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Youth Ministry Blog

6/10/10

I just have to say something. This is going to come off at first as if I'm on some sort of rant, but I promise you, it is just the opposite. Something happened this week, that got me thinking.  Mainly because I have been hearing about a few churches that have been expriencing budget cuts to Youth Ministry, sometimes eliminating it, or cutting it significantly. You may not know this , but as Youth Ministers, we have a thankless job. In other words, we rarely hear the words "thank you". I never thought in a million years that I would be a High School Youth Minister. When I was a kid in youth group, I had no idea what this job entailed. "Hang out with the kids, have fun." That's all I thought. Many people think that that is all we do. They don't think about the paperwork, endless phone calls, because people don't turn in waivers, other documents, etc., dealing with bad behavior, running around during confirmation class, piles of paperwork, planning, driving around to find supplies for: retreats, lock-ins, etc. and working unpaid overtime, teen counseling, and dealing with last minute changes because hey, things happen beyond your control because of this thing called "sparky" who likes to ruin everything that God likes us to do....Honestly, if anyone asks us why we sacrifice it all, we always say "it's for the kids" and we truly mean it. It's not about the money, because truthfully, it doesn't pay much, it is really about the kids. And so at this time, I want to say something that I never said, and if I did it was never enough....

I want to say thank you to all of the High School Youth Ministers who have inspired me throughout the years. Though I never showed it or said it. I appreciate all of your hard work and sacrifices that you made. Wow. I didn't know it was this hard, but all throughout, you never showed me how tired you were, you never complained, and you always taught me what it means to be a Christian. I looked up to you and still do today. Thank you Dave Lodico, my first official youth minister, though I only knew you for a little less than an year, you inspired me. You were funny, and smart. You laughed at my jokes, and you taught me that you can be funny and still serious and that youth really need and enjoy that. I was really sad when God called you home that Summer day, where you went to do something nice for the youth and went back to the office to pick up a stereo at an I-15 picnic at Dixon Lake and never returned. However, I know you are in a much better place.Thank you to Carl and Gretchen S. you guys were the a good youth team together, you guys are an inspiration. Such a good couple and team in youth ministry. I'll never forget my first youth retreat with you guys. Thank you to Derek, who is an inspiring man. He was one of the people who got me  excited about Leadership. Without leadership, I wouldn't be here today. This is where i got my start. I learned so much, like about these things called "Lock-ins" and "Drop ins" (which we now call "Sunday night youth group"). I remember I looked up to Derek so much, I still do. He is a VERY smart man and knows his stuff. He is a true example of a man of God. The best part is that we are still working together, though now I'm the youth minister. There were many others who helped out in Youth ministry whom I also learned from, you know who you are, there are a lot of you. You helped and touched my life. I can only hope that I can touch at least one youth as much as all of you have touched mine. Thank You!

Not to leave out my Youth Minister friends the past few years as the local Catholic churches: Marcial, Jan, Debby H., Jazmin, Pia, Lailani, Debbie. Thanks for the laughs, tears and advice through out these past years. I have learned so much from each and every one of you. Though for some of you, this year was difficult new windows will open. Also, to my current volunteer staff of awesome people, you know who you are. Thanks for stepping up, words cannot express my gratitude.

So, overall a big thank you to everyone. Youth Ministry is so so so so important to teens. Teens are our future. We need to make sure that they are motivated and that they learn from the church. All of these people who taught me, changed my life and made me the person who I am. So to all you Youth Ministers and volunteers out there THANK YOU...because I do not say it enough. So youth out there, take advantage of what you have. You don't realize it, until it's gone. We offer so much, but only a small percentage take advantage. Just felt I had to write this to show my appreciation.

5/24/10

Well, 92 were Confirmed last night at Mass. The ceremony went really well and the youth were very well behaved and did exactly what they were supposed to. I posted a group photo on our facebook back. There is a link on the homepage of this website. Confirmation is always bittersweet. I enjoy it, but am saddened because most of these students will never return. They won't come back. The pressures of socitey and other tempatations will keep most of them away. This makes me sad. I ask parents and sponsors who are reading this to encourage your youth to come back and help and/or come to youth group. There is much more to offer and these youth really need it. Youth, we need you just as much as you need us. If any of you are graduating and sticking around, please join us for the graduation Mass and party on June 6th and then join our young adult group which meets on Tuesday's. You really need to use your gifts and grow spiritually and we would love to see you all around. Congratulations!

