Here's the Summer 2008 Schedule for Edge!
Edge (Middle School)
*We're still working on setting up a couple more activities, but here's what we've got so far:
June
23rd (Mon)- Round Rock Express Game- Cost $8
July
2nd-9th (one week, Wed to Wed)- Mission Trip to Mexico: Work, learn and grow spiritually and mentally as we travel to Mexico and work with the community of La Luz, near Monterrey. For youth and families. Cost- $120
24th-26th (Thurs-Sat)- Servus Dei: Join Middle School Youth from all over the Austin area for a three day justice and service retreat hosted here at St. Ignatius. It’s a time to serve others and recognize the blessings you've been given in your life. Cost: $75
28th-Aug 1 (Mon-Fri)- Follow the Leader to Discipleship Camp: Learn, do and BE disciples of Christ during this week-long summer camp through games, projects, music, movies and discussion. From 9am-5pm daily (early drop-off begins at 8am and late pick-up ends at 5:30pm)
July 6th-August 10th (Sundays only)
Pancake Bible Study- Join us on Sundays after the 11am Mass from 12:15pm-2:15pm for a 6 week Pancake Bible Study. We'll make pancakes, eat 'em and study the Bible together!
All Summer Long-
Volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul! Assist and serve those in need at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Monday thru Friday from 9am-11:45am and 1pm-2pm. Training will be done on the first day you volunteer. Call Mary Linda Sanders or Bob Craddock in the St. Vincent de Paul office at 442-0226 or email them msanders@st-ignatius.org or bcraddock@st-ignatius.org. You can sign-up to volunteer at any time.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Holy Week, is it Holy for You? Edge and Life Teen News
Holy Week, is it Holy for You?
Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week for Catholics worldwide. But my question is, is Holy Week really holy for you?
We begin Lent off with a bang. Striving to make and keep all sorts of Lenten promises beginning with Ash Wednesday. By the time Holy Week rolls around, we've done pretty good with some of those promises, not so good with others.
But how does this relate to Holy Week? Well, Holy Week is kinda like the final 3 outs in the 9th inning in baseball, or the 2 minute drill in football. It's the home-stretch. The last bit of sacrificing before Lent ends.
So how do we commit ourselves during this homestretch? Are we saying "yay! Lent is almost over!" or are we saying "okay, what can I do for the next few days to make sure I've strengthened my relationship with God enough to hopefully last a long time." For me, I've done the second. This Lent I re-committed myself to attend Daily Mass more frequently again since I had gotten pretty lax about it and I committed myself to more daily prayer time. I did pretty good with the Daily Masses, but not so much with the daily prayer time. I still did daily prayer, but I didn't give as much of my time to it as I should have. So for Holy Week, my own 2 minute drill, 3 more outs in the 9th is Adoration every day of Holy Week. It's personal prayer time magnified. So not only am I working to improve my daily prayer commitment, but I'm also giving myself an extra push to work on my relationship with God.
So... It's Holy Week, is it holy for you?
Edge (Middle School) News
Edge Nights this week are optional. It's Holy Week and those who want to join us for Stations of the Cross are welcome to attend.
Life Teen (High School) News
Those participating in The Lord's Passion Lock-in to prepare for the mime of the passion and death of Jesus and Stations of the Cross presentation on Good Friday should be at the Family Center around 8:30pm (after the Holy Thursday Mass).
No Life Night this Sunday, March 23 because it's Easter! Spend this joyful time with your families and close friends. We'll be back next week (March 30) for Community Building and Empowerment (huh? what's that? do i have you curious?)
Confirmation classes begin on Wednesday, March 26th. If you did not get a Confirmation Handbook and need one, please let me know.
Personal Note
On a personal note, I will be singing in the choir for the entire Easter Triidium, and I'm quite excited! I hope to see some of you at the Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday Service and Easter Vigil Mass!
Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week for Catholics worldwide. But my question is, is Holy Week really holy for you?
We begin Lent off with a bang. Striving to make and keep all sorts of Lenten promises beginning with Ash Wednesday. By the time Holy Week rolls around, we've done pretty good with some of those promises, not so good with others.
But how does this relate to Holy Week? Well, Holy Week is kinda like the final 3 outs in the 9th inning in baseball, or the 2 minute drill in football. It's the home-stretch. The last bit of sacrificing before Lent ends.
