Saturday, 31 May, 2008
DON’T KILL ANYBODY
& TAKE A DAY OFF
Ian called my attention to this. Mark Yaconelli reminds us of the commandments valuing taking a break and not taking a life – important lessons all.

END OF MONTH REPORT
I’m taking a look at this page’s site stats and we are a little down this month.  I never did a blast newsletter and I think we are all very busy. Thanks to all those who are reading this page and please let me know if there is changes or improvements you would like to see.

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: MASSACHUSETTS
> > There are seven parish job openings in Boston
> > > > Immaculate Conception in Malden and Medford has an awesome site for their youth ministry efforts, led by parish youth minister and loyal blog reader Scott Morin.  Hey, Scott, when are we taping a podcast with you???
> > There Fall River kicks off their site with a great WYD Denver quote. > > Today Springfield, MA is hosting a workshop on Call to Discipleship > > Worcester has a junior high training week: Taking it to the Streets

Thursday, 29 May, 2008
PIOUS TOURISM???
There is some tough language and thought going on in the bloggosphere regarding "mission trips" of which we are lining up for this summer. "They’re too much like vacations, for one thing. I know kids have to raise the money and go places they wouldn’t go for fun. But as a participant in such trips, I’m thinking these trips felt self-indulgent. You have to throw in some fun just to be human. But then the trip seems much like a day at the beach—which youth groups also do. They just don’t pat themselves on the back for being good."  Read it all here along with the comments.

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: MAINE
> > A priest from Portland has been selected as the Reconciliation Manager for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Msgr. Marc Caron, co-chancellor for the diocese will be responsible for organizing priests and supervising the reconciliation sites (confessionals) during the six-day event. Msgr. Caron’s proficiency in French was particularly important in his selection for the position.  Read about it here.

Wednesday, 28 May, 2008
LIFE INTERVENES
Seriously, I had every intention of editing a podcast in the can and posting it up this morning.  Family time, however, won out last night.

MEANWHILE
A phone call alerted me to this piece of viral cuteness.  Enjoy!

FRESH MEAT
The New Diocesan Directors’ Institute is underway in DC. The was one of my favorite programs of the NFCYM during my stint there. Please keep the participants in your prayers.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: LOUISIANA
> > Baton Rouge held a junior high youth rally featuring Ryan Meyers, a youth minister from Hattiesburg, Mississippi
> > In Alexandria, they offer a Vacation with the Bishop event in Atlanta.
> > Shreveport recently held a young adult event and was able to do on-line registration.

Tuesday, 27 May, 2008
BREAK???  WHAT BREAK???
Happens almost every time.  I give myself a break on blogging and then spend time reformatting the look of the site. A previous commenter about the site indicated it was "too cluttered." Soooo, whadda ya’ think?
A MESSY TRAIL OF FOOTPRINTS
Back in the day (as the kids would say), you couldn’t do anything in youth ministry without inevitably running into the classic poem, Footprints.  Now, it seems as if the authorship of the poem is being contested. Read more about that here and here.  Seemingly, what was previously attributed to "author unknown" must now be credited to "authorship contested" where clearly none of those invlved in this mess should be interested in walking the beach alone.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: LOUISIANA
> > In the Youth Ministers’ Newsletter of Houma-Thibodaux we learned that diocesan director Mike DiSalvo rode the mechanical surf board at the recent youth rally.
> > Lafayette seems to have an outdated site.
> > In Lake Charles, they are prepping up for the Proud 2 B Catholic music festival in September.
> > New Orleans has some news regarding NCCYM in 2010.

Friday, 23 May, 2008
SUMMER BEGINS
It’s Memorial Day weekend.  By my count. there are 100 days of summer before we hit Labor Day. (and the beginning of the "next year.")  This promises to be a very busy summer – the "to do" white board in the office has more added and less crossed off; I’ll be away nearly 1/3 of the time; a few personal projects; and . . .; and . . .; and . . .;
   Meanwhile, I’m shutting down for the weekend, promising to be constant if not consistent about blogging this summer, and seeking warm, sunny days where the glow on my skin doesn’t come from the laptop screen.
EGOCENTRICITY
From Non Sequitur by Wiley:

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: KENTUCKY
> > In Covington, they recently hosted an XLT at Thomas More College.
> > Local celebrations as well as international pilgrimages are on the plate for World Youth Day in Lexington
> > > > Many events at St. Edward in Jeffersontown take place in the Youth House, the home across the parking lot from the Church Sanctuary.
> > Owensboro will host the Mid South Catholic Leadership Conference with Carole Eipers in November

Thursday, 22 May, 2008
POLITICS

Over two decades ago, Tom Peters co-wrote In Search of Excellence. His web site is still a frequent hit for me because we who work in youth ministry need to understand the nature of business.  An example:  Here is Tom’s take on the nature of implementation and and the role of politics.

