Okay, I know I'm horrible at keeping this updated...There's such a thing as a MID-year resolution right? ;)
BLOG UPDATING! MUST BE BETTER!
This isn't even really much of an update...sooo...just watch this video...and then desire to be a Saint. Take the next step. Seriously. What else is there?
Step messing around - Be Holy.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Happy Birthday, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati! ...Yesterday! ;)
Called "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes" by Blessed John Paul II, Pier Giorgio was a young man who truly lived out his love for Jesus Christ. Born on April 6th, 1901 in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio went on to live a life full of adventure, prayer, and service to the poor. He was born into a quite wealthy family, but as he grew and learned about the world around him, he started to use that wealth to help those without it:
- He would often give his bus money to the poor, and then have to run home to make it for meals
- He would give his shoes/coat to people without them
- He got a job so that he could support numerous homeless people by buying them medications needed to keep them healthy.
- When asked if he wanted a car or money after graduation, he said money, which he then promptly gave to the poor.
But his life was not just about this service. He was also quite the adventurer! He and his friends, a young group of guys, would often play practical jokes on each other, and go hiking up into the mountains.They would often play pool together...if his friends won, they would ask for money. If Pier Giorgio won, they all would have to go to Eucharistic Adoration for an hour with him! :)
Pier Giorgio saw the Eucharist, prayer, and devotion to the Blessed Mother as the main pillars of his life. As a youth, he would often get up very early, run a few miles to Mass, then back home before breakfast. He did this without his parents knowing since he thought that they wouldn't approve. Family life was sometimes difficult for him because he felt that his parents didn't understand him very well. While he would be joyful, active, and loud outside of the home, when it came to supper time he was often more subdued.
There is so much more to Pier Giorgio's life, and I encourage you to learn more! Try HERE! Or HERE!! He packed a lot into a short few years. In the mid 1920s, he contracted polio, most likely from one of the poor he was taking care of, and died at the age of 24 - July 4th, 1925. Since came from a wealthy family, his funeral was a big deal. Many well known, similarly wealthy figures were present. A surprise came to his parents, though, when thousands of poor and others from throughout the city showed up! They received a surprise to, as they found that this anonymous young man who was serving them turned out to come from such a wealthy family!
He was beatitufed by Blessed John Paul II on May 20th, 1990. Truly a man to look to for a model of Christian living. He most definitely put others before himself, but above all, God.
Called "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes" by Blessed John Paul II, Pier Giorgio was a young man who truly lived out his love for Jesus Christ. Born on April 6th, 1901 in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio went on to live a life full of adventure, prayer, and service to the poor. He was born into a quite wealthy family, but as he grew and learned about the world around him, he started to use that wealth to help those without it:
- He would often give his bus money to the poor, and then have to run home to make it for meals
- He would give his shoes/coat to people without them
- He got a job so that he could support numerous homeless people by buying them medications needed to keep them healthy.
- When asked if he wanted a car or money after graduation, he said money, which he then promptly gave to the poor.
But his life was not just about this service. He was also quite the adventurer! He and his friends, a young group of guys, would often play practical jokes on each other, and go hiking up into the mountains.They would often play pool together...if his friends won, they would ask for money. If Pier Giorgio won, they all would have to go to Eucharistic Adoration for an hour with him! :)
Pier Giorgio saw the Eucharist, prayer, and devotion to the Blessed Mother as the main pillars of his life. As a youth, he would often get up very early, run a few miles to Mass, then back home before breakfast. He did this without his parents knowing since he thought that they wouldn't approve. Family life was sometimes difficult for him because he felt that his parents didn't understand him very well. While he would be joyful, active, and loud outside of the home, when it came to supper time he was often more subdued.
There is so much more to Pier Giorgio's life, and I encourage you to learn more! Try HERE! Or HERE!! He packed a lot into a short few years. In the mid 1920s, he contracted polio, most likely from one of the poor he was taking care of, and died at the age of 24 - July 4th, 1925. Since came from a wealthy family, his funeral was a big deal. Many well known, similarly wealthy figures were present. A surprise came to his parents, though, when thousands of poor and others from throughout the city showed up! They received a surprise to, as they found that this anonymous young man who was serving them turned out to come from such a wealthy family!
He was beatitufed by Blessed John Paul II on May 20th, 1990. Truly a man to look to for a model of Christian living. He most definitely put others before himself, but above all, God.
"Verso l'alto," he would often say: "Toward the top."
Be Holy.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Boredom Buster Week
Boredom Buster Week 2013!! It's here!
As we progress through Holy Week and the Lord's Passion and Death, let us drawn closer to Him, sharing in His suffering through our sacrifices. Because as we share in the sufferings of His death...we also share in the JOYS of His Resurrection!!
Sunday is EASTER! And we, as Catholics, know how to party. :) Easter isn't just one day, but a whole week of intense celebration! Following that week, the party doesn't stop, either, but continues for the next 50 days until Pentecost. :) Praise the Lord!
