tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60473047806998905872024-03-13T06:08:52.877-07:00Past the Startpatrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-32280529655796249052012-01-23T13:14:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:14:37.278-08:00Start Something That Matters<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is easy to get caught up in the romanticism of doing something radical with our lives. Often times we graduate college and before long start longing for missionary work in a country we've never heard of. Few of us ever think about living a radical life in the suburbs or making a difference in the world by affecting the community we are currently in. (There is an interesting article about this concept that you can read <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/26398-we-need-boring-christians" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For me, this fantasizing about converting the world for Christ is only encouraged when I read the stories of people who have done amazing things in the world. In my mind they are living my dream. I often come away scheming of how I can reenact<i> their</i> life. However, that is not the case when I read <u><b>Start Something That Matters</b></u> by Blake Mycoskie. His story definitely fits the mold of going to another country and being inspired to change the world, but his book is an encouragement for making a difference where you are at. He speaks to the passions that are already driving us; the tragedies that are already breaking our hearts and gives concrete advice for how to do something about it. Blake uses stories from successful and unsuccessful ventures to show how anyone can spark a movement and make a difference. His philosophy, I think, can be summarized in a few simply concepts: </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZW1P1AgGos/Tx3NV5x88QI/AAAAAAAAADw/fatXtu5bXR8/s1600/start+something.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZW1P1AgGos/Tx3NV5x88QI/AAAAAAAAADw/fatXtu5bXR8/s400/start+something.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Trust People </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Goodness</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Integrity</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Simplicity</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Do</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I highly recommend this book for anyone who is inspired by a need but frustrated by not know what to do about it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I want to hear from YOU. What breaks your heart and what would you do about it if money and resources were not an issue. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Put your answers in the comments and I will choose one winner to receive a free copy of <u><b>Start Something That Matters</b></u></span>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-82061794136441498672011-10-31T14:12:00.000-07:002011-10-31T14:12:12.125-07:00Creative Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LfR-AHdCFQ/Tq8PHQKwrCI/AAAAAAAAADo/8KGq0OyBsMw/s1600/creativematters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LfR-AHdCFQ/Tq8PHQKwrCI/AAAAAAAAADo/8KGq0OyBsMw/s400/creativematters.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>Hey all,<br />
I recently finished reading a very interesting book. It is on creativity and its relation to our faith and ministry. I highly recommend this book no matter where you are or what you are doing. It is geared towards Christian artists but the ideas and principles discussed can be helpful and inspirational to anyone.<br />
<br />
Ultimately we are all artists. We were created by the ultimate Creator and being made in His image and likeness we are called to be creative! Whether you are making a piece of art, planning a talk or scheduling a retreat you are creating.<br />
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The e-book is really short, only 100 pages or so and it is broken up into various articles written by different people from all over the country. It is also Free (the PDF version). Check it out!<br />
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<a href="http://creativecollective.is/e-books/creative-matters/">Creative Matters E-Book</a>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-31761238462580685882011-09-28T13:13:00.000-07:002011-09-28T13:31:18.514-07:00Climbing the Mountain of Youth Ministry, Part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMpU2izre04/ToN9xMsnqhI/AAAAAAAAADg/ANM2w3P-MLU/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMpU2izre04/ToN9xMsnqhI/AAAAAAAAADg/ANM2w3P-MLU/s320/IMG_0636.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longs Peak off in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">This Florida boy has fallen in love with the mountains since moving to Denver over a year ago. This summer I climbed 8 mountains that were each over 14,000 feet tall. There are over 50 such mountains in Colorado. I am very satisfied with the number of mountains climbed this summer but there is one that seems to taunt me daily. I can see Longs Peak (14,259ft) from my apartment and most places in Denver. Every day it sits there as if its rocky face were mocking me like an elementary school boy sticking out his tongue. This antagonistic relationship has developed because I have yet to climb Longs Peak, having summited all of its neighboring peaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> Despite this seemingly hostile relationship with Longs, I have been blessed to have some deeply spiritual experiences this summer while climbing some of the 14ers of Colorado. Climbing mountains afford a lot of time for meditation, self reflection and an encounter with the Lord removed from the many distractions of our daily lives. In the trailer for 180<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">° </b>South<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">, </span>Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia Clothing, offers a compelling reflection on the purpose of climbing mountains.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxLwCEKICBvIIbULAhMj0PBcJwCG3ypeW7J3DsAlG1zF-xXju3xrnpU0YJ60_dUJnJOXgzOKZJ4kxhZnAinpQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">In this trailer, he says that mountaineers are “conquerors of the useless”. "You learn that what's important in life is how you got there, not what you have accomplished." In the movie he goes on to talk about how there is no point to summiting mountains unless you are changed in the process. If the whole point of climbing is to get to the top then it is pointless. But if the goal is to effect a change in yourself, to become a better person through the climb (I would add also, the purpose of encountering the God of creation) then it is worth while. This can be a good reminder for us as youth ministers. There is a danger in our work to see our job as simply putting on retreats, events and programs. I can look at my calendars as simply a list of goals to cross off, a veritable mountain range of peaks to summit. I look forward to finishing an event or just making it through that retreat. If that is my mindset then I have become a ‘conqueror of the useless’. Instead I should see my programs and events as opportunities for conversion, the change of heart being the goal rather than the accomplishment of yet another event or program. I should focus on the bigger journey and how I am allow God to guide me and the youth rather than all the individual goals that I feel need to be accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> The other thing I have realized in climbing is that I am never on the journey alone. Whether I am hiking with a group of good friends or on a solo journey I am in the company of Christ; He is my traveling companion. I will never reach my goal without leaning upon Him. St. Bernard reflects:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (Ps. 23:3) If anyone aspires to climb to the summit of that mountain (Ex. 24:17), that is to the perfection of virtue, he will know how hard the climb is, and how the attempt is doomed to failure without the help of the Word. Happy the soul which causes the angels to look at her with joy and wonder and hears them saying, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, rich in grace and beauty, leaning upon her beloved?” (Song 8:5). Otherwise, unless it leans on him, its struggle is in vain. … Surely all things are possible to someone who leans upon him who can do all things? What confidence there is in the cry, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me!” (Phil. 4:13)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">This is the difference between ‘conquering’ a mountain and experiencing conversion on the journey; between crossing off another retreat on my calendar and seeing my job as leading youth (and myself) on a continual way of conversion. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrljaCa3UiI/ToI0l9kSguI/AAAAAAAAADc/9bKmACcPyGg/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrljaCa3UiI/ToI0l9kSguI/AAAAAAAAADc/9bKmACcPyGg/s320/IMG_0456.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b>Let us ascend the mountain of the Lord and continue on the journey with his strength to uphold us, and his light to guide us. Let us not fall into the trap of seeing the journey as something to get over with but instead as a pilgrimage to be transformed by more and more into the Person of </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;"><b>Jesus Christ! Amen</b></span></span>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-61178578944173424372011-09-26T14:46:00.000-07:002011-09-26T14:46:33.072-07:00It's Been A While<b>Hey guys!</b><br />
