o Friday, November 30
THE ART OF
WORLD YOUTH DAY
The work of Richard Patrick Campbell, an Australian from the Gumbaingirr/Dhungutti people, has been selected to be displayed at World Youth Day events and on event paraphernalia. Campbell’s series of indigenous artworks reinterpret major Catholic themes.  His Fourteen Stations of the Cross, The Madonna (pictured at the right and explained here), The Crucifixion, and The Resurrection will be used on merchandise for the expected 225,000 registered pilgrims for the international youth event. Read more here.
NCCYM WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
The following workshops were proposed for the 2008 National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry. (Today’s the deadline!)  But they are also available to you as well.  Contact me for fuller descriptions and learning objectives.
  *  Adolescent Catechesis: A Good Work in You
  *  No Place Like Home: Passing Along Catholic Identity
  *  Do You Hear What I Hear? (An Update of Catholic Youth Ministry thought since Renewing the Vision.)
  *  Confirmation:  Graduation or Commencement
  *  Teaching about Chaste Living: Something Positive to Offer
DISCLOSED LOCATIONS – MORE PICTURES EXPLAINED
Monday’s pictures: Dino from a Maryland House Service Area along I-95 was just whimsical, the cornucopia from St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother where I attended mass twice, and my losing hand in cards where my mother again beat me in Rummy.
   Tuesday’s pictures: a pilgrimage moment visiting my father’s gravesite, Christmas shopping at Tanger Outlets in Lancaster, and a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World
   Wednesday’s pictures: a visit to my namesake town, Millersville, and representations of the flowers delivered to daughter Nichole on the occasion of her 23rd birthday and the time spent on the website… as I had returned home!

o Thursday, November 29
MISSING THE PARTY
The Diocese of Arlington youth ministers came a’calling yesterday and I missed the opportunity to spend time.  My two week vacation is almost over but I opted to continue to "be off."  Nonetheless, it sounded as if they were well-toured and well-hosted.  Sorry to have missed the party!

HI-HO, HI-HO, IT’S OFF TO WORK WE GO (SOON)
I actually do have a friend, who in a Disney-princess sort of way, totally unlike Dagwood, probably does sing on her way to the office in the morning.  (The concept of her starting her morning cleaning her house with birds, bunnies, and other forest friends does not stretch the imagination. . . much)  Anyway, make your next commute with a song and see if it makes a difference.

o Wednesday, November 28
SPREAD THE WORD WEDNESDAY
All right, catholic YM blog evangelists, go do your thing! (see yesterday’s posting.) It is Spread the Word Wednesday, your chance as the Catholic YM Blog faithful to tell two other people about this site. Please go for it now: email a friend or colleague and provide the link (www.catholicYMblog.com) as well as something that you like about the site.  Simple as that!
ADVANCE TEAM
Actually, we’ve already had one CYMB evangelist jump the gun and send out a large broadcast email- Thanks, John.  Brian also sent a kind note of encouragement.
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
(Wrapping up adventures as you vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .)  As always, click on the picture to enlarge.

o Tuesday, November 27
IN NEED OF EVANGELISTS
There is a minimal amount of marketing regarding this site. . . yet the viewership continues to grow.  Thanks for that, really! It is an encouragement to continue sharing something-something with the field. Can we designate tomorrow as Spread the Word Wednesday, a chance for the Catholic YM Blog faithful to tell two other people about this site. How it works: email a friend or colleague and provide the link (www.catholicYMblog.com) as well as something that you like about the site.  Simple as that! Thanks for being a CYMB evangelist. (and, yeah, I’ll own it, I totally stole the idea from the Saint)
HOW TO BLOG WELL
(To view with full screen, go to the SlideShare page here.)  I hope I accomplish these most days with the blog.  Are you blogging youth ministry rather consistently?  Can I help to promote your site here?  Let me know!
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
(More continuing tales from your vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .) Lots of driving in rain and fog today.  Nonetheless, sights were seen. As always, click on the picture to enlarge

o Monday, November 26
ALL ABOUT ME
(You’ll only appreciate the irony of this posting when you see the request that I’m about to make tomorrow.) Recent events have called to mind the issue of narcissism in youth ministry. "I place a lot of the blame on youth ministers. Instead of hiring a series of Peter Pans to amuse and distract, we ought to hire theologically-grounded counselors with the ability to nurture. Then perhaps institutional church will once again be relevant to those who are adults everywhere but under the steeple.” Michael Ferber takes it on here. Then, this news come from out in Arizona and you have to wonder….
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
(More continuing tales from your vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .) While, not blogging (at least, right away) about my adventures, here is a photo journal of yesterday. As always, click on the picture to enlarge.