Since it is also Spring Break next week, join in the party at St. Francis with our Boredom Busters! Here are the activities we'll be having throughout the week:
*For Permission forms Click HERE!*
*For a printable version of what is below, go HERE!*
*And for just a neat flyer about the week...try this one - HERE!* :)
Come
once or come each day---it’s up to you!
Monday, April
1 – Friday, April 5
Open to all students in grades 6-12. Friends welcome!
Cost is: $3
per day or $12 for four or more events (Family max of $20)
If you’re around for spring break, there is no room for boredom here!
Monday, April
1st: Just Show Up – A Fieldtrip to La Crosse, WI – 1:00pm –
10/10:30pm
Meet in the Activity Room at
1:00pm to carpool over to La Crosse, WI! We will visit the Shrine of Our Lady
of Guadalupe, exploring the beautiful outdoors! For supper, we’ll be hanging
out with the brief time of prayer in a crypt chapel, and then ice cream! We’ll
return to Rochester around 10/10:30pm. Note:
An extra permission slip is required for this trip (found on the back of the
normal one. Limited spaces available!
Tuesday, April
2nd: Photo Scavenger Hunt! – 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Join us in the activity Room
to begin the HUNT! Sign up in teams of 2-4 people. Each team should dress in a team color and
will be asked to come up with a team name.
Clues will be given to help teams in their search and one team will be
awarded the grand prize. After the hunt
we will spend the rest of the time playing games in the Activity Room. Cheese pizza will be provided after the
scavenger hunt, please eat lunch before you come.
Wednesday,
April 3rd: Resurrection Party – 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Christ is Risen! Praise the
Lord! Come celebrate Easter with games, music, Resurrection rolls, and more!
This is a celebration you don’t want to miss! Easter is celebrated for weeks
after the day of, so let’s join in the party! We’ll start in the Activity Room
Thursday, April
4th: Movie and Game Night 5:00- 9:00 pm
This night will be all about
fun and games. Bring a cozy blanket to
watch a fun movie! Before the movie
we’ll play board and card games, have some pizza and get to know each
other! Participants should bring a
blanket to watch the movie and a board game to share with the group. Again, in the Activity Room!
Friday,
April 5th: Service Day - 2:00-5:00 pm
Come join us in the Activity
Room for a day of service. We will learn
a little bit about the different ways we can serve, and then participate in
some of these works of mercy. It is always good to help our fellow neighbors!
Permission
Forms for Boredom Buster Week can be found on the Kiosk or at the links above!
Checks can
be made out to St. Francis of Assisi Church
Questions?
Please Contact:
Matthew Edens • Youth Ministry Coordinator • 289-2427 • youthminister@stfrancis-church.org
|
Friday, February 1, 2013
March for Life!
March for Life - 2013
...what an amazing experience! Next year, if you're able to go...go! It is amazing to see that many people (that many youth!) courageously defending life.
Of course, once again this year as in years past, the mass media chose not to really give the March all that much coverage. There were 650,000 people peacefully walking past the capital building and supreme court to demonstrate that abortion is wrong...the only news story that I saw said "A few thousand anti-abortion..." Hmm. No mention of Pro-Life, no mention that there were more than half a million people there! Sad indeed.
The experience though, was very neat. Mass and Youth Rally with 17,000 high school and college students, seeing the Sisters of Life and other faithful religious orders running around, taking a 20 hr bus ride across the country, touring the largest Catholic Church in North America! So great! I promised pictures...so...here you go :) You can find them HERE!
Some highlights:
- Lunch with the Sisters of Life!
- Rosary, Mass, and Youth Rally with 17,000 students!
...what an amazing experience! Next year, if you're able to go...go! It is amazing to see that many people (that many youth!) courageously defending life.
Of course, once again this year as in years past, the mass media chose not to really give the March all that much coverage. There were 650,000 people peacefully walking past the capital building and supreme court to demonstrate that abortion is wrong...the only news story that I saw said "A few thousand anti-abortion..." Hmm. No mention of Pro-Life, no mention that there were more than half a million people there! Sad indeed.
The experience though, was very neat. Mass and Youth Rally with 17,000 high school and college students, seeing the Sisters of Life and other faithful religious orders running around, taking a 20 hr bus ride across the country, touring the largest Catholic Church in North America! So great! I promised pictures...so...here you go :) You can find them HERE!
Some highlights:
- Lunch with the Sisters of Life!
- Rosary, Mass, and Youth Rally with 17,000 students!
 |
| This is just before Mass! All the empty seats are for priests. :) |
- Praying at St. Matthew's Cathedral, in the St. Anthony Chapel, infront of a mosaic of St. Francis of Assisi! A candle is lit there for all of the St. Francis parishoniers in Rochester. :)
- The March with 650,000 other defenders of LIFE
- Uniting our sufferings of fatigue, discomfort on the bus, freezing weather, hunger, and pain to the Cross of Christ, in order that He might use our suffering to help those who are unborn.