<b>I know it has been a while since I have written anything for this blog and I apologize. I am currently sitting down to write some stuff so bear with me a few more days. In the mean time here is a taste of what I am working on. It is a reflection by St. Bernard and it is something I am fond of reading and reflecting on when I am out climbing and camping. I hope it enriches your soul as much as it has mine.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDXxJtU8P1Y/ToDycq_uFpI/AAAAAAAAADY/4wYgPHcSesc/s1600/SDC12066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDXxJtU8P1Y/ToDycq_uFpI/AAAAAAAAADY/4wYgPHcSesc/s400/SDC12066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><b>“Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (Ps. 23:3) If anyone aspires to climb to the summit of that mountain (Ex. 24:17), that is to the perfection of virtue, he will know how hard the climb is, and how the attempt is doomed to failure without the help of the Word. Happy the soul which causes the angels to look at her with joy and wonder and hears them saying, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, rich in grace and beauty, leaning upon her beloved?” (Song 8:5). Otherwise, unless it leans on him, its struggle is in vain. But it will gain force by struggling with itself and, becoming stronger, will impel all things towards reason . . . bringing every carnal affect into captivity (2Cor. 10:5), and every sense under the control of reason in accordance with virtue. Surely all things are possible to someone who leans upon him who can do all things? What confidence there is in the cry, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me!” (Phil. 4:13) . . . “Thus if the mind does not rely upon itself, but is strengthened by the Word, it can gain such command over itself that no unrighteousness will have power over it” (Ps. 118:133).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><b>- St. Bernard </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-10025283678169562642011-08-20T11:39:00.000-07:002011-08-20T11:39:34.937-07:00I love because I love, I love that I may love<br />
<table class="each" style="margin-top: 2em;"><tbody>
<tr><th align="right" style="text-align: left;">From a sermon by St. Bernard, abbot</th></tr>
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<div class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8KVsmwfLtY/Tk_-jAUBUfI/AAAAAAAAADU/Gz762ZGUubg/s1600/saint4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8KVsmwfLtY/Tk_-jAUBUfI/AAAAAAAAADU/Gz762ZGUubg/s400/saint4.jpg" width="235" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> </span></a></div><div class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="p" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"> Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.</div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em;"> The Bridegroom’s love, or rather the love which is the Bridegroom, asks in return nothing but faithful love. Let the beloved, then, love in return. Should not a bride love, and above all, Love’s bride? Could it be that Love not be loved?</div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em;"> Rightly then does she give up all other feelings and give herself wholly to love alone; in giving love back, all she can do is to respond to love. And when she has poured out her whole being in love, what is that in comparison with the unceasing torrent of that original source? Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride and Bridegroom, creature and Creator do not flow with the same volume; one might as well equate a thirsty man with the fountain.</div><div class="pi" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 1em;"> What then of the bride’s hope, her aching desire, her passionate love, her confident assurance? Is all this to wilt just because she cannot match stride for stride with her giant, any more than she can vie with honey for sweetness, rival the lamb for gentleness, show herself as white as the lily, burn as bright as the sun, be equal in love with him who is Love? No. It is true that the creature loves less because she is less. But if she loves with her whole being, nothing is lacking where everything is given. To love so ardently then is to share the marriage bond; she cannot love so much and not be totally loved, and it is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists. Or are we to doubt that the soul is loved by the Word first and with a greater love?</div><div class="pi" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 1em;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 1em;"><b>Let us pray,</b></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em;"><div class="v" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-align: left; text-indent: -3em;">Lord God, you made Saint Bernard burn with zeal for your house, and gave him grace to enkindle and enlighten others in your Church. Grant that by his prayer we may be filled with the same spirit and always live as children of the light. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.</div><div class="v" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-align: left; text-indent: -3em;"><b>Amen!</b></div></div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-22162800998962205722011-03-27T11:01:00.000-07:002011-03-28T05:47:14.278-07:00On Finding Our Identity in Christ<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My favorite Disney Movie is The Lion King. My favorite Bible verse is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> One of my favorite books is The Road, a story about a Father’s love for his son. I almost wrote my Theology Senior Thesis on divine sonship. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A reporter once asked Nicholas Ray, director of the 1955 movie, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rebel Without a Cause</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, “What is the goal of the main Character played by James Dean?” Ray answered, “To look for the father.” I guess you can say that has been my goal, too. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPyNPWPwWek/TY95t8469VI/AAAAAAAAACw/i-CENAyynSQ/s1600/IMG_0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPyNPWPwWek/TY95t8469VI/AAAAAAAAACw/i-CENAyynSQ/s400/IMG_0287.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My father working on his sailboat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
The reason why I have always been obsessed with the father/son relationship is because I never knew this relationship for myself. My father passed away when I was 9 months old; before I had a chance to know him and be fathered by him. I have an insatiable desire to know him. I am excited every time one of my relatives tells me stories of my dad or we find some item of his that I can have. As a kid, the first thing of his that I had was his dog tag from being in the Navy. I wore it every day until I lost it while camping one summer. Thanks to God through the intercession of St. Anthony my brother found it the next year when he went back to the same cabin. That summer, I was also away from home. I didn’t find out about my brother finding my dad's dog tag until I returned home. When my mom told me in the airport I was overwhelmed by emotion. I cannot remember a time previous to that when I was more joyful. I wore it on and off for a few years until some time in high school when I started wearing it every day and I haven’t taken it off since. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In high school, my mom found his high school ring. I started wearing it as my own. Unfortunately it was slightly to big so I stopped wearing it for fear it would fall off. The stone in the ring was also very scratched and faded from my dad working on his sailboat. We asked some jewelers if they could polish it but they said they could not and recommended replacing the stone. I refused because if we replace the stone it is no longer my dad’s ring. Recently my mom found a jeweler who would be willing to try to polish it. They were able to polish it so the stone once again shone. She sent it to me in the mail and I tore open the package like an 8 year old boy on Christmas morning. (I have yet to clean the remnants of the packaging that were tossed everywhere in my car.)</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmF8vE4-oS4/TY95R2T9qiI/AAAAAAAAACs/OCcb31f4t-4/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmF8vE4-oS4/TY95R2T9qiI/AAAAAAAAACs/OCcb31f4t-4/s400/IMG_0280.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My father's High School Ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That night I went to an Adoration and Praise and Worship service. My gaze and attention kept going back to the ring. Throughout my childhood and high school years, every story and every item of my father’s had meaning and allowed me to know more and more about who my father was. It was almost as if my dad was reaching back through time to reveal himself to me piece by piece. This time is different though. I feel like wearing his ring now for some reason has more significance than when I wore it in high school. I prayed about it and came across numerous references to the authority and meaning of one being given a ring. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the parable of the Prodigal Son: when the son returns to his father he tells him that he has sinned and no longer deserves to be called his son.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and put a ring on his hand</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, and shoes on his feet.” (Luke 15:22) </span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Genesis, after Joseph had found favor with the Pharaoh he said,</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">“’Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">...” (Genesis 41:41-42)</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
A ring carries authority and identity, either that of the wearer, their ‘King,’ or their family. Along with the ring, the dog tags were worn as a form of identification. In my wearing of both the dog tag and the ring I want to be known as my father’s son. I love meeting distant relatives and being introduced as “Coit’s son.” But I also want to be known as a son of The Father, a child of God. I realized this is the reason why my father’s ring feels different on my finger now than five years ago. Just like the stone, the heart of the ring, was faded, my identity as a son was just as faded. I did not have a clear understanding of who I was in relationship to my Father. But, now, I have learned more about my father here on earth, which has also let me to a deeper understanding of who I am in light of my Father in Heaven. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_1uuuDklF0/TY96gvPNz-I/AAAAAAAAAC0/y4R97V2vD4o/s1600/prodigal_son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_1uuuDklF0/TY96gvPNz-I/AAAAAAAAAC0/y4R97V2vD4o/s320/prodigal_son.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The journey to a deeper realization of sonship has taken place over the past four years. It started after I was in my first serious relationship. I realized that I needed to be a man if I wanted to be in a relationship with a woman. Without having a father to turn to I turned to The Father. I read scripture that spoke of our adoption as sons and read books like Wild at Heart, To Own a Dragon, etc. Through their testimonies and personal prayer I started to let God father me and make me into the man He is calling me to be. