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Sunday April 29

CHURCH SIGN GENERATOR!
   Here is the Church Sign Generator, a handy little tool, great to use for power points of flyers.   You can find a whole honkin’ slew of similar such generators here. [youth ministry]

Saturday April 28

HERE COMES THE POPE!
In a private audience last week with Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General invited Pope Benedict to the organization’s headquarters in New York. Yesterday, an announcement from the Holy See confirmed that the Pope has accepted Ban’s invitation for a visit, to take place at an unspecified "mutually convenient time." Of the seven papal visits to the United States since Pope Paul VI’s one-day trek to New York on 4 October 1965, most have had as their centerpiece a visit and address to the UN’s General Assembly, which meets in early autumn. [pope]
MONKS WHO PLAY PUNK
   “Who has ever heard of a monk playing funk music?” shouted Brother Agostino Torres, a 30-year-old friar wearing sandals and a hooded gray robe. Hands shot into the air.  “O.K., all right, but I’ll bet you never heard of this one,” Brother Agostino went on. “Because tonight, we’re going to have some monks play some punk!” Half a dozen other bushy-bearded, gray-frocked friars broke into a cacophony of drums, bass, saxophone and electric guitar. Read more here. [church]

Friday April 27

PHOTO-SHOPPED HEROES
   Last night was our Annual Recognition Dinner with over 250 attending under a new format that included Mass. We then started with a Chris Ashby comedy routine aided by his own photo-shopping of the award winners into some modern day heroes.  Cool effect.  Check it out. [work day]
THE SIN OF JACQUES THE PAINTER
   For your weekend (from The Ironic Catholic): There was a tradesman, a painter called Jacques, who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often would thin down paint to make it go a wee bit further. As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the local Catholic Church decided to do a big restoration job on the painting of one of their biggest buildings. Jacques put in a bid, and because his price was so low, he got the job. And so he set to erecting the trestles and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine. Well, Jacques was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, and the sky opened, the rain poured down, washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Jacques clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint. Jacques was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried: “Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?” And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke…   “Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!”  [funny stuff]
THE WORLD SERIES OF UNO
   Can there be any doubt as to this being the clearest example of why God invited You Tube? This brief video is home-grown, a good satire, and just funny.  A concern, however, for Meghan Foley who must learn to have a better "Uno face" when holding a "fist full of clover."   [funny stuff]

Thursday April 26

A GENTLE PLAYLIST FOR DIFFICULT TIMES
   Cornerstone Media is offering music to help young people through the challenging times such as with the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech.  You’ll find it here. [youth ministry]
PASTOR VISITS THE STUDIO
   Yesterday, I asked, "How does it feel when a parish really seems to get Catholic youth ministry?" Last night, I received an e-mail from Kim McMillan’s pastor: Thank you for taking the time to have our Youth Minister, Kim McMillan, in the studio.  Kim is a true treasure to our parish and to all the teens she ministers to.  I have had the privilege of being her colleague for the past 15 years.  I credit her with the strong program in our parish and with teaching me the real meaning of youth ministry. When a pastor send nice notes like this, that’s a good sign of how it feels in Kim’s parish. [studio]

Wednesday April 25

KIM McMILLAN IS
"INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS STUDIO" 
<<Enter the studio here.>>  How does it feel when a parish really seems to get Catholic youth ministry?  Listen to the emotion and pride in Kim McMillan’s voice when she reflects upon a recent Holy Thursday liturgy.  Yep, that is what it is like.  For everyone who has had that moment, keep the faith and keep up the good ministry. And, God’s continued blessings upon each of you.  [studio]
LEE NAGEL IS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NCCL 
  The National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (the best shorthand but not fully adequate explanation is that NCCL is the DRE equivalent of the NFCYM for youth ministers) has named Lee Nagel as their new executive director.  Lee has been pretty seriously burring up the speaker circuit lately as a sales consultant for Benziger.  He has held a variety of positions on both the university level as well as diocesan, most recently as director of Total Catholic Education for the Diocese of Green Bay.  It should be noted, however, that Lee was a a founding board member of the NFCYM. 
   Even last week, he was speaking about burn-out to the youth ministers in Phoenix. "We tend to put people in youth ministry and almost treat them like a lone ranger. ‘You deal with youth, the rest of us can’t. That’s your gift, so you do it,’” explained Lee Nagel, “So we don’t even give them a sense that you can come, ask for some help." Read more here. [youth ministry]

