But what’s it about? Whenever you see something that excessive, you know?
And the way I explain it is this way: Foreigners love to make fun of Americans. Our naivete, our crazy thought that every problem has a solution, that silly American notion, that silly American optimism. But you know what, Tim? Deep down, the world really envies that American optimism and naivete.  And the world needs that American optimism and naivete.
And so when we go from a country that, historically, has always exported hope to a country that always exports fear, what we do, and what this administration has done, is actually stolen something from people. Whether it’s an African or a European or an Arab or Israeli, it’s that idea of an optimistic America out there. People really need that idea, and the sort of dark nature of the Cheneys and the Bushes and the Rices, this, this sort of relentless pessimism about the world, this exporting of fear, not hope, has really left people feeling that the idea of America has been stolen from them.  And I would argue that that is the animating force behind so much of the animus directed at George Bush. [culture]

  Sunday, July 30, 2006
    makes my thumbs hurt 1
Once the domain of gossipy teenagers, text messages have become a key tool for Chinese authorities during this year’s unusually powerful typhoon season. Read more here. [culture]
    makes my thumbs hurt 2
OMG — UT tn XLS @ txtng (Translation for non-texters: Ohmigod, Utah teen excels at texting!) a Utah teen with fingers of fury is once again the speed text-messaging king of the world. Read more here. [culture]

  Saturday, July 29, 2006
    Shouldn’t we be talking about this?
We could probably categorize this as an adventure in missing the point in our multiple issues within the Middle East. "Being stopped or arrested by the moral police is a fact of life for many Iranian teenagers.  Previously arrested for attending a party and being alone in a car with a boy, Atefah received her first sentence for "crimes against chastity" when she was just 13. Although the exact nature of the crime is unknown, she spent a short time in prison and received 100 lashes."  Atefah ended up being hung to death at 16 for her "sexual immorality which included being raped by a man three times her age. Read more here. [culture]
   or maybe this? (He’ll be back!)

I know, I know, some days it’s real tough to discern my politics.  Deal with it.  In the meanwhile, here’s a funny little re-telling of the Christ story courtesy of those wacky little evangelists at MAD tv.  Ladies and Gentlemen, T3: The Greatest Action Story Ever Told. (anybody else appreciating these YouTube hook-ups?) Hasta la vista, baby Jesus! [funny business]

  Friday, July 28, 2006
    blessed be the rock
‘Rock Alight’ is a Christian Youth Festival of Faith that has been the fruit of the Diocesan Youth Ministry of Gibraltar together with the Diocesan Youth Ministry from Malta. Read more here. [youth ministry]

  Thursday, July 27, 2006
    so, so, so Cool!
Meghan and I went to visit Nichole’s workplace.. . .which was brighter, clearer, and slightly happier than I had possibly imagine.  She seems to be doing well and has the respect of her co-workers.  Very cool for her! [family and friends]
    sofa, sofa, sofa!!!
The new sofa and loveseat combination arrived today. The youngest daughter yesterday.  The apartment is now officially full.  Clark returns in four days- then we are filled to the brim! [family and friends]

     shaddup, sahaddup, shaddup

On the July 25, 2006 episode of The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert interviewed Catholic League president William A. Donohue. "I’m talking about derision.  I’m talking about insult."  I really not sure that this guy gets it, has ever gotten it, or will get it. Nor am I sure if he is really providing any service to the church. [church]

  Wednesday, July 26, 2006
    Precisely at this Moment
"Today in a multicultural and multireligious world, many are tempted to say, ‘It is better for peace in the world among religions and cultures not to talk too much about the specifics of Christianity, that is, of Christ, the church and the sacraments,’" the pope said. Many people reason to themselves, "Let’s be content with the things we have more or less in common," he said.
But that will not increase the chances for peace, the pope said.
"Precisely at this moment — a moment of great abuse of the name of God — we need the God who triumphed on the cross, who won not with violence but by his love," Pope Benedict said. "Precisely at this moment we need the face of Christ to understand the true face of God and, in that way, to bring reconciliation and light to the world," he said. Read more here. [pope]