Praise the Lord!
Be Holy.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
March for Life
My goodness! I haven't posted on here all year! *sigh*
Well...better start it off right...Happy New Year! ;)
Well...better start it off right...Happy New Year! ;)
Now, onto the good stuff...kind of...
Today is an interesting day in the history of our country. Forty years ago, abortion became legal. What a tragedy...Blessed Teresa of Calcutta pretty much sums up my thoughts about that:
"America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts -- a child -- as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience. It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters"
"And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners. Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign." (Mother Theresa -- "Notable and Quotable," Wall Street Journal, 2/25/94, p. A14)
"And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners. Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign." (Mother Theresa -- "Notable and Quotable," Wall Street Journal, 2/25/94, p. A14)
"Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants." - Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
It's pretty ridiculous...Since that day 40 years ago, at least 55 million abortions have taken place in America. This is why myself and a few students from St. Francis of Assisi Parish will be joining the close to 500,000 others in Washington DC this week for the National March for Life. It's really time that we stepped it up as a society...took responsibility for our own actions regarding sex...and realize where we are. Even the woman who fought for her abortion in Roe vs Wade, the case that started this, is now pro-life! Praise the Lord.
Check it out HERE!
Also, watch this video!! We'll be there!
Check it out HERE!
Also, watch this video!! We'll be there!
Also...Be Holy.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Dec 22nd AND Dec 23rd, 2012
Happy 4th Sunday of Advent!!
My apologies...A Christmas party and a very busy day caused me to miss posting yesterday's Antiphon! So today you get two. :) Praise the Lord!
Dec 22 - O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. (No reflection today, but you can find the chant music/Latin HERE!)
Dec 23 - O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God. (No reflection today, but you can find the chant music/Latin HERE!)
A few things going on in yesterday's antiphon...O King of the gentiles....Jesus was is typically called the King of the Jews, as He is the King, Lord/Messiah they have been waiting for. Here we see Him referred to as the King of the gentiles, no non-Jews, as well! He is the cornerstone, or foundation of all the nations on Earth, and indeed, everyone's savior. We cry to Him, who formed us all in the first place, to come and save us from this mess of sin and darkness that we have gotten ourselves into.
For today's, the last of the O Antiphons...O Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God with us", so the first part is simply a repeating of the phrase. Jesus, our King and lawgiver...He came to save ALL the nations! We know we need help from sin and death, although many might not know that what, or who, they are hoping for is actually Jesus. The Savior. He comes to save us...Rejoice! :)
The O Antiphons, while great prayers to meditate on before Christmas, also contain a hidden message! The picture above contains the 7 names of Christ found in the antiphons, in the original Latin, the official language of the Catholic Church. In order, they are Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root), Clavis (Key), Oriens (Dawn), Rex (King), and Emmanuel (Emmanuel). If you take the first letters of each of those names, and work back words, you get EROCRAS, or "ero cras,"... which is a Latin phrase meaning "I will be (there) tomorrow." And tomorrow...Christmas Eve night, is when we celebrate the Birth of Christ...Beautiful!
I love being Catholic. :)
Be Catholic.
Be Holy!
Such a short 4th week this year...just one day long!
Dec 22 - O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. (No reflection today, but you can find the chant music/Latin HERE!)
Dec 23 - O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God. (No reflection today, but you can find the chant music/Latin HERE!)
A few things going on in yesterday's antiphon...O King of the gentiles....Jesus was is typically called the King of the Jews, as He is the King, Lord/Messiah they have been waiting for. Here we see Him referred to as the King of the gentiles, no non-Jews, as well! He is the cornerstone, or foundation of all the nations on Earth, and indeed, everyone's savior. We cry to Him, who formed us all in the first place, to come and save us from this mess of sin and darkness that we have gotten ourselves into.
For today's, the last of the O Antiphons...O Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God with us", so the first part is simply a repeating of the phrase. Jesus, our King and lawgiver...He came to save ALL the nations! We know we need help from sin and death, although many might not know that what, or who, they are hoping for is actually Jesus. The Savior. He comes to save us...Rejoice! :)
The O Antiphons, while great prayers to meditate on before Christmas, also contain a hidden message! The picture above contains the 7 names of Christ found in the antiphons, in the original Latin, the official language of the Catholic Church. In order, they are Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root), Clavis (Key), Oriens (Dawn), Rex (King), and Emmanuel (Emmanuel). If you take the first letters of each of those names, and work back words, you get EROCRAS, or "ero cras,"... which is a Latin phrase meaning "I will be (there) tomorrow." And tomorrow...Christmas Eve night, is when we celebrate the Birth of Christ...Beautiful!