Tuesday April 24

HISPANICS LOSING FAITH, CATHOLICS LOSING HISPANICS
   On Sunday afternoons, when the local Roman Catholic church holds Mass for Spanish-speaking Catholics, Edgar Chilín is playing soccer in a league with hundreds of Hispanic players. “Church is not very popular,” said Francisco Hernandez, a pastor for a Pentecostal congregation in Richmond, Va. As a child in Guatemala, Mr. Chilín attended Mass every Sunday. But after immigrating to the United States 25 years ago, he and his family lost the churchgoing habit. “We pray to God when we feel the need to,” he said, “but when we come here to America we don’t feel the need.” A wave of research shows that increasing percentages of Hispanics are abandoning church, suggesting to researchers that along with assimilation comes a measure of secularization. Read more here.  [church]
MISS AMERICA 1944 AND HER GUNS
   It’s a little shocking that this story was smirked about on the Today show, yesterday morning. Perhaps, Virginia Tech had minimal impact on the anchors, I don’t know. As long as we, as a society, view Venus Ramey’s armed confrontation with an intruder on her farm in south-central Kentucky as a cute story or a charming novelty, we remain a violent society. Read more here. [culture]

Monday April 23

SMART GIRLS KNOW
Here’s a semi-lukewarm recommendation (basically ’cause I could not get a solid read on the author and how she addresses adolescent sexuality) for the blog Smart Girls Know which communicates directly with teen girls about the issues important in their lives and send out weekly “smart girls know affirmations.” I hope my youngest daughter Meghan adds this to her blog-reading list.  [culture]
SMART HOSTS KNOW
Confirmation retreat went well yesterday.  The Discipleship/ Beatitudes power point turned out to be a good choice.  It spoke totally towards my own heart and hopefully towards the young people as well.  [work day]
SMART CHURCH FATHERS KNOW
I am Tertullian, possessing many gifts, but patience isn’t one of them. Tough on self — and on others. Independent, too, and do not like to be told what to do. Wish the Church would be a little tighter in discipline. As for the pagans, they are pretty much written off. The Church would probably be a better place if I were in charge. What sort of Church Father are you? Take the test here. [blogging]

Sunday April 22

ONE FROM COLUMN A AND TWO FROM COLUMN B
  Since when did instructing a retreat director become like ordering take-out from the local Chinese food place?  On Tuesday, I received a call from a parish in the Archdiocese asking if I knew any retreat directors available for Sunday.  "What happened?", I asked. Their priest director had a substitute cancel on him and the cancellation effect was now passed to them.  "Fine," I indicated, "I’ll take it;" knowing how difficult it would be to get a last minute sub, and, well, I knew I was available.  The next day, they called and said, "we were on your training site, can you do this power point?"  [work day]
HELP WANTED
  I am actually now in a better spot than I was on April 7th for the Studio.  I have three "in the can," two of which are already edited and ready to go.  Yet, here I am advertising for interviewees again.  Why?  Is there someone out there that is about to graduate college and take on a career in Catholic youth ministry.  E-mail me, I’d love to add you to the above list.  Oh, and if you are looking for work and think Baltimore might be a good spot (’cause it is!!), e-mail me anyway!   [studio]
TAGGED
I must be getting somewhere in the bloggosphere. I’ve been tagged!  Mike St. Pierre passed along to request to reflect on one’s "top 5 to 10 goals that I gotta’ get so that I can truly say I have achieved my wildest dreams in life".
  Mike, I recognize that I have been blessed to have already experienced some wild dreams in my life. I still have simple dreams, many similar to yours.
● To be what my family and friends need me to be.  If I am needed as a father, son, brother or friend, I want to live up to that responsibility.  But, I also remain mindful to walk the balancing line as to not interject myself upon others as well.
● To reclaim love in my life again.  I do love my friends and family and find great joy and passion in them. Nonetheless, I do miss the joy and passion of intimate love.
● To make a difference. Yes, I believe I have and am doing so presently.  I still want that for the future. Simple enough? 
● To laugh more daily, freely, heartily.
● To expand my sphere of relationship in which I influence and/or in which I am influenced.
Passing along the tag seems too chain-letterish to me.  I think I’ll join Mike in awaiting responses from Gene from Brother Blue Publishing, Mike from Mike Patin Ministries, and Lisa from Catholic Mom Moments [blogging]

Saturday April 21

CAN ONE REALLY GET ENOUGH GOOD NEWS
ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM?
Here’s the real punch-line to our week of searching for good news on the home front.  (And what a week to pick at this theme, it’s been a little counter-balance to the grief of Virginia Tech.) Anyway, CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY IS GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICAN CATHOLICISM!!! If you need any more clarification on that, please check the "sweet sixteen" voices that have already visited Inside the Youth Ministers’ Studio. [studio]

