Likely, you now a person or two (or twenty) who were raised Catholic but that no longer practice the faith. (After all, research now claims that "Nones" are 23.1% of the U.S. Population! Roman Catholics are 23%, per General Social Survey data analyzed by Ryan Burge of Eastern Illinois University. "Nones" are Americans who state they do not affiliate with any religious tradition, i.e. on surveys when asked what religion they are, they would check NONE.) Some have been hurt by the Church... others have just wandered away... some may disagree with specific Catholic teaching.... others may have misunderstood (or been taught un-truths)…. many did not feel loved, needed, accepted by or like they belonged to a parish.... others say they just don't have time... and I am sure there are many more reasons. Have any of these folks asked you why you are still Catholic? Or, have you ever just shared (in a loving, caring conversation), why being Catholic is important to you? While it may not change their minds at the moment, or it may start a discussion (hopefully, not an argument), it might make them think.... It is possible that no one ever talked about why the faith is important to them and how being Catholic impacts daily living. So, WHY ARE YOU CATHOLIC? What do you like most about being Catholic? Your response should be shared with the youth (and the families) with whom you serve. Hearing the answers from others will help the teens to formulate their own answers. Take some time to thing about it and pray about. Also consider who your answer may have changed over time. If you need any inspiration, below, you can find what the 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients said when asked why they like about being Catholic. A few of these high school juniors and seniors are VERY insightful! (Others affirm many of the things we do in our youth ministries and parish life!) What Eagle of the Cross 2019 Recipients Like about being Catholic:
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Things to Pack as a Mission Trip Group Leader Ideas from fellow youth ministers for your consideration (After reviewing this list, please comment with anything you would ADD to the list!) First Aid Related
Programming Supplies
Logistical supplies
Recreational items (depending on your facilities and free time)
(Note: This is posted on the Justice and Service Page of this website for reference as well… but I will take any of the comments made to this blog post with additional items to the list... thanks for help making it a better resource to use in the future!) Best wishes for a blessed and safe Mission/Service Experience! How Christian do you think your town/city/community is? Many news stories in the past several years have addressed the "Rise of the Nones" as they say, that is the growing number of people that indicate in surveys or interviews that their religious affiliation is NONE (as opposed to Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.) For decades, there have been concerns about atheists and agnostics. How many times have you seen such articles or new stories? And, when you have seen those articles, how many times have you thought, "Oh, that is too bad, but I am glad that isn't around here?" Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but yesterday (June 5th) Barna Research shared information entitled: The Most Post-Christian Cities in America: 2019 The good news: Communities in the Diocese of Youngstown did were NOT listed in the Top Ten. The bad news: Youngstown-Warren came in at #63, and Cleveland-Akron-Canton came in at #67. As for other cities around us in the Top One Hundred List, we have: 28. Detroit, MI 35. Toledo, OH 36. Pittsburgh, PA 59. Columbus, OH 70. Dayton, OH 71. Cincinnati, OH Keep in mind that this is surveying all people, of all backgrounds, not Roman Catholic specifically, but this is the like the air we breathe, it is all around us, and does include Catholics. The factors considered were:
To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals had to meet nine or more of the following factors. Highly post-Christian” individuals meet 13 or more of the factors (out of these 16 criteria). How would you rate using this list? Parents, how might you address some of these with your family? I see great possibilities in: reading the Bible together, volunteering, praying, sharing stories of the importance of your faith/God/prayer/Church participation, and how Jesus is part of your daily life! College students and young adults with roommates, many of the suggestions for parents above can easily be done with your dorm-mates or roommates and groups of friends. Side note: in the Catholic tradition, we don't usually say we are "Born Again," however, we were at our Baptism... we continue to each time we say Amen and receive Communion, and we do every morning that we dedicate our day to God. "Sunday school" and "Small groups" may not be terms you are used to either. But are you involved with continuing education sessions, participate in your parish mission, go to speaker sessions, take Catechist Certification courses (including the Youth Ministry Online Trainings), go to Bible studies, take part in Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, Women's Group, Men's Fellowship, or participate in Faith Formation programs? Then, there you go! Do not let this study get your depressed, instead, use it as an incentive to find ways to more obviously live your faith. Remember that old song, "They will know we are Christians by our love"? Share God's love by doing acts of love every day. Then, next time Barna does this research, maybe Youngstown, Warren, Canton and the rest of the diocese will be lower on the list as we promote Christian living in our schools, places or work, areas of service, and everywhere we go! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To read the Barna article references, please visit: www.barna.com/research/post-christian-cities-2019/?fbclid=IwAR3zTfrp-ellKQ0hFBg7nar38qWH1C7YU0GccmSxuPUeNo7zNtz90Jm1wqM#.XPlmy2qsqw0.facebook To read more about the "nones" from Pew Research, visit: www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/08/why-americas-nones-dont-identify-with-a-religion/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recall the words of St. Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Does your parish do something to honor/congratulate/bless graduating high school seniors? On May 8, 2019, I received a call from a parish wondering what gifts other parishes give to graduating high school seniors. We discussed a few ideas of which I was aware, but thought it was a good time to touch base with parish ministers to see what was currently done. I am thankful for the Coordinators for Youth Ministry that responded to my Google Form survey. Following is a summary of that input as received May 8 – 15. 25 parishes said YES, they do something to honor/congratulate/bless graduating high school seniors, and 4 responded that they do not. 21 of the 25 stated they have a special blessing for the graduates at Mass, 13 at a specific Mass and 8 at every Mass on a specified weekend. Most indicated they also have an Universal Prayer for the graduates, some including all levels of graduates. 14 parishes have a reception, 10 offer breakfast/brunch 3 have light snacks And one offers a dinner. For these, 6 indicated the receptions were for the graduates and their families, 1 for graduates only and 5 were for the whole parish. As for that question about gifts. 10 parishes do give gifts: ► Book (Bible, "How to Stay Catholic in College," Lean Into the Wind: How to Face the Future” by Fr. McKarns, prayer book) ► Bookmark ► Prayer card ► Coffee mug with scripture quote ► Photo frame ► Money ► A cross ► A certificate ► A religious medal ► information on how to find the Newman center on their campus ► Keychain (Note that a few parishes give more than one gift) Other great ideas included: - We have teens serve as liturgical ministers for a Mass - We make a poster with pictures of all the graduates - We take a group photo of the graduate and place it on the cover of a Church bulletin Any graduating teen who missed the Mass is asked to submit a senior picture to be included on the bulletin cover. - Our parish offers three scholarships for education, materials and supplies - Considering a retreat - We make a bulletin insert celebrating the graduates - We also host the Baccalaureate ceremony sponsored by the Conneaut Area Ministerial Association. Baccalaureate is the day before graduation is open to all seniors at Conneaut High School. We do have a light reception following the ceremony. - We tell them we are proud of them St. Thomas Aquinas school added that in addition to the Baccalaureate Mass that each Catholic School does in our diocese, they invite back those celebrating their 50th reunion to join them for Mass and a reception. They also have a blessing of the seniors at the last All School Mass of the year. As you put the finishing on any graduation celebrations for your parish, I hope these insights from other parishes are helpful. Most importantly, continue to pray for these young people, especially as they go off to college, the military, vocational training, a gap year, or the work world. May they be open to the Holy Spirit at work in their lives! Ahhhh, as Memorial Day weekend nears, I can hear the sighs of relief from many parish ministers, teachers, and families as another school year concludes. Another sprint through the winter and spring are almost complete, and we are celebrating: longer and warmer days.... graduations from everything from pre-schools through advanced college degrees... awards ceremonies... Sacramental Celebrations, especially Confirmations and First Holy Communions... perhaps Weddings and