So how do we commit ourselves during this homestretch? Are we saying "yay! Lent is almost over!" or are we saying "okay, what can I do for the next few days to make sure I've strengthened my relationship with God enough to hopefully last a long time." For me, I've done the second. This Lent I re-committed myself to attend Daily Mass more frequently again since I had gotten pretty lax about it and I committed myself to more daily prayer time. I did pretty good with the Daily Masses, but not so much with the daily prayer time. I still did daily prayer, but I didn't give as much of my time to it as I should have. So for Holy Week, my own 2 minute drill, 3 more outs in the 9th is Adoration every day of Holy Week. It's personal prayer time magnified. So not only am I working to improve my daily prayer commitment, but I'm also giving myself an extra push to work on my relationship with God.
So... It's Holy Week, is it holy for you?
Edge (Middle School) News
Edge Nights this week are optional. It's Holy Week and those who want to join us for Stations of the Cross are welcome to attend.
Life Teen (High School) News
Those participating in The Lord's Passion Lock-in to prepare for the mime of the passion and death of Jesus and Stations of the Cross presentation on Good Friday should be at the Family Center around 8:30pm (after the Holy Thursday Mass).
No Life Night this Sunday, March 23 because it's Easter! Spend this joyful time with your families and close friends. We'll be back next week (March 30) for Community Building and Empowerment (huh? what's that? do i have you curious?)
Confirmation classes begin on Wednesday, March 26th. If you did not get a Confirmation Handbook and need one, please let me know.
Personal Note
On a personal note, I will be singing in the choir for the entire Easter Triidium, and I'm quite excited! I hope to see some of you at the Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday Service and Easter Vigil Mass!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Envy
Envy -(noun) a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.
Synonyms- 1. enviousness. Envy and jealousy are very close in meaning. Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another. 2. Jealousy, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves.
Envy, begrudge, covet refer to one's attitude toward the possessions or attainments of others. To envy is to feel resentful and unhappy because someone else possesses, or has achieved, what one wishes oneself to possess, or to have achieved: to envy the wealthy, a woman's beauty, an honest man's reputation. To 3. begrudge is to be unwilling that another should have the possessions, honors, or credit that person deserves: to begrudge a man a reward for heroism. To 4. covet is to long jealously to possess what someone else possesses: I covet your silverware.
Envy- 1 of the 7 Deadly Sins
In today's world, envy is easy. And because it's so easy, we don't realize we're doing it. Envy is easy to fall into. It's easy to help others fall into. And it's not easy to avoid.
Have you ever caught yourself thinking: "Hmm, I really like that __(insert item here)___ that ___(insert name here)____ has. That's Step 1 towards envy. But it's not envy quite yet. Step 2 brings you a foot-step or two-into envy: "I want what ___(insert name here)____ has too." And Step 3 places you smack-dab in the middle of it: "I don't like using what I've got. I've got to have __(insert item here)___ that ___(insert name here)____ has."
Now that's a simple envy to identify. But the envy that's more complex, and tougher to realize you're doing? Comparison envy.
Step 1- Glancing Towards Envy- "Oh, I wonder what ___X___ has going on."
Step 2- A Footstep into Envy- "Oh, that's much better/more successful/ more interesting than what I've got going on."
Step 3- So Deep into Envy, I'm Roadkill Potential- "So what am I doing wrong? What should I do to get what ___X___ has, because I need what they've got."
This comparison envy happens everywhere, and no one is immune, not even the church. Youth compare their grades to their peers. Parents compare their children's athletic talent to the athletic talent of other children. The ministry of one church is compared to the ministry of another. We compare cars, clothing, shoes, mp3 players, salaries, intellect, college degrees, hours we slept the night before, how busy we are, how stressed we are, the number of medications we're on, if we play or sing the right notes. TV show, talk shows, research and more are based upon comparisons. So why should it be a surprise that it's a large part of our lives?
I'm not saying all comparison is bad.
Comparison, at times, can be good. It's a good barometer for where we are and where we want to go and what we aim for in the future. But, it's when we cross the line and discount or not even consider the good that's been done and the positives currently present, that we lose focus and dive into envy.
Now, to relate this to youth ministry...
It's easy for us (youth ministers, adult volunteers, parents, priests, youth, lay persons in the church) to compare one youth ministry to another church's youth ministry. Or to compare youth ministry to another ministry in the parish. As I said, comparison, at times can be good. But we have to be very careful about crossing that line.