Friday April 20

AND YET EVEN STILL MORE GOOD NEWS
ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM
  We are an activiist church.  For example: "For more than a year, Catholic leaders around the United States have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Any such reform must seek to fix the current U.S. immigration system, which nearly everyone agrees has serious flaws. And it should achieve that guided by two principles: security for the American public; and respect for the dignity and basic rights of all persons involved."  Read more here. [church]
MORE ON VIRGINIA TECH / WE DO ACCEPT VIOLENCE
  Just a few more links of note:
> Christian Family Movement – USA  "Live Without Fear" session
> Life Teen http://lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=FEATUREDETAIL Meanwhile, Sen. Obama comments: That this society is still riven by violence, that we continue to be degraded by murders and crime and all manner of abuse perpetrated on our children and Bobby Kennedy is right: we tolerate it. Obviously what happened today was the act of a madman at some level, and there are gonna be a whole series of explanations or attempts to explain what happened. There is gonna be discussion about how did this person get the firearms that he used. And there are already reports that potentially the semi-automatic weapons he used would have been banned under an assault weapons ban that was allowed to lapse. There’ll be discussion about security on college campuses. There will be speculation as to what caused this young man to snap. But I hope that it causes us to reflect a little bit more broadly on the degree to which we do accept violence, in various forms, all the time in our society. We glorify it, we encourage it, we ignore it, and it is heartbreaking and it has to stop.  [culture]

THE END OF THE WEEK

  . . . And what a week it has been. In the midst of it all, Bad News from Blacksburg, Good News about American Catholicism. . . It is important that we we all remember to breathe a little bit and seek what is good and beautiful and sacred.  Washington Metro commuters recently had a lesson in this that was chronicled in the Washington Post. Sometime this weekend, watch the video and read the article. Meanwhile, Weeeeeeee! [blogging]

Thursday April 19

AND YET STILL MORE GOOD NEWS
ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM 1
Coincidence? Yesterday, the Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to uphold a law banning partial-birth abortions. The five?  Justices Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Oh, by the by, didcha’ know that there are five Catholic justices on the court. Who? Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. [culture]

AND YET STILL MORE GOOD NEWS
ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM 2  . . . EVEN IN YALE
   In a development that would no doubt have astonished Yale’s Puritan founders, the university has appointed Sharon Kugler, a Catholic layperson, as Yale’s seventh University Chaplain. The fact that a non-ordained Catholic — and a woman — could assume a post that has always been held by Protestant clergymen suggests just how much Yale and the chaplaincy have changed. Read more here. [church]
WHY COLLEGE CAMPUS MINISTRY . . .
EVEN IN BLACKSBURG
  "Moreover, the power of faith and religion to ready the human spirit to withstand any assault, physical or psychological, cannot be overestimated. That’s why the church has to provide this ministry in campus settings that are not Catholic. Liturgically — especially sacramentally — the believer must be helped to heal in the broken places." Read more here [church]
SPIRIT: THE POWER OF WEEEEEEEEE!
"It is a statement that one is not in this alone.  We are graced by the gifts of friendships as well as a relationship with God.  Life does not revolve around ‘I’ or ‘me;’ it is truly best experienced as ‘WE!’"  This article and others are available in the bi-weekly newsletter to which you can subscribe from this page.  [blogging]

Wednesday

April 18

YET MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT
AMERICAN CATHOLICISM
  is that we have such gifted and talented artists contributing their voices to our prayer and worship. For instance:   [church]
STEVE ANGRISANO
IS "INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS STUDIO"
<<Enter the studio here.>> 

Though you know not what you may be facing
You will never be standing alone
For the love of our God will enfold you
So fear not, my friend, and take courage
Like Daniel in the lion’s den                      

It is the questions that do not get asked that can sometimes make podcasting frustration.  The podcast was taped last Wednesday and is now broadcasted today, scant hours after the Virginia Tech tragedy.  Knowing that Steve had experience with Columbine, I would love to still be talking with him now and get his read on Blacksburg.  Instead, I have been listening to his Columbine related song Daniel’s Heart and saying a prayer for all the young Daniels who find fear a factor in their lives.