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8:15-17</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is a crisis in our culture. It is a crisis of a lack of true men. We have plenty of males in our society but few of them are willing to be Men. The ramifications of this crisis are extensive and its source is in the lack of fathers. In the last few decades, many boys have grown up and are growing up without a father; without a role model to show them how to be men, without a reference as to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">who they are</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Our culture tells them to remedy this by finding their identity in how many women they can sleep with, how good they can be at sports, how successful they can be in the business world, etc. Women suffer from many issues of identity as well due to the lack of fathers and from the lack of true men who did not grow up with fathers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The image of a true man is something that is widely discussed. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to what it means to be a true man. I read one article that painted a true man as the man who is always there for his family, always praying in Church. He is dependable, honest, loving and generous. There was an article written in response that painted the image of a true man as something slightly different. Everyone seems to have their own opinion of a true man. No matter what form that image takes there is a distinct foundation common to them all: A true man of God is disciplined and courageous, standing up for what he believes in and not willing to compromise his morals. He inspires greatness in all those who come in contact with him. Above all, a true man of God lives a life of humble sacrifice; submitting his will to the will of God and always ready to lay down his life for his family and friends in whatever form that may take. He knows who he is and is firm in his identity as a son of God. He is an image of the Heavenly Father to his children, a brother to his friends, and a pillar of strength to his wife. The only way for a man to attain this stature is to lose himself in Christ, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (2Tim 1:7) </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8yGUbdk1Hs/TY97TQ3SScI/AAAAAAAAAC4/Jb8sOS4yb6k/s1600/Diego-Velazquez-The-Crucifixion-1632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8yGUbdk1Hs/TY97TQ3SScI/AAAAAAAAAC4/Jb8sOS4yb6k/s320/Diego-Velazquez-The-Crucifixion-1632.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the man that I am striving to become. One that, thou he may sin, is always seeking the face of God. I invite you to join me in this journey. Whether you are a man or woman, we need to find our identity in God. We need to take ownership of our identities as sons and daughters of God. We are adopted into this family through the Holy Spirit. We receive this Spirit of adoption, not through a physical ring, but through a spiritual seal in Christ. However, the Lord has given me a gift in this ring as a physical reminder of my adoption. Through this ring I realize that I am my father’s son and a son of the Father! As I wear it I have a tangible reminder that I am the legacy of my father here on earth and I receive an inheritance from my heavenly Father. I thank God for adopting me through His Son despite my sins and failings and I pray I may continue to be led into a deeper realization of who I am in light of this Truth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I pray for you as you read this. That you may be guided into a further realization of your identity as a son/daughter of God through Christ. That you allow Him to love you and nurture you as a Father. And that this realization in your own life may overflow to those you minister to and come in contact with. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen!</i></b></span></span>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-79448509668556970692011-03-18T21:43:00.000-07:002011-03-23T12:46:14.611-07:00Being a Creator Through Our Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-La9ta2cj8F8/TYQz5ztyNPI/AAAAAAAAACo/6_6RpKG3gYA/s640/michelangelo.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;">“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him” – Genesis 1:27 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Being made in the image and likeness of God we participate in one of His greatest qualities: the act of creating. This is most beautifully seen through marriage and creating a family. We are also creators in our work and in youth ministry. We need to have creativity in how we present the Gospel to the youth we minister to.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I recently read an article on Relevantmagazine.com. In it, Donald Miller gives advice on being the best creators we can. I thought I would pass it along to you and share some of my thoughts on how some of these tips apply to a youth ministry setting.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mIV7Xn-egJ8/TYQya2hdxsI/AAAAAAAAACg/206YR9boAhM/s1600/ARTICLE_DonMiller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mIV7Xn-egJ8/TYQya2hdxsI/AAAAAAAAACg/206YR9boAhM/s200/ARTICLE_DonMiller.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I suggest you read the article before reading my points:</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/24941-10-tips-from-donald-miller-on-creativity">Donald Miller on Being a Creator</a></b></div></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our Work is a Reflection of Us</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We need to take ownership of our work. As youth ministers we create programs, events, talks, skits, etc. Our work is a reflection of ourselves. If we see our work as an extension of ourselves we will have more pride in our ministry and will not be happy with the mediocre but seek to always make it better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">St. Jose Maria often talks about our need to glorify God in our work. As Christians we should strive to be the best in our fields to the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As Reflections of ourselves, our ministries, to a degree, should take on some of our qualities. If we are passionate about the faith our ministry should reflect that passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What do you want your ministry to say about you?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;">A Creator Doesn't Just Talk About Their Work</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love "talking shop." I get pumped up and excited when I talk with others about my vision for, and trends in youth ministry (that is part of the reason for me starting this blog.) However, if I just talk without DOING, I am just a bunch of hot air without any power behind my words.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A good example of people who spoke eloquently about ministry and the faith but didn’t follow it up with practice would be the Pharisees. Don't be a Pharisee - they weren't cool.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;">“Pray as though everything depends on God. Work as though everything depends on you.” – St. Augustine</span></b></div></b></b></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Youth ministers do not have good reputations for their work ethic. However, we need to strive to create a work ethic where we build up the disciplines necessary to create a good ministry. Once we establish good habits within our work we give God the opportunity to move through us, and our work.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I know many youth ministry oriented people who do not like to plan talks to far ahead because they would rather plan minimally in order to allow the Holy Spirit to give them the words to speak at the moment. Planning a talk or youth night in advance (more than the night before or day of) does not stifle the Spirit. I would argue it actually allows more room for the Spirit. In my experience, the more familiar I am with my talk the more comfortable I am with going ‘off script’ because I know what the message is that I want to convey to my audience and how certain tangents can compliment that message. Those are the moments when I feel the Holy Spirit is at work through my talk.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BZ-gj4oxr5g/TYQzCQZ_VEI/AAAAAAAAACk/DdOv9jPNMK0/s1600/Sun_Rise_Sun_Set_by_FilmThis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BZ-gj4oxr5g/TYQzCQZ_VEI/AAAAAAAAACk/DdOv9jPNMK0/s320/Sun_Rise_Sun_Set_by_FilmThis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>“…And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” – Genesis 1:5</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Even at the beginning of Creation there was a rhythm. The days, the seasons, even our very lives have rhythm. I am pretty sure, even though He was anticipating man, God did not look forward to the completion of each of his creations – at least not in the sense of relief upon completion: “Finally, I am so glad I am done with Earth. Now I can rest.” God was in love with the act of creating – its who He <i>is. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It would serve us well to find a rhythm within our work. Sometimes we can lose sight of the beauty of the work because we are anticipating being done with a certain talk, program, retreat, etc. I am not saying this is an easy thing but it is something I will definitely be striving for. I will let Donald Miller put it better than I can: “</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you have a rhythm, if you get up every morning and work for a few hours, and you <i>like</i> the getting up and the work, and you don’t think about how great it will be when it’s done, but rather how great it is every day that you get to get up and do the work, your creation will be tremendous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Find a rhythm to your work – love your work.