ABOUT:
Your intrepid blogger,  podcast studio host, and slideshare trainer is
D. Scott Miller.
o   Coordinator for Adolescent Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
 o   More at my BIO.

e-MAIL me here
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Web Site Features:

1st Up is a  slideshare (internet power point with audio) webinar discussing issues related to our shared work of Catholic Youth Ministry.
o March Framework for Adolescent Catechesis
 o Dec. The 4 C's of Catechesis
 o Sept. Refocusing Catholic Youth Ministry.

A podcast (visiting with youth ministry leaders about discipleship, best moments, and pizza preferences.

Now in the Studio:
o   Don Boucher
o   John Campbell
o   Bishops on Confirmation
 o   Katrina Zeno
 o   Matt Maher and
o   fifty other guests


 Confirmation
Resources

 

 

 

 

 

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A state-by-state tour of diocesan youth ministry websites checking on the State of Youth Ministry.

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TRAINING:
 o  Baltimore, MD  ~ 04/19
Theology on Tap: Home
 o  Frostburg, MD  ~ 04/17
Food and Faith:
Keeping involved
 o  Bradshaw, MD  ~ 04/15
Adult Faith: Greed and Lust
 o  Centerville, MD  ~ 04/13
Confirmation Class
 o  Jessup, MD  ~ 04/12
Prison Work & Youth Ministry
o  Pasadena, MD  ~ 04/09  Seminar in Youth Ministry
6: Adolescent Catechesis
 o  Cumberland, MD  ~ 04/06
Confirmation Class
o  Ijamsville, MD  ~ 03/30
Confirmation Class
o  Emmetsburg, MD  ~ 03/28
Central Maryland Formation Day   Discipleship: The Way Forward

o  Pasadena, MD  ~ 02/27   Seminar in Youth Ministry
 1:  Renewing the Vision

o  Baltimore, MD  ~ 02/24-26   St. Michael the Archangel Parish Mission
o  Millersville, MD  ~ 02/11   Seminar in Evangelization Culture
o  Washington, DC ~ 01/25   East Coast Conference
Adolescent Faith Formation

o   More power-points? See TRAINING.  For reviews, see here.

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PUBLISHING:
o  Articles at PUBLISHING

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BLOG by calendar:
2008
 ª April
 ª March
 ª February
 ª January
 2007
 ª December
 ª November
 ª October
 ª September

Previous Years:
 ª 2007
 ª 2006
 ª 2005
 ª 2004

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 Where The Heck Are You?

  


WELCOME TO THE
CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY BLOG
www.catholicYMblog.com
 

This web-site has been affirmed as the "411 of Catholic Youth Ministry." Really, it is a simple little BLOG from my corner of the Catholic Youth Ministry field.

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MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU
   In May we began our tour of the States of Youth Ministry (5/04 - 5/30).
 >  Inside the Youth Ministers Studio featured Lisa Bagladi (5/07)
 >  SlideShare examined some career advice (5/02)
 >  YouTube included a look at millennial and politics (5/05), Simon Cowell being encouraging (5/08),  and some Iron Man/ Bat Man smack talk (5/10), and a complaint about the Meatloaf (5/13), Gnarls Barkley Going Up (5/17),  Famous Failures (5/20),  Tom Peters on Politics (5/22),  a cute Hey Jude (5/28), and a reminder not to kill anyone (5/31).

 - - - - -
 

Saturday, 31 May, 2008
 DON'T KILL ANYBODY
& TAKE A DAY OFF  
   Ian called my attention to this. Mark Yaconelli reminds us of the commandments valuing taking a break and not taking a life - important lessons all.

END OF MONTH REPORT  
   I'm taking a look at this page's site stats and we are a little down this month.  I never did a blast newsletter and I think we are all very busy. Thanks to all those who are reading this page and please let me know if there is changes or improvements you would like to see.

STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: MASSACHUSETTS  
   > > There are seven parish job openings in Boston  
   > > > > Immaculate Conception in Malden and Medford has an awesome site for their youth ministry efforts, led by parish youth minister and loyal blog reader Scott Morin.  Hey, Scott, when are we taping a podcast with you???
   > > There Fall River kicks off their site with a great WYD Denver quote.     > > Today Springfield, MA is hosting a workshop on Call to Discipleship     > > Worcester has a junior high training week: Taking it to the Streets

 

Thursday, 29 May, 2008
 PIOUS TOURISM???  
   There is some tough language and thought going on in the bloggosphere regarding "mission trips" of which we are lining up for this summer. "They’re too much like vacations, for one thing. I know kids have to raise the money and go places they wouldn’t go for fun. But as a participant in such trips, I’m thinking these trips felt self-indulgent. You have to throw in some fun just to be human. But then the trip seems much like a day at the beach—which youth groups also do. They just don’t pat themselves on the back for being good."  Read it all here along with the comments.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: MAINE 
   > > A priest from Portland has been selected as the Reconciliation Manager for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Msgr. Marc Caron, co-chancellor for the diocese will be responsible for organizing priests and supervising the reconciliation sites (confessionals) during the six-day event. Msgr. Caron’s proficiency in French was particularly important in his selection for the position.  Read about it here. 