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: KANSAS
> > There does not seem to have been updates to the Dodge City site.
> > TheLet’s all go hang out in the Youth Ministers’ Lounge at the Kansas City, KS site
> > Vince Nims was the headliner for Salina’s CYO Convention
> > Witchita will host Summer Youth  Leadership Days in three sites

Wednesday, 21 May, 2008
THE NEXT STEP
Wow . . . There has been some severe writing of personal, emotional, political checks lately.  The next step involves some careful cashing in.  It is a busy, full, exiting time.  Yesterday was a 7:30 am – 8:30 pm workday, so you’ll understand there is no podcast again.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: IOWA
   I spent many years in Iowa.  It’s always fun to virtually return (and a little poignant) to check-out what’s happening
   > > Davenport and the other Iowa dioceses have hosted Christian Leadership Institutes since I served on staff as two Iowa kids attended the second ever (I believe) CLI conducted at Camp Grey in Baraboo, WS by program founder Brian Reynolds in the early 1980’s.
> > In the Dubuque diocese, there has long had a tradition of strong regional gatherings of youth ministers.  CRAYM was first out of Cedar Rapids with Sr. Anita Beskar. WAYM and DAYM quickly followed.  I see in the recent Youth Tracks that MDAYM and McDAYM are now also in the mix.
> > > > I had previously worked at St. Judes, home of the Sweet Corn Festival, as well as St, Matthew and (when I have stepped away from Catholic youth ministry for a brief period, the Foundation 2 youth shelter
> > I did once work a week of the Catholic Youth Camp (CYC) that is the highlight of Des Moines’s programming.  Yes, the camp is absolutely in the middle of nowhere!
> > Sioux City has it’s own summer camp, YCAYOCA, which has a promotional YouTube on it’s site.

Tuesday, 20 May, 2008

NOT A REJECTION
Got a letter yesterday.  It asked questions, posed problems, but asked for more. Sweet!

AMERICAN GLADIATOR
Odd but true.  My two early-twenty-somethings are into American_Gladiators Is this a national trend or just localized to my family?
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: INDIANA
> > Hard to say if there has been any updates to the Evansville site since January, 2007
> > Fort Wayne – South Bend has a  youth ministry manual
> > Gary has a statement on Youth Evangelization
> > Indianapolis loves a good blog, with blogs from the recent Papal visit, the Spring Break Mission trip, and last year’s Homeland Mission trip.
> > > > The New Albany Deanery serves to to connect adolescents and young adults in Harrison, Clark and Floyd counties to a living relationship with Jesus Christ in their Catholic faith.
> > A middle school rally was recently held in Lafayette

Monday, 19 May, 2008
BEYOND WORDS SPOKEN
Without uttering a word, nine teens from Central Maryland conveyed their love for their church using signs and gestures during a first-ever archdiocesan confirmation liturgy for the deaf community May 13. Read more here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ILLINOIS
> > Belleville sponsors TEC and Quest retreats.
> > There is a series of Theology on Tap presentations coming up in Peoria
> > At a recent meeting of the Springfield Diocesan Board of Education, a resolution was passed that created a standing committee for Youth & Young Adult Ministry.

Sunday, 18 May, 2008
WHERE AMERICAN NEWS FAILS US
TIME Magazine publishes four weekly editions.  One for the US, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.  This week’s US cover story focuses on "the Lean Economy" while the Asia and South Pacific covers examine the earthquake in China.   Estimates are that 15,000 have been lost there.  In Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady division and Yangon districts, an estimated 40,000 people are in need of vital relief, including food, shelter, water, medical care and psychological support. in the two of the areas hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis. In Haiti, the cost of basic food staples, including rice, beans and corn, has increased by an average of 50 percent in recent months in the Caribbean nation. In Burkina Faso in West Africa, earlier this month workers marched through the streets protesting the high cost of living, 15 provinces have already been declared as food insecure. Floods and drought late last year meant crop production was down. There are more than 2.5 million Indians are living with HIV.  Learn more news from Catholic Relief Services
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ILLINOIS
> > Chicago will be hosting Dan Mulhall for a Conversation on Adolescent Catechesis
> > > > St. Celestine in Elmwood Park is hosting a bake sale after all the masses this weekend.  Someone should get me a dozen cookies, please!
> > Over in Joliet this summer, junior high kids are again invited to  Camp ROCK
> > In the Observer, Rockford’s diocesan newspaper, there is a regular youth page

