Tuesday, October 31, 2006 (Vigil of All Saints- Halloween)
Sugarcoated, MTV-style youth ministry is so over
TIME magazine has coverage on youth ministry this week.  Yep, you read that correctly! "Youth ministers have been on a long and frustrating quest of their own over the past two decades or so. Believing that a message wrapped in pop-culture packaging was the way to attract teens to their flocks, pastors watered down the religious content and boosted the entertainment. But in recent years churches have begun offering their young people a style of religious instruction grounded in Bible study and teachings about the doctrines of their denomination. Their conversion has been sparked by the recognition that sugarcoated Christianity, popular in the 1980s and early ’90s, has caused growing numbers of kids to turn away not just from attending youth-fellowship activities but also from practicing their faith at all."  Read more here. [youth ministry]
let your light shine
Loads of hyperlinks:  The Baltimore Sun kicked off Basilica Week with a package of story, detailed graphic and audio from its new religion reporter, Liz Kay. Here’s a repeat of St. Anthony Messenger’s extensive article on the Basilica here. And, yesterday, Rocco came a’visiting. [church]

 

Monday, October 30, 2006
  DAY OFF DO-OVER
I want my Monday off back!  I got pulled into five office-tagential projects today, only one reasonably pleasurable.  I want my Monday back!  [work (??) day]
  Do you believe in magic?
When transformation is required, Monroe says, "you have these kicking-and-screaming" moments. "Anytime you move from one state to another, you have a class of people who are so excited they can’t believe it, and another class who think the world is coming to an end–which in a way, it is." Read more here. [work day]

 

Sunday, October 29, 2006
  contact
Busy weekend after a busy week.  Had the first round presentation of the youth contact meting yesterday, next round next weekend.  Today, the Basilica reopened for mass for the local parish and catholic center employees. Clark tagged along and hopefully will provide a picture or two. It is majestic inside.  Clouds floating overhead do darken the worship space.  Incredible.  Taking the rest of the day and tomorrow off and then we start anew on some different projects.  [blogging]

 

  Friday, October 27, 2006
  faith identity
In the current edition of Time magazine, there are a series of articles acknowledging the U.S. population’s increase to over 300 million. One of the articles includes research regarding how differently Americans view God.  You can see some of it on-line at here and as well as at here. Articles such as this are always a good opportunity to conduct a personal examination of conscience regarding “what sort of” God we are teaching.  [culture]
  The case against wedgies
Child protection is a value.  Child protection is a value. Child protection is a value.  And then there is this case. Read more here. [youth ministry]
  meatloaf is god!
Still want to see this guy live.  Meanwhile, check out Paradise by the Dashboard Light and It’s All Coming Back to Me Now. [culture]

 

  Thursday, October 26, 2006
ahhhh, it is textbooks that are the problem!!!
The National Catholic Register continues their "catechism investigative series."  Always nice to read of a witch-hunt during the Halloween series. Read more here.   And, yet, " "The Catechism recommends that ancient Christian practice of consecrating daily life with sacramentals, the chief of which is the sign of the cross.  Invoking the blessing of the sign during the ordinary activities of our day elevates them to opportunities for drawing nearer to God – activities such as waking up, eating, driving the children to school, starting the workday, responding to email, shopping, relaxing with family, and going to bed." (Bert Ghezzi in The Sign of the Cross, Loyola Press as supplied to me in a daily e-spiration from Franciscan University in Steubenville)   So, what is conformity? [church]

 

  Wednesday, October 25, 2006
ZZZZZZ
Bad trainer.  Bad trainer.  Promise to post power-point slides and then forget to do it for over twelve hours.  Mea culpa! [blogging]

 

  Tuesday, October 24, 2006
What type of students are we developing?
The College Transition Project was designed to better understand what happens to students when they transition from youth group life into college/young adult life and to identify the components of youth group life that seem to be associated with a healthy, or positive, transition into college.   Read more here. [youth ministry]

 

  Sunday, October 22, 2006
sunday! sunday! Sunday!
The folks at LifeTeen are now producing podcasts that feature the upcoming week’s scriptures.  It’s worth checking out and recommending to young people.   Read more here. [youth ministry]

 