I love being Catholic. :)
Be Catholic.
Be Holy!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Dec 21st, 2012
December 21st! The end of the world? False! Matthew 24:36...look it up. :) We know neither the day nor the time. So take courage, and keep living radically for Jesus Christ! :) Praise the Lord!
Today is also the Winter Solstice...the shortest day of the year!
Things only get brighter from here! How fitting that this day happens so close to Christmas, when we celebrate the Light of the World coming to Earth. :) This theme is also reflected in the Antiphon for today. Check it out:
Dec 21st - O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Dawn of the east...the sun...the SON! He comes to cast out sin and darkenss and death! What hope we have in Christ! Pray that He may enter your own sin and darkness...He will heal you. Be prepared, though, to be used by Him in wonderous ways! He will use you to your full potential to help others defeat their own darkness...what an adventure life with Christ is. :) Praise the Lord!
Check out a deeper reflection HERE again by Fr Z.
And...
Be Holy.
Today is also the Winter Solstice...the shortest day of the year!
Dec 21st - O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Dawn of the east...the sun...the SON! He comes to cast out sin and darkenss and death! What hope we have in Christ! Pray that He may enter your own sin and darkness...He will heal you. Be prepared, though, to be used by Him in wonderous ways! He will use you to your full potential to help others defeat their own darkness...what an adventure life with Christ is. :) Praise the Lord!
Check out a deeper reflection HERE again by Fr Z.
And...
Be Holy.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Dec 20th 2012
So much snow today! Praise the Lord!
Dec 20th - "O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: come, and lead forth the captive who sits in the shadows from his prison."
Christmas is so close! But we must not miss out on the graces of these last few days of Advent. The O Antiphons continue. Today's mentions Christ as the "Key of David." David being King David of the Old Testament. David was Jesse's son...and Jesse was mentioned in yesterday's antiphon! This is family that Jesus came from, as we know from both the prophets, as well as the geneology of Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew 1:1-17.
Jesus as the Key of David...He can both open and close doors in our lives...whatever He wants! This is BEAUTIFUL! God is leading us. We might not understand or like the doors that open or close...but we must keep in mind that God is leading us somewhere. He has a plan for us, a mission, for each one of us. If we pray, pay attention, and keep seeking holiness, we will find and fulfill that plan. And because it is given by God, it will be the absolute best plan for us in this life, leading us to life in the next. Praise the Lord!
But even deeper meaning...Remember in the Gospel when Jesus gives St. Peter the keys to the kingdom? Jesus is that Key! St. Peter, the first pope, was given that Key. Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church, and promised to be with us until the end of the age. Mmm. Check out more reflection related to that idea, again by Father Z, HERE!
In other news, this is coming up soon!!! Invite friends!
Dec 20th - "O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: come, and lead forth the captive who sits in the shadows from his prison."
Christmas is so close! But we must not miss out on the graces of these last few days of Advent. The O Antiphons continue. Today's mentions Christ as the "Key of David." David being King David of the Old Testament. David was Jesse's son...and Jesse was mentioned in yesterday's antiphon! This is family that Jesus came from, as we know from both the prophets, as well as the geneology of Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew 1:1-17.
Jesus as the Key of David...He can both open and close doors in our lives...whatever He wants! This is BEAUTIFUL! God is leading us. We might not understand or like the doors that open or close...but we must keep in mind that God is leading us somewhere. He has a plan for us, a mission, for each one of us. If we pray, pay attention, and keep seeking holiness, we will find and fulfill that plan. And because it is given by God, it will be the absolute best plan for us in this life, leading us to life in the next. Praise the Lord!
But even deeper meaning...Remember in the Gospel when Jesus gives St. Peter the keys to the kingdom? Jesus is that Key! St. Peter, the first pope, was given that Key. Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church, and promised to be with us until the end of the age. Mmm. Check out more reflection related to that idea, again by Father Z, HERE!
In other news, this is coming up soon!!! Invite friends!
Be Holy.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Dec 19th 2012
Dec 19th - "O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not.." Reflection by Father Z - HERE! Read it! It helps so much to understand the true meaning behind these verses! :)
This antiphon happens to be one of my FAVORITE verses in the song O Come O Come Emmanuel, especially in the version linked below. The verse starts at 2:02. Take a listen!
Simply beautiful. Our Church is so rich with sacredness!
In other news...huge snow storm coming towards St. Francis tonight!!
Be safe...
Be Holy.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Dec 18th
Wow, I've missed almost all of Advent!! Shoot...
Hopefully all of you have been having a blessed season of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth!! I love Advent...the cold weather, the snow(sometimes), the reflective and meditative music, the simplicity, the candles...all of it!
We're already in the third week of Advent, which is our week for JOY! Kid of a "we're halfway there!" to the season. We're reminded that Christ coming to earth is a JOYFUL thing. "Rejoice! Again I say, rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). That's why the candle is rose colored instead of purple...it's JOY!