Saturday, 17 May, 2008
STAFF OVERNIGHT
Wow. . . !!! There are some programs and designs coming up that are going to change the game-plan locally.  Make no doubt about it, we are going to be busy, busy, busy, but it’s gonna be good stuff!
GOING ON
From the Gnarls Barkley CD The Odd Couple, comes a video about seeking that which is transcendent. Of course, you probably weren’t expecting a Barkley video here today, were you?
  But I’m going on
  And I’m prepared to go it alone
  I’m going on
  My love lift you up to the place you belong
  I’m going on
  And I promise I’ll be waiting for you.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: HAWAII
> > A search in conjunction with Honolulu’s site shows an e-bulletin where "After inquiries from various parishes and discussion with the Presbyteral Council, Bishop Larry Silva approves the following policy regarding the age of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion: Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may be as young as 16 years of age, provided they have received all three sacraments of initiation, are selected by the pastor for their maturity, and are properly catechized and trained for the ministry.
> > > > Our Lady of the Mount youth core team had a plan for the Past calendar year!
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: IDAHO
> > While the Boise youth ministry page does not seem updated, their faith formation events page does note the recent Idaho Catholic Youth Conference and a set of junior high rallies which featured Jerry Goebel.
> > > > Slap in the Faith podcasts are part of the St. Mark in Boise website.

Thursday, 15 May, 2008
STAFF OVERNIGHT
Posting Advisory: Twice a year, our office staff goes on a planning overnight.  Historically, this has caused a slow-down in the next day’s postings die to lack of internet connectivity. This meeting feels as if it has more weightiness attached to it. . . pray for us!
FASHION POLICE
MAKE ARREST AT PROM
Girl signs a dress code for the prom. Girl violates dress code with her own design that clearly pushed the limits.  School refuses to allow her to attend prom – holding to the boundaries they had set.  Girl refuses to leave prom.  Police escort her off property in handcuffs.  Read more here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: GEORGIA
> > Atlanta has a youth ministry handbook listed among their resources
> > > > Last night was Pizza and Prayer night at St. John’s in Lilburn.
> > Up in Savannah, I think they saw us coming so there is an update about a visit to see the Pope and a promise of the 2008-09 calendar soon to be posted

Wednesday, 14 May, 2008
NO PODCAST
Out of all the things I do on the web-site. . .  podcasts and slide-shares are the most time consuming.  Editing is necessary but not fun as difficult to work into an uber-active business life as well as any semblance of a social life. We’ll try to pick up the Wednesday schedule soon, but summer can be challenging as we learned last year.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: FLORIDA
> >  Miami has an extensive page of forms, forms and some more forms
> >Over in Orlando they recently held the festival of faith which featured Matt Maher and Sal Solo
> >  There have been no updates over at the St. Augustine page

Tuesday, 13 May, 2008
PROMISED LAND
The long exile in cubicle city is now completed.  We have moved in our renovated offices back on the fifth floor which have all the things that we missed- like walls and windows.  Sweet!
WHY MEATLOAF IS NO LONGER COMFORT FOOD
OK, we are gonna have a little, "I’m 50 years old and you are probably not" moment here. Back in my earliest young adult years, there was no MTV.  Music acts would sometimes gain notoriety by failing their concerts and playing them on college campus.  When I see clips like this, I still can imagine the 16mm projector clicking in the background.  All that being said, there is a small part of me that dies just a little when I see this AT&T GoPhone commercial featuring my main man (along with pop idol Tiffany as the mom).

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: FLORIDA
> > Pensacola – Tallahassee  will be hosting their Christian Leadership Institute this summer.
> > Brother Jerry informs in this note that he is stepping down from the office in St. Petersburg
> > Could not find any update to this page from Venice
> > > >  My daughter’s parish is Holy Cross

Monday, 12 May, 2008
OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO
My power pointing skills have traveled more extensively then I have recently.  I donated time to assist with powerpointing the auction for Cornerstone Ministry’s 12th annual Wine Country Golf Tournament.  And, I just received this picture (click to enlarge) of a presentation given at he National Ministry Summit.  Let’s review, Santa Rosa, Orlando. . . all from my sofa.  (Something wrong about that!)
PLACES NOT GONE
Fr. John Coleman outlines a Preferential Option for Young Adults in America Magazine’s blog editorial here. After reviewing recent research, he makes "a quick observation about the scandal of the lethargy and inaction of the Catholic Church in its ministry and outreach to young adults."
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: DELAWARE
> > When it comes to Wilmington, I know we commented their Ladders newsletter hast year, but they are now using iContact as their email marketing service.
> > > >  St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes, DE recently hosted a "Let’s Jam for Jesus" coffeehouse.