  Tuesday, July 25, 2006
    MOTIVATION
‘There are an awfully large number of kids who are not motivated. They haven’t found any commitments that they believe are meaningful, and there are a lot of these kids in almost every industrialized country. . . . It is the great youth problem of our time.’ William Damon, professor of education and director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence.  Stanford Magazine has a special edition on Kids today. Read more here. [youth ministry]
  Volunteers
Any ball player knows how little fun it is to play with a ball hog. What that player is silently communicating is that he doesn’t trust you to do something good with the ball. And eventually, you just want to sit down.  Read more here. [youth ministry]
   Profile of you throughout the world - Part II
Being a blogger continues to be a fascinating gig.  There has been two more international hits: from Sabah, another location in Malaysia as well as from Beijing in China !  (Click on the graph to the right to enlarge.) [blogging]

  Monday, July 24, 2006
    must be sufficient
In his 1931 social encyclical "Quadragesimo Anno," Pope Pius XI said, "The wage paid to the working man must be sufficient for the support of himself and his family." In that case, the current federal minimum wage of $5.15 would not qualify. Read more here. [culture]
    latest favorite internet site
Here is my favorite latest guilty distraction on the internet:  Yahoo’s "the 9."   It’s profiles nine different internet links that are odd, interesting, or whatever. (OK, Maria Sansone is just darn cute as well.)  [culture]
  Not a great start
Adam is proposing to Erica on a small sightseeing plane when it crashed. See more here. [culture]

  Sunday, July 23, 2006
    Profile of You
What kind of Catholic are you? In the spectrum of Catholicism, where do you fall? Take this quiz–which covers issues like Vatican II, Marian devotion, and married priests–to figure out how you relate to the church. [church]
   Profile of you throughout the world
Somedays, being a blogger is a fascinating gig.  In the past 24 hours, I’ve had hits from Neath in the UK , Kampong Kweng Dollah in Malaysia , and Seoul in South Korea.  [blogging]
    Profile in courage
Yesterday, I watched a friend offer an afternoon presentation with charm, competence, and (most of all) professionalism after sitting up all night in a hospital emergency room with a friend. Talk about gutting it out. Impressive! [friends and family]
   courage Profiled
It seems this culture of fear is more prevalent in the Christian community. Former president Richard Nixon once said, "People react to fear, not love-they don’t teach that in Sunday school, but it’s true."  As Christian publishers, radio personalities, and non-profits have ramped up their collective need to capture eyeballs and dollars, it seems we too have become purveyors of the culture of fear. Read more about the Fear-Driven Church here. [youth ministry]

  Saturday, July 22, 2006
    A story of three crosses
Let’s review:  Las Cruces means "the crosses" in Spanish, right? So, what’s exactly the problem, then? Read more here. [culture]
   THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE 2%
Many people see Web journals or "blogs" as alternatives to the mainstream media, but most Americans who run them do so as a hobby rather than a vocation. See more here. [blogging]

  Friday, July 21, 2006
    SUMMER VACATION MOVIES
Entertainment Weekly lists out the top ten summer vacation movies. See them here. Is it wrong that I have seen nine of the ten?? [culture]

