I feel so fortunate to get to be a part of this week long experience held 4 times in June and July. This blog is a summary of some of the good things that happened to me during my 3 visits to ND this summer.

I really like ND Vision because it helps teens take an “on purpose” look at their gifts. It helps them to learn some tools; to begin to ask the question: how God might be calling them NOW…to serve their families, churches, schools, friends, and our world??

The students at Notre Dame who work with the program are talented and deeply open to growing in expressing their own spirituality while serving the teen participants as group leaders (and in my opinions, examples of vibrant young Catholics). The music is unbelievable, the witness talks are “spot on” and the desire to serve teens well is crystal clear.

(counselors dressed for “80’s” day with Greg Thompson and me.)

I was really pumped up during one presentation where Tim O’Malley showed some correlations between liturgy and a football game. He had many male counselors join in in singing some traditional Irish fight songs…and then there were cheerleaders and chants like I had never seen. If 150 students generated this much spark, I could only wonder what 80,000 plus could do. Now I know I have to get to South Bend to see a game!

not Tim O’Malley but he WAS dressed like a leprechaun!)

The logistics and direction for things is in the hands of Lenny DeLorenzo. He is a man of great focus and loves video clips (more cowbell, Lenny). He oversees this wonderful program while being a husband and dad (Lisa and he have an adorable son, Caleb!). Lenny is refining and always thinking how to better this good program.

I also got to see my buddy, Fr Dan Parrish. He’s a neat young priest who is real in his witness. I am so proud of him for going to work on his MBA for non-profit organizations. He is continuing his learning when he doesn’t HAVE to, and after a full year as rector of Zahm Hall (where I got to stay for one session this summer!).

Another side benefit is “my soul SMILES” at Notre Dame when I get to see past counselors and youth ministers and now dear friends for brief moments while at the university. I got to visit with former counselors who are serving the church through teaching, religious education and youth ministry…it was great to see so many of them. I got to visit with youth ministry friends Liz Chick (her name is being withheld at request of the CIA), Greg Thompson, and Bryan Webb.

(Greg Thompson does his Heisman inpersonation)

I got to work on my anemic bowling game in what is becoming a yearly tradition—BOB (namely, the Brotherhood of Bowlers). Laughter and friendship with Steve, Adam and Andrew (also adding Timmy and, in absentia, Luke)—all Notre Dame men and me, the honorary putz. A lot of fun.

(A Cubs bowling ball—how COOL is that!)

I had a wonderful meeting with a young woman who will be working to design and implement a program for youth ministers that will run along side Vision. I am very curious and excited to see what will eventually result from the planning for this.

As always, my time at Notre Dame is inspiring to me. The emphases on vocation, prayer, discipleship, community, and discernment are always a good reminder or refresher for me.