5/17/10

It's the last day of class for Confirmation 2 and 3. Yay! I'm excited and ready for it. I welcome it with open arms. This year has been very challenging. I hope that next year the students are more cooperative to my teachers. Once Sunday is over, it's on to summer activities. Make sure you check them out. They are first come, first served.

5/2/10

This week, I will travel to St. Louis and attend my graduation. I will recieve my Master's degree. Though I am wrapping up my paper as we speak. Which is a minimum of 75 pages, I can't help but reflect back on something that is bothering me....Today was a freebie for Confirmation students to recieve youth service hours. All they had to do was show up for youth group for 1.5 hours and recieve at least double the hours....there were 128 students who still needed youth hours Sunday afternoon. However only 37 showed up and about 8 of them had already completed their hours. That's less than 1/4. Well, I honestly can say I've offered plenty of hours and quite frankly, I'm tired of giving opportunities and not having students be responsible enough. As I said earlier, I will be attending graduation this week, if I don't finish my paper and my requirements, I won't get my degree. What a waste that would be for the last 3 years. I say this because it's the same for Confirmation. If you don't finish your hours, you don't get the reward. Do you really want it? Do you really want to make your Confirmation? Hours are due tomorrow for Confirmation 2 and 3. It's judgement day.  Meet the requirements, or you do not move on. Now onto my paper...many more pages to go and time is running out. Do I want to do it, no, do I want to degree, yes...so I must work hard and not give up.

4/28/10

Lots of opportunities for service hours this week, only...hope you were listening in class....read my previous blog post, if not....anyway. Things are going well here. I'm, planning on finishing up quite a few things here for the summer. We're about to release the dates soon. At tomorrow nights parents meeting for Confirmation 1, we will begin to announce this information. Look for it soon. Just a heads up that I will be out of the office next Thursday thru Monday. I will be attending my graduation and will recieve my Master's Degree. Please pray that I finish my paper soon. I am getting overwhelmed and need to finish at least the rough draft this week.

4/21/10

The topic of the week seems to be youth service hours and parent hours. I can understand the frustration, but also, please feel my frustration. Youth, ultimately, your parents service hours and your service hours are YOUR responsibility. It is NOT mine. I have given plenty of opportunities. Each class I announce Youth hours and remind you of upcoming parent meetings for you parents to recieve hours. II've even had events where we need your parents help, but you failed to tell them, so we had to scramble to find people at the last minute.f My point is, if you don't do it, you need to pay the consequences and I have no more service hours for you because this is one of my busiest times of the year. I cannot simply create hours for you by doing new events. I just can't.

How can we remedy this situation that you are in? Well, if I see you active in the youth group, I will be a little more forgiving. I have already began to be more generous with a couple of students who frequently come to Youth Group and their parents always come to the parent meetings. They were given hours transferred to them from their parent extra hours they put in in our parent meetings when they didn't have to. Also, those who come to youth group frequently may have noticed an extra hour or two in your youth hour column. This is because you are active in the group and that is the point of the service hours. They are mainly for activities where the group is represented and assisting, but the fact that you show up, with no hidden agendas and are willing to come, should be rewarded. So, how can we fix this mess that you are in now:

Parent hours: They can come to your classes. If they do this and sign in, they will recieve their service hours.

Youth Hours: This depends, I always need help on Thursday's if you can help me from 6:30-8:30, but you need to e-mail me to let me know. I only need 2-4 people per week. Also, if you begin attending group regularly on Sunday's from 7-8:30, I might consider those hours....but note that there is a maximum occupancy in the Youth house, so we might have to move to the backyard.

Also, just a tip to the youth...when you say "Do you have any youth service hours for me?", I am much nice when you start off by saying. Something like: I know I messed up, I'm really sorry, I want to complete these service ours. What can I do?....this seems a little better. I like when people own up to their mistakes and apologize rather than just try to get out of it or wait until the last minute and blame me. :)

JUST ANNOUNCED!!!!!! ATTEND YOUTH GROUP ON MAY 2ND IN THE HALL FROM 6:45 TO 8:15 AND RECEIVE 1.5 HOURS OF SERVICE.

