o Thursday, January 31, 2008
NFCYM MEMBERSHIP MEETING
  (Sorry for the delayed posting, it's been busy and wireless is available only in certain sports.)  Beyond birthday celebrating, we have been about the work of the NFCYM.  I've joined the Membership management committee and was named chair of the adolescent catechesis task group - -  Clearly my plan to keep a low profile is not working as well as I had thought.   We heard the state of the NFCYM last night, especially regarding the many collaborative efforts afoot.  Today, we discussed our vision for the field and the organization - -  many involving technology and young adults.
22 HOURS / 50 YEARS
  The birthday celebration was a full day extravaganza of fun yesterday.  It involved waking up early (3:30 AM Central Time) to catch he shuttle to the airport.  I was greeted at the airplane gate with hugs and a chorus of Happy Birthday. Two plane rides later and we arrived in Little Rock.  At the conference registration, I was awarded my “birthday hat” which was my fashion statement throughout the day.  Meetings followed. Before dinner and the general session last night, I was designated the Honorary Duckmaster and helped to escort the Peabody Ducks to their Duck Palace..  My space at the regional table was festooned with declarations.  We proceeded to the regional meeting where cards, gifts (booze), and more song and celebration awaited.  The night concluded with visits to a dueling piano bar (where, I pray to God, there is not YouTube video of my “PeeWee Herman dance” on stage.) Finally, the evening finished with wine and friends.

 o Wednesday, January 30, 2008
D. SCOTT MILLER IS
INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS' STUDIO
     (Enter the studio here.)  Ahhh, the much heralded Mike Patin guest host gig.  After 41 episodes of the Inside the Youth Ministers' Studio podcast, I'm stepping out of the interviewer's chair and into the interviewee's seat, leaving the driving to Mike. And, if you listen closely, I was thinking of you! Meanwhile, what's up with this change in programming . . ? Read below.
THAT'S ME- ALL OVER
  George Carlin is quoted as saying "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." On this, my 50th birthday, I sent a note to 50 people who made a difference in my life, who took my breath away.  The card was all about them.  The cover, seen here, however, was pretty much about me.  If you'd like to figure out who's who, what's what, and when's when on some of these pictures are, see here.
THANKS
  Many years ago, Mr. Rogers received a daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.  Today, I thought it was important to share his sentiments and encouragement: All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take with me ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are. Those who have cared about you, and wanted what was best for you in life. Ten seconds of silence. I'll watch the time.
PLAY ON
  What's next?  It can be found in this quote from the The Legend of Bagger Vance. Seems like yesterday I used to see old guys like me... and wonder why they still bothered with this crazy game. But it doesn't matter. As Bagger once said, "It's a game that can't be won, only played."  And so I play. I play on. I play for the moments yet to come... looking for my place in the field.

 o Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WEB SITE ADVISORY
  We will be posting tomorrow - that's not the problem. But, while posting tomorrow, we are also taking a little "me" time. If self-referential blogging (which this site often avoids) offends, you was warned.  Come back and see what this all means! After that, we will be in Little Rock for the NFCYM's annual membership meeting and hope to be live-blogging the activities as well as collecting some podcast interviews!
THE HISTORY OF
YOUTH MINISTRY
  For some reason this week, I'm a little nostalgic regarding my own life and times, including my experiences with youth ministry. . . And contrary to any suggestions that others might make, I was not around at the very beginning - - the era of the caveman with the very sweet dinosaurs as accounted in Exodus 74.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS
 ~ THE FRAMEWORK
    The USCCB has recently published the Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework For the Development of Catechetical Materials For Young People of High School Age here.  Watch this site in upcoming weeks for more comment and resources.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ A FINAL WORD
    I was recently reminded of a favored quote: Many young people have never really felt the challenge of the message of Jesus in their lives. In not challenging them we have failed them. so stated Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Dublin, Ireland; during a June 20, 2005 homily where he indicated that his archdiocese needs a "radical shape up" of its faith formation program for young people.)

 o Monday, January 28, 2008
TWINS AND A CHAMPIONSHIP - - MY "KID"
     Coaches giving birth in-season isn't unusual, but this pregnancy is uncommon, not only because Frese is working as much as she can while carrying twins. The No. 3 Maryland Terps (22-1), with four starters from the 2006 NCAA title team, are in the hunt for a national title. No women's basketball coach has won an NCAA Division I title and given birth in the same season. Which explains one of Frese's favorite lines: "We're trying to deliver twins and a championship." Read more here about this young women who was confirmed through parish programming that I led in the 1980's in Cedar Rapids.  
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~
THE SYMPOSIUM
    There is a growing concern throughout the Catholic Church around the effectiveness of current approaches to the faith formation of adolescents. To begin addressing this, the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis (NFCYM, NCCL, and NCEA)  will host an invitation only National Symposium on Adolescent Catechesis during November 5-8 in Maryland as part of their National Initiative. The event is designed to create a think-tank setting where national, diocesan, parish and Catholic school leaders and practitioners will gather with bishops, publishers and academicians to critically examine what is and is not working in the current system of adolescent faith formation. Learn more here.