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b></div><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take Courage</span></b></span></div></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b></div><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><b></b></span></span>It is easy to give in to the fear of failure. Fearing the hypothetical situations in which your program bombs. Surround yourself with a community where you can vent your ideas and concerns and hear the honest feedback from others. Find people who can affirm your ideas or help you amend them. Also ask friends to give you honest feedback after a talk or event. Many times you will find that you did not fail as badly as you perceive. Many times we are our own harshest critic – we only see what we did wrong and lose sight of where we succeeded. We need an outside perspective to gain an honest view of how we did. I work with another youth minister and it is great because we are able to bounce ideas off each other and give each feedback after events. If you are the only youth minister at your parish find someone within the ministry that will commit to giving you honest feedback. Build up an atmosphere where your volunteers feel comfortable giving you feedback.</span></div></b><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many times we need to just step out with courage. If we fail then we learn from it and the damage done probably is not that bad. The phrase “Be not afraid” appears 365 times in the Bible. Our God is a God of encouragement, He waits with the eager, encouraging anticipation that only a Father can have, awaiting our decision to step out into the unknown – especially when it is in His name.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Glory of God is Man Fully Alive</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XJq_spTs5iw/TYQxtB6ootI/AAAAAAAAACY/oBEfJTpe48w/s1600/SDC14089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XJq_spTs5iw/TYQxtB6ootI/AAAAAAAAACY/oBEfJTpe48w/s320/SDC14089.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If our work is a reflection of ourselves then our daily experiences will affect our ministry. We need to be aware of this fact and seek out those experiences that will enrich our faith and ministry. We cannot disengage from the world. We can’t simply sit in our rooms thinking about life and God. We need to go out and live life and encounter God in the world around us. We need to live! Only by the witness of a life lived will we draw others to Christ. Insert personal stories into your talks as much as possible. I have only recently been convicted of not telling enough stories in my talks. Now that I am sharing more of my life the youth are more interested and the more they want to hear. We need to present the Gospel lived out, otherwise it is all book knowledge with little power to move the heart. Finally, surround yourself with people and activities that enrich your life; in turn your ministry will be enriched.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Know that I am praying for you.</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Come Holy Spirit!</span></b></span></div></b></span>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-19609595263870875632011-03-04T15:06:00.000-08:002011-03-19T11:21:16.396-07:00Sacrificium - A Youth Night on the Sacrifice of Lent<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We changed up our schedule a lot this week. It did not follow the chronology of the ecclesial method exactly. However, I think it is good to change it up every once in a while so the youth don’t get too used to the night and get bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NazST2aXJgM/TXFupj6jvHI/AAAAAAAAACI/1pEFdewzpL8/s1600/Article_AshWednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NazST2aXJgM/TXFupj6jvHI/AAAAAAAAACI/1pEFdewzpL8/s320/Article_AshWednesday.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Scripture and Catechism: </span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">John 20:28-30 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Psalm 103:13-17; 119:103 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wisdom 3:6 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Genesis 3:19; 18:27 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CCC540</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Preparation:</span></b> We had the youth meet in the gym instead of the Catacombs. This allowed us more time for our closing prayer activity. In the gym the youth played a classic game of dodgeball. As more kids arrived we made sure to assign them to a team. Halfway through we stopped the game and reassigned teams because many of the youth who came after we started the game tended to stay on the sidelines rather than jump into the game. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had a mentor read the Gospel for this coming Sunday as our opening prayer prior to my talk.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Proclamation:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>We are not called to sacrifice during Lent for the sake of sacrifice; we sacrifice out of our love for God.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Explanation:</span></b> I told the story of how my mom quit her job when my brother and I were little. Her job wanted to transfer further south which would mean a longer commute and less time with us. She sacrificed so much in order to love my brother and I more. That is the same kind of sacrifice we are called to do during Lent. We sacrifice in order to love God more.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Application:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>We had small groups at the beginning of the night where our mentors discussed prayer, fasting and almsgiving and how the youth can practice these during Lent. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l0qUUbtGvHg/TXFwF0NQHvI/AAAAAAAAACQ/oKfXPbzrEao/s1600/Spring+2011+553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l0qUUbtGvHg/TXFwF0NQHvI/AAAAAAAAACQ/oKfXPbzrEao/s320/Spring+2011+553.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Celebration:</span></b> We had prayer stations after the talk. Some of the stations came from Lifeteen’s Life Night for Lent and included reading of scripture and prayer. The first station was the reading of Isaiah 40:3-5. The second station was an opportunity for the youth to taste vinegar, reflection on the bitterness of sin and honey, reflection on the sweetness of God’s promises. For the third station I burned paper in a metal bowl and reflected on how God refines us as gold in fire. The fourth station was a bowl of ashes and the youth were invited to come and feel the ashes in their fingers reflecting on our mortality and sinfulness. For the final station we had black wrist bands with the word “sacrificium.” They have commitment cards with them: one for the youth to keep to remind them of the ways they can sacrifice during Lent and the other one to sign as a promise to God and place at the food of the altar in a basket we provided. Once they did this they then lit a tea candle as a reminder that after the desert of Lent comes the new dawn of Easter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Moment of Growth</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(I am a firm believer in the moments that we mess up are for learning not beating ourselves up so instead of naming this title ‘Ways I fail in life and youth ministry’ I instead named it ‘Moments of Growth’)</span>:</b> For some reason it was very difficult for me to prepare this night in advance. I found myself throwing a lot of it together the day of. Because of this, the prayer stations were not completely thought out logistically. During our mentor meeting prior to youth group the high school mentors brought up a lot of questions concerning how it was going to work. Thanks to their input we were able to adjust it resulting in a great prayer experience. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also, because I was rushed in planning I forgot to make sure we had prayerful music during the stations so as the youth were participating we had silence, which was nice on one hand but also a little awkward.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you Lord for opportunities to grow in humility. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Favorite Moment:</span></b> During small groups we asked each group to come up with a 30 second commercial for Lent. I am constantly amazed at the creativity and depth some of our youth go to. They were really funny and everyone had a blast. </div><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16px;">I was also really thankful for how well the prayer stations went. I believe that most of the youth are not going to be called to conversion through my talks but through an encounter with God through prayer. I make it one of my goals to create opportunities for those encounters throughout our youth nights and retreats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><b>If you would like me to send you a detailed copy of this night email me at Patrick.Meleney@gmail.com</b></span>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-70508334139682158662011-02-16T10:33:00.000-08:002011-03-19T11:36:52.385-07:00Lighting Your Friends On Fire: A Night on the Gospels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXvEI3aJwrg/TVwXrJPU34I/AAAAAAAAACE/0m-Sy-Bpx_w/s1600/four-gospels-one-jesus-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXvEI3aJwrg/TVwXrJPU34I/AAAAAAAAACE/0m-Sy-Bpx_w/s400/four-gospels-one-jesus-pic.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Scripture and Catechism:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Isaiah 11:1-9</i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Matthew 16:13-20<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Romans 8:22-25<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>CCC 124-127</i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>CCC 2466</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Preparation:</span></b> For many of our nights we make sure to play a large group, high energy game at the beginning of the night. Tonight we played a game called <b>Mission Possible</b>. The youth were separated into two teams and placed on opposite sides of the gym. Random items from the game closet were scattered on the floor between the two teams. The object of the game is to get your whole team to the other end of the gym without touching the floor using only the items placed on the floor. This is usually a big hit for our kids and was tonight as well. The EDGE (7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> Grade) had a hard time finishing on time so I paused the game then told the teams they could touch the floor, which resulted in a mad dash to either end of the gym.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> After the game a mentor read the Gospel this coming Sunday. We make sure we have the text of the Gospel on the projection screen so the youth can follow along as it is read. We also remind the youth to stand for the Gospel.