I like to think back to Jesus and the 12 Disciples. Yeah, in this case, I'm comparing youth ministry to Jesus's ministry. (He is, afterall, our model for ministry and some of his Disciples were youth.) Jesus spent 3 years in public ministry, preaching, teaching and spreading faith in God. After He died, 12 Apostles carried His Word to others. Those 12 Apostles taught and shared their faith in Christ with others, who spread The Word to others, who spread The Word of God to others, who spread The Word of God to others... (you get the picture).
But Jesus needed those initial 12. And so we need our "initial" 12. Our 12 may actually be 20 people. Or 3. Or 13. But without a foundation of your our own 12, comparisons to others mean nothing. And even after you've got that foundation of the 12, keep comparing how you're ministering to how Jesus ministered. It's too easy to go astray and compare and try to duplicate the success of others in this modern time. But the only success we really should be trying to duplicate is Christ's.
So admire from a distance (don't compare), strive to be better, more successful. Just don't forget to avoid comparison envy and instead focus on the model Christ gave us for success. Whether our 12 is 20 or 3, and whether our 12 grows into 300 or 30.
Synonyms- 1. enviousness. Envy and jealousy are very close in meaning. Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another. 2. Jealousy, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves.
Envy, begrudge, covet refer to one's attitude toward the possessions or attainments of others. To envy is to feel resentful and unhappy because someone else possesses, or has achieved, what one wishes oneself to possess, or to have achieved: to envy the wealthy, a woman's beauty, an honest man's reputation. To 3. begrudge is to be unwilling that another should have the possessions, honors, or credit that person deserves: to begrudge a man a reward for heroism. To 4. covet is to long jealously to possess what someone else possesses: I covet your silverware.
Envy- 1 of the 7 Deadly Sins
In today's world, envy is easy. And because it's so easy, we don't realize we're doing it. Envy is easy to fall into. It's easy to help others fall into. And it's not easy to avoid.
Have you ever caught yourself thinking: "Hmm, I really like that __(insert item here)___ that ___(insert name here)____ has. That's Step 1 towards envy. But it's not envy quite yet. Step 2 brings you a foot-step or two-into envy: "I want what ___(insert name here)____ has too." And Step 3 places you smack-dab in the middle of it: "I don't like using what I've got. I've got to have __(insert item here)___ that ___(insert name here)____ has."
Now that's a simple envy to identify. But the envy that's more complex, and tougher to realize you're doing? Comparison envy.
Step 1- Glancing Towards Envy- "Oh, I wonder what ___X___ has going on."
Step 2- A Footstep into Envy- "Oh, that's much better/more successful/ more interesting than what I've got going on."
Step 3- So Deep into Envy, I'm Roadkill Potential- "So what am I doing wrong? What should I do to get what ___X___ has, because I need what they've got."
This comparison envy happens everywhere, and no one is immune, not even the church. Youth compare their grades to their peers. Parents compare their children's athletic talent to the athletic talent of other children. The ministry of one church is compared to the ministry of another. We compare cars, clothing, shoes, mp3 players, salaries, intellect, college degrees, hours we slept the night before, how busy we are, how stressed we are, the number of medications we're on, if we play or sing the right notes. TV show, talk shows, research and more are based upon comparisons. So why should it be a surprise that it's a large part of our lives?
I'm not saying all comparison is bad.
Comparison, at times, can be good. It's a good barometer for where we are and where we want to go and what we aim for in the future. But, it's when we cross the line and discount or not even consider the good that's been done and the positives currently present, that we lose focus and dive into envy.
Now, to relate this to youth ministry...
It's easy for us (youth ministers, adult volunteers, parents, priests, youth, lay persons in the church) to compare one youth ministry to another church's youth ministry. Or to compare youth ministry to another ministry in the parish. As I said, comparison, at times can be good. But we have to be very careful about crossing that line.
I like to think back to Jesus and the 12 Disciples. Yeah, in this case, I'm comparing youth ministry to Jesus's ministry. (He is, afterall, our model for ministry and some of his Disciples were youth.) Jesus spent 3 years in public ministry, preaching, teaching and spreading faith in God. After He died, 12 Apostles carried His Word to others. Those 12 Apostles taught and shared their faith in Christ with others, who spread The Word to others, who spread The Word of God to others, who spread The Word of God to others... (you get the picture).
