Message for 9/29/2008

This Sunday Fr. Roberto and Mike spoke about our call to stewardship, our duty as Catholics to give back.

First I would like to share how proud I was to see so many of you filling out your brochure wanting more information on the ministries in the parish. If you haven't filled yours out yet, don't worry I'm proud of you also. I'm proud that you are pondering the idea of giving back.

You've got to figure an entire homily on the subject and time during mass to fill out the brochures must mean this is pretty important. Don't you think?

Well grab your bible and check out Matthew 25:35-45

Jesus spells it out quite clearly how important it is:

It begins with:

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty you gave me drink  ............."

It ends with:

"Amen I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me."

Remember that Jesus is alive in all of us, including the dirty homeless man down by the railroad tracks, the children who's parents cannot afford to buy them new cloths or shoes, the elderly woman who never has a visitor in the home, the man in prison who everyday has to live with him crime and of course the people we meet in school, at work and at mass.

I know that some people are easy to help, probably the school work and mass people. Right? I challenge you to look at the hard ones, think of what we can do for them and please:

Don't turn your back on Jesus.

Message for September 15

Retreat Reflections

Unstoppable......... I believe after this weekend we all are.

As I set here, in my sleep deprived state I wonder what each of you are thinking today. When we are away from our daily distractions it's easy to open ourselves up to the Lord. This weekend was your "knock off the horse" moment, the beginning of your conversion. You have been given a invitation to continue your journey. Remember if the road ended on Sunday, why did you bother attending the retreat in the first place?

After his conversion, St. Paul, became an Unstoppable disciple for Christ. He believed everyone needed to know the love of Christ and hear the Gospel. Now it's up to you.

Here's a few thing's I'd like you to remember from retreat:

•  Your part is important to the church

•  Prayer is different for everyone, find what works for you and pray

•  Read St. Paul even if you can't find the Spark notes version

• Think your not worthy - look at St Paul

• It's amazing what things God can do with a sinner

• And finally.........

Remember to

Message for August 25

"Does that answer your question?"... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club

            -Character Brian Johnson from The Breakfast Club

And what could that question be?????

In honor of our upcoming Life Night  - Totally 80's, I've chosen to highlight my all time favorite 80's movie The Breakfast Club written by John Hughes. The Breakfast Club is about 5 teenagers from Sherman High School each spending their Saturday in detention. Each teen represents a different clique in high school.

There was Brian, the Brain; Claire, the Princess; Andrew, the Athlete; John, the Criminal; and Allison, the Basket Case.

Hum! Do you know anyone at your school who fits any of these categories? Where would you fit in?

They are given an assignment by the teacher, Mr. Vernon who is in charge of them for the day.

All right people,  we're gonna try something a little different today.  We are going to  write an essay--of no less than a  thousand words--describing to me who you think you are. - Mr. Vernon

A thousand word essay!! Could you do it? I wonder if I could do it?

The movie continues with them not working on the essay but learning more about each other and moving beyond the stereotypes. They realize that they each have awkward relationships at home, they each suffer pressures from, friends, family and school. They begin to see they are more alike then when they first met. As they begin to form friendships they worry what will happen at school on Monday. Will Andrew and Claire (the popular kids) even acknowledge Brian when they are around their friends? 

What's wrong with cliques anyway. Why do people talk about them with such disgust? Why do some people choose to not attend Life Teen because they think it's to cliquey? Maybe because people believe they can't associate with a clique different then theirs. I'm not sure only each of you are able to answer that question. So on this topic I leave you with this. Let's ignore the word clique, lets just think of ourselves as one large group filled with many small groups who share a common interests. Always remember that as a large group we have one thing very important in common. CHRIST!

Now for the essay. Awe you probably thought I was going to forget that one. Well I'm not going to make you write a thousand word essay, although the thought was very appealing. I do hope that you look at this question but instead of thinking about who you think you are in your eyes, think of who you are in God's eyes. You are his child his beautiful and precious child. We are all his children, we are all brothers and sisters. Each of us is unique in his eyes, yet the same in the love he has for us. God doesn't care about cliques or stereotypes. So tonight pray to God for the strength and wisdom to look at someone new through his eyes and not your own.