o Sunday, November 25
ENCHANTING ENCHANTED
A review from Meghan Miller: Have you ever gone to a movie and in the first five minutes you already don’t like it? Well, that’s sort of what happened with Enchanted. As the movie went on, it grew on me. I started to absolutely love it. It’s the story where a fair maiden meets her prince, Edward. The next day they are to be married. Before the wedding, the maiden is taken to wish in a wishing well by an evil witch disguised as a hag. Pushed into the well, the maiden ends up in modern day New York City. A single-father and divorce lawyer, Robert, takes in the lost and confused maiden named Giselle. This is a story where the damsel in distress saves the heroic ‘peasant’ in more ways than one, while singing songs and dancing through life. She like it, lots.
WEEK TWO OF VACATION: UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
(More continuing tales from your vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .) Hitting the road today…  not telling anyone where I’m going cause I’ll be making up this adventure as I go along….  Hope to continue posting from the road, we’ll see
WEEK TWO OF VACATION: BALCONY TIME
This is the goal of this week’s efforts: "What is astonishing to me is not that almost every youth worker I know has too much to do but that so many of them are surprised by it. Far too many of us are like the five-year-old taking her 100-pound dog for a walk. Driven by unpredictable, yelping demands, we feel incapable of doing anything to move our ministries in any direction. Our work becomes reduced to a series of erratic steps that takes us nowhere, each step a random replica of the one before. (Instead, we need to  step out of the wild, rushing current of doing ministry and step into a place where we can actually work ON the ministry. It is the principle that Tom Watson, once president of IBM, understood well when he said, ‘We didn’t do business at IBM, we built one.’"  Read more here.

o Saturday, November 24
TEENAGERS AND THE INTERNET
Anastasia Goodstein has got a great site: Ypulse - very informative.  Recently, she appeared on CNN. (Yes, the picture below is globbly-gooky, but hit "play" anyway- it works.) "Parents should see how the sites work and how attractive they are, and then do what parents are supposed to do – - set limits."
WHAT MAKES US MORAL
     What does, or ought to, separate us then is our highly developed sense of morality, a primal understanding of good and bad, of right and wrong, of what it means to suffer not only our own pain—something anything with a rudimentary nervous system can do—but also the pain of others. That quality is the distilled essence of what it means to be human. Why it’s an essence that so often spoils, no one can say. TIME magazine has this week’s cover story here.

o Friday, November 23
TRADITION
Thanksgiving has become "my" holiday with the kids, with Meghan flying north and the older two clearing a portion of their lives and schedules to make time with dad. Needless to say, therefore, there was something sacrificed when the invitation came to join my mother and two brothers and their young families in Pennsylvania yesterday.
    It was a wonderful time, especially watching my three interact with the elders and their cousins.
    But a time honored tradition for Meghan and I had become the Stuffing of the Turkey.  Each T-day morning, I make chocolate chip cookies.  A few years back, Meghan and I were making stuffing for the bird from scratch, indiscriminately throwing in some apples, pear, celery, onion. Meghan was entertained by this process and then was stunned when we chopped up one chocolate chip cooking and threw it into the mix.  The secret ingredient was withheld from her siblings until after the meal.
     Yesterday, I was invited to carve the 26-pounder that was presented at the table last night.  They had not, unfortunately, stuffed the bird.  But a moment became available and Meghan and I made sure to insert a piece of a cooking into the cavity of the breast.
     As we left, the remains were being boiled for soup stock for future meals.  That would be turkey and chocolate chip soup stock….  Ahhhhh, tradition!
GOOD IDEA
And, from Jon Birch, challenging little truths of the present day:

o Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving)