Thought the world seems to treat you unfairly
Do not trust what you see with your eyes alone
For your eyes will not tell the whole story
So fear not, my friend, and take courage
Like Daniel in the lion’s den

For many of us, Steve’s voice is a part of the soundtrack of our faith.  It is an honor to have him visit Inside the Youth Ministers’ Studio.  [studio]
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, SOMETHING NOBEL, SOMETHING SACRED
  Meanwhile, a young mid-level MTV executive that I know has blogged about his reflections related to Virginia Tech. (The context of his site is that he’s developing a documentary on the philosophy of Mr. Rogers.) Quote to Note: I the vicious crushing pace of this life about wanting stuff and getting stuff and having stuff and using stuff and buying stuff and then of course replacing stuff, repairing stuff, protecting stuff defending stuff, you know? It’s so vicious. It’s anti-life. Read more here. [culture]

Tuesday April 17

the end of a sad day
   For those of us who serve and love young people, yesterday’s tragedy at Virginia Tech is most discouraging.  The loss of 33 lives and the injury of many more overshadow the horror of the Pennsylvania Amish in Nickel Mines or even Columbine.
   Here is a compilation of web-based resources for you to consider using in the upcoming days:
> NFCYM: www.nfcym.org/resources/pastoralresponse/ViolencetoYouth.htm
> Saint Mary’s Press www.smp.org/SchoolViolence.cfm
> Youth Specialties www.youthspecialties.com/free/web_violence.php
> Talking with Young People:
    * American Psychological Association – Talking to your children about the recent spate of school shootings www.apa.org/topics/schoolshooting.html
    * Children and Parents: Talking with Kids about Violence http://healthresources.caremark.com/article/plainprimer/100234508
    * Tragic Times, Healing Words www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/advice/article.php?contentId=49560
    * Talking with Kids about News  www.talkingwithkids.org/television/twk-news.html
   * Can School Shootings be prevented? www.kidspeace.org/pdf/SchoolShooting_Langman.pdf
   * Ten tips regarding talking to your Child about School shootings www.kidspeace.org/SchoolShootingPreventionTips.htm#ten [culture]
STILL MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM
The mission of Catholic Relief Services is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Working through local offices and an extensive network of partners, CRS operates on five continents and in 98 countries. As the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is also committed to educating the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.  [church]

Monday April 16

MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT
AMERICAN CATHOLICISM
Calling teachers "the greatest artists in the world," Pope Benedict XVI’s representative to the United States opened the National Catholic Educational Association convention in Baltimore April 10 with praise for the "special qualities of mind and heart" that educators bring to their work. "But I think the greatest artists of the world are teachers, because you sculpt the best of what you are, not in a piece of marble but in human beings who are the glory of God," he said.  "Each of us has forgotten a lot of what we were told in school," he added, "but a lot of what’s inside us is from the example of teachers."  Read more here. [church]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOSS!
Today is Pope Benedict’s 80th birthday. Two notes:  Vatican offices are closed today and all employees of the Holy See will receive a €500 (US $677) bonus to mark the pontiff’s milestone.  So, please join me in asking why we are working today and where are our bonuses???  [pope]
MARRIAGE AND  POLITICS AND RELIGION
Important enough to not shrink it down, at least initially.  (OK, now you’ve got to click it to read it.) Let’s hear it for family values!  [funny stuff]

Sunday April 15

A WEEK OF GOOD NEWS
  Here we go – a week of good news about us as church as well as a request for you to be an e-evangelist for the site.  [blogging]
THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT AMERICAN CATHOLICISM
  At the Catholic prayer breakfast, President Bush noted the need for more American citizens to look out for their neighbors.  In this effort, he said, faith-based institutions can “add something the government never can, and that is love.” Catholic parishes and neighborhoods across the country take the call to love on their own shoulders, the president added, “and that is why we find so many of you leading America’s armies of compassion. You are changing America one heart, one soul at a time, and I thank you.”  Read more here. [church]
ALANIS MORISSETTE’S HUMPS

All right, there’s a post entry title you thought that you’d never see. Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas had a hit with the song "My Humps." It had a catchy upbeat tune which you could dance to, Mr. Dick Clark.  But, here is Alains Morisette’s take on the same song. Perhaps, every idiotic song should be performed with solo piano and a slower tempo and haunting vocals in order to expose the absolute inanity and misogyny of the lyrics.  Attach a video parody that exposed how really disempowering and confusing the mixed message was and we might be on to something! (Marko said it was PG-13 yesterday, but this has been on my radar for a week.) [culture]