 o Sunday, January 27, 2008
MY NEXT JOB
  It's difficult to resist a church that has the sensibilities and the wherewithal to advertise for a youth minister on YouTube.  While I find the thought of playing Twister on the wall a little disturbing, the kids do sell their church, don't they?  Hmmmmm, now about this whole Methodist thing...
NOT MY NEXT JOB
  Meanwhile, Marko recently posted this job description:
TITLE: Youth Pastor, Part-Time
DESCRIPTION: Responsible for managing three leadership teams for ages 11 years through 22 years old. Will meet with teams on regular basis to pray and plan activities and events.
REQUIREMENTS: Must love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind and have a passion for young people coming to Jesus. Also, must be a minimum of 25 years old and married with a degree, from seminary or Bible college in biblical studies or currently in seminary or Bible college to obtain a degree. Must have at least one year proven experience as lay person or staff working with youth or must have served as a youth camp counselor or some equal experience for at least one year.
COMPENSATION: $150/week  (That is NOT a typo!)
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ THE SYNTHESIS
    Michael Horan, in the last of the PAC's series of articles identifies three theme running throughout.  Here's one of them: The authors of these essays understand and esteem what speakers of the Spanish language might summarize as the distinction and inherent tension between saber and conocer. These two verbs in the Spanish language translate in English as “to know.” The first, saber, is the verb used to indicate that one knows facts. A disciple can make the claims: “I know the stories in the Gospels and the messages contained in the letters of the New Testament; I know the words of the Eucharistic Prayer and can participate in the responses; I know the tradition of moral theology and moral reasoning that will help me to arrive at good decisions.” All these require a knowledge that is cognitive—in Spanish, saber.
    But, according to the authors, a disciple also can make these claims: “I know Christ as the son of God and encounter this reality in prayer, I know that God is love poured out in Trinity, saving the world; I know the Holy Spirit as the ground and motivation of a meaningful life.” These senses of knowing result from personal encounter, and in Spanish that word for knowing is conocer. Read more here.

 o Saturday, January 26, 2008
CONFERENCE POWER POINT
  To the assembled gathered in DC, thanks for a lovely afternoon.  Now, go get 'em!!! Slide are here.
MARCH FOR LIFE AFTER-ACTION REPORTS
  Catholic News Service's NewsHub has a great series of pictures here. Florida Catholic ran a blog on the adventures of young pilgrims from Miami here. Seemingly, Philly's Cardinal Rigali gave a great homily at the vigil Mass for life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception that utilized the new Incarnation Dome as a great visual effect.  The CNS report is here.
NEWSLETTER - - HOW WE ROLL
   Go ahead - -  take a look at our office e-newsletter which was sent yesterday. And then, please remember that we have been a staff person short in our office for the past half year. . .  Whew!
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ CONNECTING CHRIST TO CULTURES
    The Jesuit priest  Michael G. Lee of Loyola Marymount in LA, in Adolescent Catechesis in a Culturally Diverse Context explains that: The church is committed to connecting Christ to cultures. Each Sunday, the U.S. Catholic Church prays in more than eighty languages and labors to help people to make sense of their lives and cultures in light of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It might be said that the Church inculturates the Gospel each Sunday. That is, it strives to help faith in Jesus take root in diverse cultures so that it grows like a plant in its native soil. “It is not a superficial adaptation designed to make the Gospel more pleasing to its hearers. It is, rather, a process that brings the transforming power of the Gospel to touch persons in their hearts and cultures at the deepest levels.”  The NDC outlines a process for inculturating the Gospel that involves listening to the people’s culture for an echo of the word of God, and then discerning the presence of (or openness to) authentic Gospel values. Learn more here