Another pretty cool feature of the third week of Advent, is that we start the ancient tradition of the "O Antiphons." Every day for the 7 days leading up to Christmas, there is a specific antiphon, or verse, about Christ coming to save us. You are probably more familiar with these verses than you think, as they have been turned into a song...O Come O Come Emmanuel! Each verse starts with an Old Testament name of Christ, then continues with a fervent prayer for Christ to come and save us from our sin and darkness. Powerful stuff!
Here are yesterday's and today's, with links to where you can learn more about them. Read up on it! It's so cool!! Over the next week, I will continue to post those antiphons so you can pray and meditate along with the universal Church...who has used these antiphons for close to 1500 years!
Dec 17th - "O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come, and teach us the way of prudence." Reflection HERE!
Dec 18th - "O Lord and Ruler the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arms." Reflection HERE!
Beautiful.
Be Holy.
Hopefully all of you have been having a blessed season of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth!! I love Advent...the cold weather, the snow(sometimes), the reflective and meditative music, the simplicity, the candles...all of it!
We're already in the third week of Advent, which is our week for JOY! Kid of a "we're halfway there!" to the season. We're reminded that Christ coming to earth is a JOYFUL thing. "Rejoice! Again I say, rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). That's why the candle is rose colored instead of purple...it's JOY!
Another pretty cool feature of the third week of Advent, is that we start the ancient tradition of the "O Antiphons." Every day for the 7 days leading up to Christmas, there is a specific antiphon, or verse, about Christ coming to save us. You are probably more familiar with these verses than you think, as they have been turned into a song...O Come O Come Emmanuel! Each verse starts with an Old Testament name of Christ, then continues with a fervent prayer for Christ to come and save us from our sin and darkness. Powerful stuff!
Here are yesterday's and today's, with links to where you can learn more about them. Read up on it! It's so cool!! Over the next week, I will continue to post those antiphons so you can pray and meditate along with the universal Church...who has used these antiphons for close to 1500 years!
Dec 18th - "O Lord and Ruler the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arms." Reflection HERE!
Beautiful.
Be Holy.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
End of November Already??
It is November 27th already...how does that happen!
Thanksgiving is over...Turkey is eaten...Naps have been taken...The Solemnity of Christ the King was just celebrated on Sunday, and we are in the last week of the liturgical year! That means...
It's almost ADVENT!!
Thanksgiving is over...Turkey is eaten...Naps have been taken...The Solemnity of Christ the King was just celebrated on Sunday, and we are in the last week of the liturgical year! That means...
It's almost ADVENT!!
Remember those Advent calendars with the little doors that open and chocolate is inside? Those were delicious...anyway, more on Advent later!
Today, check out this article...It is a piece over at Lifeteen.com offering advice to Catholic men, it's pretty awesome!
"I love being a man, but with this gift comes a great amount of responsibility. I may still have a lot to learn, but I do know that working on these things now can save you a lot of agony and pain in the future. But more importantly, they can put you down a greater path to holiness and allow you to lead others closer to Christ."
Check out the whole thing over there! - Click HERE!
Be Holy, men....and women...but this time, talking to the men. ;)
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thanksgiving and December
Thanksgiving is FAST approaching! At least I think it is...I'm confused by what I hear on the radio!
What a blur this year has been...yet at the same time...haven't I been working this job forever?? It is hard to believe it will only be a year come December.
And with that, December is going to be a great month! Check out all the things we have going on! Come to something, or all of it, and invite friends! Parents are welcome at these events as well. :) What a great way to bond with the youth during this Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas Season!
And with that, December is going to be a great month! Check out all the things we have going on! Come to something, or all of it, and invite friends! Parents are welcome at these events as well. :) What a great way to bond with the youth during this Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas Season!
December 1st - Lifeline @ NET Ministries in St. Paul
-Tony Melendez, a guitar player/singer born without arms will be performing. Tickets are needed, and sell out quickly! Please contact Matthew by Nov 26th.
December 1st - Cookie Baking! (Grades 6-12)
- Help Catholic United bake cookies in McCarthy Hall...you might just get a few to eat as well!
- From 9:00am - Noon.
December 3rd - Just Show Up Mini-Retreat
-A mini retreat to LaCrosse, WI for prayer, music, ice cream, and 2.6 million Christmas lights! Who wants to miss that??
- From 5:15pm - 11:00pm. Late, but very worth it!
- Parents or other adults are more than welcome!
December 14th - Advent Angel Gift Wrapping Party (Grades 6-12)
- Wrapping presents for those in need, Christmas music, Christmas cookies, food, movies, and games!
- 6:00pm - 9:00pm
December 25th - Christmas Day! (Everyone! Holy Day of Obligation!)
- See you at Mass! Jesus Christ is born!