Saturday April 14

TEENAGER’S BRAIN
A new review of adolescent brain research suggests that society is wasting billions of dollars on education and intervention programs to dissuade teens from dangerous activities, because their immature brains are not yet capable of avoiding risky behaviors. The analysis, by Temple University psychologist Laurence Steinberg, says stricter laws and policies limiting their behaviors would be more effective than education programs. Read more here. [youth ministry]
POST-CONFERENCE RECAP
NCEA conference attendees have all left town.  Thank God. Others in the office worked much harder on it than I -  from leading up the massive committee, to a "First Night" hospitality event based in the Inner Harbor, to offering workshops and participating in liturgies. Nonetheless, I chipped in like a champ- socializing each night, taking in an afternoon meeting, strolling through the exhibit hall… Yesterday, I offered another power-point assist to keynoter Mike Patin, who did his usual excellent effort in inspiring and informing. [work day]

Friday April  13

SMARTER NOT HARDER
  Powell hopes youth workers will work "smarter" and not harder. would rather do one hour of work that is more strategic than three hours of work when I’m splashing around in the shallow end."  That means, taking some time to pull back and reflect.  Read more here. [youth ministry]

Thursday April 12

RESPONSIBILITY
When Janet talked with her pastor about this, he told her that she needs to focus on details and on providing information for the parents, not just on relationships with the girls. He has also asked her to work with a coach.  Janet and her coach began to look at Janet’s “presence” in the church. Janet insisted that the pastor doesn’t like her and is trying to find thing to pick on. Her coach pointed out that Janet was blaming the pastor for limiting her, and she was complaining and blaming the pastor most of the time during the coaching calls. When asked if others might perceive her as a complainer, Janet stopped short. She realized that she was presenting herself as a victim of her circumstances, rather than as a woman on a mission—that of being a well-respected leader and role model for the teen girls in the church. Read more here. [youth ministry]

Wednesday April 11

MARK MOITOZA  IS "INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS’ STUDIO"
<<Enter the studio here.>>  It’s exciting to have Mark agreed to participate in the studio thingee.  Mark and I have known each other for almost eight years-  having worked together in the NFCYM offices as well as being both co-workers and friends while he was ministering in Germany.  We would have great e-mail exchanges- he at the end of his work day and I at the beginning of mine.  I would speak of the traffic and the humidity of Washington DC and he would discuss driving over to Poland or the Czech Republic or to the Volvo factory.  Wait a minute- I forgot – I am a bitter man and never did really like Mark. J  Thanks, Mark, for visiting the Studio.  [studio]

Tuesday April 10

REALLY GOOD HEADLINE AND STORY LEAD OF THE MONTH
  HEADLINE: Keeping the Faith (New York Times Magazine)
  STORY LEAD: The center of Regensburg is all old stone, a carefully preserved medley of medieval towers, gates and spires clustered on the banks of the Danube, and in various ways — the firmness of the material, the rigorous workmanship, the serious commitment to the past as a component of the present — you might see this clutch of buildings as a metaphor for the mind and heart of Bavaria’s most illustrious native. Joseph Ratzinger — Pope Benedict XVI. Read more here. [pope]
REALLY BAD HEADLINE AND STORY LEAD OF THE MONTH
  HEADLINE: New study of U.S. Catholics cites young adults as problem for church (Catholic News Service)
  STORY LEAD: The U.S. Catholic Church’s relationship with younger adults is problematic, says a newly published study by four leading sociologists of religion. In one recent survey "just over half of American Catholics said that young adults’ lack of participation in the church is a serious problem," the 205-page book says. That concern was reflected not just by older Catholics, but even by nearly half of the younger adult Catholics surveyed, it says. Read more here. .  [church]

Monday April 9

YOU ARE "BELOVED"
  All right, are you in need of a little post-triduum/easter boost?  Do yourself a favor and close your door and take a 15 minute retreat.  Here is a link to a 13 minute video called "The Beloved". It’s from a Henri Nouwen visit on Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power. It’s from a Dutch web site, but fear not – it is in English (just deal with the Dutch subtitles.)  If you stick with it, listen and open your heart a crack, it is most likely to move you to a few minutes of prayer.  [church]

Sunday April 8

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!!
Now let the heavens be joyful; let earth her song begin; Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein! Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, For Christ the Lord hath risen, our Joy that hath no end! – John of Damascus [church]

Saturday April 7

HELP WANTED IN THE STUDIO
  I had a phone interview for Inside the Actor’s Studio cancelled out on me on Thursday and he’s not available until Tuesday (which is booked for me.) I have five interviews set for Wednesday which won’t begin to be posted until April 18th.  What could this possibly mean for you???
  Well, I’m looking for a youth ministry contact to interview on Monday for a Wednesday, April 11th posting. . . What!?!?? Could he be possibly be talking about me??? You bet! For goodness sakes, you’re checking out a Catholic Youth Ministry blog on Easter weekend – - – you qualify.
  C’mon… all you need is an opinion and a phone line. (a digital picture for the site wouldn’t suck, either.) So, please, drop me a line now and volunteer for the next Wednesday podcast. Seriously, I need your help. [studio]
THE POWER OF POWER-POINT      [funny stuff]