Sunday, 11 May, 2008
HAPPY PENTECOST, ALL!
Enjoy the day! Priest – blogger – friend Austin Murphy has a take on power of the wind that drives and animates us.  Check it here
IT’S OVER?
TIME magazine seems to semi-ambivalently declare so this week with their cover story.  Meanwhile, lessons can be learned here on how a frontrunner might lose a campaign.  In life, politics, and youth ministry, we should be carefully to:
* correctly judge the mood of our followers
* master the rules of the game
* don’t overlook the little guys
* don’t be solely dependant on old connections
* be prepared for the long haul.
Read more here. 
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: CONNECTICUT
> > Bridgeport is sending folks to the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City in June.
> > "Who Do You Say That I Am will keynote the Catholic Yoiuth Spectacular over in Hartford
> > > > Originally founded by  the five Roman Catholic Parishes of West Haven, the Association of Catholic Teens is currently supported by St. Paul, St. Louis, and Saint Lawrence Parishes.
> > Youth Ministry in the Norwich diocese is still within the Faith Formation office, but the diocesan main page has a link to a teen’s reflection

Saturday, 10 May, 2008
IRON MAN
The great thing about the annual super-hero movie every summer is that they (at least the first in the series of movies) always feature the origin of the character.  And those stories are always about conversion.
       The man character in Iron Man is Tony Stark, a military industrialist who relishes the "richness" of a multi-millionaire’s hedonistic lifestyle. This is played with a sort of "Oceans 11" cool by Robert Downey, Jr. who it might be suggested has dedicated much of life researching this part of the role.  Early in the movie, he is left for dead by a bomb bearing the logo of his company, which is a pretty clear way to face the personal consequences of your corporate choices.  What follows is the gift of a "new heart" as well as a character who sacrifices his life so that Tony might live.
      In Ezekiel 36:26, we are promised, "I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts."  Iron Man is about ongoing conversion.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: COLORADO
> > The Youth Board in Colorado Springs hosts a chastity rally each Spring.
> > Denver’s annual summer Steubenville of the Rockies is already sold out.
> > > > Over at Littleton’s St. Frances Cabrini, direction of youth ministry Jeremy Heinen has a invitational video.
> > Although Pueblo has not updated their youth ministry page they have recently hosted a Continuing Formation and Education Conference that featured NFCYM’s Michael Theisen.

Friday, 09 May, 2008
WHERE WAS I?
Wow, that hasn’t happened in like . . .  forever.  Today’s blog entries were posted at 1:30. . .  not because I was sleeping, busy, sick, or overwhelmingly distracted.  I just forgot!  Sorry about that!
WHERE ARE THEY?
Father John Cusick, director of young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago and the father of the Theology on Tap program, said the church needs a savvy "new apologetics" and "satellite sites" away from the parish grounds where young adults can gather to form quality relationships without feeling pressure from the church. Cusick cited a recent USA Today poll indicating that 10 percent of Americans are former Catholics and said the percentage is much higher among people in their 20s and early 30s. "If Catholic youth ministry is so good, where are all the young adults? They’re missing in action," he said. "For the moment (in their teens), they have a good sense of church, but then they fall off the end of the table." For more, read here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: CALIFORNIA SOUTH
> > Youth Ministry in Fresno is served out of the office of ministries
> > Monterey is hosting CFIT – Confirmation Foundational In-Service Training
> > Los Angeles‘ newsletter, the Grapevine, is phasing out the print version and will soon become an e-vine!
> > > > Hey, St. Jude the Apostle in Thousand Oaks, be advised.  I have a nephew in your parish and I’m keeping an eye on you!
> > It is tough to determine if the Orange site has been updated in the last few years.
> > San Bernardino recently conducted a Quinceañera workshop
> > Vikki Shepp is leading the year-ending retreat for OYM leadership in San Diego.

