o Thursday, November 29
MISSING THE PARTY
    The Diocese of Arlington youth ministers came a'calling yesterday and I missed the opportunity to spend time.  My two week vacation is almost over but I opted to continue to "be off."  Nonetheless, it sounded as if they were well-toured and well-hosted.  Sorry to have missed the party!

HI-HO, HI-HO, IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO (SOON)
    I actually do have a friend, who in a Disney-princess sort of way, totally unlike Dagwood, probably does sing on her way to the office in the morning.  (The concept of her starting her morning cleaning her house with birds, bunnies, and other forest friends does not stretch the imagination. . . much)  Anyway, make your next commute with a song and see if it makes a difference.

o Monday, November 26
ALL ABOUT ME
     (You'll only appreciate the irony of this posting when you see the request that I'm about to make tomorrow.) Recent events have called to mind the issue of narcissism in youth ministry. "I place a lot of the blame on youth ministers. Instead of hiring a series of Peter Pans to amuse and distract, we ought to hire theologically-grounded counselors with the ability to nurture. Then perhaps institutional church will once again be relevant to those who are adults everywhere but under the steeple.” Michael Ferber takes it on here.  Then, this news come from out in Arizona and you have to wonder....
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
    (More continuing tales from your vacationing blogger in Margaritaville. . .) While, not blogging (at least, right away) about my adventures, here is a photo journal of yesterday. As always, click on the picture to enlarge.
 

o Saturday, November 24
TEENAGERS AND THE INTERNET
    Anastasia Goodstein has got a great site: Ypulse - very informative.  Recently, she appeared on CNN. (Yes, the picture below is globbly-gooky, but hit "play" anyway- it works.) "Parents should see how the sites work and how attractive they are, and then do what parents are supposed to do - - set limits."
WHAT MAKES US MORAL
      What does, or ought to, separate us then is our highly developed sense of morality, a primal understanding of good and bad, of right and wrong, of what it means to suffer not only our own pain—something anything with a rudimentary nervous system can do—but also the pain of others. That quality is the distilled essence of what it means to be human. Why it's an essence that so often spoils, no one can say. TIME magazine has this week's cover story here.

o Friday, November 23
TRADITION
    Thanksgiving has become "my" holiday with the kids, with Meghan flying north and the older two clearing a portion of their lives and schedules to make time with dad. Needless to say, therefore, there was something sacrificed when the invitation came to join my mother and two brothers and their young families in Pennsylvania yesterday.
    It was a wonderful time, especially watching my three interact with the elders and their cousins.
    But a time honored tradition for Meghan and I had become the Stuffing of the Turkey.  Each T-day morning, I make chocolate chip cookies.  A few years back, Meghan and I were making stuffing for the bird from scratch, indiscriminately throwing in some apples, pear, celery, onion. Meghan was entertained by this process and then was stunned when we chopped up one chocolate chip cooking and threw it into the mix.  The secret ingredient was withheld from her siblings until after the meal.
     Yesterday, I was invited to carve the 26-pounder that was presented at the table last night.  They had not, unfortunately, stuffed the bird.  But a moment became available and Meghan and I made sure to insert a piece of a cooking into the cavity of the breast.
     As we left, the remains were being boiled for soup stock for future meals.  That would be turkey and chocolate chip soup stock....  Ahhhhh, tradition!
GOOD IDEA
    And, from Jon Birch, challenging little truths of the present day:

o Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving)
COUNT 'EM
    Personal disclosure moment here, enjoy it while it lasts:  My favorite movie, as in all-time, not just for the holidays, is White Christmas.  The scene I really want to call your attention towards this Thanksgiving day starts in at 2:34
(-7:26) and the actual song starts at 3:50. (-6:10) Bing is ultimately smooth and silky in song, Rosemary and her "white horse" mentality is what it is - something that both compliments as well as confounds the male of the species.  Today is a good day to follow "der Bingle's" recommendations -  Count all those blessings in your life and watch your fears dissipate.  Meanwhile, the movie is being broadcast on the Family network this weekend- - - join a Miller holiday family tradition and give it a watch.
THANKS FOR GIVING
    Seth Godin said it well, so I am lifting it: Every time you read something I write here, you're giving me a gift... attention. It's getting more precious all the time, you have more choices every day, and it's harder and harder to find the time. I know. I'm grateful. I'm doing my best to make your attention worth it. So, have a great Thanksgiving. And thanks.