vacations as well.... "end of the year" retreats, parties and field trips... the closing of the 75th Anniversary of the Diocese... In any event, there seems no lack of JOY at this time of the year! WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY? Really, take a moment to reflect on the question.... sure, jot down the first things that come to your mind, but then consider if they bring laughter, satisfaction, warm-fuzzies, or true joy? Dig deeper.... what truly fills your heart with joy? Beginning this Friday and running throughout the summer, the OY&YAM Facebook page/Twitter feed will have posts from the 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients on what brings them joy. Perhaps, as no surprise, the most repeated answer involved family and friends. However, service and helping others ran a close second! Thank you, Coordinators for Youth Ministries for making opportunities for service and mission work possible as to help bring joy to those serving as well as those being served. My point of posting these insights is to help prompt thoughts of joy in all who will read them... and hope the readers will then share joy to those around them. Here is the full list, in no particular order (just as I typed them flipping through the Eagle of the Cross response forms). Possibly, the list will bring you some joy, and help you tap into the deep joy in your heart, so that we can continue to be "an Easter people" claiming "Alleluia is our song" as St. John Paul II said, long after this Easter season has ended. And as Pope Francis reminds us, "If we live the faith in our daily life, then our work too becomes a chance to spread the joy of being a Christian." Please, keep spreading joy in your daily life of faith! 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients Joys:
#DOYjoy #DOYteens A Little About a Few of the Outstanding Teens Around The Diocese of Youngstown I realize that the Eagle of the Cross Recipients are only a small sample of the outstanding teens around our diocese (yes, only the ones for whom an adult took the time to submit a nomination and that the examples shared in the nomination seemed more impressive than those listed for other great teens nominated as read by a couple "judges.") However, since they DO represent so many teens, I thought it only fair to share the excerpts from the nominations shared in the Program Book be shared with more people. That way, we can all pause to be grateful for the many young people contributing to our parish and school communities. THANKS to the nominators for providing this information! thanks to the numerous mentors, teachers, ministers, family members and friends who supported, guided and inspired these teens! And thank God for these teens and their willingness to live their faith and share God's love with others! 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients (Listed alphabetically by last name, Name, Parish, grade, school, excerpt) Stephen Babik Our Lady of Sorrows, Youngstown Senior Ursuline High School Stephen has served more yearly hours for Students of Stewardship than anyone else. His quiet humility and consistent service to his neighbor is inspiring. He is a role model for his friends and younger students at Ursuline through his example. He is committed to his liturgical ministry roles as altar server and Eucharistic Minister*. Marley Berczik St. Joan of Arc, Streetsboro Senior Streetsboro High School Marley serves as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister* and altar server often volunteering if someone is absent. She is a teen leader at the parish Vacation Bible School program. She has participated in the last two mission trip experiences to Kentucky. She shares her faith often bringing friends to her parish to say ‘hello’ to the staff. Marley is active in providing Word/Communion services to local nursing homes. Bridget Bobovnyik St. Christine, Youngstown Senior Canfield High School Bridget has been an altar server and Eucharist Minister*. As a member of a community service club, she has volunteered at the St. John’s Soup kitchen. Participating in a Celebrate weekend helped make her the person she is today. She is the Youth Representative on Parish Council giving reports on the YM program. She also developed and maintains the website for the program. Patricia Ann Carr St. Jude, Columbiana Senior Columbiana High School Patricia assists with her parish Vacation Bible School and is an altar server. She has been a youth leader for younger children at Summer Drama Camp at the Crown Theater. She has participated in the NCYC and represented her parish at the Diocesan 75th Anniversary Mass for teens. Last year she was named Rotary Outstanding Interact Student. Brooke Chandler Holy Family, Poland Senior Cardinal Mooney High School Brooke participated in a Celebrate weekend and then became a member of the team. As part of an elective