Friday April 6

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE – - –
GOOD FRIDAY
   From Pope Benedict’s Chrism Mass yesterday- In a short story, the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy tells of a fierce sovereign who asked his priests and wise ones to show him God that he might be able to see him. The wise ones weren’t in a position to satisfy this desire of his. But then a shepherd, who’d just returned from the field, himself offered to take on the task of the priests and the experts. From him, the king learned that his eyes were not sufficient to see God. Then, however, he wished to at least know what God did. “To be able to respond to this question,” the shepherd told the sovereign, “we must swap our clothes.” With hesitation, but still pushed by curiosity for the discovery he awaited, the king consented; he gave his royal garb to the shepherd and then re-dressed himself in the simple outfit of the poor man. And then came the response: “This is that which God does.” In fact, the Son of God – true God from true God – left his divine splendor: “…emptying himself, he took the form of a slave and became like unto men; appearing in human form, he humbled himself… dying on a cross” (Phil 2:6). God has – as the Fathers put it – completed the sacrum commercium, the sacred exchange: he took on that which was ours, that we might receive that which was his, to become like unto God.  [pope]
WILL EASTER  HAPPEN THIS YEAR?
   Don’t be surprised if there is no Easter this year.  The very idea scares me, but it’s not farfetched. In our world there are millions who have not had and will not have an Easter experience—that experience of journeying through a dying that leads us into new life, that experience of “yes” triumphing over “no” in life. But Easter does not happen if we keep running away from, denying, blocking out, avoiding Good Friday. Read more here [church]

Thursday April 5

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE  – - – HOLY THURSDAY
Young people taking up the cross.  It is ultimately counter-cultural, not unlike washing feet.  Please take time to focus upon the sacrifice of the cross this weekend. [youth ministry]
HE CAME
Here’s the next four days synopsized in a :56 video.  He Came. He Died.  He Conquered.  (Thanks to Mark Batterson for this one.)

Wednesday April 4

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE
– - – TAKING THE CROSS TO THE STREETS
The Catholic Review weighs in: "The reverence that exuded from St. Casimir, Canton, was invigorating as some 1,135 pilgrims sang and praised the Lord before parading down the streets of Baltimore in the 14th annual Youth and Young Adult Pilgrimage, the largest in archdiocesan history, on March 31. “Today the community of Baltimore will see Christ in the faces of you as you walk the city,” said Cardinal William H. Keeler to the pilgrims before Eucharistic adoration. “Our pilgrimage today begins and ends with the Eucharist. It’s food for our every journey.” Read more here. [youth ministry]
BOB RICE IS "INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS’ STUDIO"
<<Enter the studio here.>>  Yesterday, I reposted "Hand-Motions"  It pretty much gives you a good image of Bob as a person who cares about faith and church but still has a wonderful sense of humor about it, as should we all.  We’ve been asking everyone about discipleship and youth ministry, but Bob was the first to define it from a scriptural basis!  [studio]

Tuesday April 3

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE – - –
THE CHRISM MASS
  Last night, at the Archdiocesan Chrism Mass, priests, deacons, and vowed religious all renewed their commitment to ministry.  Then the deacon invited Lay Ecclesial Ministers (like those pictured who walked or spoke with young people in last weekend’s pilgrimage) to please stand:
  CARDINAL: My sisters and brothers, are you resolved to follow the path of prayer and Christian living through your Profession of Faith, pursuit of justice, and your deeds of charity?
  MINISTERS: I am.
  CARDINAL: Are you resolved to be faith filled ministers to the people of God through your particular work of teaching, pastoral care, or administration in union with the Universal Church through the successor of the Apostle Peter and with me, your bishop?
  MINISTERS: I am.
  DEACON:  The assembly will please stand.
  CARDINAL:  Dear friends, pray for these servants of the Lord, deacons, religious and lay ministers.  Ask the Lord to bless them in their unique contribution to the Church of Christ. Ask the Lord to increase their zeal for God’s house with fresh gifts of faith, hope, and love.
  PEOPLE: Lord Jesus Christ hear us and answer our prayers.  [church]
HOW TO WIN YOUR OFFICE NCAA BASKETBALL POOL
  Just try to do reasonably well during the opening weekend.  Then start your drive by correctly picking six of the Elite Eight (Wisconsin and Texas A&M were my disappointments). Now, go on with your bad self by correctly having all of the Final Four and both teams in the Championship Game.  By then, it doesn’t matter that you have Ohio State as no one else had Florida.  [work day]