 o Friday, January 25, 2008
COMPANY'S COMING INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS' STUDIO
   (The following post - number 2,002! - comes from the school of when you've got nothing really to say, then just hype:) After 40-some podcasts, three cheap mics and a transfer to a digital voice recorder, guests from foreign lands as well as other churches, folks from parishes, dioceses, and youth-serving agencies - - - Inside the Youth Ministers' Studio is preparing for its first guest host, Mike Patin. Make plans to stop by Wednesday for a very special episode of the studio. Meanwhile, the intrepid blogging and podcast staff is attempting to spruce up the joint in anticipation of the Cajun Commissioner of Catholic Conviction.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ THE ULTIMATE MODEL
    Laura Henning takes a look at Forming Disciples of Jesus in Parish and School and suggests that: Those who work with young people have become aware of the importance of methodology in discipleship formation. We need only look at the ultimate model himself, Jesus Christ, to see that it is not just what we teach but how we teach it and live it that is of supreme importance. The messenger does affect the message, and lived experience is crucial in internalizing the head and heart knowledge. For young people, truth is verified by experience.  Learn more here

 o Thursday, January 24, 2008
CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY BLOG POSTING #2,000
      By a rough inventory of the entirety of the blog since it started August 20, 2004, this seems to be the 2,000th separate blog entry.  That's one heck of a lot of blog posting, writing, hyperlinking, etc., etc., etc. Thanks for your support and patronage.  It is an honor to serve.
CH - CH - CH - CHANGES
     I still don't know what I was waiting for and my time was running wild. A million dead-end streets and every time I thought I'd got it made, it seemed the taste was not so sweet. So I turned myself to face me but I've never caught a glimpse of how the others must see the faker. I'm much too fast to take that test.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ CONTEXT
    Dr. William Dinges, of the Catholic University of America, in his The American Cultural Context for Adolescent Catechesis, shares a concern that: In the Wild West realm of American popular culture, entertainers like Madonna have been extremely adept at manipulating religious symbols to commercial advantage— whatever else the alleged rationale for their display. The “Material Girl’s” employment of Sanskrit symbolism, Jewish Kabbalah (red strings) and, currently, crucifixion imagery, renders these symbols cultural fodder for highly individualized and, not insignificantly, highly narcissistic needs and statements. As religious symbols increasingly become matters of individual choice and manipulation, the familial, cultural, and institutional networks that stabilize their particular meaning further diminish in strength.
   One important implication of the commodification of religion is that religious traditions increasingly function not so much as communities of faith, but as cultural toolkits. They provide an array of religious “stuff” from which it is possible to construct an individualized religious identity or, in the case of something like the current popular appropriation of yoga meditation/exercise, a discipline largely oriented toward beauty and healthcare needs. This toolkit dynamic is facilitated both by the scope of religious diversity in America and where there are significant numbers of institutionally disconnected “spiritual seekers.”  Learn more here

 o Wednesday, January 23, 2008
LEE NAGEL IS INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS' STUDIO
   (Enter the studio here.) As we are in the midst of our series on Adolescent Catechesis, it is important to recognize our partners in the ministry.  Lee Nagel, as executive director of  NCCL, is partnering on behalf of his organization with NFCYM and NCEA on the Adolescent Catechesis project of which we have been reporting through January 18-29. Lee brings a different voice and perspective into our conversations - - worth a listen
 FOR LIFE
   The church youthful gathered on the streets of DC yesterday in support of Life. The Verizon center overflowed quickly into two satellite churches which we also jammed packed. Baltimore's Bishop Malooly greeted folks the Verizon. Steve Angrisano, ValLimar Jensen, and Matt Maher rocked the house until Mass started and then led calm, careful, meditative songs. Archbishop Wuerl presided with Balto's Archbishop-emeritus Keeler pictured left of him. Ran into groups from Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Ohio, New Hampshire, and my high school in Warminster, PA.  Baltimore folks, of course, received their Baltimore for Life winter caps and headbands. (Click pics to enlarge.)
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~
FORMATION OF DISCIPLES, OUR EVER PRESENT GOAL
    Michael Theisen, of the NFCYM, in Adolescent Catechesis Today: On the Road to Transformation informs that: The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) says that “the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch with, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (#80) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “the totality of the church’s efforts is to make disciples…” (#4). This primary task of catechesis in forming disciples is echoed in both the National Directory for Catechesis (#20) [NDC] as well as the USCCB youth ministry document, Renewing the Vision (p. 9). If these guiding documents agree that formation of disciples is our ever present goal, our all encompassing task with teenagers, then together, we must question how well our present methods and models give birth to this reality.  Learn more here