Message for August 4

Paul may have been ...moving in the wrong direction, but at least he's moving." *

June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009 is the year of St Paul. This was established by Pope Benedict to celebrate what we think is probably his 2000th birthday. In preparing for this year I began reading a great book entitled Sword of the Spirit by Christopher Cuddy and Mark Hart (aka the Bible Geek). The book is available at lifeteen.com for those interested.

St. Paul has always been one of my favorite Saints. In fact I recently took a temperament test and my results stated that St. Paul and I share the same temperament traits. I'm still smiling at that fact. Paul was a man of great pride, passion and determination. Here is a man who hated Christians, felt they should all be killed and went about doing it. One quote from the book is this weeks quote "Paul may have been ....moving in the wrong direction, but at least he's moving." Written by a philosopher although the book never states who it is. It's easier to move something that's already moving.

Saul as he was know before his conversion had a plan. His own plan and he felt that what he was doing was right. He was building God's kingdom his own way. In his eye's the God he knew wanted him to rid the world of the evil of Christ. He was doing something about it. He was moving......  but unfortunately he was so consumed with his own plan he could not see God's plan clearly. So what does God do? He made him blind

And by being blind Saul was able to see God's love, the truth for the first time. And here begins his conversion.

How amazing is that?

God used the greatest of all enemies to become his greatest soldier. When I think of Paul I'm always reminded that there is hope for everyone.

And guess what Paul remained a man of great pride, passion and determination. Paul's goal of building God's kingdom had never changed but they way be went about it did. "Paul was now moving in the right direction" 

Paul was blessed with many traits - pride, passion and determination. It took a while for him to start using them the way God intended but he did eventually get there. You too have been blessed with many traits. Traits God is intending you to use to build up his kingdom. Your challenge this week is to get up, use them, move...........

* quote taken from Sword of the Spirit by Christopher Cuddy and Mark Hart page 5 published by LIFE TEEN, Inc

Message for July 7

"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature"

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Ever get so busy going about your day, that you just aren't paying attention to the world around you. Maybe it's those times your running late for school or work, or maybe when you are so involved in an assignment for school that it's all your focus for a while. Think about those times for a moment.

Now recall if during those busy times did you take a peek out the window, or glance at the sky and just say WOW! Could it have been a beautiful bird that perched on a nearby tree, or the skyline as your driving down the highway. Maybe it's the newly opened tulips in your mother's garden. Did those things just make you stop for a moment? If not well you missed  God's wonderful message that he's with you right now. Through the hustle and bustle of your day, your journey from here to there be sure to look out a window, glance at the garden, look up at the sky. God's right there in front of you in the beauty we call nature.

Message for July 1

"Would you ever take the punishment for something you didn't do?" Think about it!

Last week I was blessed with the opportunity to teach at Vacation Bible School. I had a group of very excited 3rd graders who enjoyed following me from one activity to the next chanting. "3rd Grade says Jesus is the best" over and over again.

The question I sent you today was one expressed to them during our week. During our discussion on the times we hurt other people (sins), I asked them if they would take a punishment that should go to someone else. Naturally they all said no. The bottom line was that the person who committed the crime must do the time. (This was my quote not theirs) Anyway, all 12 of them stressed that it wouldn't be fair to be punished for something someone else did and that no one would ever do that for someone else.

Fast forward to our next topic. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus. As I'm telling them the story we here every year at lent, I can see them starting to get it. With gentle wording one by one they realize the Jesus took a punishment for us. Jesus born without sin, was punished like a sinner. Jesus died on the cross.

I can't begin to express the excitement felt as I watched them "get it." It's a feeling I get frequently as your Youth Minister and one that never gets old. In your effort to "be the church" why not look for opportunities to share Christ with the children of our parish. This Fall there will be many opportunities to serve, let me know and I will be happy to lead you in the right direction.

Message for June 16

"Love is holding someone's hand even when you can't stand them." *

Remember in kindergarten when the opposite sex had cooties, or guys remember elementary school when you do would rather die then stand next a girl the class picture. Back then is was easy to see the alliances. The boys were all friends and the girls were all friends and every once in a while a few daring kids from each group would come together and form a friendship. Fast forward to Jr. High and High School, now alliances are different, we hang out with those who have the same interests as us not just those of the same gender. We have an elite group or groups of friends and that's where we stay because it's safe.