  Sunday, October 22, 2006
faith-based fraud II
(OK, turns out I was insincere about apologies below.)  Here’s the Colburt interview related to this article: 
[culture]
busy enough?
I received a comment yesterday that I seemed busy.  While all that is probably true, I went nowhere yesterday nor  speak aloud the entire day.  It was a good internal day of rest that was likely sorely needed for pyschological and physical health. . .  and, now "welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends, step inside, step inside…’  [work day]

 

  Saturday, October 21, 2006
I wanna be a pro-duuu-cer!
I have recently begun to muck around in making these little video clip shorts (on the weekends), all in an effort to promote attendance at out upcoming youth contact meetings.  You can see them here and here. It’s something a little different, hope you enjoy!   [work day]
  Decision ‘06: will fear win? II
(First off- apologies. . . three political comments in one week – - – must be an election or something comin’ up!) Think Doonesbury was mocking for no purpose?  Check out the latest Republican ad. Oy Vey! [culture]

 

  Friday, October 20, 2006
illumination
After a morning of discussing Catholic Identity, I had a boost to my own sense of affiliation as a Catholic.  I’ve just completed a full tour of the renovated Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s amazing what a can of paint and a few million dollars can accomplish.  The place is stunning and beautiful.  I’m looking forward to it being open again. FYI: St. Anthony Messenger has an extensive article on the Basilica here. [church]

 

  Thursday, October 19, 2006
nuanced line
Rocco has got the preview on an upcoming USCCB document on ministry with gays. "Seeking to highlight the Church’s balanced approach’ on questions of human sexuality, the proposed text of the US bishops’ long-awaited guidelines on ministry to ‘persons with a homosexual inclination’ attempts draw a similarly nuanced line on the issue."  Read more here and here. [church]

 

  Wednesday, October 18, 2006
faith-based fraud
"The President’s staff didn’t just bad-mouth the faith-based office behind closed doors. Their political indifference also kept us from getting the funding we needed so badly. No episode captured that more clearly than the 2001 negotiations over the President’s $1.7 trillion tax cut. In those final negotiations with the Senate and House, the White House voluntarily dropped a centerpiece of the President’s compassion promise: a provision to allow 80% of Americans to get credit for their charitable contributions."  Read more here. [culture]

 

  Tuesday, October 17, 2006
  Slammed and sick
I am slammed at the office and have a head cold. ‘Nuff said.  [work day]

 

Monday, October 16, 2006
  Decision ‘06: will fear win?
[culture]

 

  Sunday, October 15, 2006
  Something wicked this way comes
Individual tickets for the touring company of Wicked went on sale this morning for late January performances at Baltimore’s beautiful and historic Hippodrome Theater.  Jumped into the line about 7am this morning and was about the 100th to purchase tickets (which got me my third choice of performance!)  [friends & family]

 

  Saturday, October 14, 2006
  THE LONG GOOD DAY
Today was the Institute Day, a morning and afternoon training for religious educators and youth ministers.  There was prayer to set (including some last minute recruitment), working the exhibit table, checking on the the speakers I recruited, some introductions to be made, some networking to be done, drop a speaker at the airport, pack up, clean up… that should have been it- a full day. No, off to an Indian dinner (My tongue still burns of curry).  … that should have been it- a very full day.  No, off to a Men in Black vocations basketball game.  MIB guys lost to high school kids but won the affection of the crowd.. . . that was it- a long good day. [work day]

 

  Friday, October 13, 2006
  serving a purpose
A campus minister writes: "I wanted to send you an email about your website and let you know it has impacted my life.  The more I check out your site, the more I have decided that I like your view on things and also like that it helps me to stay current on some of the more "youth ministry" friendly news out in this crazy world.  I had a kid come to my office and challenge me on some of the pope’s comments about Islam and was able to use your site to find the papal remarks and an article about it.  The kid and I had a great discussion, some real learning on both our parts happened!!  This was a good use of your site, I think."  Me too, thanks Marc, for a bright spot in a challenging morning. (Is it Friday mornings???) [blogging]

  God is love????