Thursday, 08 May, 2008
BETTER THAN YOU
THINK YOU ARE
From Britain’s Got Talent comes the one line that every youth minister needs to practice over and over.  It comes from (of all people) Simon Cowell who has but a reputation of being a quick critic of the pitch-y or boring. Yet, it is Simon who tells young, nervous Andrew,  "I think you’re better than you think you are. . . but, hear it from me, you are good."
WYD GOES DIGITAL
    Ever gotten a text message from the pope? Well, to commemorate the Catholic Church’s annual World Youth Day this July, thousands of young Catholics in Australia will be able to say that they did.  Read more here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: CALIFORNIA NORTH
> > Oakland, like others, is tooling up for World Youth Day,
> > There was a middle school rally in Sacramento that featured NET ministries.
> > Santa Rosa has a camping ministry at Camp St. Michael.
> > Sam Francisco’s site has a page dedicated to confirmation,
> > San Jose will host a week long leadership program  “TAHOE 2008: Quest for the Hidden Treasure”  June 16 – 20
> > in Stockton, the office hosts a monthly diocesan youth ministers gathering, sponsors workshops at Diocesan Ministry Day, and can offer a wide variety of trainings for parish youth ministry teams.

Wednesday, 07 May, 2008
LISA BAGLADI IS INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS’ STUDIO
    (Enter the studio here.) Lisa Bagladi is a partner in ministry.  Why? Because she works with WLP and ensures that the music from talents like John Angotti is getting into the ears of young people? Yes. Because she is an active member of the NFCYM membership, partnering for conferences as well the advancement of the profession of the field?  Absolutely!
    But, if you listen to the podcast itself, you will be reminded that Lisa is a mom and that parents are our partners in ministry as well.  Thanks for that reminder, Lisa, and Happy Mother’s Day this weekend!
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ARKANSAS
> > This weekend, Little Rock will host their annual Catholic Youth Convention.  Jesse Manibusen may very well soon enter the ranks of state  ambassador as the keynote presenter, a title that Mike Patin and I both still treasure.
   > > > > Congratulations to Bevie at Christ the King for a good looking, informative site.

Tuesday, 06 May, 2008
LIBERAL AMERICAN CATHOLICISM – -  OVER??
Time on-line reports that Pope Benedict may have dealt a knockout blow to the liberal American Catholicism that has challenged Rome since the early 1960s. As the Pope and most bishops have gotten their acts together on sex abuse, they have looked less like the enemy and more like part of the solution. Read more here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ARIZONA
> > Phoenix is hosting Arise for young adults and college students.
    > > > > How can you visit Arizona without checking in at St. Tim’s , Life Teen’s ancestral home. in Mesa?
> > Tucson hosts CYLE, the Catholic Youth Leadership Experience, a five day leadership experience for high school teens done in a retreat atmosphere which includes hand-on training activities for service projects, projects, fun times.

Monday, 05 May, 2008

REALIGNMENT
Every 40 years, a large, dynamic generation realigns or makes over the political system, and we believe that the Millennials are the generation that will lead the coming realignment. Check it here.
STATES OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Yesterday, we started our repeat of last year’s national tour of catholic diocesan web sites again, we better start now.  I hope to daily feature a parish youth ministry’s web page as well . . ., but I could stand some help.  Do you have a parish page that you’d like to recommend?  Please let me know. 
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ALASKA
> > Like many, Anchorage will be travelling to World Youth Day this summer.  Wonder how long their plane ride will be?
    > > > > St. Benedicts in Anchorage features their youth director Bob McMorrow
    > > Last year, Fairbanks was looking for a diocesan youth leader.  Since then, bankruptcy and reorganization.  The youth office is being watched over by the religious education office.
    > > In Juneau, the Commission of Christian Formation watches over matter of youth ministry and Confirmation Prep.

Sunday, 04 May, 2008
NCCYM – SEE YOU IN CLEVELAND
The National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry’s web-site is now up and running.  There is now also a promotional video available as well. It’s not to early to being to plan to attend workshop B10!
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ALABAMA
> > Birmingham’s site remains sparse.  There is a notice regarding an Honors Mass for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts at the Cathedral of St. Paul on June 1st.
    > > > > St. Patrick’s Involved and Religiously Inspired Teens (SPIRIT) are a very important part of St. Patrick Parish in Adamsville.  Today, the parish celebrates their Springfest.
    > > Over in Montgomery, OYM director Janet Masline will be leading morning of reflection for Youth Ministry Leaders and Parish Catechetical Leaders.  The title?  "We must be nuts!"