January 1st - Mary, Mother of God Feast Day! (Everyone! Holy Day of Obligation!)
- See you at Mass! Let’s honor Mary together!
January 14th - Ice Skating and Pizza - 12:30pm
-We’ll have pizza at Valentino’s and then head to the Rec Center for some ice skating!
January 16th - Middle School City-Wide Lock-In - 6:30pm - 12:00pm
February 23rd - High School City-Wide Lock-In - 5:15pm - 12:00pm
Friday, October 26, 2012
Year of Faith
The Year of Faith is upon us!
"This year can help fill the Emptiness found in Society today."
"Today, more than ever, evangelizing means witnessing to the new life, transformed by God, and thus showing the path." – Pope Benedict XVI’s homily from the opening Mass of the Year
Watch this video!
Pope Benedict XVI sees young people as a sign of hope for Christianity in the world. In a recent interview he stated the following, "A third reason [for hope]... is evident in the fact that this sense of restlessness today exists among the young. Young people have seen much - the proposals of the various ideologies and of consumerism - and they have become aware of the emptiness and insufficiency of those things. Man was created for the infinite, the finite is too little. Thus, among the new generations we are seeing the reawakening of this restlessness, and they too begin their journey making new discoveries of the beauty of Christianity; not a ...watered-down version, but Christianity in all its radicalism and profundity... The facts confirm this in a single phrase: Deep foundations. That is Christianity; it is true and the truth always has a future." Beautiful.
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| The Vatican during the opening of the Year of Faith...look at all those people!! |
October...it's almost over! What a packed month, praise the Lord!
Some items of note:
Some items of note:
- Pope Benedict the XVI named two additional Saints to the level of Doctor of the Church - St. John of Avila, and St. Hildegard of Bingen. These aren't medical doctors, as some might believe, but rather Saints who through their lives showed a great understanding of the message of Jesus Christ. With these two recent additions, there are now 35 Doctors of the Church. Other notables include St. Therese of LiSieux, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila. Read a bit more about St. Hildegard HERE! And for the complete list of Doctors, check out HERE (without the 2 new additions).
- The Feast of St. Denis happened on Oct 9th! St. Denis, as legend has it, was beheaded while preaching...he wasn't quite done yet, so he picked up his head and continued preaching while walking for quite a distance before falling over. That's just cool. :)
- October 11th marked the opening of the YEAR OF FAITH - declared so by Pope Benedict XVI. You'll be hearing much more about this throughout the next year! Praise the Lord.
- SEVEN Saints were canonized in October! One of them, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the first canonized Native American Saint! Praise God! Another, Saint Marianne Cope worked in Hawaii serving lepers. We also have a new patron Saint of young people, Saint Pedro Calungsod! Click on their names to learn more!
And speaking of Saints...All Saints day is coming up soon! Did you know that we are called to be Saints? It's true...Saints are those we know of who are together with God in Heaven...what else is there??
Be Holy. Become a Saint. :)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Our Lady of Sorrows
Hello! Long time no blog!
Today(yesterday for most of you)...is one of my personal favorite Feast Days...Our Lady of Sorrows. I meant to post a little sooner in the day, but I was hanging out at the Archdiocesan Youth Conference in Minneapolis, MN for most of the day! What a blessed time with Archbishop Nienstedt, 1500 teens, and many priests and seminarians. It was beautiful :)
Okay, back to the Feast Day. Today, Saturday, September 15th, we honor Mary, our Mother, under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows.
This title specifically deals with the sorrow which she must have felt in seeing her son, the Son of God who she knew to be innocent and blameless, be tortured, mocked, and finally crucified and buried. What anguish she must have felt! She was faithful to God, and yet this was happening to her Son...God is not without a plan, however! If we read closely, this day was actually foretold roughly 30 years previously when Jesus was presented at the temple...let's check out the Word of God on this:
"22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." " - Luke 2:22-35
So we see that this sorrow by Mary was predicted almost right after Jesus' birth! 1) That Jesus was proclaimed by Simeon as the Salvation of God's people, and 2) That a sword would pierce Mary's soul. Wow.
Still, knowing the pain was coming, I'm sure did not lessen it. And although it is almost heartbreaking to imagine what Mary went through, it also gives me great hope. I know that any rough times I am going through, like a bad day, or someone was mean to me, or upset with me...the sorrow that I feel is NOTHING compared to what Mary suffered. AND! She was given to us as our Mother by Jesus Himself, so we are able to come to HER with our suffering! And she will give that to Christ Jesus! What a blessing! No matter our suffering, Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, is always there to assist us with her comfort and prayers. It is so beautiful!