o Wednesday, November 21
SHE HAS ARRIVED 
    The Meg-inator, charming youngest daughter, overslept but has finally returned to her ancestral homeland of Maryland. Another reason to be thankful tomorrow!
SLAVERY AND CHURCH
    This blog was all over the movie Amazing Grace throughout last February (4, 13, 25th).  If you haven't seen it yet, it's time to rent the dvd!
THE OTHER SIX
    Loyola Communications had just launched other6.com, a website that offers a simple program to help spiritual growth. It is based on the Daily Examen of St. Ignatius Loyola. This is a method of prayerful reflection on the events of the day that is designed to detect God’s presence, where God "bubbles up" in the ordinary events of life. The name of the site refers to the “other 6″ days of the week — the days of the week besides Sunday.
I'VE GOT TWO FOR B16
    Only in New York would come the following advise: Thou shalt not scalp tickets to the upcoming Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium. Read more here.

o Sunday, November 18
DISCIPLES NOW
     FaithStreams Network and Disciples Now have entered an alliance to provide expanded offerings for Catholic youth on the web.  Disciples Now is a leading web site for teens, young adults and youth ministers. FaithStreams Network provides web-based solutions that help congregations enhance communications and deepen member engagement. DisciplesNow.com will maintain its current web address. Read more here.
DOING MISSIONARY WORK
IN THE LAND OF BLACK AND GOLD
    Mike Patin reports joy regarding a Notre Dame football victory.  Who knew the Duke had a football team?  Meanwhile, I'm leaving the purple and black behind and travelling to Western Pennsylvania today. Let's beat those J - E - T - S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!  Meanwhile, a reflection on the futile state of affairs back home:
    1.) Q: What do the Baltimore Ravens and possums have in common?  
         A: Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!
    2.) A seven-year-old Baltimore, Maryland boy was at the center of a Baltimore courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the furthest degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer with Child Welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Baltimore Ravens, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
    3.) Q: What do the Baltimore Ravens and Billy Graham have in common?  
         A: They both gather 70,000 people into a stadium and get them to stand up and yell "Jesus Christ!"
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
    From the US Bishop's Stewardship and Teenagers document: God is always there, waiting to hear from you and wanting you to know of his unconditional love for you. Recall the words of Pope John Paul II of beloved memory, “Never forget that Jesus in the tabernacle wants you to be at his side, so that he can fill your hearts with the experience of his friendship, which alone gives meaning and fulfillment to your lives”

o Saturday, November 17
CONFIRMATION
    I'm down in Arlington today at their Diocesan Catechetical Conference offering a workshop on Confirmation: Graduation or Commencement.   This served as a great opportunity to revisit all the materials from our Bishops' Confirmation Summit from last spring.  For the training powerpoint, go here.
OFF TO THE RACETRACK
    A dispute that threatened the use of Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney as a World Youth Day venue has been resolved. It's always fascinating the extent that countries and dioceses go to host the pope. Read more here.
STEWARDSHIP AND TEENAGERS
    From the US Bishop's Stewardship and Teenagers document:  Everything in the universe belongs to Jesus Christ—everything and everyone. Do all my time, all my talents, everything I have and am, belong to Jesus? Yes, they do! Do you and I believe that? Hopefully, yes! But what does it mean to live as though we believe that everything we have and all that we are belongs to Jesus Christ? It means loving Jesus as my brother and my savior, my best friend and my God. It means living our faith fully. It means sharing it freely as disciples of Jesus Christ by living out the Gospel value of stewardship.