HAND-MOTIONS IN HEAVEN

Why recycle a post for this first time ever? Here it is – a posting of a YouTube video from December 8, 2006. Stay tuned for Inside the Youth Ministers’ Studio tomorrow!   [funny stuff]
LIFE TEEN ON YOU TUBE
Speaking of video, I kinda tipped across this on the internet. . . was surprised to find it on my own and to have not received some sort of marketing notice on this. Anyway, I’ll pass the word along… Here’s LifeTeen on YouTube. [youth ministry]

Monday April 2

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE – - –
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
As Saint Augustine put it: "nemo autem illam carnem manducat, nisi prius adoraverit; peccemus non adorando – no one eats that flesh without first adoring it; we should sin were we not to adore it." (191) In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us and desires to become one with us; eucharistic adoration is simply the natural consequence of the eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s supreme act of adoration. (192) Receiving the Eucharist means adoring him whom we receive. Only in this way do we become one with him, and are given, as it were, a foretaste of the beauty of the heavenly liturgy. The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself. Indeed, "only in adoration can a profound and genuine reception mature. (SC 66) [church]
NINJA FAMILY TIME
Sunday was a second wonderful day in a row. A family decimated by tiredness still had a great day… bagels in the morning, clothes shopping, hearts playing (we all "shot the moon" with Meghan doing so to win the game), a nostalgic visit to the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles at the movie theater, and home for carry-out Hunan.  Other people do remind me often that this is the case, but I really am blessed with some great kids. [family and friends]
NEXT WEEK
  Immediately on the heels of the Pilgrimage, now the office completes preparations for the hosting of the National Catholic Educational Association convention and expo.  For a few moments of the cute factor, check out these promotional videos: Wind Me Up and Better Together.   [work day]

Sunday April 1

HOLY WEEK: WE ARE ON A PILGRIMAGE
Throughout this week, we’ll be offering a pictorial retrospective of yesterday’s Youth and Young Adult Pilgrimage under the Holy Week sub-title.  May their trek through the streets of Baltimore be an inspiration for your own travels of faith throughout this week.  As always, we are posting thumbnails.  If you want the larger picture, please click on it. [blogging]
PILGRIMAGE RECAP
  WOW!  What a great day.  The spring weather was just warm enough to take off one layer while you were walking. We were a record breaking 1,202 strong. There was quiet prayer at Eucharistic Adoration, reverence when visiting the Holocaust Memorial, full voice when praying the rosary, overwhelming generosity in donations for a homeless shelter, and celebration during the Palm Sunday liturgy Bob Perron brought inspiration, laughter, and message to the young people and then share in the walk with them visiting many one-on-one. The city streets were alive and blooming.
  But the day for me is always about bringing together two powerful forces in the church- – - Our wonderful leadership (including Cardinal Keeler and our bishops) and young people.   (The two pictured here are mine- Clark who co-coordinated the Eucharistic Adoration site and co-emceed the liturgy and Meghan who serve as executive assistant to Kristin Witte and myself throughout the day.)
Here is an article and pictures from the Baltimore Sun. [work day]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

(taped by phone 04/20/07)

BIO: Kim in the Youth Minister at Saint Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park, Illinois.  The parish church literally borders upon the boundary line of the city of Chicago. She is the vice-chair (to advance to chair in the new school calendar year) of the Association for the Advancement of Catholic Youth Ministry.

QUOTE TO NOTE:  (regarding empowering towards discipleship)  These kids that we work with- they have the gift. And gifts come from God. (My job is) to help them uncover them. . . Maybe I name them. .  . I encourage them to share them. Give them a safe venue to use them. And help the parish to affirm them. And by that they are empower to lead others.

OBSCURE FACTOID: How did it come to be that Kim “volunteered” for the podcast?  The story is told in the first minute

BEHIND THE SCENES:  The audio tape was actually edited over the weekend and not early Wednesday morning. Praise God!

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for April 25.

It all started on an elevator.  It was at a hotel next to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  From the lobby of the hotel, one enters into a glass encased elevator car.  For the first three floors, you are rising above the front desk and the bland nondescript setting of a hotel lobby.

But, after the fourth floor, you are ascending above Baltimore’s waterfront: the cityscape of streets, bright lights, and tall buildings, the harbor of placid water and gently moving ships…, higher and higher.  Never a fan of heights but impressed by the vista before me, there was but one response to share with my two elevator companions at that moment.