But Jesus needed those initial 12. And so we need our "initial" 12. Our 12 may actually be 20 people. Or 3. Or 13. But without a foundation of your our own 12, comparisons to others mean nothing. And even after you've got that foundation of the 12, keep comparing how you're ministering to how Jesus ministered. It's too easy to go astray and compare and try to duplicate the success of others in this modern time. But the only success we really should be trying to duplicate is Christ's.
So admire from a distance (don't compare), strive to be better, more successful. Just don't forget to avoid comparison envy and instead focus on the model Christ gave us for success. Whether our 12 is 20 or 3, and whether our 12 grows into 300 or 30.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Prayer Request, LT², Edge and St. Ignatius, Martyr School 7th Grade Retreat
Prayer Request
Austin HS experienced a tragic loss of two classmates last weekend, and while the two girls didn't attend St. Ignatius, some of the youth in our Life Teen (High School) program were friends with the girls. Please pray for the family and friends of Audrey Ducote and Lauren Hoffman.
Edge (Middle School Youth)
Our Intro to the Saints nights this week went great. There were some great foil costumes and props made, and pictures will be printed and placed on the church bulletin board hopefully by next week.
St. John Neumann will be hosting a Middle School Youth Rally with Cooper Ray on Saturday, March 1 from 4pm-9pm. Paperwork/registration will be available during our next Edge meetings on Tues, Feb 26 and Wed, Feb 27.
St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School 7th Grade Retreat
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions... it's One vs. One Hundred in your personal life, not being played for money, but instead for eternity. Will you listen to THE ONE (Jesus) or the One Hundred (the crowd).
The retreat will be held during school, and will start after Mass and Reconciliation and will end before the school day ends at 3:15pm.
LT² (Life Teen Leadership Team- High School)
Reminder: High Schoolers interested in being part of LT² (Life Teen Leadership Team) will have a discernment and training retreat day this coming Monday, February 25 from 10am-6pm (yay for sleeping in!) AISD doesn't have school, but if you do have school or a prior commitment and still want to be part of LT², let me know! (I know SJDHS has classes)
Austin HS experienced a tragic loss of two classmates last weekend, and while the two girls didn't attend St. Ignatius, some of the youth in our Life Teen (High School) program were friends with the girls. Please pray for the family and friends of Audrey Ducote and Lauren Hoffman.
Edge (Middle School Youth)
Our Intro to the Saints nights this week went great. There were some great foil costumes and props made, and pictures will be printed and placed on the church bulletin board hopefully by next week.
St. John Neumann will be hosting a Middle School Youth Rally with Cooper Ray on Saturday, March 1 from 4pm-9pm. Paperwork/registration will be available during our next Edge meetings on Tues, Feb 26 and Wed, Feb 27.
St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School 7th Grade Retreat
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions... it's One vs. One Hundred in your personal life, not being played for money, but instead for eternity. Will you listen to THE ONE (Jesus) or the One Hundred (the crowd).
The retreat will be held during school, and will start after Mass and Reconciliation and will end before the school day ends at 3:15pm.
LT² (Life Teen Leadership Team- High School)
Reminder: High Schoolers interested in being part of LT² (Life Teen Leadership Team) will have a discernment and training retreat day this coming Monday, February 25 from 10am-6pm (yay for sleeping in!) AISD doesn't have school, but if you do have school or a prior commitment and still want to be part of LT², let me know! (I know SJDHS has classes)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Pray21 Update, Lenten Mission Update and LT²
Pray21 Update
Check out the videos now posted on the Pray21 blog. Sign-ups for Pray21 on Sunday went well, however we are still in need of more adults to join us for Pray21. Visit the Pray21 blog for more info or contact me so I can answer any questions. Pray21 will be a unique intergenerational experience!
Lenten Mission Update
Fr. Charlie gave a great Lenten Mission talk last night on death. And he made an excellent point that I've agreed with for much of my life- why do we as Christians, whom believe in an amazing afterlife (eternal life) in Heaven with God, get so upset when someone dies? Why do we blame God for taking "good people" away from us on earth? They are being taken to Heaven, and isn't that our goal as Christians, to one day make it to Heaven? Fr. Charlie also talked about being afraid to die. Why should we be afraid to die if we believe in a loving God who seeks to bring us closer to Him and into Heaven one day? I'm not afraid to die, nor have I been afraid to die for a long time. Anyway, todays Lenten Mission topic should be just as interesting: Making Sense Out of Suffering.
