Believe in the incredible
and you can do
the impossible
~Bishop Fulton Sheen
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Friday Highlights
As I was up late with one of those phone calls you can get in the late night hours when you work in ministry, today's post is going to be pretty easy. Here are a few things for you to check out:
A great post with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor on Philomena, The Greatest Saint Who Never Was. Love the takeaway points.
The USCCB's blog on Social Media and the Gospel.
For those in young adult ministry - check out the forum on young adult ministry sponsored by the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA). You'll see me there!
A great post with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor on Philomena, The Greatest Saint Who Never Was. Love the takeaway points.
The USCCB's blog on Social Media and the Gospel.
For those in young adult ministry - check out the forum on young adult ministry sponsored by the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA). You'll see me there!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Leggings, Guatemala, & Digital Communication
Today I am yet again reminded of the dangers of digital communication - email, social media, etc.
As we are getting within just days of our service trip to Guatemala, I had to send out information from the organization we are traveling with on this trip. In addition to some of their notes, there were answers to my questions. One is the ever charming fashion trend of leggings being pants acceptable for wear under all circumstances.
To be fair, I wore stirrup leggings back in the day of perms (I was in middle school, please forgive me). However, the accepted tops to go with said leggings were nearly to the knee sweaters and tunics. We were hot stuff, let me tell you. So while we girls were all aspiring to be Rachel or Phoebe or Monica, we at least saw that our rears were covered by our neon oversized t-shirts and color block sweaters.
Unfortunately leggings are back. We couldn't go for the fabulous twirly skirts of the 50s or the fun vamping of the roaring 20s? No? Let's bring back leggings but go for short shirts - that's a great idea (insert sarcasm)! As a youth minister this now creates modesty issues on a day to day basis. When heading to another country with different ideas of appropriate clothing, it can create serious safety concerns.
Thus this has been a subject that I sent another reminder about in an email today. I had mentioned that leggings were not allowed at our June meeting and in a previous email. As this email included the broader text from our travel group on what we should wear for work pants at the site, I just copied and pasted the whole section from the organization's original email.
If I can reference one popular TV series, I'll go for another. I know I sound like the Soup Nazi prior to this trip. The safety concerns force me to be more strict than usual.
Additionally, 8 of the 9 families sending teens on this trip are not regular youth group attendees. They have no point of reference for how I do things, my general attitude, tone of voice, or generally adaptable methodologies. Thus, with this reminder I sent, a mother replied with all good intentions and in a kindly worded manner (thank you so much for that). She was concerned I was making assumptions about the expected behavior and that the fact that there are issues that, if violated, result in being sent home being reiterated to frequently.
Due to the electronic communication, my tone likely is a challenge to pick up in the email. Plus there was text I did not write. This reminds me of a couple things -
First, don't take those replies from parents personally. They, just like me, only want to ensure their teens are safe, happy, healthy, and growing in faith and maturity.
Second, always be conscientious when choosing your words in an email. Particularly when sending to those you are not familiar with how they will interpret your words or you theirs.
As we are getting within just days of our service trip to Guatemala, I had to send out information from the organization we are traveling with on this trip. In addition to some of their notes, there were answers to my questions. One is the ever charming fashion trend of leggings being pants acceptable for wear under all circumstances.
To be fair, I wore stirrup leggings back in the day of perms (I was in middle school, please forgive me). However, the accepted tops to go with said leggings were nearly to the knee sweaters and tunics. We were hot stuff, let me tell you. So while we girls were all aspiring to be Rachel or Phoebe or Monica, we at least saw that our rears were covered by our neon oversized t-shirts and color block sweaters.
Unfortunately leggings are back. We couldn't go for the fabulous twirly skirts of the 50s or the fun vamping of the roaring 20s? No? Let's bring back leggings but go for short shirts - that's a great idea (insert sarcasm)! As a youth minister this now creates modesty issues on a day to day basis. When heading to another country with different ideas of appropriate clothing, it can create serious safety concerns.
Thus this has been a subject that I sent another reminder about in an email today. I had mentioned that leggings were not allowed at our June meeting and in a previous email. As this email included the broader text from our travel group on what we should wear for work pants at the site, I just copied and pasted the whole section from the organization's original email.
If I can reference one popular TV series, I'll go for another. I know I sound like the Soup Nazi prior to this trip. The safety concerns force me to be more strict than usual.
Additionally, 8 of the 9 families sending teens on this trip are not regular youth group attendees. They have no point of reference for how I do things, my general attitude, tone of voice, or generally adaptable methodologies. Thus, with this reminder I sent, a mother replied with all good intentions and in a kindly worded manner (thank you so much for that). She was concerned I was making assumptions about the expected behavior and that the fact that there are issues that, if violated, result in being sent home being reiterated to frequently.
Due to the electronic communication, my tone likely is a challenge to pick up in the email. Plus there was text I did not write. This reminds me of a couple things -
First, don't take those replies from parents personally. They, just like me, only want to ensure their teens are safe, happy, healthy, and growing in faith and maturity.
Second, always be conscientious when choosing your words in an email. Particularly when sending to those you are not familiar with how they will interpret your words or you theirs.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Giving Thanks
Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ.
