Youth Rally I am too old for this

[puzzleannie]

the 3 parishes in our town and their missions are hosting a High School youth rally for all CAtholic teens who live, go to school, or belong to parishes in our town tomorrow, all day, 1 to 10 pm. It is put on by the diocesan youth ministry group, who are simply doing an awesome job. It is the first time we have tried anything like this and based on CCD attendance excpected and planned for 100-120. As of Wed we had over 200 registered, at least for since then (coming late as usual, this is the land of manana). On my second trip to Sams for more food and supplies.

I am getting to the age where individual teens or even small groups are delightful, but they are a bit intimidating en masse. Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about anything except the food, that I know how to do.

Pray for the youth the presenters, the chaperones and all who are donating food, drinks, supplies, time and talent for this event. We are evangelizing the youth of our own parishes, at least 1/3 of the kids have asked to bring a friend.

 

[kage_ar]

Prayers and advil for you.

 

[Orchanian]

Praise God for what he’s doing with the youth in your parish. We have a strong youth group here as well, and they have energized the rest of us. It’s great to see how the Holy Spirit is touching their lives. Kids who hated going to church can’t wait for Mass. Kids whose parents weren’t regular attenders are telling their parents they need to get their spiritual life in order. Teens who wake up early to pray the rosary. Handsome, popular young men who have chosen NOT to date because it leads to temptation. Our teens are inspiring, and I’m sure yours are, too. God is working through them to renew the Church. Praise Him every day!

 

[stbruno]

I have learned in the last 15 years that instead of being too old for youth rallys…we can become energized by them. In Nov. I will be attending my 6th National Catholic youth conference in Kansas City with over 20,000 teens for a 4 day experience. It is sponsored by the National Catholic Federation of Youth Ministry. nfcym.org. And the oldest youth minister I will be traveling with is well into her 80’s and she doesn’t stop. And the kids are drawn to her wisdom and faith in them as teens and as leaders.
While physically we are challenged to do things as we age, we are only as old as our spirit allows us…Enjoy and May God bless all youth ministers! Their ministry is making an impact in the young church of today!

Check out www.nfcym.org for more information on the NCYC. There are also very good links to their page with resources for youth ministry. I will remember to pray for your upcoming rally!

 

[puzzleannie]

I am too old, and I am a lot older today than I was yesterday morning.

as of Wed. deadline we had 200 registered including chaperones and retreat team. I have 275 permission slips which means 75 registered at the door after their parishes had set firm deadlines (our policy is never to turn youth away from any function).

Our volunteer kitchen crew tells me they served 150 corn dogs, 150 hot dogs, 175 sandwiches, and one volunteer when out and bought 10 pizzas for the last people in line. salads, desserts and chips and sides to numerous to mention, but there is nothing edible in the kitchen today–all was donated by our parishioners as we were hosts, our parish volunteers cooked, served, and are at this moment mopping floors so the school can have their space back.

The retreat was put on by the diocesan youth ministry and was awesome. Climax was the burning bush, ala Y2K, with Eucharistic procession and adoration. What a sight to see all these teens on their knees before our Lord. Theme was simply the Priesthood, and the priest leading the retreat was excellent, a dynamic young man who is a real model for our youth.

Our first ever, very successful, but I was thankful to let the young healthy people do all the work. I think I need a foot transplant today, however. I did almost nothing except facilitate and get things moving. Luckily others took charge of organization and implementation and the results were excellent. very proud of kids from 6 parishes, 3 schools with strong rivalries, united, worshipping together, getting a real sense that we are One Church. no incidents, no discipline problems other than a bit of giggling and fidgeting, I am so proud of these kids.

 

[stbruno]

Congratulations…the young church is alive, which should give us great hope in a world that offers little. Great job, puzzleannie. I am proud of you hanging in there.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I am too old, and I am a lot older today than I was yesterday morning.

as of Wed. deadline we had 200 registered including chaperones and retreat team. I have 275 permission slips which means 75 registered at the door after their parishes had set firm deadlines (our policy is never to turn youth away from any function).

Our volunteer kitchen crew tells me they served 150 corn dogs, 150 hot dogs, 175 sandwiches, and one volunteer when out and bought 10 pizzas for the last people in line. salads, desserts and chips and sides to numerous to mention, but there is nothing edible in the kitchen today–all was donated by our parishioners as we were hosts, our parish volunteers cooked, served, and are at this moment mopping floors so the school can have their space back.

The retreat was put on by the diocesan youth ministry and was awesome. Climax was the burning bush, ala Y2K, with Eucharistic procession and adoration. What a sight to see all these teens on their knees before our Lord. Theme was simply the Priesthood, and the priest leading the retreat was excellent, a dynamic young man who is a real model for our youth.

Our first ever, very successful, but I was thankful to let the young healthy people do all the work. I think I need a foot transplant today, however. I did almost nothing except facilitate and get things moving. Luckily others took charge of organization and implementation and the results were excellent. very proud of kids from 6 parishes, 3 schools with strong rivalries, united, worshipping together, getting a real sense that we are One Church. no incidents, no discipline problems other than a bit of giggling and fidgeting, I am so proud of these kids.

Annie, you have my sympathy, and I admire you greatly for what you did. We are about the same age, and I think I would have spent the day in bed today. Last night I went to the Festival of Praise at Franciscan University. There were about 1000 people there, mostly students, but also parents and alumni. They had Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. When I walked in, everyone was on their knees on that hard floor as they were beginning the procession. Well, they stayed on their knees for a large part of the 2 hours, and I did my best, but the pain was getting a bit much, and when I did stand up it took me forever, having to hang on to the chair and support myself, and I thought I would fall over doing this. My consolation was that the priest who was part of our group is about my age, and I noticed he was having the same trouble! But those college students didn’t seem to have a bit of trouble kneeling all that time, and they just hopped right up out of their kneeling positions like it was nothing. My thoughts ran along the same lines as yours…I’m too old for this. I don’t know how the Saints did it. Today my back is sore, my knees are sore, and since I got home very late I had to take a nap today.

But it was worth it. To see hundreds and hundreds of youth actually choosing to spend their Saturday night kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament, instead of being out partying, and to hear their enthusiastic singing in praise of the Lord, and to see how loving and well-mannered and considerate of visitors and each other they were gave me great hope, at it always does. They are the future of our Church, they are our future leaders, and as one poster said, it can be invigorating to be around young people, and it is easy to catch their enthusiasm and come out from among them refreshed. Maybe a little sore, but refreshed. I am very proud of these Catholic young people.