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> After prayer our high school mentors performed a short skit I wrote called “The Waiting Room.” It highlighted the wait for Christ. Some people get impatient and leave, some are deceived and follow someone other than Christ, and some are disappointed because they expected something else. But if we persevere to the end we will be rewarded. This skit is based off of the experience of the Israelite people waiting for the coming Messiah.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Proclamation:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christ is just as present in the Scriptures as in the Eucharist. When we encounter Him we are set on fire, never to be the same.</span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Explanation:</span></b> I started the message by asking why we stand for the Gospel? I quoted <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dei Verbum, 21 where the Church says she “has always venerated the Divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table of God’s word and of Christ’s body.”</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>When we read Scripture, especially the Gospels, we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, just as if we were to sit in adoration. We see in scripture countless examples of people encountering Christ and having their lives changed. When we encounter Christ, whether it be in the Sacraments or in the Scriptures we are changed. I used the analogy of fire to illustrate how we are changed. When a paper is lit on fire it burns and casts a light on the whole room, it catches other paper on fire if close enough, and it becomes ash, which can never be paper again. In the same way we must be caught on fire by Christ in order to shed light on our world, catch others on fire, and never go back to the way we were.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> I ended with the challenge of <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">St. Jose Maria Escriva, “Don’t let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart.” – </span></i></b><u><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Way</span></i></b></u><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, #1</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Application:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>We split the youth into small groups and had our high school mentors lead them in discussion. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Celebration:</span></b> We ended the night by bringing all the youth back to our main meeting room and I closed us in prayer thanking God for his presence to us in the Gospels and asking Him to help us catch our friends on fire (spiritually, not physically).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Moment of Growth</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(I am a firm believer in the moments that we mess up are for learning not beating ourselves up so instead of naming this title ‘Ways I fail in life and youth ministry’ I instead named it ‘Moments of Growth’)</span>:</b> This week our Lifeteen curriculum gave us a night on the Gospels. They focused on how throughout the Old Testament the Israelites were waiting for their savior and he finally came in the Gospels as the person of Jesus Christ. In my talk I focused on how this appearance and encounter is life changing. However, I did not modify the rest of the night accordingly. The small group questions focused on waiting and how Christ is the culmination of our hopes. I should have done a better job making sure every aspect of the night was uniform; focusing on the same subject, instead the message came across as dislocated between skit, talk, and small groups.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Favorite Moment:</span></b> We played a random video I found on Youtube to fill the time while the youth were getting water after the game and finding their seats. Playing the video, even if it has nothing to do with the theme of the night, adds an element of fun and encourages the youth to find their seats so they can watch the video. Once it is done we move into prayer and the talk. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> I also really enjoyed how smoothly the fire illustration went. I had a piece of newspaper in a metal bowl so that when I lit it I could drop it in the bowl where it was safe to burn without catching anything else on fire. (For Crossfire I used a piece of printer paper balled up. It did not burn well so for EDGE I used newspaper which burnt much better.)</div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-90890523980130166242011-02-15T13:45:00.000-08:002011-02-15T13:45:55.292-08:00Working with a Model - The Ecclesial Method<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht2hyAs5vIQ/TVryDk0vpEI/AAAAAAAAACA/4xtaWOwfKZY/s1600/2441707836_6b8a14cb41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht2hyAs5vIQ/TVryDk0vpEI/AAAAAAAAACA/4xtaWOwfKZY/s400/2441707836_6b8a14cb41.jpg" width="312" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">O</span>ne of the reasons I started this blog was to help my friends who are still in the Catechetics major at Franciscan University. One of the models we are taught to use when planning a youth group event is called the ecclesial method. It consists of 5 steps. I plan on reviewing the youth nights I run in light of the Ecclesial method. I pray this will give students and other youth ministers an idea of what the ecclesial method looks like in action (I do not use the ecclesial method perfectly by any means but hope you may gain something by my attempts.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This overview of the Ecclesial Method is adapted from a handout made by Prof. James Pauley of Franciscan University of Steubenville)</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> <u>The Ecclesial Method</u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he first step of the ecclesial method is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Preparation</span></b>. Francis Kelly, in his book <u>The Mystery We Proclaim</u>, said “The catechist must help create the conditions for the possibility of a deepening of God’s Word in the hearts of those being served.” (TMWP, p.138)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This step includes the physical environment, disposition of the catechist, and having a relationship of trust with the youth. The most important part of the preparation step is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PRAYER</span></b>. This means that we teach the youth to pray using the diversity of Christian prayer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he second step of the ecclesial method is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Proclamation</span></b>. This is the central step. It is the heart of the message being given to the youth expressed in one to three sentences. A good proclamation is:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Short, concise, easy to remember</div><div class="MsoNormal"> - Not read but proclaimed from the heart with confidence and joy </div><div class="MsoNormal"> - Age appropriate and group appropriate</div><div class="MsoNormal"> - Visually present before the students</div><div class="MsoNormal"> - Constantly reinforced throughout the Catechesis</div><div class="MsoNormal"> - Expressed as positive and worthy of being proclaimed</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he third step is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Explanation</span></b>. This is where the proclamation is fleshed out and explained to the youth in a way that they can assimilate it and apply it to their lives. This is normally the longest step. It should be presented in a way that it requires the active participation of the youth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Application</b></span> is the fourth step. This is the step where the youth are called to apply this step to their lives in a way that facilitates conversion. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;">Characteristics:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Involves call to deepened commitment to following Christ and his will in our lives and seeing how the Gospel message relates to the culture.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Catechist acts as mediator of this call to conversion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- There are may forms this step can take (i.e. small groups, meditation, journaling, praying with others, opportunities for specific resolutions for growth in holiness.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he final step of the Ecclesial Method is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Celebration</span></b>. If the catechetical process begins in prayerful attentiveness and openness to the Word of God, I believe that it must also end in prayerful gratitude and praise to God.” (TMWP, p.146-147) </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;">Characteristics:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Cultivates a spirit of praise and gratitude in the presence of God’s Word.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Ends in a place of thanksgiving and not criticism, skepticism, confusion. The goal is for the learner to leave the catechetical setting in a place of peace and joy and preparedness for life’s challenges.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;">Examples:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Liturgy of the Word, liturgy of hours, a focus on liturgical year</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Music </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Creative us of symbols (cross, candle, image of Mary)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>- Movement/gesture (perhaps moving into the Church to pray or inviting learners to come up individually to receive prayers of the group</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the model that is taught in Catechetics classes at Franciscan University and one can find this same model in many different forms within the youth ministry community. It is a good framework to keep in mind when planning youth group events. I will be using this model to review our youth nights here at St. Thomas More. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For more information on the Ecclesial Method see </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Mystery We Proclaim</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> by: Msgr. Francis Kelly and </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The General Directory of Catechesis</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> by: The United States Council of Catholic Bishops</span></div><!