 

Wednesday, 28 May, 2008
 LIFE INTERVENES  
   Seriously, I had every intention of editing a podcast in the can and posting it up this morning.  Family time, however, won out last night.

MEANWHILE  
   A phone call alerted me to this piece of viral cuteness.  Enjoy!

FRESH MEAT  
   The New Diocesan Directors' Institute is underway in DC. The was one of my favorite programs of the NFCYM during my stint there. Please keep the participants in your prayers.

 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: LOUISIANA    
   > > Baton Rouge held a junior high youth rally featuring Ryan Meyers, a youth minister from Hattiesburg, Mississippi    
   > > In Alexandria, they offer a Vacation with the Bishop event in Atlanta.    
   > > Shreveport recently held a young adult event and was able to do on-line registration.

 

 

 

Tuesday, 27 May, 2008
 BREAK???  WHAT BREAK???  
   Happens almost every time.  I give myself a break on blogging and then spend time reformatting the look of the site. A previous commenter about the site indicated it was "too cluttered." Soooo, whadda ya' think?
 A MESSY TRAIL OF FOOTPRINTS  
   Back in the day (as the kids would say), you couldn't do anything in youth ministry without inevitably running into the classic poem, Footprints.  Now, it seems as if the authorship of the poem is being contested. Read more about that here and here.  Seemingly, what was previously attributed to "author unknown" must now be credited to "authorship contested" where clearly none of those invlved in this mess should be interested in walking the beach alone.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: LOUISIANA  
  > > In the Youth Ministers' Newsletter of Houma-Thibodaux we learned that diocesan director Mike DiSalvo rode the mechanical surf board at the recent youth rally.
  > > Lafayette seems to have an outdated site.
  > > In Lake Charles, they are prepping up for the Proud 2 B Catholic music festival in September.
   > > New Orleans has some news regarding NCCYM in 2010.

 
Friday, 23 May, 2008
SUMMER BEGINS  
   It's Memorial Day weekend.  By my count. there are 100 days of summer before we hit Labor Day. (and the beginning of the "next year.")  This promises to be a very busy summer - the "to do" white board in the office has more added and less crossed off; I'll be away nearly 1/3 of the time; a few personal projects; and . . .; and . . .; and . . .;
   Meanwhile, I'm shutting down for the weekend, promising to be constant if not consistent about blogging this summer, and seeking warm, sunny days where the glow on my skin doesn't come from the laptop screen.
 EGOCENTRICITY  
   From Non Sequitur by Wiley:


 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: KENTUCKY  
   > > In Covington, they recently hosted an XLT at Thomas More College.
   > > Local celebrations as well as international pilgrimages are on the plate for World Youth Day in Lexington
   > > > > Many events at St. Edward in Jeffersontown take place in the Youth House, the home across the parking lot from the Church Sanctuary.
   > > Owensboro will host the Mid South Catholic Leadership Conference with Carole Eipers in November

 

Thursday, 22 May, 2008
 POLITICS  
   

 

 

 

Over two decades ago, Tom Peters co-wrote In Search of Excellence. His web site is still a frequent hit for me because we who work in youth ministry need to understand the nature of business.  An example:  Here is Tom's take on the nature of implementation and and the role of politics.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: KANSAS  
   > > There does not seem to have been updates to the Dodge City site.  
   > > TheLet's all go hang out in the Youth Ministers' Lounge at the Kansas City, KS site
   > > Vince Nims was the headliner for Salina's CYO Convention  
   > > Witchita will host Summer Youth  Leadership Days in three sites

 

 