Theology course she did community service in nursing homes, schools and with the poor. At Villa Maria Farms she participated in a local mission trip. She has also served at St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, and as an altar server and Eucharistic Minister* at her parish. Jarod Evan Day Immaculate Heart of Mary, Austintown Senior Ursuline High School Jarod has been an active member of his school’s Stewardship Club for four years, volunteering more hours than anyone else. He has helped out at the Purple Cat and St. Vincent de Paul. He has done mission work in Nicaragua helping to build a house. His spirituality comes in the form of service to others. Jarod is an altar server and has been commissioned as a Eucharistic Minister*. Bridget DePascale St. William, Warren Senior Champion High School Bridget often attends more than one mass per weekend as she fulfills her roles as cantor, choir member and altar server. She has gone on three mission trips and worked as a volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul. She gives of her time at the parish and school level and reaches out to the community through her service work. Bridget has a heart for children and those in need. Cullen Faulk Blessed Sacrament, Warren Junior Warren G. Harding High School Cullen is a role model to his younger sisters and Boy Scouts in his troop. He has been a Eucharistic Minister* and altar server. As a Kairos participant one year, he went on to be the group leader the next year and now serves as co-leader. He is very thoughtful, kind, spiritual and loving towards his friends and family. He hopes to be a CYO camp counselor to help children enjoy the experience as he has. Katherine Julia Flickinger SS. Philip and James, Canal Fulton Junior Canton Central High School Katie is a lector at her parish and will go on her fourth Kentucky mission trip with her youth group this year. She is a volunteer at the House of Loreto assisting both staff and residents. She also helps in caring for her grandparents. She started doing service projects when she had her 5th birthday by asking her friends to bring pet supplies to donate to the Stark County Humane Society. Virginia Katherine Grier St. Joseph Calasanctius,Jefferson Senior Jefferson Area High School Ginny is a Core Team leader and liaison to Parish Council for her Youth Group; she is also a lector, catechist, and server. She was a convert to Catholicism on her own initiative in middle school. Her entire family either came to or returned to the Church by the example she set. Ginny is a doer of the Word – not just a hearer. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are at work in her. Matthew Hersher St. Joseph, Massillon Senior Massillon Washington High School Matt serves as a lector, Eucharist Minister*, CCD aide and youth Representative on Parish Council. He is a four-year member of Ignite – the YM leadership team. His participation in the city’s Kindness Campaign planning committee exemplified his commitment to good moral decision making. He has received the Mayor’s Student of the Year award. Emma Kosicek Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula Senior St. John School Emma is president of her school’s Philanthropy Club and an active member of Acts 29 – a ministry group; she was also the student leader and head sacristan for 40 Days of Kindness. Emma has been a lector and leads other students through Lectio Divina and art prayer in order to do bible journaling. During Catholic Schools Week, Emma helped set up the Service Village and led morning prayer every day. Connor Kovach St. Joseph Calasanctius,Jefferson Senior St. John School Conner is a member of Acts 29 Ministry Club. He is a Eucharistic Minister* and student leader for the National Week of Student Prayer serving as an example of what it means to be dedicated to your faith and the spiritual growth of others. He has participated in Project Grow for the past 6 years. Connor has assisted in Thanksgiving food drives and Lenten service projects to serve the community. Quinn Li Lamp St. Louis, Louisville Senior St. Thomas Aquinas High School Quinn is an officer in her school’s Right to Life Club attending the March for Life in DC and participating in school activities promoting Pro-Life. She volunteers as an ambassador for tours, reading to younger students and setting up for conferences. She attended the Kairos retreat and was invited to be a retreat leader this year. She has been an altar server and Eucharistic Minister* at her parish. Jaret Lane St. John the Evangelist, Summitville Senior Carrollton High School Jaret has attended both NCYC and DYC two times; to raise the necessary funds for these conferences, he helped make meals, washed cars and worked at service projects for the elderly in the community. He is an altar server, Eucharistic Minister* and Lector. He attends Prayer Warriors at his school – a