--EndFragment-->patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-29320572708228708532011-02-06T10:06:00.000-08:002011-02-06T10:10:23.644-08:00Lessons in Not Being Needed Prt. 3 (Final)<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I hope to have communion with the people, that is the most important thing.” </span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- John Paul II</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TU7i-k3IvnI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JOu1rllNBuM/s1600/IMG_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TU7i-k3IvnI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JOu1rllNBuM/s200/IMG_0154.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b>I am writing this while sitting at the desk in my apartment. Snow is falling outside, a fire is burning in my fireplace and I just received a text from my boss saying that the offices are closed tomorrow because of the winter weather. The sunburns and scratches have faded. My stomach is no longer revolting against the insane amount of rice and unrecognizable food I insist on filling it with. There are no more children and poor on the streets pulling at my heart whenever we drive by. The Philippines seem far away today. My only reminders of that beautiful and challenging country (besides the few souvenirs and pictures that are steadily growing on Facebook) are the lessons I learned.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I wrote in previous posts about how the Lord taught me that empowerment is better than handouts and the work we do is not as important as the time and presence we give. The third lesson the Lord taught me in the Philippines is one that I have been learning my whole life: Always be open to God changing your plans.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“For I know the plans I have for you, says the L</span></b></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ORD</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)</span> </b>I am sure many of you have heard this verse before. It struck me back in high school, around the same time as when I started to apply to colleges. This verse has stayed with me ever since and has proven to be a constant reminder of how much the Lord has his hands on every step of my life.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Prior to my junior year of high school I was dead set on going to the Air Force Academy. If I couldn’t get in to the academy I was going to join the military anyway. However, I felt God call me to ministry when I went on a mission trip and so I set my eyes on a Catholic college where I could study theology and youth ministry. From there I was able to spend an amazing and life changing four months studying abroad in Austria and ended up graduating with my current job as a middle school youth minister in Denver, Colorado. None of that was part of my ‘plan.’</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>With all of this in mind I should have seen it coming. I should not have expected our mission trip to the Philippines to go 100% according to <i>my</i> plan. But I did. I expected us to get to the Philippines and have our days filled with work. Not necessarily to come in and build a whole school on our own but to work with the people. To bond with them over a shared burden and task. But this was not to be the case. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Filipino people were not concerned about what we could do for them. They wanted to share their lives with us.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TU7iVTZgn_I/AAAAAAAAABw/d7QA2FUEGkE/s1600/162878_492902968074_509308074_6162133_505459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TU7iVTZgn_I/AAAAAAAAABw/d7QA2FUEGkE/s320/162878_492902968074_509308074_6162133_505459_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This was a hard lesson for me to learn. As the leader of the trip I had certain expectations. I felt like everyone else had the same expectations and if they were not met they would not get as much out of the trip or would be disappointed. So even when we were working at the school, surrounded by hundreds of curious grade school children yearning for our attention and to get to know us I kept working. I kept shoveling because that was the ‘reason’ we were there. I kept thinking to myself, “What is it going to look like if we show up to a work cite and barely do any work?” I soon came to realize the answer:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It would look like we actually care</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span> It would look like we knew how to love. That we care more about the people around us than how good we can make ourselves feel by accomplishing some task. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I guess it was such a hard lesson for me to learn because it is human nature; it’s guy-nature. We want to feel accomplished. We want something physical that we can point to and know that we had an effect. This is harder to see in our relationships with people. It often takes longer to make an impact. But when we are living for Christ, the Lord of all hearts, walls tend to come down and love comes through even in the most brief and seemingly insignificant encounters. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There is a constant struggle in youth ministry not to get too attached to our plans. There are so many things we have no control over that we grip those things we do have control over all the more tightly. The fact of the matter is God is ultimately in control (I should probably put that on a banner to hang in my office.) We cannot make conversion happen; shoot, we cant even make kids show up every week! All we can do is set a good foundation in our planning: have a good schedule where different activities flow well throughout the night, write the talk in advance so there is enough time to pray with it and polish it up, etc. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Once the event begins (wether it be a youth night, social event, or retreat) we need to get out of the way and let God take over. Sometimes that means everything goes 100% according to plan. Sometimes it means only 5 students show up. Sometimes it means your talk goes in a completely different direction. As long as we are remaining faithful to the Holy Spirit and His direction it is always for the best. If the event goes just as you planned - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praise God!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></b>Take note and cherish it because those nights are few and far between. If only five students show up - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praise God!</span></b> This gives you an opportunity to minister to those five in a much deeper way than you would if there were 20 other students running around demanding your attention. If the talk goes in a completely different direction - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praise God!</span></b> You or whoever the speaker is was open enough to hear where God wanted the talk to go and it was probably the message the youth needed to hear. Sometimes our events just bomb. And that is okay too. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praise God!</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>The good thing is you can learn from that experience and move on; correct mistakes and do better in the future. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The key is: <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HUMILITY</span></b>. Youth ministers are usually always in the spotlight of events. They are the ones leading the different activities, getting the youth excited, and playing the games with them. It is easy to think that a ministry rests on our shoulders. But our shoulders are weak. We cannot even support ourselves without the help of God. We are simply instruments God uses to do his work. If God decides to do something other than what we have in mind it is a good idea for us to follow his lead. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The only way we can stay in tune with where the Lord is leading us is to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PRAY</span></b>. We need to spend just as much time (if not more) in prayer as we do planning. Go to daily Mass as often as possible. Speak to others in the ministry to gain different perspectives on what is going on.<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BE QUIET</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span> Listen for the subtle urgings of the Spirit.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>St. Joseph had plans too. None of which had to do with Mary becoming pregnant prior to their marriage. However, he was open enough to hear the Lord’s call and humble enough to accept this new plan. May we pray for his intercession that we may see where the Lord is leading us in our ministries, families, and lives; and have the courage to follow.</span></div><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Amen!</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