LT²
(Life Teen Leadership Team)
Youth interested in being part of LT² need to get in contact with me ASAP. We're having a Retreat Day for those who want to pray and consider a commitment to LT² on Monday, Februay 25 from 10am-6pm. No AISD will be held on that day, so it's the perfect opportunity for most of us to get together and pray.
Check out the videos now posted on the Pray21 blog. Sign-ups for Pray21 on Sunday went well, however we are still in need of more adults to join us for Pray21. Visit the Pray21 blog for more info or contact me so I can answer any questions. Pray21 will be a unique intergenerational experience!
Lenten Mission Update
Fr. Charlie gave a great Lenten Mission talk last night on death. And he made an excellent point that I've agreed with for much of my life- why do we as Christians, whom believe in an amazing afterlife (eternal life) in Heaven with God, get so upset when someone dies? Why do we blame God for taking "good people" away from us on earth? They are being taken to Heaven, and isn't that our goal as Christians, to one day make it to Heaven? Fr. Charlie also talked about being afraid to die. Why should we be afraid to die if we believe in a loving God who seeks to bring us closer to Him and into Heaven one day? I'm not afraid to die, nor have I been afraid to die for a long time. Anyway, todays Lenten Mission topic should be just as interesting: Making Sense Out of Suffering.
LT²
(Life Teen Leadership Team)
Youth interested in being part of LT² need to get in contact with me ASAP. We're having a Retreat Day for those who want to pray and consider a commitment to LT² on Monday, Februay 25 from 10am-6pm. No AISD will be held on that day, so it's the perfect opportunity for most of us to get together and pray.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Prayer Request Update, Graduation and Upcoming Life Night
A quick prayer request update: Dezzie (my brother's fiancee) ended up having her appendix removed early Thursday morning. She's still in some pain, but doing well otherwise. Thank you for the prayers!
My boyfriend Jerry and I attended the graduation of a good friend of his from Baylor Law School on Saturday. Baylor is a Baptist university, and while most schools have some sort of invocation as part of their graduation, I was amazed at how long and detailed the prayer during the Baylor graduation was. It definitely was a Christian school. It makes me curious about how the graduations for my brother Isaac and his fiancee Dezzie will go in May from Notre Dame. Obviously a mention or two of Mary, Our Lady will be made. I'll enjoy experiencing their prayer during that graduation too.
I will again be at most of the Masses this weekend. Sign-ups for Pray21. Don't forget to sign-up! Encourage youth and adults to sign-up.
Life Night this Sunday- The first 20 minutes will be about what we are doing to grow closer to God during Lent. Then we'll head over to the church for the Lenten Mission to be given by Fr. Charlie, CSC. Should make for a great night!
My boyfriend Jerry and I attended the graduation of a good friend of his from Baylor Law School on Saturday. Baylor is a Baptist university, and while most schools have some sort of invocation as part of their graduation, I was amazed at how long and detailed the prayer during the Baylor graduation was. It definitely was a Christian school. It makes me curious about how the graduations for my brother Isaac and his fiancee Dezzie will go in May from Notre Dame. Obviously a mention or two of Mary, Our Lady will be made. I'll enjoy experiencing their prayer during that graduation too.
I will again be at most of the Masses this weekend. Sign-ups for Pray21. Don't forget to sign-up! Encourage youth and adults to sign-up.
Life Night this Sunday- The first 20 minutes will be about what we are doing to grow closer to God during Lent. Then we'll head over to the church for the Lenten Mission to be given by Fr. Charlie, CSC. Should make for a great night!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Good News for YOU (though I might starve)
Good news for all my friends and the youth of St. Ignatius:
22%
The exception to eating flesh and drinking blood is, of course, the Eucharist- Jesus during the Mass.
I found this Cannibalism Quiz on the blog of Marko from Youth Specialties. Hilarious.
22%
The exception to eating flesh and drinking blood is, of course, the Eucharist- Jesus during the Mass.
I found this Cannibalism Quiz on the blog of Marko from Youth Specialties. Hilarious.
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