I was excited in 2007 when I purchased the Amy Grant CD "Home for Christmas" as I had long enjoyed her voice and I looked forward to hearing her take on many favorite holiday tunes. A couple songs into my first listen, I was struck by a song that was new to me... a song that beckoned me to pause to reflect upon the "Advent experience" from the perspective of a pregnant Mary. While I was, of course, very familiar with the scripture stories and our popular traditions around Mary being visited by the angel to announce that she would found favor with God and would bear his son, as well as the dream that Joseph had that encouraged him to still marry Mary and raise the child with her. I knew of the journey to see Elizabeth her kinswoman. And, the search for a place to give birth is well known. However, I did not reflect much before on the pondering that must have taken place for Mary in between. The song "Breath of Heaven" is one possible take on her pondering. In case you are not familiar with it, the lyrics are: I have traveled many moonless nights Cold and weary with a babe inside And I wonder what I've done Holy Father, You have come And chosen me now to carry Your Son I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear In a world as cold as stone Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now, be with me now Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy Breath of Heaven Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one should have had my place? But I offer all I am For the mercy of Your plan Help me be strong, help me be, help me Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy Breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven (Songwriters CHRIS EATON, AMY GRANT, Published by © BUG MUSIC) This has since become a wonderful focus song for Advent for me. Mindful that God chose Mary to be a special vessel, I love the idea of her wondering if she should be the one? Was she strong enough? Smart enough? Holy enough? How well this explains our human doubts. Before receiving Holy Communion, how often do I wonder these same things. Basically, am I worthy? Well, of course not, as we admit that "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof..." yet we, in His grace, continue "but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." Do I truly allow God's Word to enter into my soul? Much as Mary allowed the Spirit, or breath, of God to enter her, now must I be open to the Spirit coming in the presence of bread/host and wine. May it "pour over me (God's) holiness" to make me more holy in His name. Thank you, Lord, for speaking through Amy Grant in this way that grabbed my heart and encouraged me to reflect more deeply on the faith that Mary placed in you, and to allow that example to inspire me to take you more deeply "under my roof" as Christmas nears....but also for each and every time I receive you in the Eucharist. As I receive your body and blood, keep me mindful that I also receive a "Breath of Heaven."
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I created a handout for a Youth Ministry Gathering a decade ago that has been shared upon request and with NCYC Group Leader meeting attendees. I thought I should 'dust it off' and re-check website links before the Inaugural Lunch and Learn Session next Thursday (12-12-13) wherein we will be discussing Record-keeping and Budgets. Feel free to add your tips and ideas in the COMMENTS below. FUNDRAISING CONSIDERATIONS - Check to make sure your idea is not already a big fundraiser for another parish/school group or organization. If you duplicate fundraisers, not only may you run the risk of not being as successful as you hope, you may create a negative relationship with the other club or group! - Advertise, advertise, advertise! For many fundraisers, you will want support not only from your parishioners, but also from the larger community! - Organize more volunteers than you think you will need. Good customer service is always appreciated, and that cannot be given if there are too few volunteers! - Set a goal based on a specific trip or event, or for the entire ministry year. Monitor that goal in a location that parishioners can see. After the fundraiser, publish the results (parish bulletin, city paper, etc.) and thank the supporters. - Safety should be goal #1—if selling ideas door to door or at a public location, remind the students to have an adult present and to never go it alone. Be cautious in dark areas and never carry a large amount of money. Also, use caution when lifting/moving heavy boxes of supplies. - It is best to have checks made out to your Church/group account rather than in the name of a person, whenever possible. This also allows the 5019(c )(3) to offer a receipt to donors for tax purposes, which may increase your donations! - Fundraisers provide a lot more than just money as a benefit--- they also provide opportunities for leadership development, building communication skills, community building, financial experience and event planning practice! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUNDRAISING COMPANIES/PRODUCTS: (These are provided for informational purposes only. No endorsement is implied or given for any of these companies.) www.justcatholic.com www.fundraisers.com www.abcfundraising.com www.justfundraising.com or call 1-888-440-4114 www.profitpotentials.com or call 1-800-543-5480 www.school-fundraisers.com or call 1-866-327-7900 www.activeteamfundraising.com or call 1-866-698-3267 http://allstar1.com/ or call 1-800-642-4766 www.resourcefundraising.com or call 1-800-642-0780 www.longaberger.com/cindeecase (or contact any direct-sales consultant to inquire about fund-raising options; often the consultant donates a portion of her/his profits to your group.) http://www.fundraising.com/ or call 1-800-443-5353 http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.com/ or call 1-866-874-8383 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUNDRAISER IDEAS: ITEMS TO SELL: --Candy/lollipops --Holiday wreaths or ornaments --Candles --Christmas cards --Doughnuts --Pizzas --Cookies or cookie dough --Tickets to sporting events or amusement parks --Phone cards --Huge garage sale with parishioner donations --Magazines --Community discount cards or coupon books --Ad space in a program book --Statues or religious icons --Cheesecakes --Flower bulbs --T-shirts --Cookbooks --Raffle tickets for great/donated prizes --Rummage sale SERVICES TO SELL: --Windshield wash --Carwash --Babysitting during holiday shopping season --Lawn work --House cleaning --Spaghetti dinner --Pancake breakfast --Hold talent show, charge admission fee --Sponsor a “coffee house” complete with beverage varieties and entertainment --Ice cream social --Chili Cook Off Contest A-THONS: (get sponsors) --Walk-a-thon --Rock-a-thon --Dance-a-thon --Bowl-a-thon --Jump-a-thon --Swim-a-thon --Silent Prayer-a-thon OTHER IDEAS --Hold a reverse raffle --Burger King, Chili’s, Beef O’Brady’s or other restaurant incentive nights --Collect cell phones to recycle for money --Take Stock in our Youth --Golf or Tennis tournament --Kidnap the Pastor (ask for ransom from parishioners) --Silent auctions --Fun Runs (or walk, or bicycle trips)—pay to play --“Sponsor a Teen” program --Spare Change collections after Masses or a Penny Drive --Annual second collection envelop --Involve a Direct Selling Consultant who will donate sales commissions from a show (like Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc.) --Grant-writing—sure it takes some work, but there is a lot of money waiting! --Online appeal via Facebook or other social media Cindee Case, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Youngstown, July 2003, 2013rev. |
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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
July 2021
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