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</span></div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-22063417672374216862011-01-21T13:18:00.000-08:002011-01-21T14:27:59.232-08:00Lessons in Not Being Needed Pt - 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTn2UoGfSPI/AAAAAAAAABA/zpKZqhC7i74/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTn2UoGfSPI/AAAAAAAAABA/zpKZqhC7i74/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>“I hope to have communion with the people, that is the most important thing.” - John Paul II</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In my last post I talked about the importance of empowerment over hand outs. In this post I would like to move on to the second lesson the Lord taught me while in the Philippines: relationships are more important than the work we do. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>As I said before, in preparation for this trip I was looking forward to the work we would be doing. However, I soon came to realize that the Filipinos did not share the same anticipation. They were more interested in meeting us and showing us their world than what we could physically do for them. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>We arrived in Infanta, Quezon after a few days in Manila. While in Manila, I felt like a tourist - everything was new and different, we were meeting nuns and seeing sights. However, now we were in Infanta, where the real work would begin. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>The day after we arrived in Infanta we toured around the area to see the damage that had been done by the floods and were told the story of how the people dealt with it (which I discussed in my last post). We also visited John Paul II Village, which had been build for those who had lost everything. In the village we met the youth group and participated in a Christmas party that was held inside the church. It was a great time to encounter the people, laugh and play with them. The thing that amazed me most during that visit was how similar we all are. The middle school and high school youth we met behaved the exact same way american middle school and high school youth would act when meeting people they didn’t know. You have the shy ones who are very uncomfortable speaking in front of everyone, the vocal ones who relish an opportunity to speak in front of a crowd, and the boys who try to act all cool and collected. At the Christmas party we even played some of the same icebreakers we would play at youth group! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>The second day we visited the Carmelite Convent to share with them who we are, celebrate the Mass, and do work for them. When we got there, however, they told us frankly that they didn’t know what work we could do but brushed it off as unimportant and invited us to eat lunch with them. The sisters eventually said it would be helpful if we cleaned their chapel where the locals come for Sunday Mass. As we were preparing to get to work one of the sisters invited us to go on a hike to a prayer hut in the woods behind the convent. Again, work was not the main concern. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>After the hike it felt good to finally be doing work. There was still a struggle within me though. I kept thinking to myself, “Here we came all the way from the U.S.A. And we are mopping the floor of an open air chapel that will just get dirty again.” It was very humbling work and that is the point. The Lord used this first experience to try to tell me that the purpose of our trip was not about the work but about our presence. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTn3fxikwnI/AAAAAAAAABI/VdSqemMaBvM/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTn3fxikwnI/AAAAAAAAABI/VdSqemMaBvM/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>The next day we went back to John Paul II village to see their greenhouses and help plant some vegetables. At this point in the trip, I started to get the feeling that many of the places we went the people were just trying to find something for us to do. They didn’t seem to need us. However, the planting project allowed us to have one of my favorite experiences of the trip. After planting for an hour or two we were told to stop and eat lunch (the Filipinos love their meals, and so did I). After lunch we were invited to one of the houses for karaoke! Before we knew it the room was packed with kids; adults looking in from the door and windows. It was probably the closest we got to the villagers we were meeting. We sang songs from “Hero” by Mariah Carey to “Baby” by Justin Bieber and the 10 year old girls tried to teach us how to dance. This was one of my favorite eexperiences of the trip because it was one of the first time that we were able to “let loose” and have fellowship with the people. It is amazing to see how quickly and easily cultural barriers crumble when doing karaoke! Unfortunately, the time for us to leave came too quickly and we said goodbye to all the beautiful and amazing people of the John Paul II village. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>On the fourth day we finally went to the school we had come to help with. At the construction site we were shown a pile of dirt that needed to be shoveled into bags that would contribute to making mortar. We set to work and quickly interrupted after about an hour of work by hundreds of school children. Some of us went to play with the students and others continued to fill bags - I was determined to do work. I soon came to realize the lesson the Lord had been trying to teach me since the first day in Infanta. <b><i>“They don’t need your work. They need your presence and love.”</i></b> So I, too, put down my shovel and started to invest in the students. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>With our ‘work’ done I started to see the beauty in what the Lord had taught me. The work is never as important as the people. I think this can be a very good lesson for many youth ministries. A lot of times we get caught up in our programs and we forget about our youth. The best program is worthless if it does not connect the youth to the person of Jesus Christ. That is primarily done through relationships. This is the way Jesus did it, it’s the way the apostles did it, it’s the way we should do it. If we are too busy to notice the worth of each of our youth then what is the point of the program? I read a youth ministry book recently that stated: Our messages are not isolated to a time slot in the schedule where we get up in front of the group and speak. Every single thing we do or don’t do in our ministry conveys a message. My personal struggle in this area is names. I could give the best talk of my life but if a 8</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> graders comes up to me to tell me how much it impacted them and I don’t know their name they are going to walk away deflated; thinking that I don’t care about them enough to know their name. This is not true, I do care deeply about each of our kids and I want them to grow in their faith, but my actions are not conveying that message. If we are too busy running around, concerned with the program then a youth might get the message that God is to busy running the world to be concerned with them individually. I would hate for this to happen in my ministry. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>In writing this I am convicting myself. I too often get caught up in making sure everything is running smoothly. I find myself behind the sound board rather than beside the youth. Let us strive for relationship so we can say to the youth as St. Paul said to the Corinthians, <b>“Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1Corinthians 11:1)</b>. They cannot follow us if we are not present to them. For the most part, the lasting impact our talks and programs have on the youth corresponds to the degree to which we have invested in our relationship with them. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>I am not condoning doing away with formal programs by any means. However, I believe many of us can benefit from a shift of focus (or simply a reminder of where our priority should lie.) Our programs need to be planned in such a way that they foster relationships. I for one need to work on planning ahead so that on the night of youth group I am not still trying to iron out the details but instead have given my volunteers and mentors their tasks ahead of time so I can be free to just be with the youth, and maybe even learns some names.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>When asked recently at a dinner, “What did you learn on your mission trip?” I responded, “That we weren’t needed.” It is true, our physical ability and work was not needed. God chose to use us for was our ability to <b>be with</b>. To be with the people of Infanta; allowing them to open our eyes and hearts and hopefully in some way touch their lives too. The same is true for ministry. God does not want us in ministry for what we can do but for who we can be. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let us thank God that we are not needed and it is only <b>His presence</b> in us that is able to do any good! And let us implore the intercession of Our Lady that she may bring us closer to her son!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">More to come...</span></div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-81505041243342320942011-01-15T15:31:00.000-08:002011-01-15T15:31:46.375-08:00Lessons On Not Being Needed - Pt.1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTIuM6-F3KI/AAAAAAAAAA8/6xvuKBFkNY8/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K_ZqhnCDF5A/TTIuM6-F3KI/AAAAAAAAAA8/6xvuKBFkNY8/s640/IMG_0129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I hope to have communion with the people, that is the most important thing.” - John Paul II</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(So this is my first official post and I am sure it needs a lot of work. I pray that you will be able take something away from my humble insights and discussions. This is the first part of a series on the mission trip I led to the Philippines this past week. Enjoy.)</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I just returned from a mission trip to the Philippines. We were there December 30</span></span><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> through January 9</span></span><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. It was an amazing trip, but nothing like I expected. The Lord took this trip as an opportunity to challenge my leadership and trust, open my eyes, and grow my heart. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I learned many lessons on this trip but I would like share with you three that I think translate to youth ministry and life in general: (1) Empowerment is better than hand outs; (2) It’s not about the work you do but the time and presence you give; (3)Always be open to God changing your plans.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During the planning of this trip and as we arrived in Manila I was looking forward to working. I was looking forward to the familiar feeling of sweating and straining to accomplish a task for the betterment of others. On this trip the task was to help in whatever way we could with the construction of a school that had been demolished 30 years ago by a typhoon. Obviously we were not going to build the school ourselves but it would be great to help in whatever way they needed. After spending two nights in Manila we finally made our way to Infanta, Quezon, where the school is located.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Infanta is one of the poorer areas of the Philippines and they have suffered tremendously. Six years ago they suffered from numerous typhoons back-to-back. Because of illegal logging the typhoons washed all the fallen trees into the river which damned up at a bridge. The growing amount of water and trees, coupled with a massive mudslide, collapsed one side of the bridge sending a wall of mud and trees towards the town of Infanta.