student-led group that meets weekly to pray. Ashley Lytle Blessed Sacrament, Warren Junior John F. Kennedy Catholic School Ashley is a faithful altar server and mentors the younger servers. She has also assisted in Vacation Bible School and volunteered with Social justice organizations in Cincinnati through the iPlunge Summer Mission Retreat. She and a friend initiated the Beautification of St. Vincent DePaul Dining Hall; this is an ongoing project that she hopes will come to fruition by graduation time. Abigail Noel Marchand St. Anthony/All Saints, Canton Senior Perry High School Abby can always be counted on to be at YM formation sessions, service opportunities, socials and larger events like the DYC and NCYC. She shows enthusiasm for parish programs and is an example for her peers. She has been an altar server since she was very young. Leadership is natural for Abby; she does not try to upstage anyone but works toward being a role model to others. Nicholas Mattiussi St. Joseph, Austintown Senior Austintown Fitch High School Nicholas has followed family tradition becoming a second degree Knight of Columbus. He has earned two Catholic Scouting Religious awards – Ad Altare Dei and the Pope Pius XII. He is preparing his witness talk on leadership for the Celebrate weekend. His enthusiasm for his music ministry and continuing willingness for altar serving is an inspiration. His faith is the driving force in his life. Scott Andrew Mintus St. William, Warren Junior John F. Kennedy Catholic School Scott is an altar server and a regular volunteer for church fundraisers and at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen helping to prepare food and set up. He is very involved in JFK’s Relay for Life team. Scott attended the Kairos retreat last year and is returned as a leader. He has received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. He attended the iPlunge mission retreat spending time in Cincinnati and Kentucky. Nicholas J. Muscarella Blessed Sacrament, Warren Junior John F. Kennedy Catholic School Nicholas values his faith above all. He is involved in his parish EPIC (Every Person in Christ) teen youth group and in our iPlunge mission trip to Milford, OH. He has also joined WACT (Warren Area Catholic Teens) where joint events are held with four other churches. He is an advocate for the unborn through Life Chain. He supported Helping Hands through packaging rice being sent to Burkina Faso. Edward Odom St. Brendan, Youngstown Senior Austintown Fitch High School Eddie is a dedicated member of his parish Youth Ministry program and serves at the weekly Lenten Fish Fry. Besides making nursing home visits, he assisted in organizing religious article donations that were packaged and sent to Africa. Among his peers, he provides the example of moral, conscientious and courteous behavior treating others as he would want to be treated. Logan Joseph Ambrose Orlowski St. Ambrose, Garrettsville Senior Home Schooled Logan is an extremely active young person in our parish. He has been an altar server for many years and is now one of our Youth Ministry student leaders. He facilitates outreach projects with our YM group through the March for Life, food pantries, and Youngstown Community Kitchen project. Our YM program can attribute much of its success to Logan’s influence and leadership. Maggie Joy Paul St. Joseph, Massillon Senior Central Catholic High School Maggie is a Eucharistic Minister* and altar server at her parish. She is a commissioner for the service organization at her school (Crusaders for Community) and has done work for nursing homes, the humane society and a Kentucky mission trip with the Ignite Youth Group. She is a mentor for her school’s Peer Ministry program and exemplifies Christian virtues in everyday ways. Aaron Pepperney Holy Family, Poland Senior Cardinal Mooney High School Aaron is an altar server, Eucharistic Minister* and member of the Youth Ministry and Celebrate teams. During Advent and Lent he is a leader for a prayer experience for children K-4. Aaron has been part of three mission trips to Cumberland, KY. Whether it’s mentoring a new student or serving as a team leader for Link Crew, Aaron always says “yes!” Sarah Ann Riley Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula Senior St. John School Sarah served a vital role in getting junior high Youth Ministry started; she was a core team member in the high school YM. She has served as Eucharistic Minister*, sacristan and member of Acts 29 (campus ministry club) at her school. She has been active in Vacation Bible School, has led prayer on morning announcements at her school and is a member of the Bible journaling group. Joseph Roth St. Mary, Massillon Senior Central Catholic High School Joe is a go-to person for help in setting up for school masses and prayer services. He has worked at his parish Fish Fry since grade school and helps with the Aultman