Wednesday, 21 May, 2008
 THE NEXT STEP  
   Wow . . . There has been some severe writing of personal, emotional, political checks lately.  The next step involves some careful cashing in.  It is a busy, full, exiting time.  Yesterday was a 7:30 am - 8:30 pm workday, so you'll understand there is no podcast again.
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: IOWA  
   I spent many years in Iowa.  It's always fun to virtually return (and a little poignant) to check-out what's happening
   > > Davenport and the other Iowa dioceses have hosted Christian Leadership Institutes since I served on staff as two Iowa kids attended the second ever (I believe) CLI conducted at Camp Grey in Baraboo, WS by program founder Brian Reynolds in the early 1980's.
   > > In the Dubuque diocese, there has long had a tradition of strong regional gatherings of youth ministers.  CRAYM was first out of Cedar Rapids with Sr. Anita Beskar. WAYM and DAYM quickly followed.  I see in the recent Youth Tracks that MDAYM and McDAYM are now also in the mix.
   > > > > I had previously worked at St. Judes, home of the Sweet Corn Festival, as well as St, Matthew and (when I have stepped away from Catholic youth ministry for a brief period, the Foundation 2 youth shelter
   > > I did once work a week of the Catholic Youth Camp (CYC) that is the highlight of Des Moines's programming.  Yes, the camp is absolutely in the middle of nowhere!
   > > Sioux City has it's own summer camp, YCAYOCA, which has a promotional YouTube on it's site.

Tuesday, 20 May, 2008
 NOT A REJECTION  
   Got a letter yesterday.  It asked questions, posed problems, but asked for more. Sweet!

AMERICAN GLADIATOR  
   Odd but true.  My two early-twenty-somethings are into American_Gladiators Is this a national trend or just localized to my family?
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: INDIANA  
   > > Hard to say if there has been any updates to the Evansville site since January, 2007
   > > Fort Wayne - South Bend has a  youth ministry manual
   > > Gary has a statement on Youth Evangelization
   > > Indianapolis loves a good blog, with blogs from the recent Papal visit, the Spring Break Mission trip, and last year's Homeland Mission trip.  
   > > > > The New Albany Deanery serves to to connect adolescents and young adults in Harrison, Clark and Floyd counties to a living relationship with Jesus Christ in their Catholic faith.
   > > A middle school rally was recently held in Lafayette

Monday, 19 May, 2008
 BEYOND WORDS SPOKEN  
   Without uttering a word, nine teens from Central Maryland conveyed their love for their church using signs and gestures during a first-ever archdiocesan confirmation liturgy for the deaf community May 13. Read more here

 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ILLINOIS  
   > > Belleville  sponsors TEC and Quest retreats.  
   > > There is a series of Theology on Tap presentations coming up in Peoria 
   > > At a recent meeting of the Springfield Diocesan Board of Education, a resolution was passed that created a standing committee for Youth & Young Adult Ministry. 

Sunday, 18 May, 2008
 Time CoverWHERE AMERICAN NEWS FAILS US
   TIME Magazine publishes four weekly editions.  One for the US, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.  This week's US cover story focuses on "the Lean Economy" while the Asia and South Pacific covers examine the earthquake in China.   Estimates are that 15,000 have been lost there.  In Myanmar's Ayeyarwady division and Yangon districts, an estimated 40,000 people are in need of vital relief, including food, shelter, water, medical care and psychological support. in the two of the areas hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis. In Haiti, the cost of basic food staples, including rice, beans and corn, has increased by an average of 50 percent in recent months in the Caribbean nation. In Burkina Faso in West Africa, earlier this month workers marched through the streets protesting the high cost of living, 15 provinces have already been declared as food insecure. Floods and drought late last year meant crop production was down. There are more than 2.5 million Indians are living with HIV.  Learn more news from Catholic Relief Services
 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: ILLINOIS  
   > > Chicago will be hosting Dan Mulhall for a Conversation on Adolescent Catechesis
   > > > > St. Celestine in Elmwood Park is hosting a bake sale after all the masses this weekend.  Someone should get me a dozen cookies, please!
   > > Over in Joliet this summer, junior high kids are again invited to  Camp ROCK
> > In the Observer, Rockford's diocesan newspaper, there is a regular youth page

 

 Saturday, 17 May, 2008
 STAFF OVERNIGHT  
   Wow. . . !!! There are some programs and designs coming up that are going to change the game-plan locally.  Make no doubt about it, we are going to be busy, busy, busy, but it's gonna be good stuff!
 GOING ON  
   From the Gnarls Barkley CD The Odd Couple, comes a video about seeking that which is transcendent. Of course, you probably weren't expecting a Barkley video here today, were you?
  But I'm going on
  And I'm prepared to go it alone
  I'm going on
  My love lift you up to the place you belong
  I'm going on
  And I promise I'll be waiting for you.


STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: HAWAII  
   > > A search in conjunction with Honolulu's site shows an e-bulletin where "After inquiries from various parishes and discussion with the Presbyteral Council, Bishop Larry Silva approves the following policy regarding the age of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion: Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may be as young as 16 years of age, provided they have received all three sacraments of initiation, are selected by the pastor for their maturity, and are properly catechized and trained for the ministry.
   > > > > Our Lady of the Mount youth core team had a plan for the Past calendar year!