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The town was buried in mud and 2,000 people perished. The magnitude of the this disaster reminded me a lot of Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to the help of the local Catholic Church and its leaders, Bishop Tirona and Deacon Mario, the town has dug themselves out of the mud and organized the relief effort. (Allow me a moment to speak about the two great men I just mentioned. Bishop Tirona is one of the holiest and joyful men I have ever met. He is one of those people I am happy just to be in the presence of. He has such a heart for the poor that saturates everything he does. Deacon Mario was working at the diocese prior to the floods. After the flood he was given the position of accountant and head of the social action center after the death of Fr. Cha. Fr. Cha held those positions prior to the flood but was killed after saving 200 villagers. Deacon Mario has certainly stepped up to the added responsibilities. He has devoted his life to the poor and working class. He has been, and still is the head man on many projects throughout the Infanta area that are changing lives. Everywhere we went, whether it was a tribal village in the heart of the jungle, the projects outside the city, or at Sunday Mass, everyone knew who he was and loved him.) The Catholic Church is rebuilding this town. It is not some government organization or foreign entity that is coming to the rescue but the Catholic Church by taking the much needed aid from outside and empowering the people to put it to effective and sustainable use. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This system works. Unlike many other relief efforts where thousands of supplies are shipped in and then distributed to whoever is there, the supplies were organized and distributed according to need. The community had already been organized into small, local communities and each community had a spokesperson who knew the needs of their community and so were able to get help to the most in need without excessive waste or abuse of the system. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> In the John Paul II village which was built for people who lost everything in the flood, they have their own greenhouses where villagers grow vegetables to be sold in the market for income. Nearby, there is a group of women who take fallen banana trees and make unique and beautiful paper products that are sold as far away as the Netherlands. And these are only a few of the many great things going on.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the first lesson I learned: Empowerment is better than hand outs. The old saying is well known, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Give a man a fishing pole and teach him to fish and he can eat for the rest of his life.” Lasting change can only come through empowerment, not handouts. Instead of relying on others to donate what they need, the people of Infanta are taking it upon themselves to improve their community.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is a poignant lesson for youth ministry, especially Catholic youth ministry. Too often I think we get caught up in the religious education model of teaching the faith. We drill the correct answers into the youth until they can regurgitate the same answers back. Instead, we should be empowering the youth to take responsibility for their faith. We need to challenge them to think and feel instead of simply letting them coast through religious ed and youth group. I think one of the best ways to do this in a youth ministry setting (we are currently working with this model in our ministry at St. Thomas More) is through mentoring. In our program we have high school students who volunteer to be small group leaders and help in various aspects of the ministry. As the youth take more ownership of the youth nights they become more invested in the Church as well. It also provides great opportunities for us youth ministers to be more present to each student. We are currently looking at ways to empower more of our middle schoolers to help with different aspects of our nights. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a youth minister the idea of giving responsibility to the youth can be scary. What if they mess up? Can they do as good a job as an adult? Don’t worry, they will mess up and an adult probably could do a better job. But the rewards wouldn’t be as great. Challenges make us grow and through messing up we learn to do better. Ultimately, it is not about how good, shiny and seamless our programs are. Youth ministry is about relationship and how much the youth are changed through encounters with Christ(more on this in my next post). </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These days middle school youth are seen as the toughest age to work with. I think people don’t give them enough credit and don't expect a lot out of adolescents. However, I have found these kids are able to step up to whatever challenge we give them, if only we did. Just imagine if a 7</span></span><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> grader saw the Church as the only place where people took him seriously and trusted him. Or a high schooler, after spending year in religious ed is finally given an opportunity to formulate their own thoughts on the faith through preparing a testimony or talk.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Under this model the youth are not simply bystanders who are talked at each week by the adults (they get enough of that at school). Instead they become active participants in the ministry. This provides opportunity for them to become personally invested in the ministry, the Church, and ultimately Christ through the witness of the mentors they are working with. I think this also is a good tangible lesson, whether they realize it consciously or not, that our faith is not passive but something that we invest ourselves in and contribute to. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More to Come . . . </span></span></div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047304780699890587.post-60449655107956751432011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:002011-01-01T00:01:03.323-08:00If This Were a Book<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If I were writing a book then I suppose this post would be the Preface/Introduction. Its the part of the book that many people skip over to get to the 'real' book. Almost as if the preface is simply a formality. However, for those who do have the strong will to read the prefaces to books know that it serves as a foundation; to give a framework by which to view and judge the rest of the written word. This is what I aim to do in this first post that isn't really a post but an introduction/preface. I am officially starting this blog on January 1st. The Feast of Mary Mother of God because I feel that any endeavor will be the better when begun under her intercession (please don't that I am all holy and what not for thinking that because I am by no means). When it comes to my devotion to Our Lady I am simply an infant.)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A little bit about the blog.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>The Beginning</b> - Everybody seems to be getting into the whole blogging thing. I did not want to be just another person adding to the noise of everyone’s collective musings. One day I was talking to a friend who is currently a Catechetics major at Franciscan University. We were discussing youth ministry when another friend from Franciscan emailed me asking for advice on one of his assignments. That is when it occurred to me that there may be a few people who would get something out of reading about my experiences as I begin my life in ministry. I think it would be especially helpful for me to break down our youth nights according to the ecclesial method. This method, which consists of (1)Preparation, (2) Proclamation, (3) Explanation, (4)Application, and (5) Celebration ; was a struggle for me and my fellow catechetics majors and seems to continue to give current students trouble. I hope I will be able to provide practical examples of each of the stages. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>The title</b> - “Past the Start.” This phrase comes from a poem by Bradley Hathaway called “Manly Man.” The whole line goes:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Like David I want to be a man after God’s heart,</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’m not there yet but I’m past the start.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The video of this poem is imbedded below:</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJGwVBvJMPM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This blog is not about how I have achieved the perfection of youth ministry or Christian living for that matter. I am simply one of God’s sons. This truth fills me with so much hope so much disgust. How could God choose to make me his son while I turn away from Him daily? Yet He still pursues my heart. This will never cease to blow my mind and call me on to pursue Him. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I plan on updating this blog once a week.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>The Content</b> - In addition to the ecclesial method breakdown of the youth nights. I will also look at what worked and what didn’t work during each night. I will also share my thoughts on different topics ranging from relevant youth ministry issues, social issues, and what the Lord is teaching me in my spiritual life with the hope that it may help and inspire you as well.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>You</b> - Finally, I would hate for this to just be another blog adding to the noise of pointless thinking out loud. To keep from doing this I need you. I want this to be a place of conversation, where we can come together to talk youth ministry and come away enriched from it. Comment on the posts(even if, especially if, you disagree with something I say), email me if there is something specific you would like me to address. Most importantly, pray for me and all those who will be reading this blog. We are all striving to do God’s will and we cannot do it alone. We need to help each other, encourage one another, and pray for each other.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I am truly honored by your presence and you can always be assured of my prayers for you.</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>patrick meleneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903775310802821844noreply@blogger.com0