COUNT ‘EM
Personal disclosure moment here, enjoy it while it lasts:  My favorite movie, as in all-time, not just for the holidays, is White Christmas.  The scene I really want to call your attention towards this Thanksgiving day starts in at 2:34
(-7:26) and the actual song starts at 3:50. (-6:10) Bing is ultimately smooth and silky in song, Rosemary and her "white horse" mentality is what it is – something that both compliments as well as confounds the male of the species.  Today is a good day to follow "der Bingle’s" recommendations -  Count all those blessings in your life and watch your fears dissipate.  Meanwhile, the movie is being broadcast on the Family network this weekend- – - join a Miller holiday family tradition and give it a watch.
THANKS FOR GIVING
Seth Godin said it well, so I am lifting it: Every time you read something I write here, you’re giving me a gift… attention. It’s getting more precious all the time, you have more choices every day, and it’s harder and harder to find the time. I know. I’m grateful. I’m doing my best to make your attention worth it. So, have a great Thanksgiving. And thanks.

o Wednesday, November 21
SHE HAS ARRIVED 
The Meg-inator, charming youngest daughter, overslept but has finally returned to her ancestral homeland of Maryland. Another reason to be thankful tomorrow!
SLAVERY AND CHURCH
This blog was all over the movie Amazing Grace throughout last February (4, 13, 25th).  If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s time to rent the dvd!
THE OTHER SIX
Loyola Communications had just launched other6.com, a website that offers a simple program to help spiritual growth. It is based on the Daily Examen of St. Ignatius Loyola. This is a method of prayerful reflection on the events of the day that is designed to detect God’s presence, where God "bubbles up" in the ordinary events of life. The name of the site refers to the “other 6″ days of the week — the days of the week besides Sunday.
I’VE GOT TWO FOR B16
Only in New York would come the following advise: Thou shalt not scalp tickets to the upcoming Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium. Read more here.

o Tuesday, November 20
KETCHUP ON TRAVEL STORIES
(continuing tales from your vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .) Had a full day in Pittsburgh and Erie yesterday, culminating with the class at Gannon. The day also involved a visit to the outlets, which included pilgrimage visits to House of Heinz (got a hat) and the Pittsburgh Steelers Sideline Store.  I made Christmas purchases at one store, which earned me coupons at another three stores and. . .  well, let’s just say security was eventually called out and I’m not allowed in Grove City, PA for the next 90 days.
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
From the US Bishop’s Stewardship and Teenagers document:  The Church is grateful for your presence, our young Church, and we thank you for the gifts of energy, idealism and zeal that you share with us. As always, we encourage you to search your heart and discover ways in which you can make a difference. We thank you for your honesty as you call us to do more! This call to living out the Gospel value of stewardship is the call for all of us to do more, to be more, to love more!

o Monday, November 19
GREETINGS FROM WESTERN PA
First things first- Ravens lost in OT, but so did the Steelers. No joy wherever I travel.  Am guest-lecturing tonight at Gannon University which is up in Erie, PA.  The presentation is posted here – a review of where we are at and can be going in youth ministry and adolescent catechesis. Sharon Bogusz is also presenting – here is her beautifully developed presentation on mature faith.
THE BIG D @ NCYC
Just like Baltimore did, Dallas – Fort Worth did the slide show/ blog page as well.  See it here!  Anyone else, e-mail me and let me know!
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
From the US Bishop’s Stewardship and Teenagers document: It is possible to live in imitation of Christ. Young and old alike, we all struggle daily to be true to who God calls us to be. The Church, especially through her sacraments, is there to nourish and guide you. It is a day-by-day journey, and the way may not always be clear. Daily prayer and weekly attendance at the Eucharist will be a tremendous help in enabling you to find your way.