A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. (Pope Benedict XVI – Deus Caritas Est/God is Love.  Perhaps the last guess on this video missed that message… (Even the newslady from Fox- which often is more conservative that not, thought this women was off kilter!
[culture]

 

  Thursday, October 12, 2006
  By land 
My son is traveling north today to Philadelphia for another step in his process of pursuing a vocation.  He’s driving my car.  I’m unsure as to which I am more nervous about…  Actually, I have confidence in him in both capacities. [friends & family]
  or by sea 
(Picture to be posted later today) Meanwhile, the Catholic Center celebrates Employee Appreciation Day by sending everyone out for a three-hour cruise on the Bay Lady. I’m getting recognized for five years of service today- four in my previous incarnation as the "sex guy" and this past year as the coordinator of adolescent faith formation. Others are suggesting it took me 11 years to be recognized for the 5 years.  I’m promoting the theory that I’ve accomplished 5 years of work in the 15 months I’ve been in the office this time.  [work day]
  Dealt a bad hand 
The Diocese of Davenport, Iowa announced bankruptcy on Tuesday.  (I worked in their chancery for a year in 1979-1980.)  This is all related to child abuse lawsuits that happened well previous of my time there, but I do recognize some of the names under scrutiny.  Bishop Franklin was a pastor in Waterloo, Iowa during my time in the Dubuque Archdiocese and always struck me as a good guy.  The same week he is in court with bankruptcy, the Vatican accepts his resignation due to age and announces his replacement- – -  can’t be a coincidence.  Please pray for our bishops.   [church]

 

  Wednesday, October 11, 2006
  whither Youth? 
Catholic blogger Amy Welborn just commented on the state of youth ministry in general and CYM specifically.  She has lots of readers and elicited much response.   Read more here. [youth ministry]
  re: discipleship 
"Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong."  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from his sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:9   [church]

 

  Tuesday, October 10, 2006
  Please pray for Cardinal Keeler 
who was injured in a car accident in Italy that involved a fatality of a friend of his. Read more here. [church]
  off to the Races 
An Australian racetrack chosen for the closing site of World Youth Day.  They anticipate about 300,000 for the vigil overnight. I’m sure someone already has a spot staked out near the altar. Read more here. [pope]

 

  Monday, October 9, 2006
  The Word of the Lord 
The Pope has called for the next Synod of the Bishops.  It begins two years from now and the theme is "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.  Read more here. [church]
  America’s Ally 
A Saturday night discussion around the Miller family board-game table. . . What is the price of freedom and being an advocate for democracy in Iraq? Gunmen in Baghdad on Monday killed the brother of Tariq al-Hashimi, Iraq’s vice president, five months after al-Hashimi’s sister and another brother were gunned down in separate incidents. Read more here. [culture]

 

  Sunday, October 8, 2006
  Hollywood ironic 
Former Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes finished filming the role of the Virgin Mary in the upcoming The Nativity Story only weeks ago.  Now the 16-year-old New Zealander has announced she is pregnant.  Read more here. [culture]

 

  Saturday, October 7, 2006
  Home cookin’ 
It’s family weekend at the Miller Campus.  Last night, involved a pilgrimage meeting, a dinner out downtown, and a night of Shakespeare- alright, Shakespeare Abridged.  Today, thus far had been doing laundry and ironing, including the sons; cooking banana pancakes at the eldest’s apartment; a haircut (from last weekend’s to-do list); brownies in the oven; salsa and chips about to be delivered; Monopoly and Risk to be played.  A full life.   [friends & family]

 

  Friday, October 6, 2006
rainy morning friday
Raindrops gently hitting the window in the morning can evoke all sorts of stuff.  Roll over, relax, and sleep in. . . Are you kidding?  Traffic’ll be a nightmare! Get up! Get out! . . . Hey, there’s added warmth to the place. The daughter is in the next room . . . Hey, there is a slight chill in the bedroom with the only solution present being an added blanket  . . .  I am surfing waves of melancholy . . . I’m blessed . . .  I have a monster to-do list  . . . Is my work meaningful?   . . .   . . .   . . .  A little introspection doesn’t suck.  Now, on with the day. [blogging]