Two words stand out today from our Gospel - "giving thanks."
It wasn't a feast. It wasn't the winning touchdown of a Super Bowl. It was a simple meal with bread and wine. It was a small group of friends with their teacher. It was God showing us the way.
Give thanks.
With the economy causing many to worry and fear, with new technology to envy, with a culture of entitlement thankfulness is far from the ordinary.
Being just a week away from the first service trip, I am inundated with the administrative tasks combined with the struggle to get my personal life in order for the summer chaos (let me tell you how much cleaning, laundry, etc has to get done this week!). My mind runs through constant to-do lists and packing lists. The present moment, the blessings that are now, escape my notice.
With today's Gospel, I am reminded to sit still. See the blessings. Offer thanks.
If I cannot do this, how can I help others to do so?
Two words stand out today from our Gospel - "giving thanks."
It wasn't a feast. It wasn't the winning touchdown of a Super Bowl. It was a simple meal with bread and wine. It was a small group of friends with their teacher. It was God showing us the way.
Give thanks.
With the economy causing many to worry and fear, with new technology to envy, with a culture of entitlement thankfulness is far from the ordinary.
Being just a week away from the first service trip, I am inundated with the administrative tasks combined with the struggle to get my personal life in order for the summer chaos (let me tell you how much cleaning, laundry, etc has to get done this week!). My mind runs through constant to-do lists and packing lists. The present moment, the blessings that are now, escape my notice.
With today's Gospel, I am reminded to sit still. See the blessings. Offer thanks.
If I cannot do this, how can I help others to do so?
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Life's Work
In honor of one of my favorite authors who passed away this week. Here's a bit of Saturday wisdom for you:
A life's work should be based on love.
- Ray Bradbury, 1920 - 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
The Greatest Feat
Last night I was reminded of the greatest feat for any human - listening. Really listening.
Not just catching the words so as to repeat the information, but listening to what is being said, what isn't being said, and finding the meaning of the words.
Real listening is complicated. Minds busy with worries and cares, the next meeting, whether they remembered to turn off the coffee pot can leave little room to process the words and meanings being spoken.
Pain, sorrow, joy, can cause us to be so occupied with our own voice we forget the other.
Yes, listening just might be the most challenging skill.
Not just catching the words so as to repeat the information, but listening to what is being said, what isn't being said, and finding the meaning of the words.
Real listening is complicated. Minds busy with worries and cares, the next meeting, whether they remembered to turn off the coffee pot can leave little room to process the words and meanings being spoken.
Pain, sorrow, joy, can cause us to be so occupied with our own voice we forget the other.
Yes, listening just might be the most challenging skill.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Lest We Forget
For those of us in the United States, this time of year offers us a few chances to remember those who have served in our military, not only to protect Americans, but to serve the greater good on behalf of the world.
We spend Memorial Day at picnics and bar-b-ques. We enjoy the warming weather and time with friends and family. It is a holiday that we embrace for the time it gives us to relax and enjoy the important relationships.
Yesterday was the anniversary of D-Day. As the WWII generation becomes a smaller and smaller population, this day is quickly fading to a side note buried in the side columns of our newspapers and a quiz question for tenth grade history students.
Yet, this is a time of year that we are called to remember these men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation and the world. No matter what your view on the politics of war or the current policies of the government, I do ask that you respect, honor, and in your own way serve the military men and women.
Obviously I am a biased opinion. My forefather fought for the Union in the Civil War. My grandfather served in the South Pacific. My father is retired Army and my brother served in Iraq.
Also, as we are men and women in ministry, let us not forget those who serve the soldiers, airmen, sailors, and guardsmen. The chaplaincy core is a small, but integral part of the military and so very crucial to the well-being of those in service. Here is a wonderful photo-essay of one chaplain.
Next time you are challenged because you don't have the resources promised, or adequate space for your group, or are exhausted after a week of straight night meetings, remember, there are ministers serving in far more dire conditions.
For information on the military chaplains in the United States, see the Military Archdiocese.
We spend Memorial Day at picnics and bar-b-ques. We enjoy the warming weather and time with friends and family. It is a holiday that we embrace for the time it gives us to relax and enjoy the important relationships.
Yesterday was the anniversary of D-Day. As the WWII generation becomes a smaller and smaller population, this day is quickly fading to a side note buried in the side columns of our newspapers and a quiz question for tenth grade history students.
Yet, this is a time of year that we are called to remember these men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation and the world. No matter what your view on the politics of war or the current policies of the government, I do ask that you respect, honor, and in your own way serve the military men and women.
Obviously I am a biased opinion. My forefather fought for the Union in the Civil War. My grandfather served in the South Pacific. My father is retired Army and my brother served in Iraq.
Also, as we are men and women in ministry, let us not forget those who serve the soldiers, airmen, sailors, and guardsmen. The chaplaincy core is a small, but integral part of the military and so very crucial to the well-being of those in service. Here is a wonderful photo-essay of one chaplain.
Next time you are challenged because you don't have the resources promised, or adequate space for your group, or are exhausted after a week of straight night meetings, remember, there are ministers serving in far more dire conditions.
For information on the military chaplains in the United States, see the Military Archdiocese.
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