o Sunday, November 18
DISCIPLES NOW
FaithStreams Network and Disciples Now have entered an alliance to provide expanded offerings for Catholic youth on the web.  Disciples Now is a leading web site for teens, young adults and youth ministers. FaithStreams Network provides web-based solutions that help congregations enhance communications and deepen member engagement. DisciplesNow.com will maintain its current web address. Read more here.
DOING MISSIONARY WORK
IN THE LAND OF BLACK AND GOLD
    Mike Patin reports joy regarding a Notre Dame football victory.  Who knew the Duke had a football team?  Meanwhile, I’m leaving the purple and black behind and travelling to Western Pennsylvania today. Let’s beat those J – E – T – S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!  Meanwhile, a reflection on the futile state of affairs back home:
    1.) Q: What do the Baltimore Ravens and possums have in common?  
         A: Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!
    2.) A seven-year-old Baltimore, Maryland boy was at the center of a Baltimore courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the furthest degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer with Child Welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Baltimore Ravens, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
    3.) Q: What do the Baltimore Ravens and Billy Graham have in common?  
         A: They both gather 70,000 people into a stadium and get them to stand up and yell "Jesus Christ!"
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
From the US Bishop’s Stewardship and Teenagers document: God is always there, waiting to hear from you and wanting you to know of his unconditional love for you. Recall the words of Pope John Paul II of beloved memory, “Never forget that Jesus in the tabernacle wants you to be at his side, so that he can fill your hearts with the experience of his friendship, which alone gives meaning and fulfillment to your lives”

o Saturday, November 17
CONFIRMATION
I’m down in Arlington today at their Diocesan Catechetical Conference offering a workshop on Confirmation: Graduation or Commencement.   This served as a great opportunity to revisit all the materials from our Bishops’ Confirmation Summit from last spring.  For the training powerpoint, go here.
OFF TO THE RACETRACK
A dispute that threatened the use of Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney as a World Youth Day venue has been resolved. It’s always fascinating the extent that countries and dioceses go to host the pope. Read more here.
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
From the US Bishop’s Stewardship and Teenagers document:  Everything in the universe belongs to Jesus Christ—everything and everyone. Do all my time, all my talents, everything I have and am, belong to Jesus? Yes, they do! Do you and I believe that? Hopefully, yes! But what does it mean to live as though we believe that everything we have and all that we are belongs to Jesus Christ? It means loving Jesus as my brother and my savior, my best friend and my God. It means living our faith fully. It means sharing it freely as disciples of Jesus Christ by living out the Gospel value of stewardship.

o Friday, November 16
UNLESS
Thanks to Ian for this Dave Hopwood quote:
  "Unless you become like a teenager it is very difficult to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Without possessing dreams,
without going against the grain,
without a taste for rebellion, and a craving for something better,
there is little hope of ever leaving this world to enter the next.
  So don’t let your dreams be crushed.
Don’t be conformed to the world around you.
Rebel against the mediocre, the bland and the lukewarm
and always set your hopes high.
Then, with the currency of justice, mercy and humility you will walk with your head held high into a brave new world.
And nothing will stop you."
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
From the US Bishop’s Stewardship and Teenagers document:  “My appeal to you today, young people . . . is this: do not waste your youth. Do not seek to escape from it. Live it intensely. . . . You, young people, are not just the future of the Church and of humanity, as if we could somehow run away from the present. . . . The Church needs you, as young people, to manifest to the world the face of Jesus Christ, visible in the Christian community. Without this young face, the Church would appear disfigured.”

o Thursday, November 15
BISHOPS AND YOUNG PEOPLE
As the meetings conclude of the US Bishops gathered in Baltimore, it is clear that the bishops have youth on their mind:
1) They continued to look at child protection related stuff
2) They approved a publication on Stewardship and Teens which this site will profile over the next few days.
3) They approved the publication of "Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for People of High School Age," and
4) They approved the publication of Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum and Publication Design which will also impact our work
YOUTH MINISTER MEETS HER GROOM
Nicole Bettini, 29,of St. Peter in Forest Lake, MD will become a consecrated virgin during a consecration rite Nov. 17 at St. Peter. Currently, she serves as the parish’s director of youth and family apostolate and as coordinator of confirmation. Read more here.
VACATION – - ALL I EVER WANTED
At work’s end tomorrow, I begin a long-overdue, well-deserved, and personally necessary two-week vacation. I begin with a short speaking tour, slow down for a family Thanksgiving celebration, and then am removed to an undisclosed location.  I plan to keep blogging, but this depends on the wireless connectivity of Margaritaville.

o Wednesday,
November 14
A FAMILY FAVRE-ITE
As part of their Iowan heritage, my kids have grown up with a reverence for the accomplishments of Brett Favre. Quarterback. . .  Packer . . .  Catholic!  Here’s the story.
NCYC POSTINGS II
Wow. . .  what a teched-up generation – - -  go to YouTube and do a search for NCYC 2007.  Wow, again.