I raised my hands above my head and exclaimed, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

This has become my philosophical catch-phrase which is getting me through my days.

It certainly works for those times of accomplishment and celebration.  Yet, it also reminds one to embrace the twists and turns of life with enthusiasm and optimism.  Finally, it is a statement that one is not in this alone.  We are graced by the gifts of friendships as well as a relationship with God.  Life does not revolve around "I" or "me;" it is truly best experienced as "WE!"

The Psalmist reminds us that regarding whatever it is that we face, it is "by the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in OUR eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let US rejoice in it and be glad." Shorthand for that could certainly be "Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

(taped in person in Baltimore 04/11/07)

BIO: Steve Angrisano is recognized as one of the most dynamic and effective communicators with Christian youth in the country.  He’s been featured at major youth events nationally and internationally, including two World Youth Days, four National Catholic Youth Conferences and countless parish, school, camp and diocesan events. See more here.

QUOTE TO NOTE:  I think the biggest challenge facing youth ministers is a separation of our personal spirituality and our work. I did a youth ministers’ retreat recently and this became a big topic of conversation. (Many suggested that) there is no separation between my faith and my work. I have discovered in the last two years that is a very dangerous way to look at the world.. . . If I had to choose between being a child of God that sits here in my chair and experiences his love or being on the stage, I would have to choose being in the chair.

OBSCURE FACTOID: (Not that any woman of such power could be considered "obscure," but) You need to know Jenni Angrisano is one of my absolute unrequited crushes in youth ministry.  I mean, Steve is a nice guy and all, but I do love his wife. She is charming, caring, hospitable, and just a sweetheart. Then there is that whole undefined "holiness" thing… I think Steve married into it!

BEHIND THE SCENES:  Yes, we literally were in the seventeen floor hallway outside a party following a concert that  Steve and his Spirit and Song-mates at just performed inside the historic Baltimore Basilica.

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for April 18.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

(taped by phone 04/09/07)

BIO: Mark is a “military brat” who now serves as the Director of Youth Ministry with the Archdiocese of Military Services, USA. His experience in youth ministry includes: Director of Youth Retreats at the LaSalette Retreat Center, Attleboro, MA, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston, RI and the Catholic Military Project Coordinator at Heidelberg and Mannheim, U.S. Army Installations in Germany. See more here.

QUOTE TO NOTE:  In the military setting, we have the great opportunity to interact with many different mentors – adults who are living their faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.  They really have the opportunity to share those experiences with young people.  The many ways that we can empower young people is by helping them to see positive examples of mentors or leaders in our Catholic faith comminutes on military installations who really are excited about being Catholic and want to share those experiences with young people. It gives the young person the opportunity to see the ways that God is calling them to live their faith and give them some hope to understand that there are others who have gone before them that are strive to do that.  They (young people) have been gifts that are needed in the church today.

OBSCURE FACTOID: Here’s a little lesson in military speak – for the rest of the world, the language is church, parish, or congregation.  On base, it is “faith community.”

BEHIND THE SCENES:  I recruited Mark over the Easter holiday weekend to fill this slot  before it became apparent that no one was stepping up to respond the the April 7 ad (Better safe and smart than sorry!) Nonetheless, the ad remains open.

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for April 11.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

(taped by phone 02/23/07)

BIO: Bob is a member of the Catechetics department at Franciscan University in Steubenville.  Before moving his family to Ohio, he was a youth minister for 7 years at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Latham, NY, where he lead a LIFE TEEN program (one of the nation’s hub parishes), confirmation preparation, teen catechumenal preparation, and other ministries within the parish. Bob is a highly sought after, internationally recognized speaker for youth and youth ministers, sharing the Good News to tens of thousands people every year. He is also an accomplished musician who leads worship at the Steubenville Summer Conference and has released many CDs (you can find out more at bobricemusic.com).

QUOTE TO NOTE:  You just never know what happens. As I was there, every Sunday,  talking to those junior-high kids, trying to get them to pay attention- -  walking away every Sunday thinking nobody listened to a word a said (that) this was the biggest disaster of a ministry I can have… That ministry, in his words, saved his family and changed the entire direction of his family. That’s what is what is so exciting about ministry to me.  You go in with a plan and God does something else. (It’s about) faithfulness and not success.

OBSCURE FACTOID: Bob is a long-distance runner.

BEHIND THE SCENES:  Two notes of desperation- 1) Back to Wednesday morning editing AND 2) for the first time this year, there are no studio sessions in the can for next week.  Time to make some calls!

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for April 4th.