  Thursday, July 20, 2006
    THE 42-HOUR SUMMER VACATION – THE TRAVELS
  Some people power-nap; others do power-lunches; as for me, this was the summer of the power vacation.
  I awoke at 4:15 am to catch my 6:00 am flight to Denver.  On a very full plane, I ended up in an emergency aisle with an empty seat next to me.   Life is good!  Scratched out some ideas on a pad, watched 16 blocks- napping during dialogue, waking for the shoot-‘em-up scenes.  Felt rested already and hadn’t left airport.
   Cruised through car rental and hit the road.  As I neared the god-forsaken town of Roggen, I pulled over for breakfast in Keenensburg.  Had a real country style breakfast at the Rooster Inn (where the senior waitress would surely have called me “hon” had she even been to Baltimore.)
  On my way out the door, Clark calls.  A guitar string has broken and the team is in need.  Turn immediately away from my intended destination and head 20 miles backwards to locate a purported Wal-Mart.  Tour the town of Brighton until finally Sam Walton’s dream appears on the horizon and find guitar strings amazingly easy to find.  Head back towards Roggen and drive through desolated farms, abandoned oil wells, no real town, and, I swear to God, blowing tumbleweeds. “Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling” is in heavy rotation on my internal soundtrack.
  The church of Sacred Heart is literally an oasis in the middle of this desolate prairie.  I step out into the 100° sun and quickly retreat into the Church. Spend the remainder of the day program with the kids and then retreat to glorious Keensburg- a seeming metropolis with gas station, the Rooster Inn, and the wondrous 12 room Keenen motel. (I opted not to be a wise-ass and ask to tour the convention and meeting rooms.)  Room Seven ($40/ night) allowed for an afternoon HBO viewing of Shrek II (cable, no internet hook-up. . . more than I had hoped for!) and a nap.
  Opted to go light for dinner and purchased a loaf of bread and a package of bologna from the gas station.  Showered and then off to the evening portion of Totus Tuus.  Hang out with the adults and the kids afterwards in the parking lot and then headed home.  Waited at the tracks near town as a 60 car train backed up, linked up, was checked by engineers on foot with flashlight, and then moved forward.  (I was the only one inconvenienced by this, there was no other traffic.)
  Back to Room Seven and a good night’s sleep.  Woke up and walked over to the Rooster.  I am convinced that if I returned tomorrow, I would be considered a regular and that my order would be brought without question.)  Stopped off at the church for another watch of the oy and his team, delivery of left over bologna and bread, and to make my farewells.
  Took a leisurely drive into Denver just to look around, finding a delightful radio station to serve as my soundtrack.  Stopped in at the Adam’s Mark just for a look-around and a quickie moment on nostalgia regarding the 2002 NCCYM- one of my better moments in ministry- offering a brief prayer for the repose of the soul of Mike Yaconeli who we all last saw there.
  Then it was back to the airport. (where, of course, I checked e-mail and blogged.) [blogging]
    THE 42-HOUR SUMMER VACATION – THE BOY
  Well, he got his hair cut. . .  no, that’s not all.
  He seems to be really in his element.  He has greater skills and confidence and spirit than his teammates, but that’s just his father speaking. You can clearly see that the Roogan kids love him/them after only being with them for a few days.
  He ministers to young people with wild abandon . . . remember those days anyone?   It was worth the price of admission to get out and see him in his element.  My last morning, they were teaching the fourth luminous mystery of the rosary- the transfiguration.  It was appropriate, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.”  [family and friends]
    THE 42-HOUR SUMMER VACATION – THE PROGRAM
  I’m still processing how I feel regarding Totus Tuus. 
  The program is fine and wonderful.  Let’s bring some young adults who are on-fire for Jesus and bring them into a community like Roggan or Littleton (next week’s destination) and let them stir up the local citizenry a nudge.  Done and done!
  Yet, this program got me thinking.  My best metaphor for it all came from Father Frank (Sacred Heart’s pastor who was a delayed vocation who was my age) when he offered a homily to the day program’s elementary school kids.  He talked about apples, and how grocery stores wax ‘em up a nudge to get the shiny and attractive for sales, and how the Latin roots of the word “sincere” meant “without wax.”  (Yea, I’m not sure exactly where he was going, either.)
  Clark and the team spent much time and effort emphasizing with the young people regarding genuflecting, a proper sign of the cross, and blessing selves with holy water.  They had a ladies first policy, as well. They also played hard with them, so props there.  They were overtly process-oriented, they relied heavily on lecture; but that can be credited to the young age and inexperience of the team as well as to their training.
  The senior high/ middle school night program was on vocations, featuring a presentation on the call to holiness, a showing of the USCCB’s "Fishers of Men" video, and a witness by Father Frank who seeming has become pastor at Sacred Heart with the oils of ordination still wet behind his ears.
  The young people of the team, including son Clark, are clearly attempting to live out their baptismal vows.  They are working and living as disciples of the Lord Jesus, sharing community, prayer, and ministry together as a team.  But their emphasis on the traditional had me in a slight quandary-  was this the stuff of discipleship or is this the stuff of external glossiness that, while attractive, deems it to be found as not “sincere?”
  This, of course, like any good apple bruising, has left a mark on me.  It is an examination of conscience on our office’s present programs as well as those yet to be written. I was humbled into prayer in a quiet country church more than one by the witness of the team.  I got away and thought and re-evaluated life and ministry.  It was, after all- a power-vacation.  [youth ministry]

