Just about a year ago my son and then live-in information technology help moved this blog into a new era and placed us all on WordPress.  That opened the door for the posting of your comments. 

Not everything merits a comment and sometimes it might seem to an attention-starved blogger that no one is playing along…. but the reality is that we’ve been averaging more than a comment a day.  For all those who comment, thanks so very much. 

For those who have only thunk about commenting, come on in, the water’s fine and your responses are valued and read.

I was out in Central Maryland for their annual “Jump Start” program.  The topic was Evangelization and Catechesis.  What a good group… The discussion seemed lively and the thinking was going deep.  As always, I try to make the content available. Here’s was what we covered over three hours yesterday:

> Rent: Will I?

> Hermeneutics: Kenda Dean (available for purchase)
     start at 5:00

> The NDC, Evangelization,and Catechesis (Slides: 12- 19)

> Evangelization

> Water: Kenda Dean  (available for purchase) start at 21:00

> Once Upon a Tandem (available for purchase)

> Translating Faith: Kenda Dean (available for purchase) start at 21:00

> Methods (Slides: 16- 24)

> Scrubs

> Going Outside the Parish (Slides: 16- 24)

> Tweenbot, Oxygen System Provider (Available after Youth Contact Meeting)

We quite often think that we make a difference as ministers when we can outline how busy we seem, running from activity to activity.

In week ten of our celebration of the Year for Priests, Krista describes Fr. Mike Triplett as someone who is “willing to sit down and talk.”

This week, take some time to sit down and listen.

This cartoon, from Tom the Dancing Bug, is only here because it appeals to my sense of humor.  Please comment on what you found in the dictionary.

Furthermore, regarding the henway… Mike Patin reports that the most amazing fact is “four to six pounds!”

Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college.  It is used around the world as the school year begins, as a reminder of the rapidly changing frame of reference for this new generation. Some examples include:

> The Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.
> They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
> Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
> McDonald’s has always been serving Happy Meals in China.
> They have always been able to read books on an electronic screen.
> They have never been Saved by the Bell
> The NBC Today Show has always been seen on weekends.
> Nobody has ever responded to “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
Read it all here.

Mr. Rogers passed away while I was in contact with “his people” regarding having him keynote the 2004 NCCYM in Pittsburgh.  I felt his absence throughout that conference and still feel as if he had something important to say to the field of Catholic Youth Ministry.

I have a “cousin” who serves as vice president of MTV News but also has a small time indie-musician career going for him and is trying his hand with his brother as a documentary film-maker.  His Mr. Rogers & Me project is nearing completion but there is the small matter of funding it into the final stretch.

So, if you like to offer support to something meaningful this weekend, I’d invite you to read Ben’s story and contribute a little something.  (I have!)

Anastasia over at her youth marketing related blog, yPulse called attention here to Best Buy funded research to validate its holistic marketing approach to improving the lives of teenagers — instead of focusing on just one specific issue, they want to focus on the person, i.e. the teenager. Download the entire report here

Teen Voice 2009 explores three interlocking concepts:

> “Sparks” are individual talents, passions or gifts teens say give them energy and motivation to do well in life

> the Teen Voice Index (TVI) measures how much teens think their voices are heard on key issues that matter to them; and

> the Relationship and Opportunities Index (ROI) tracks the access teens say they have to high-quality resources and relationships that help them nurture their strengths.

Teens that score high on all three of these concepts are more likely to have a sense of purpose and hope for their individual futures, than those who don’t.

It all started May 29th and went on for 59 posts.  Thanks for the comments along the way. If you ever want a reasonably up to date reference to a diocesan youth web sight, you should be able to type the state in the search bar above and see what you get!

The States tour gave us an opportunity to provide “a second daily feature” during Monday – Friday.  When we come back after Labor Day, we will have a week-long second feature of an imaginary Catholic Youth Ministry film festival.  Then, somewhere in September, we hope to start a long playing (and I do mean a looong playing) series on adolescent catechesis.  Comment away for you have any other recommendations.

Tim Schmoyer recently blogged about 5 ways video can enhance your ministry this year. It is a posting rich with helpful hyperlinks.  In it, he suggests:

> Video can assist with Teaching as it can tell a story often better and be more memorable.

> In using video for Announcements, kids might actually start paying attention!

> It can be really difficult to get adult youth leaders together for Training sometimes, so posting video can help.

> Video can assist in the volunteer Screening process every adult must pass before they’re given access to children and teens.

> Videos can do a powerful job at setting the tone or Atmosphere for your meeting.

Read the whole posting here.

ª  In our nation’s capital, they offer resources for their coaches.

ª  The Archdiocese for Military Services,  USA whose work must be so web-based, still has a very good looking stylish web-site.

If there is more from DC, let us know by commenting.  Whew… that’s it!  End of  the tour of the States!