 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: IDAHO  
   > > While the Boise youth ministry page does not seem updated, their faith formation events page does note the recent Idaho Catholic Youth Conference and a set of junior high rallies which featured Jerry Goebel.
   > > > > Slap in the Faith podcasts are part of the St. Mark in Boise website.

 

 

 Thursday, 15 May, 2008
STAFF OVERNIGHT  
   Posting Advisory: Twice a year, our office staff goes on a planning overnight.  Historically, this has caused a slow-down in the next day's postings die to lack of internet connectivity. prom2.jpg This meeting feels as if it has more weightiness attached to it. . . pray for us!
 FASHION POLICE
MAKE ARREST AT PROM  
   Girl signs a dress code for the prom. Girl violates dress code with her own design that clearly pushed the limits.  School refuses to allow her to attend prom - holding to the boundaries they had set.  Girl refuses to leave prom.  Police escort her off property in handcuffs.  Read more here
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: GEORGIA  
   > > Atlanta has a youth ministry handbook listed among their resources
    > > > > Last night was Pizza and Prayer night at St. John's in Lilburn.
   > > Up in Savannah, I think they saw us coming so there is an update about a visit to see the Pope and a promise of the 2008-09 calendar soon to be posted

 

Wednesday, 14 May, 2008
 NO PODCAST  
   Out of all the things I do on the web-site. . .  podcasts and slide-shares are the most time consuming.  Editing is necessary but not fun as difficult to work into an uber-active business life as well as any semblance of a social life. We'll try to pick up the Wednesday schedule soon, but summer can be challenging as we learned last year.
 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: FLORIDA 
   > >  Miami has an extensive page of forms, forms and some more forms
   > >Over in Orlando they recently held the festival of faith which featured Matt Maher and Sal Solo
   > >  There have been no updates over at the St. Augustine page
 

 Tuesday, 13 May, 2008
  PROMISED LAND  
   The long exile in cubicle city is now completed.  We have moved in our renovated offices back on the fifth floor which have all the things that we missed- like walls and windows.  Sweet!
 WHY MEATLOAF IS NO LONGER COMFORT FOOD  
   OK, we are gonna have a little, "I'm 50 years old and you are probably not" moment here. Back in my earliest young adult years, there was no MTV.  Music acts would sometimes gain notoriety by failing their concerts and playing them on college campus.  When I see clips like this, I still can imagine the 16mm projector clicking in the background.  All that being said, there is a small part of me that dies just a little when I see this AT&T GoPhone commercial featuring my main man (along with pop idol Tiffany as the mom).


 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: FLORIDA
   > > Pensacola - Tallahassee  will be hosting their Christian Leadership Institute this summer.
   > > Brother Jerry informs in this note that he is stepping down from the office in St. Petersburg
   > > Could not find any update to this page from Venice
   > > > >  My daughter's parish is Holy Cross

 

 


 Monday, 12 May, 2008
 OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO  
   My power pointing skills have traveled more extensively then I have recently.  I donated time to assist with powerpointing the auction for Cornerstone Ministry's 12th annual Wine Country Golf Tournament.  And, I just received this picture (click to enlarge) of a presentation given at he National Ministry Summit.  Let's review, Santa Rosa, Orlando. . . all from my sofa.  (Something wrong about that!)
 PLACES NOT GONE  
   Fr. John Coleman outlines a Preferential Option for Young Adults in America Magazine's blog editorial here. After reviewing recent research, he makes "a quick observation about the scandal of the lethargy and inaction of the Catholic Church in its ministry and outreach to young adults."
 STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: DELAWARE  
   > > When it comes to Wilmington, I know we commented their Ladders newsletter hast year, but they are now using iContact as their email marketing service.  
   > > > >  St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes, DE recently hosted a "Let's Jam for Jesus" coffeehouse.

Sunday, 11 May, 2008
 HAPPY PENTECOST, ALL!  
   Enjoy the day! Priest - blogger - friend Austin Murphy has a take on power of the wind that drives and animates us.  Check it here
 IT'S OVER?  
   TIME magazine seems to semi-ambivalently declare so this week with their cover story.  Meanwhile, lessons can be learned here on how a frontrunner might lose a campaign.  In life, politics, and youth ministry, we should be carefully to:
 * correctly judge the mood of our followers
 * master the rules of the game
 * don't overlook the little guys
 * don't be solely dependant on old connections
 * be prepared for the long haul.
Read more here. 
STATE OF YOUTH MINISTRY: CONNECTICUT