  Wednesday, July 19, 2006
    my summer vacation
Might come down to these two days. I’m flying out to Denver this morning.  The introvert in my relishes the concept of being on a plane, away from phone, internet, and people I know (especially after the past three weeks.) The youth minister in me wants to mine for gold by looking into the Totus Tuus program.  The father in me is visiting his son.   [blogging]
    The last breakfast
Requests do not often get honored here, BUT, for your entertainment, we present the Trix Rabbit, BooBerry, Count Chocula, Cap’n Crunch, some wizard dude (anyone recognize him?  Anyone?  Bueller? (update: it has been suggested that he is the AlphaBits Cereal Wizard; thanks, Chris!), the Quaker Oats Quaker, Aunt Jemima, Snap, Crackle, Pop, Tony the Tiger, the Cream of Wheat chef, and the Lucky Charms leprechaun. [friends and family]

  Tuesday, July 18, 2006
    Fighting the wrong battles
From the Presbyterians General Assembly last month: The single issue hamstringing the mainline churches is homosexuality and its place in the church. "We’ve been fighting in this ditch for 28 years and the ditch is getting deeper. It’s starting to affect our mission work, our youth ministry, and our evangelism, and I’m ready to try something else. Please, let’s get on with being the church, taking the gospel into the world and offering them something else other than arguments."  Read more here. [culture]
    Fighting Space Invaders
With acknowledgement to Gene for finding it, some folks in theater seats have helped to create a memory from yester-year when video game violence wasn’t so threatening. View it here. [funny stuff]

  Monday, July 17, 2006
    papal visit rumors denied
Dave Hartline in today’s Catholic Report has a link to an article indicating that a spokesperson for the Mexican bishops is denying that there are plans in the works for a papal visit there.  Meanwhile, he comments "There continue to be speculations about when and where Pope Benedict XVI is coming to North America.  Some rumors have included Mexico and places like Baltimore, Maryland (for the Archdiocese’s upcoming anniversary), and even Columbus, Ohio (for the National Catholic Youth Conference.)  So far, none of these rumors have been accurate.  There is a great hunger for a papal visit; North American Catholics will just have to be patient."  Well, at least the rumor have my interest in two settings.  [pope]
Office vandalism
You got to be careful around this place.  When asked to describe myself last week, I used the word "crunchy."  I returned to my office to multiple pictures of Cap’n Crunch on my walls. [work day]
   It was bound to happen
The bishops are beginning to make public comment on the NSYR (National Study on Youth and Religion).  Bishop Lawrence Brandt of Greensburg is quoted in this article while Bishop Richard Malone of Portland, ME cites it in this workshop description. (see B-6, D-6) Do the bishops perceive Catholic youth ministry ineffective? [youth ministry]

  Sunday, July 16, 2006
    Rest of my life (day 1)
After 18 programmatic days during the last three weeks, I slept somehow until 9:30 this morning. Meanwhile. . ., let’s do some blogging catch-up, what’cha say? [blogging]
    The Altar call
Billy Graham came a’visiting recently. Read more here.   What was the mark of the success of his visit?  Was it the 83,000 exposed to the Gospel over three days or was it the 3,200 who "dedicated their lives to Christ?" (For more regarding this practice, read more here.  Note, however, that this article doesn’t recognized a catholic understanding of the commitments of Baptism.)  Meanwhile, the issue of the altar call gets raised up in our church as well as, seemingly, Franciscan University’s youth conferences are also now (or have been) utilizing this tactic.  Read more here. [culture]
    transition is good for the bottom line
Despite the $8.9 million of extraordinary expenses related to the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican closed its 2005 budget with a surplus of more than $12 million, officials said. Read more here. [church]
    EnCuentro wrap-up
A video piece on Weaving the Future Together, the First National Encuentro for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry has been linked up by the USCCB. See more here. [church]
    papal vacation
What to watch the pope play piano?  Here’s a link to a Italian news report on his vacation/ celebration of the feast of our lady of Mount Carmel. The actual story is placed with about 19:00 minutes left in the clip.   [pope]