  Thursday, October 5, 2006
  sock-less
I got a comp copy of this CD many, many weeks ago.  I’ve caught bits and pieces of it from a variety of sources here and there.  But, during this morning’s commute, I listen to all of Joia Farmer’s Before and Afterlife.  Now, I know and love and trust many of the players involved in this project.  And, because of that, I had fairly positive expectations of a good experience listening to the CD.  But, I just gotta say- it blew my socks off.  It had a great mix of styles and rhythms.  I was entertained but also found myself praying along with it.  Awesome! [friends & family]
Welcome littlest angel
If you check out the September 29th posting, you can note that our office is surrounded by (arch)angels.  Well, on Monday (the Feast of the Guardian Angel) or there-abouts, it seems another has been enlisted into the angelic choir.  Michael the rabbit, along with Rafael (the original) and Gabrielle (pictured to the right) all welcome our newest little angel.  Now comes the challenge of the dog’s name.  Seemingly, because I have taken charge of all other angelic animal naming, I have taken it upon myself to name this one as well.  After careful and intentional prayerful discernment, it seems as if the most logical angel name that is remaining is…  Farrah! [friends & family]

 

 

  Wednesday, October 4, 2006
  Down on the Farm with JPII
In 1979, I loaded up on a bus with Saint Ambrose (Davenport, Iowa) seminarians and many senior citizens.  We were on our way to celebrate mass with the "new" Pope on a farm outside of Des Moines.  It was early morning and it was a quiet bus ride.  The seminarians either slept or joined the senior citizens in the rosary on the way out. As a "bus captain" I was given juice and breakfast roll rations to distribute to the entire contingent. Either fasting seemed to be the general mood of the group or they just weren’t interested.
We arrived, in light of our senior citizen pilgrims, within a reasonably short walk of the field. As they climbed off the bus, I was intentional about declaring where we were meeting the bus after mass and again offered the breakfast rations. In a "loaves and fishes" moment, I still had an abundance of snackage.
Grabbing a handful of seminarian buds (and the snackage!), I began to make my way to the mass site.  Believe me, it is much more easier to work your way to the front of a crowd with some guys in their blacks.  Nonetheless, you still get to the inner core, closest to the altar: the crowd that got up early, early, early in the morning, camped out near the gates, then rushed in to stake out their "we got here early" positions.  Even young seminarians in their blacks can’t cut through that crowd!
But, never under-estimate the power of juice and bad danishes delivered by young seminarians to the die-hard crowd.  A good morning greeting, and offer of snackage, and a step forward was the next strategy.  We worked our way towards the snow fence security line immediately in front of the altar.  With just enough left over, we worked our way towards the rare Iowan with a small battery operated TV (a rarity back in the day) and not only had great seats for Mass but were able to watch the Pope’s arrival and other activities as well.
So, these are the thoughts that I revisit every Feast of Saint Francis.  Iowa; the Pope; generous, happy sems, senior citizens with small appetites, being in the middle of nowhere while being in the middle of everything at the same time; Make me a channel of your peace. Read more here. [pope]
  Checked out?
Nearly two-thirds of young Americans are disengaged from political and civic life and only a quarter regularly vote, a survey released on Tuesday showed. Read more here. [culture]
  Check, Please!
Is the Catholic theological world about to go into a small uproar?  You decide.  The status of limbo might be in limbo. Read more here. [church]
  Check it out!
It seems as if there will be a presentation on the NSYR at the November USCCB meeting. Just in time is this brief article Christianity Today had on line entitled What’s Next: Youth. The article profiles what evangelical leaders suggested as their priorities for the next 50 years in youth ministry. Read more here.   Marko and the Protestant YM blogoshere is in full engagement of this. Read more here. [youth ministry]

 

  Monday, October 2, 2006
  One of those weeks
Although it started out with a speed-bump delay (Spilled some liquid on my pants staining them just steps from the office door- thereby making a turn-around home instead of the intended early start), I’m running with the mood that this is just gonna be one of those (good to great) weeks.  Lots of stuff to do, people to see, and the Mee-ghan arrives Thursday night! [blogging]

  Sunday, October 1, 2006
  bottoms up
Who says it’s a top-down hierarchy? As many dioceses have been experiencing financial difficulties and restructuring that has decimated pastoral ministries (such as like, oh, youth ministry), it was probably inevitable that the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops would do the same. (although early indications are that youth and young adult ministry remain safe.) Read more here. [church]

  Death and the blogger 
Working with the belief that I blog to live and that I live to blog. [funny stuff]