And speaking of beautiful...here are some images commonly used with this Title of Mary, as well as some of the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago IL! I would recommend checking it out if you're in the area. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! So...pictures: :)
Today(yesterday for most of you)...is one of my personal favorite Feast Days...Our Lady of Sorrows. I meant to post a little sooner in the day, but I was hanging out at the Archdiocesan Youth Conference in Minneapolis, MN for most of the day! What a blessed time with Archbishop Nienstedt, 1500 teens, and many priests and seminarians. It was beautiful :)
Okay, back to the Feast Day. Today, Saturday, September 15th, we honor Mary, our Mother, under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows.
"22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." " - Luke 2:22-35
So we see that this sorrow by Mary was predicted almost right after Jesus' birth! 1) That Jesus was proclaimed by Simeon as the Salvation of God's people, and 2) That a sword would pierce Mary's soul. Wow.
Still, knowing the pain was coming, I'm sure did not lessen it. And although it is almost heartbreaking to imagine what Mary went through, it also gives me great hope. I know that any rough times I am going through, like a bad day, or someone was mean to me, or upset with me...the sorrow that I feel is NOTHING compared to what Mary suffered. AND! She was given to us as our Mother by Jesus Himself, so we are able to come to HER with our suffering! And she will give that to Christ Jesus! What a blessing! No matter our suffering, Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, is always there to assist us with her comfort and prayers. It is so beautiful!
And speaking of beautiful...here are some images commonly used with this Title of Mary, as well as some of the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago IL! I would recommend checking it out if you're in the area. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! So...pictures: :)
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| Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, more info HERE! |
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Bring your cares, your wounds, and your sorrows to her.
Be Holy.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Just Show Up
Just show up!
That is the most often heard motto in the life of young Catholics at St. Francis of Assisi Parish...Just show up.
Students and leaders from Rochester parishes St. Francis, Resurrection, and Pax Christi, as well as Divine Mercy Parish in Faribault, did just that on August 6th for the second Just Show Up Retreat to the LaCrosse, WI.
We spent the afternoon at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, learning about various Marian Apparitions, chatting and laughing with Father Jacinto of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, praying Evening Prayer with the Friars, touring the beautiful church, and enjoying God's beautiful creation in the bluffs of Wisconsin!
After dinner, we then moved onto the Diocesan Center of LaCrosse for a short presentation on the Eucharist by Father Wierzba, vocations director of the LaCrosse Diocese, followed by a Holy Hour for Vocations! Ice cream and fellowship with Catholics from around the area, including a Consecrated Single, ended the evening before our late night drive back home to Rochester.
It was a blessed trip indeed! Learning about the Saints and their relics(at least 6 of them!), praying in silence in the physical presence of our Lord, being "unreachable" during prayer to better focus on Him(no cell phones!), and surprise run-ins with the Totus Tuus team that came to St. Francis a few months earlier!
Here are some pics!
Be Holy!
That is the most often heard motto in the life of young Catholics at St. Francis of Assisi Parish...Just show up.
Students and leaders from Rochester parishes St. Francis, Resurrection, and Pax Christi, as well as Divine Mercy Parish in Faribault, did just that on August 6th for the second Just Show Up Retreat to the LaCrosse, WI.
We spent the afternoon at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, learning about various Marian Apparitions, chatting and laughing with Father Jacinto of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, praying Evening Prayer with the Friars, touring the beautiful church, and enjoying God's beautiful creation in the bluffs of Wisconsin!
After dinner, we then moved onto the Diocesan Center of LaCrosse for a short presentation on the Eucharist by Father Wierzba, vocations director of the LaCrosse Diocese, followed by a Holy Hour for Vocations! Ice cream and fellowship with Catholics from around the area, including a Consecrated Single, ended the evening before our late night drive back home to Rochester.
It was a blessed trip indeed! Learning about the Saints and their relics(at least 6 of them!), praying in silence in the physical presence of our Lord, being "unreachable" during prayer to better focus on Him(no cell phones!), and surprise run-ins with the Totus Tuus team that came to St. Francis a few months earlier!
Here are some pics!
Be Holy!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Today is the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi! Co-patron of St. Francis of Assisi Church. What a blessed day!
Saint Clare was born during the time that St. Francis lived, in 1193, in Assisi, to a wealthy family. She loved hearing St. Francis preach, and followed His teachings. She left her family, sneaking out at night to join him in a life of poverty. That night, she cut off her beautiful hair, and was given just a plain, rough garment to wear. She eventually became the mother and foundress of an order of nuns, who are today called the Poor Clares. Her sister, and eventually mother, all came to join the order as well! Although she lived a life with very few comforts and luxuries, she was very rich in works of charity and piety.
One of my favorite stories of St. Clare is how once when her convent was threatened by invaders. As the attackers drew near, St. Clare calmly rose from her sick bed and went to a window with the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance. As she raised the monstrance, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward, as if dazzled. The others who were ready to follow those attackers ran away in fear! The attackers left, the house was saved, and this image of her with the monstrance is one of the more common images of St. Clare.
She is the patron Saint of eyes, of television, and against eye diseases.