  Saturday, July 15, 2006
    honey, I’mmmmmm hoooommmmme, again! (High-LI DAY 10)
For some reason, I dropped off internet access this week.  Others still had wireless, but I just wasn’t getting the hook-up. It was ok, I really didn’t miss it.  Life was busy enough. I went hiking and camping Wednesday and Thursday (with five distinctive rain storms), hosted Bishop Malooly on Friday, and wrapped up today with some power point wizardry. It’s all good. Nonetheless, apologies for dropping out, I’m back now. Out for a steak tonight and then an abundance of sleep. [blogging]

  Monday, July 10, 2006
    Sleep, where for art thou? (High-LI DAY 6)
Getting sleep is becoming a romantic sort of notion.  A friend stopped in for late night cards last night.  She described how, after this past weekend at being at a youth conference, she had gone to sleep at 2am and hadn’t awoke until 4pm the next afternoon.  I know exactly how she feels.  Last night for me it was 1am with a wake up at 7am.  Ahhhhhhh, what a glorious extra hour it was!!! [blogging]
    I need to get me a red paper clip
Dude, if I had only known it was that easy!!! See more here. [funny stuff]
  promoting vocations
We have two great young priests with us here at High LI. The U.S. Bishops’ Department of Communications produced a DVD resource available to parishes, youth groups and others interested in promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  The resource called You Can Make a Difference is available for sale.  A user’s guide and other information is posted online to support this resource. See more here. [church]

  Monday, July 10, 2006
    The Zen of Car washing (High-LI DAY 5)
A significant portion of the staff made a Wal-Mart run late, late last night after Hearts.  I dumped out of the game after picking up 2 spaded Queens and then conning Mark, my boss, into finishing the game.  I went to sleep at a more reasonable hour (which does not mean it was a reasonable hour), but woke, as usual, early this morning.  I went for a quick drive and spent a luxurious ten minutes doing some simple (and not High LI) like washing my car. Wow, it was wonderful! [blogging]

  Sunday, July 9, 2006
    High-LI DAY 4
All my major presentations are over with and that’s a relief. Put together a 150 minute Communications presentation slideshow in just under 90 minutes. Did not lose in hearts and was spared the "wearing of the Hearts hat" (see Day 3.)  Beyond that, I am seemingly not harshly impacted by working two week’s worth of programming thus far.  One more week to go.  [work day]

  Saturday, July 8, 2006
    Climb every mountain
Clark called from Colorado.  They have finished off their week off with a thirteen mile climb of Mount Princeton, somewhere in the Rockies.  Sounds like he is having a great summer. [friends and family]
   High-LI DAY 3
Last night, I fell victim to the new staff conceit.  If you lose at the late night hearts game, you wear the hearts loser hat.  As I am wearing hawaiian shirts throughout the program, I was fortunate enough to have a matching outfit.  Now, that’s enough to wake you in the morning! [work day]

  Friday, July 7, 2006
    High-LI DAY 2
Last night, we instituted a new little activity here at High-LI and I had first shot at it.  We replaced a slate of personal faith stories by a few, the Christian Leadership Panel, with five-minute drive-by presentations by the staff strewn throughout the ten days.  The starting point is "Leadership is. . ."  Last night, I presented on ‘outside the box’ where I unpacked various gifts needed for leadership from a box. They included new staff dog Gabriel, chocolate, Hawaiian leis, a bible, and nails. (which remind us our the Lord.) [work day]

  Thursday, July 6, 2006
    in need of perspective??
This will make a significant dent in that concern.  Place your woes in comparison to all this. . . See more here. [culture]
    High-LI DAY 1
The kids arrive in about two hours.  In anticipation of this event, I have now completed a ninety minute nap.  We prepped and prayed some more today. I’m lucky to be doing workshops where I’m not thinking or prepping that hard.  Let the games begin.  [work day]