Hospital Angel Auction each year. As a member of his school’s Senior Peer Ministry program he is faithful in mentoring freshmen; he has gone out of his way to those who hadn’t been assigned to him, too. Asher G. Searles Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula Senior Edgewood Senior High School Asher was a member of Junior and Senior High Youth Ministry. He has been a VBS, CCD and Fish Fry volunteer. He served as assistant for Confirmation and First Communion retreats. As an altar server, he would stay for more than one mass when no one else showed up. Asher has posted anti-abortion articles to his Facebook account because he wants to defend life. He is a servant leader. William John Todd Holy Trinity, East Liverpool Senior East Liverpool High School Billy has been an active member of CCD, Youth Ministry and parish life. He composed and submitted the prayer that was used to introduce the Saturday morning sessions. The school district had Billy attend Camp Fitch as a counselor and role model for younger students. After serving, he can often be found assisting the sacristan. “The right thing to do” appears to be what shapes his actions. Elizabeth Wheeler St. Louis, Louisville Senior St. Thomas Aquinas High School Elizabeth has been a contributing member of both her parish and school community. She has served as a Eucharistic Minister*, lector, altar server and RCIA sponsor. She served as a Kairos leader and gave a talk on holiness at the retreat. She is a student ambassador for her school. She has taken good advantage of her Catholic education allowing it to form her into a faithful young adult. *Please note that due to space constraints, the shorter form of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion was used throughout the biographies. Keep living the faith! #DOYteens #DOYjoy #DOYEagleOfTheCross Today is an exciting day as the first ever Apostolic Exhortation addressing young people (primarily ages 16 - 30) was released today globally! Following a three-year process wherein our diocese joined many others in the USA and around the world in conducting surveys and listening to youth and young adults. The Holy Father and dozens of bishops also listened directly to and worked with select teens and young adults last March at a Pre-Synodal Gathering and the October Synod on "Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment." Findings, insights and work progress have been reported on the office website (https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/synod-on-youth-2018.html and blog posts https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/office-blog/category/synod-on-youth ) You can read the Apostolic Exhortation entitled "Christus Vivit" online at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html ----------------- Added April 16: Related to that document mentioned above, and in my previous email, CHRISTUS VIVIT, Print copies of the document may be purchased ($11.95 + s/h) through the USCCB at: http://store.usccb.org/searchresults.asp?Search=christus%20vivit&utm_source=mailchimp-Christ%20Is%20Alive&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=christ_is_alive&mc_cid=a7f612a5da&mc_eid=9a210a65da The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will also have them available in May for purchase at a slight discount of $10 each. (I will have them with me at Villa Maria for our May 15th meeting and again at the Youth Ministers Gathering on June 11, as well as in my office.) Apostolic Exhortation
Release date has been placed back on schedule Pope Francis will present his post-synodal apostolic exhortation on Sunday, March 25th, According to a news release from the Vatican, the document will focus on "young people, the faith and vocational discernment," drawing from the themes surfaced during the Synod in October 2018 and throughout the Synod preparation process. Once completed, this historic document for youth and young adult ministry will be posted online at: www.synod2018.va/content/synod2018/en.html Currently, the Final Document from the October Gathering and the pre-synodal pieces of information can be found on that website. Please keep the Holy Father in your prayers as he discerns his words for the exhortation! ***Note: on 3.19.19 it had been announced that there would be a postponement, but it appears to be back on track: press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/03/20/190320c.html?fbclid=IwAR335ALppNd_VBqFQCLyeRFyL7d8kZCOPcujekB6bmuykLx7Wo-IiuW3qpQ Last week, I had the honor or representing our diocese at the Annual Membership Meeting of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. This is nothing new as I have done so since I became the Director of the OY&YAM, as did the previous directors. What was new and exciting this year though was having Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States (i.e. like the Vatican Ambassador.)