Read more about her HERE or HERE! She is a wonderful Saint to get to know, and to ask to pray for us. Her unworldliness is pretty profound! And here are some pictures :)
Be Holy!! St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
Saint Clare was born during the time that St. Francis lived, in 1193, in Assisi, to a wealthy family. She loved hearing St. Francis preach, and followed His teachings. She left her family, sneaking out at night to join him in a life of poverty. That night, she cut off her beautiful hair, and was given just a plain, rough garment to wear. She eventually became the mother and foundress of an order of nuns, who are today called the Poor Clares. Her sister, and eventually mother, all came to join the order as well! Although she lived a life with very few comforts and luxuries, she was very rich in works of charity and piety.
One of my favorite stories of St. Clare is how once when her convent was threatened by invaders. As the attackers drew near, St. Clare calmly rose from her sick bed and went to a window with the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance. As she raised the monstrance, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward, as if dazzled. The others who were ready to follow those attackers ran away in fear! The attackers left, the house was saved, and this image of her with the monstrance is one of the more common images of St. Clare.
She is the patron Saint of eyes, of television, and against eye diseases.
Read more about her HERE or HERE! She is a wonderful Saint to get to know, and to ask to pray for us. Her unworldliness is pretty profound! And here are some pictures :)
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| St. Clare's beautiful hair |
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| Warding off invaders with the monstrance |
Be Holy!! St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Happy Friday!
In our Catholic Tradition, the first Friday of every month is devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
(Basically, to ask Jesus to have mercy on us for committing sins against the Eucharist...not giving Him the honor and praise and glory that He deserves!)
Ready? Let's pray!
HERE is a little history about the Litany
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mother's womb, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who call upon You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Be Holy.
In our Catholic Tradition, the first Friday of every month is devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
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| Remember when the whole month of June was devoted to that? That was beautiful! |
Since today is the first Friday of August(can you believe it? August), we are asked to pray in a special way, seeking the mercy of Christ through His most Sacred Heart. Please take a moment(it only takes a minute or two) to pray the following litany as an act of reparation of sins to the Most Holy Eucharist.
(Basically, to ask Jesus to have mercy on us for committing sins against the Eucharist...not giving Him the honor and praise and glory that He deserves!)
Ready? Let's pray!
HERE is a little history about the Litany
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mother's womb, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who call upon You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Be Holy.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Fun fact...this blog thing tells me that almost half of the people viewing the blog this month are viewing it from Russia...Soooo Здравствуйте! to the Russians, I guess! :)
Also, have you ever been to northern Minnesota? I was blessed to go on two trips up there in the past 2-3 weeks. Remarkable! So blessed to have these opportunities. Here's a few pictures!
But now...back at St. Francis and ready for action! Lots of great stuff is coming up! Here's a quick rundown:
August 6th - Just Show Up Retreat - Our last one of the summer!
August 12th - St. Francis of Assisi Parish 75th Anniversary! It will be a wonderful afternoon of food, games, and music! Come join us!
August 13th - S'more Catholicism - HS Youth Group, this is your night! Last bonfire of the summer :(
August 20th - MS Youth Night - Last one of the summer as well!
For all events, permission forms are required, and can be found HERE!!
More Youth Group events will be happening in the Fall, but for now, that's the schedule for summer! If you have any input for activities/events/etc in the Fall, contact me! youthminister@stfrancis-church.org!
In other news, today is the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola! This man knew how to pray...how to really discern the will of God. Many books and courses and talks have been developed based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Praying in this way, with a spiritual director, can really help one to discern in what ways the Lord is calling them. Check it out - HERE!
Also, have you ever been to northern Minnesota? I was blessed to go on two trips up there in the past 2-3 weeks. Remarkable! So blessed to have these opportunities. Here's a few pictures!
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| Beautiful!! |
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| The sun is much larger up north ;) |
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| This is the lake we stayed on. So peaceful. |
But now...back at St. Francis and ready for action! Lots of great stuff is coming up! Here's a quick rundown:
August 6th - Just Show Up Retreat - Our last one of the summer!
August 12th - St. Francis of Assisi Parish 75th Anniversary! It will be a wonderful afternoon of food, games, and music! Come join us!
August 13th - S'more Catholicism - HS Youth Group, this is your night! Last bonfire of the summer :(
August 20th - MS Youth Night - Last one of the summer as well!
For all events, permission forms are required, and can be found HERE!!
More Youth Group events will be happening in the Fall, but for now, that's the schedule for summer! If you have any input for activities/events/etc in the Fall, contact me! youthminister@stfrancis-church.org!
In other news, today is the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola! This man knew how to pray...how to really discern the will of God. Many books and courses and talks have been developed based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Praying in this way, with a spiritual director, can really help one to discern in what ways the Lord is calling them. Check it out - HERE!
As always...Be Holy!
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