  Wednesday, July 5, 2006
    High-LI DAY 0
We gathered, planned, unpacked, hit dinner, did some goofy shopping together, and are now watching Big Fish.  Thus end-ith Day 0.
    Does the World need this Blog. . .
. . . updated daily???  Immediately following the time off for Justice Action Week (see June), I’m now heading up for the ten-day High School Leadership Institute (High LI) at O’Dwyer Retreat House where the internet access is often sketchy. (Good news!!!  I’m making this update from O’Dwyer. This doesn’t, however, guarantee daily updates, but I’ll try. . .) Pray for the kids as well as my own sanity.  If you have complaints about this, please send them to the guy who booked this schedule!  [work day]
   So Good.
My daughter Meghan prepared a (belated) Father’s Day CD mix of songs for me.  It is absolutely wonderful and is in constant rotation on my car cd player.  Awesome!!  [friends and family]
    So far, So Good.
Clark has reported in by e-mail regarding the Totus Tuus program this summer. A quotable quote: "The curriculum this year is the Apostle’s Creed and the Luminous mysteries of the Rosary. Over the week with elementary school children (grades 1-6) we go over a mystery of the rosary and three articles of the creed per day. We participate in the Mass daily and teach the children not only the hows and whens of the postures and responses but also the meaning behind the Mass itself. This is almost certainly the most wonderful part of the program for me, to witness the transformations of children over the week is simply amazing. Watching a group of children, some of whom could not properly make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the week, begin to appreciate the awesome mystery of the Eucharist and to express their appreciation with their whole selves all through mass is absolutely humbling." [friends and family]
    Sofa. So Good.
(Covering the total gamut of my kids. . .) In August, Nichole is moving into an apartment with two friends.  She is taking the sleeper sofa and matching wide chair with her.  Yesterday, we went out and bought me a new sofa and love seat.  I take delivery days before she moves out.  [friends and family]

  Tuesday, July 4, 2006 (Independence Day)
    Does the World Need Superman?
Does the world need a savior?
After a five year absence, Lois Lane confronts the hero in Superman Returns.  She claims that “The world does not need a savior. And neither do I.”  It was this thesis in her editorial “Why the world doesn’t need Superman” that helped her win the Pulitzer Prize in this fictional comic-book world.
“The world doesn’t need a savior,” asserts Lois Lane.  Superman encourages her to listen as they float high above the city but she does not hear anything. Superman responds, “I do. I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn’t need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one.”  Read more here. [culture]

  Go Forth
Yes, it is a holiday.  Didn’t stop some from attempting to chart out and walk a portion of a new pilgrimage route this morning.  Which seemingly is good timing as an e-mail expressing concern about the day’s schedule was in my in-box when I returned.  Yes, we all do work a tisch too hard. [work day]
   now there’s a worthy adventure
Summer means more than a break from schoolwork for many children; it usually also means a break from religious education. Many parishes fill the void with optional programs that help children strengthen their faith lives while still leaving time for all the other activities that occupy young minds between June and September. Read more here. [youth ministry]

  Monday, July 3, 2006
    Music and Youth Down Under
Pope Benedict voiced his desire to see a return to traditional sacred music and Gregorian chants during Mass. But Austrailian Catholics appear to be more accepting of modern music in church. Read more here. [youth ministry]

  Sunday, July 2, 2006
    spidEy 3
Preview was out this weekend.  The image of the hero facing off with his own internal evil means it will continue to all to movies worth discussing.  [culture]

  Saturday, July 1, 2006
    Hi, Honey, I’mmmm  Hoooommmmee!
Justice Action Week (JAW) was swell. We started with two-and-a-half days of solid rain, but recovered.  I had two sessions to run and did so attempting to add new blood into the program.  I threw in a power-point prayer element at the last moment when the originally scheduled one was not to be found.  We concluded with a near-400 slide power-point of over 500 pictures from the event with music attached to the power point (a first for me.) Slept in, laundry, unpack office stuff, nap, and Superman Returns this evening  Anyway, it good to be back (well, for the short while that I to be back.   [blogging]