4/15/10

Another long time since my last entry...I'm working on getting better at it. Truth is, I'm swamped with Confirmation quickly approaching, summer activities, and my Thesis and Graduation. Next month will be busy for sure. One thing I'm working on is Stuebenville recruiting and marketing. We are closing in on the discount deadline and only have a few spots left, once that is filled off, I can get that off of my plate. Next, is Confirmation...well there is a lot there, service hours to enter and opportunities to plan...However I'm not going to plan any more as it was their responsibility to get it done and MANY opportunities were there especially for "Youth" hours and I can't stress over that. I do have to say that today is a difficuly day. I can barely walk because one of my knees popped (the good one) and the other decided to start acting up again. Needless to say, I have two knee braces on and am wobbling. Haha. I'm going to have to invest in a scooter. Hopefully it will get better soon.

3/25/10

It's been a little while since my last post, but that's because a lot of things are happening. One, I decided that I would limit myself to 40 hours per week of work, especially for Lent. Also, I started my last class a week ago and I need to focus on that an finishing my Thesis which is a minimum of 75 pages. I am also hoping to stick to the 40 hours of week as much as possible from now on. :) Anyway. We are in the home stretch for Confirmation. The last classes before break re tonight with Confirmation 1. Then its two weeks off. :) Hopefully his will help me catch up on things. Then, its only 6 weeks of classes until Confirmation. Oh, that also means 7 until I turn 30...hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't be counting down. Anyway this Wednesday, I will be speaking at the St. Mary School PTG meeting as a guest speaker. Please keep me in your prayers.

3/10/10

So much to do, so little time....I say that, but there are a lot of really good things happening in Youth Ministry. We are about to hit the beginning of our Summer activities. I met with the Youth Ministers at all of the local Catholic parishes last week. We have a few fun activities planned for our youth this summer including Disneyland, Bowling, Lock-ins, etc. We will be announcing them soon. We are also beginning to wind down the Confirmation program. Please remember that youth hours should be close to completion as the end of April is the deadline. Also, don't forget your parent service hours should be almost completed by now. Don't forget, if you want to sign up for Steubenville, you'd better hurry. Spaces are filling up.

3/3/10

My heart goes out the the King family. May their daughter rest in peace. We have been and will be keeping her family and her soul in our prayers in our group and outside. For me any other volunteers who work with our youth, this really hits home. She was a member of St. Michael's church and went through the youth ministry program. I couldn't imagine this happening to any of my youth. I would be devastated. I would like to thank all of those involved in helping find her and praying for her. I would also like to say something to our youth....though it was not the case with Chelsea, please, I beg of you. DO NOT continue to walk around with your headphones in. You can't hear what's going on therefore, you are making yourself more vulnerable to being attacked. Also, safety in numbers. Please!

2/24/10

Retreats are over!!!!!! Yay! Now it is time to get started on my Thesis and finish school....Goal is to walk in May with an M.A. in Media Communications Management, so I really have to stick to it. Please help me by turning in all of your things on time so that I do not have to stress myself out.   I cannot wait.

Thank you to all of you who have volunteered their time so generously to help on the retreats. All of the Adult Group leaders, who dropped everything to help, as well as the youth and young adults leaders who did a good job. Khoi, and Jon who hosted the boys retreat, Jan for her Advice. Jeff and Teri Cudmore for helping us with so many tasks throughout both weekends. DJ Minit aka Mauro who stepped up at the literally the last minute to help with A/V on the Girls Retreat, DJ Shorty aka Jose H. who stepped up at the Girls retreat with A/V and Friday of the Guys retreat. Jon Phenom, for stepping in at the last minute. He  heard Jan was sick, he literally came in Friday from a tradeshow and called me Friday night, knew I needed help and stepped up and came by for the weekend, Maria D. who is my right hand woman on these retreats and kept me sane. Don and Yvonne Meziere who stepped in with Music at the boys retreat and my sisters Sarah and Emily, who lead groups and music at the girls retreat. Last but not least, the team that has been putting all of this together since September with me: Jose M., Jose H, Shayan, Maria D. Tim P., Jan and Jon. You guys rock!!!! I'm going to miss our Wednesday planning sessions and Shorty eating all of our food. haha.

I cannot thank everyone enough. I was not supposed to host the entire retreat, but I feel that it was meant to be and that it was a success. Thanks to the girls as well, their behavior was so good, that I was able to be myself and be humorous with them, rather than constantly reprimanding them….I prefer that much better.

Oh, pictures are now up of both retreats under the "photo gallery" on this website. Enjoy!