He kindly took time to thank all of us that work with young people in America. He shared the excitement he had during the October Synod of Bishops on the theme of "Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment" as well as the recent World Youth Day events in Panama. He encouraged us all to reflect on the well known Emmaus story, focusing on "recognizing, interpreting and choosing" especially as we journey with young people discerning God's call for their lives. We must continue to bear witness to the Good News. We must take time to listen to and really hear young people. And to help them hear the voice of God. And to encourage the young people to choose to engage in a personal relationship with God, while walking with our faith community. Archbishop Pierre promised to communicate our best wishes as youth workers on the USA back to Pope Francis, along with our prayers. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless us all as the follow up work of the Synod continues through our relationships, witness, listening and accompanying of the young people! A big "Snow Event" is predicted for northeast Ohio and many other areas of the U.S. for this weekend. Due to this, some events are being rescheduled, changed or canceled. As I heard one teen wonder out loud, "Great, what am I going to do now?" I immediately began thinking of a myriad of options... some outdoors, some indoors. I realized as I started listing ideas off in my head that this officially makes me an 'older' adult, but then I thought, a. if you are a teen really looking for ideas, then here you go.... or b. if you are a fellow adult who feels the same but would like to have a place to direct your kids attention without it looking like you are the cranky one listing off options, here you go: 30 Snow Ideas for Teens/Families: 1. Read a book* 2. Clean your room 3. Offer to shovel snow for neighbors (after your own driveway and sidewalk, of course) 4. Build a snowperson or two, or even snow animals 5. Make snow angels 6. Go ice-skating 7. Go sledding (and maybe take your little siblings with you) 8. Build a snow fort 9. Have a snow ball fight 10. (If permitted where you live and with supervision) have a bonfire (if you have dry wood stored somewhere) 11. Learn to make a new craft using YouTube videos 12. Cook a meal 13. Bake 14. Play a board game 15. Exercise or dance 16. Do your homework 17. Write thank you cards, Valentines cards, etc. 18. Create a snow day play list of music 19. Do mani-pedis, a facial or other spa treatment 20. Go on a winter hike 21. Catch snowflakes on your tongue 22. Build a house of cards 23. Watch a movie* 24. Color (yes, with crayons or pencils) 25. Pull up a karaoke app and start singing! 26. Play tic-tac-snow (draw the board in the snow, use sticks and rocks as your Xs and Os) 27. Stick the Nose on the Snowman (like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but playing a carrot on a snow man as blindfolded) 28. Make bird feeders like you used to at camp or on kindergarten (peanut butter on pinecones, sprinkled with birdseed, tie with yarn or string and hang out on a tree) 29. Look for critter-prints ( you know, pawprints from animals and identify the animals) 30. Snow-painting (fill squeeze containers or spray bottles with water and food coloring, mix, then head outside to "paint") If you are still board after all of these ideas, then take a nap, watch TV or play video games! OR share more ideas in the comment section below! In any event, I hope you have some fun and take time to enjoy winter. (I'll likely be sipping on some hot chocolate by the fireplace!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Since I am posting this during the March For Life and as we enter the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, can I suggest looking for books and movies related to Respect for All Life and equal rights? A few that come to mind include: ~ A Raisin in the Sun ~ Mississippi Burning ~ Selma ~ To Kill a Mockingbird ~ Gandhi ~ The Butler ~ The Long Walk Home ~ The Rosa Parks Story ~ Bella ~ Gattaca ~ Hotel Rwanda What other books and movies follow these themes? You can also join in the final days of the 9 Days for Life Prayer initiative at: www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm |
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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