Saturday, 03 May, 2008
COOL, MAN, REAL, COOL
Baltimore’s Archbishop O’Brien writes about his suspicions "that the frenzied greeting the Holy Father received from the overflow turnout at St. Joseph’s Seminary had much to do with the fact that he was there to preach to young people about Jesus – as he has done all his life. The Pope challenged them: “Christ’s light beckons you to be guiding stars for others, walking Christ’s way of forgiveness, reconciliation, humility, joy and peace.” Read it all here
THE HISTORY OF CATHOLIC-JEWISH RELATIONS (HUMOR)
Centuries ago, the pope decreed that Jews in Italy had to convert or leave. There was an outcry from the Jewish community, so the pope offered a deal: He would have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy. If the pope won, they would have to convert or leave.
   The Jewish people picked an aged, wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a ’silent’ debate.
   On the chosen day the pope and rabbi sat opposite each other.
   The pope raised three fingers. The rabbi looked back and raised one finger.
   Next, the pope waved his finger around his head. The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.
   The pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. The rabbi pulled out an apple.
   With that the pope stood and declared that he was beaten. The rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay.
   Later the cardinals met with the pope and asked him what had happened.
   The pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs. Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and water, to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin. He had beaten me at every move and I could not continue."
    Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he had won.
    "I haven’t a clue," said the rabbi. "First, he said to me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I said to him that we were staying right here."
    "And then what?" asked a woman.
    "Who knows?" said the Rabbi. "He took out his lunch, so I took out mine."

Friday, 02 May, 2008

CAREER GUIDE
    (For a larger view, click here. Graduations. Summer transitions.  Always be ready to look towards the future.  Here’s six key lessons: There is no plan. Think strengths, not weaknesses. It’s not about you. Persistence trumps talent. Make excellent mistakes. Leave an imprint.

Thursday, 01 May, 2008
FEATHER ON THE BREATH OF GOD
   Remembering, of course, that we who serve in youth ministry must absolutely also serve as catechists . . . listen to the closing comments from Gerald Baumbach as he received an award from NCCL:
    The last scene in the movie Forrest Gump captures the movement of a feather carried skyward by the wind. I like to think of this image as a reminder of the 12th century mystic Hildegard of Bingen’s own self-reflection as what is commonly described as “a feather on the breath of God.”
    May we have the wisdom and the courage to be moved by the breath of God, not floating aimlessly beyond or above reality, but intentionally embracing the movement of life, one community with many gifts, rich in common witness to the living and dynamic faith we profess. We do this motivated by the ongoing transformation of catechetical opportunities for all of life within a culturally rich Church more diverse than yesterday and less diverse than tomorrow, and remembering that, in the words of the NDC, “the incarnation of the only Son of God is the original inculturation of God’s word” (21).
   And so I propose an end to the immobilizing sentences, “I am only a catechetical leader” or “I am just a catechist.” No, never say just, never say only! A catechetical leader carries gospel and life, faith and sustenance. A catechist is never “just anything,” but like Hildegard, is “a feather on the breath of God.”
   Carry forward the word, be responsive to the call and breath of the Holy Spirit, and remain confident and secure for the journey. After all, you just might end up in Emmaus. Our eyes are opened now, our burning hearts afire in the Son, made known to us “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35). We aptly recall from today’s Gospel one of Jesus’ “I am” statements: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35).

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BIO: Lisa is the Public Relations and Trade Store Coordinator at World Library Publications. Lisa started playing flute at age nine, and she continued to play and study music all of her life. She is an instrumentalist for St. Anne Catholic Church in Barrington, IL under the direction of Rory Cooney. Lisa’s background includes dancing and teaching professionally for twenty years in the Chicago area. Most importantly, Lisa resides in Barrington, IL with her husband Tony, and four daughters. See more here.
QUOTE TO NOTE: (as a parent) Staying connected with where I was (in high school), where they are, where kids are today is really important because their world is hard. (My faith experiences) helped me navigate through the world and I am blessed for having that in my life. With my own kids and their friends and our house being “party central”, I enjoy that because I know that their are in a good place and I can help them through what they are going through. . .
Discipleship is knowing the grace, knowing the forgiveness, knowing the healing, and knowing the joy of being a follower of Christ and living the Kingdom in our own life.
OBSCURE FACTOID: As a parent, Lisa views herself as a model of discipleship for her young people. What is we began all our parent meeting with that concept, that statement, that belief? How much would it change the things we say and do?
BEHIND THE SCENES: After a long while of face-to-face interviews, this was a taped phone interview conducted from the recesses of our exile in “cubicle city.” My voice is lower as to not disturb my co-workers.
BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for May 7th.