o Tuesday, November 13
SPOKEN LIKE A CATECHIST/ YOUTH MINISTER
Father Tony Ricard was awesome Friday night at NCYC.  The line I am working over and over in my head was his quote pulled from Philippians: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. (1:6)
NCYC POSTINGS
Look below, I’ve caught up on postings from over the NCYC weekend!

o Monday, November 12
MAKE PLANS FOR APRIL 19th
The Holy Father’s visit to the United States has been confirmed confirmed for April 15-20th.  It is a visit, not only to the US, but also to the UN- where the Pope will likely "go green," and I’m not talking vestments.
    Meanwhile, mark the afternoon of Saturday, April 19 on your calendar.  The Pope attends a youth rally  on the grounds of St Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. (by-the-by, this event was foretold here September 22, with follow-ups September 26 and October 28)
THUMB GENERATION
A ypulse find: In Japan techno-savy teens are called "oyayubi sedai," the thumb generation. They use their thumbs so frequently for typing into their cellphones that they now use them, rather than their index fingers, to point and to press buzzers.

o Sunday, November 11
NCYC
Our last day had another general session with Renee Bondi, more workshops (including one with director Mark Pacione participating in leadership) his news, concerts and dances (sorry the camera was weakening), and our Closing Mass.
To watch slideshow in full screen, click here

News Links: Arena’s Latest Fans Cheer on God
Compass Blog: Closing_Liturgy
Compass Blog: More Moments from_ncyc
Compass Blog: Hispanic Catholic Teens have Say

o Saturday, November 10
NCYC
Today, there were two excellent general session with Tony Melendez and Father Tony Ricard. excellent workshops (including one with our own Kristin Witte), more time at Part Discovery, our delegation meeting, and more and more.

To watch slideshow in full screen, click here

News Links: It’s All About Faith

Compass Blog: More_from_the_ncyc
Compass Blog: Bishops_Answer_Big_Questions

o Friday, November 9
NCYC
ArchBalt loaded on buses early in the morning in six different areas throughout the diocese. The whole delegation, 340 in size, gathered to celebrate Mass at Bishop Walsh High School with Bishop Malooly and the student body there.  Then, back onto the buses and off to NCYC.  We toured "Port Discovery" and attended the General Session in the evening.
To watch slideshow in full screen, click here
News Links: Teens Gather to Celebrate Faith
Cumberland Times-News picture 
Catholic Youth involved in Hit-Run
Compass Blog: Catholic_Youth_in_Columbus
Compass Blog: A_Solemn_Getaway_for_Catholic Teens
Compass Blog: Wall_of_Intentions

o Thursday, November 8
WEDGIE-PROOF UNDERWEAR
This news report comes to us from Columbus, Ohio – - – which is where we are travelling today for the National Catholic Youth Conference.  Whew, what a relief that we can can all be spared the horrors of wedgies while there! UPDATE:  Marko posted this as well!!
THE ART OF SILENCE II
A dear friend e-mailed her discouragement of "praying in tongues" while at NCYC this weekend. Sighhhhhh!

o Wednesday, November 7
THE ART OF SILENCE
The whole tongue bite incident has been rather revelatory.  My verbal silence (and requisite careful selection of words) has overflowed into this site.  For about ten days now, I go home and do not crank open the laptop-  I am resting my mouth, I am resting my typing fingers, heck, I’m resting.  Please remember, there was fore-shadowing of this all on October 6th – -  guess I took myself seriously.
    For all intents and purposes, I was 75% recovered in anticipation of doing my favored piece of training: the final session of the seminars.  Of course, three hours of training is tough to do without use of the tongue and risking re-damaging the healing, so it got "challenging" as it wore on.
   Now,  we are packing and going on the road to NCYC.   Still a little damaged, still attempting to be protective, I hope to be a better listener. Nonetheless, pray for me, I could use it.
   Meanwhile, I hope to kick back into the near-daily blogger to which you have grown accustomed.
BELATED BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Opps, yesterday, the Premier See celebrated her 218th birthday.  Congrats, Baltimore!