From West Coast to East Coast in one day.

Vicky Raspoli serves as youth minister for St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manchester CT. She convinced some colleagues from 6-7 other parishes to bring me in to talk with teens and adults.

I spoke to 700 eighth graders and high school students at East Catholic High School there. It always tickles me to watch their body language as they sit there. I know many of them are there against their will. They look at me as if to say “Make me enjoy this, cracker boy!” It is kinda unnerving sometimes.

This particular night was a pretty good one. They got into things and seemed responsive. I felt relaxed as s talked about our faith and how it is connected to the rest of life.

On Monday and Tuesday, I had the chance to speak with 100 or so adults from the sponsoring parishes as well as from throughout the diocese. Shawnee Baldwin is diocesan director and she (along with co- worker Shannon) treated me to a Japanese supper. I ate some things I never ate before- seaweed salad, different sushi and shishimi (sp?).

The folks at St. Bart’s. were great hosts. Thanks to my supper friends Vicky, Denise, Ruth, Bill, Mark, Ed, Doug ,Mary Jo and Fr. Steve (who let me have his apartment/suite for my stay).

And it SNOWED! Yes! On April 5, it snowed. I could tell I wasn’t in Cajun country–still very cool to see.

Notice there is snow…and there are blossoms…spring is on the way…new life.

I have a brand new appreciation for people who fly from coast to coast. I flew from Los Angeles CA to Hartford, CT. I don’t know how many miles it is but I do know it is a long day.

I also am coming to appreciate more and more the men and women who serve as flight attendants. I wonder if they ever get tired of the work–the little pre- flight speech, the antsy people who are late for connections, the people who ignore them when they’re trying to make the flight a little nicer and safer.

Flying over, and seeing, the Rocky Mountains is majestic…I do wonder what God thinks when he peeks and sees it all (yeah, I know…”not bad for 6 days!).

I also think I know why Pope John Paul used used to kiss the ground whenever he landed somewhere! The friendly skies are nice but terra firma is more my speed.

I always get “jacked up” when I get to witness Los Angeles’ Youth Day. 12,000 teens and their adult leaders. That in itself is a big deal!

But the quality of the event also moves me. Mike Norman is the head honcho of the day, but he will be the first person to tell you how many people it takes to make youth day happen. And the logistics of a day like this amaze me. I used to work on rally planning and I can’t fathom how much work goes into a project like youth day. The day seems flawless to me.

Content is another area that makes the event such a first class experience. Matt Maher, Joia Farmer, Josh Blakesley, Paul George, Mark Hart, Bob Bartlett, Anna Scally, Paul Florez, Steve Angrisano, Carole Goodwin, Fr.Tony Ricard, Brian Johnson,

and APeX were just some of the speakers there for youth day. That’s an impressive line up anywhere.

(And it’s great to hang out with these “colleagues” and hear what’s happening with them–there’s a certain excitement for me when I get to visit with some of these good people.)

After youth day, I had the privilege to present a retreat day for 200 adults who work with teens. This was a special privilege and grace for me. I enjoy the laughter, the sharing of struggles, joys and hopes which are a part of the challenging, demanding and rewarding work of youth ministry.

I left Los Angeles tired but it was one of those “good” tireds. And one where hope was very present. Many thanks to Sister Edith, Vikki Shepp and Mike Norman for including me in this awesome celebration of faith.