I sometimes find these clicks in Life Teen. It's unfortunate I know but in reality even with us adults it's there. Jesus said to "Love thy neighbor". Even if that neighbor just betrayed your trust, or doesn't like the same music as you, or was talking about you behind your back or you just can't stand them.

Your challenge is this: get to know that fellow Life Teener you've been avoiding lately and add more friends into your group. Who knows maybe you'll find a new BFF.

Message for June 7

"I will live with questions since God can be trusted" *

"Why am I here?", "Why does Grandma have cancer?" "Why did my friend have to die?" "Why did an earthquake destroy that city?" "What am I supposed to do when I grow up?"

So many questions and never really any answers. Am I right! We live in a world where we need an explanation for everything. We have a question we need an answer. From the time you begin to speak "why" becomes a common question. Just ask your parents about your use of the word as a toddler and preschooler.  Why? Why? Why? Why? was probably your favorite saying.

Many of you know the struggle I went through at the loss of a child in my third month of pregnancy. I was filled with not only anger, but a lots of questions as to why did this have to happen to us.

To this day I still don't have a answer. What I have now is trust that God had a reason and that some day Jim and I will find our answer.

As you continue your life's journey you will be filled with many questions and as you continue to live each experience your questions will be answered. God will let you know when it's the right time.

Remember: Trust in the Lord 

Message for May 31

Faith is taking a step forward even when you don't know what you're stepping in.*

I remember once as a kid, my mom stepped out on to the porch and proceeded to yell "Oh Poop!" (Well that wasn't exactly what she said). Followed by and "that's what I just stepped in." Just as my mom couldn't predict that our dog was going to leave her a present as she stepped out the door we can't predict what we will encounter as we make our journey in life. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. But if you have Christ by your side as you walk in this journey you can trust that even if you step into something unexpected, he will be there to pick you up, dust you off and surely help clean your shoe.

Message for May 23

People who love Jesus, Love people, All people*

How easy is it for you to criticize another person? How easy is it to talk about another behind their back? How easy is it to dislike someone just because they are a bit different?

Come on be honest now........

It is pretty easy.

But remember that Jesus is alive in everyone, so when we are mean and hurtful to someone we are doing it to Jesus. So how can we say we love him when we practically spit on him everyday by how we treat other people.

At times I've struggled with people in my life who have treated me negatively and have been gossiping about me. A friend recently prayed with me for guidance on how to handle a recent situation.

God told me to love them, I have always loved these people so that won't be to hard, I just need to get rid of the hurt I've been feeling. So through prayer I've been giving it to God and each day I've been feeling a lot better. I'm reminded of Christ hanging on the cross uttering his final words "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

As you head into this week think of those who have hurt you, give that pain to God and forgive them. And remember that each and every person who enters into your life is Jesus and is there to share his love with you.

How are you going to receive him?

Message for May 16

It is important to remember that we forget*

You would think that remembering all the wonderful times and ways the Lord has touched our lives would be easy. How can we forget the awe we felt watching the waves crash the shore, the evening sunset, the laugh of a child or the kind words we received from a friend.

The reality is, is that we do. Especially when we are being hit hard with sadness, sin, illness, grief. You name it, it hits us and we forget the awe and wonder of our relationship with God.

But why is it important to remember that we forget?

When we remember that it's ok to forget we can surround ourselves with the people we need to help us remember. That is what our church is for. We are here to remind you of God's undying love for you when you find it's hard to remember. So stick with us, be a part of this incredible entity that Jesus created, called the church.

Message for May 9

Lesson of Loaves and Fishes:

As soon as we learn to be a community instead of a crowd, we'll have all the bread we will ever need.*

It's important to be part of the crowd, "the in-crowd", "the popular group". But what does that really mean. Sure you are surrounded with people who maybe share the same interests as you. But is this "crowd" a community. Do you come together to be in communion with each other. To share in all the joys and sorrows of life. To give the greatest we have to each other, ourselves. Sure being a part of the "in crowd" is fun for a while but why not try to be the part of a community. Life Teen is not it's own little island set apart from Holy Rosary Church.  Remember we are the church and together as part of the Holy Rosary community we can bring those young and old, big and small, strong and weak closer to Christ. Isn't that what it's all about sharing what we have with our community. Why not share yourself?