  o Tuesday, January 22, 2008
TESTIFY
    I frequent the Catholic Youth Ministry Blog for several reasons, visiting this site saves me time by serving as a link to current and important information in the area of adolescent catechesis and our church. This site provides me with gives a glimpse of what is being accomplished in other diocese which helps to feed my imagination for working in my own diocese. As if all that weren't enough, Scott offers me free power points that I can use, as long as I give a little credit to the creator (of the power point). Kim McMillian is youth minister at St. Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park, IL  (Hey, Kim . . offering a little credit to the big-C Creator probably wouldn't hurt either!  Thanks!)
JUNO
    Please refer back to the recommendation posted on December 28th about this movie.  Since that time, the movie and lead actress received Golden Globe consideration, has received recent praise from both Deacon Greg and Marko, has been out for seven weeks and remains in the top 5 for box office (take that Alvin and the Chipmunks!) So, have you seen it yet?  What are you waiting for....?
VISION
    The NFCYM's Connections e-newsletter came out recently and NFCYM board chair, Dr. Carole Goodwin, offered these reflections: The USCCB published Renewing the Vision in 1997, ten years ago! It gave us a framework for our ministry and proposed a vision for our work. It is still the document that guides our work and names a common vision? Do we still use it? Do we still operate with it as our framework? Has it stood the test of time?
      Ask yourself:
 > Do I know this document and its content and its proposed vision?
 > Does my bishop (pastor/ principal) know it?
 > Do the pastoral leaders in my parishes know it?
 > Do I believe the document is still pertinent for my work in my parish or diocese?
 > What does the document name as critical components and elements for effective youth ministry?
 > Are those incorporated into the programming I offer in my parish or diocese? Should they be?
 > What is missing?
 > What do I need to do to assure that this document is the framework for the ministry that has been entrusted to me?
While I agree with Carole that we can not presume that everyone is operating out of the same renewed vision, I still maintain that there is opportunity to refocus our vision
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ PROXIES OF JESUS
    Dr. Michael Warren, of St John’s University, New York. Reflections on Parish and Adolescent Catechesis reminds us that: From the start, catechists knew one learned the ways of Jesus-faith by becoming a member of a group that embodied that faith. Life in the ekklesia was the means of communicating the secrets of Jesus-faith. . . Moving into this alternate culture was not an overnight affair. . . It took time to come to see other persons as proxies of Jesus, and to see Jesus as God's covenant with the poor, and even more time to master the skills of the Jesus-Way. Tied to the new sensibility were habitual ways of responding to situations involving care for the sick, the imprisoned, the physically and mentally impaired, the hungry, those lacking shelter—and also, those named as enemies. It was useless for the catechumen to claim these habitual ways of thinking and acting were in place; only actions could exhibit effectively these new ways of thinking and acting. Those admitted to the period of formation in the Jesus-Way did not proceed to baptism because they claimed to be followers but because they demonstrated the behaviors of discipleship after being coached in these behaviors by virtuosos who exhibited them. The believing, struggling, worshiping community, including the home as an active participant in that community, provides the locale for such behaviors. Learn more here

 o Monday, January 21, 2008
LEARNING CURVE THE SIZE OF AUSTRALIA
  " 'Business as usual isn’t working.' Something new is needed! A recent study out of the University of North Carolina researched how effective different denominations have been in passing on the faith to their young. Catholics came in last. If you think of it, most of our efforts to reach out to young people revolve around sacraments: baptism, first reconciliation, first communion, confirmation and marriage. What we fail to do is walk with our young people from one sacrament to the next." Father Matt Williams was recently appointed director of the Archdiocese of Boston's newly configured Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults.  He got some prime space in the blogosphere as his boss, Cardinal Sean, turned over the bottom portion of a recent blog posting to him. "I would like to express how honored, happy and excited I am about this new office, and the opportunity to serve and work with you. As I begin as director of this office, I realize that I have a learning curve the size of Australia. It is my intention to meet with all those serving young people. It is a new beginning and opportunity for all of us and I sincerely want to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit working through the many people He has chosen to serve the Church. Read more (by scanning down) here
SPEAKING OF AUSTRALIA
  Look back to Friday's posting (Ahhhh, Youth) about Melbourne teenager Corey Delaney. The jerky little dude is now getting too much publicity. He's raking in thousand-dollar offers to host underage parties all over Australia. An American t-shirt company has immortalized the unapologetic teen with his own shirt. There's even a website where you can slap a virtual Corey. Here's an odd request. . . this kid (AND HIS PARENTS) needs our prayers
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT ADOLESCENT CATECHESIS ~ WHAT IS AN ADOLESCENT CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE?
    Jeffrey Kaster, of Saint John’s University, takes a look at The State of Adolescent Catechesis Today: A Review of the Literature and determines that: Challenging questions remain. What is an adolescent Christian disciple? What adolescent catechetical efforts actually form Christian disciples? How might parishes and schools effectively engage and support parents in fostering Christian discipleship practices in their homes? What impact does the instruction provided by Catholic schools or parish programs have on forming adolescent Christian disciples? Is Catholic youth ministry by definition adolescent evangelization and catechesis? Learn more here.