I am blessed that I get to see some very exceptional places in the work I do. In terms of schools, you have to see Cathedral Catholic in San Diego.

This school used to be named University High and was located across the street from the University of San Diego. They moved to a beautiful area of the city two years ago and have been on a brand new campus (somewhere between $50 and $70 million dollars).

From a teacher’s standpoint, it is one of those places that makes your mouth water. “State of the art” comes to my mind whn I see the campus and its “amenities.” It is truly exceptional. You can see more about the school here.

Yet what’s more impressive is its staff and programming. I had the chance to speak to the coaches about athletics and spirituality. I was encouraged by what I saw, heard and felt in dicusssing with them why they still coach. It is a high privilege, a high responsibility and a high level of commitment to coach well at a Catholic school. I admire those who underake this often-thankless task. (and I miss being around athletics on a regular basis.).

I also ha the chance to speak to the 500-plus freshmen at the school on their freshmen retreat. The theme was “Let My Gifts Change the World.” The campus minister at the school, Joe Cannon, does some fine work and has a great vision for a good ministry program.

Donna Eisenbath (Shrine, Belleville) was kind enough to give my name to Sr. Fran Wilkowski, who is the coordinator of the mission days committee for this hospital system (2 hospitals) in Illinois. Donna said she felt I could lead continuing education days for over 1000 employees. It’s flattering to be thought of for something like this.

I did eight “half-day” sessions for employees from all departments: housekeeping, physical therapy, nursing, laundry, admissions, human resources, plant maintenance, home health, lab techs, pastoral care and more.

One session was ” Superman and Wonderwoman Have Bullseyes on Their Backs: Expectations and Motivation” and “Fred Sanford, McGuyver and Hawkeye Pierce: A Recipe for Excellence”. It was a lot of fun.

I have a great deal of admiration for these health care professionals and what they do…

“Everyday the nurse confronts stark suffering, grief and death as few other people do. Many nursing tasks are mundane and unrewarding. Many are, by normal standards, distasteful and disgusting. Others are often degrading; some are simply frightening.”
The Humane Face of Nursing
P. Hingley, Nursing Mirror, no. 154, 1984

They have a sense of humor amid the challenging tasks they face: from government regulations to shrinking budgets to high expectations. It was a pleasure to spend some time with them.

(Jim Sanger, CEO, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital)

It is rare that I am asked to speak at the same event 2 years in a row. Then again, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is no ordinary place. I have been there 4 or 5 times over the last 6 years…and it has become a very special place for me. It is truly “holy ground.”

I also have really come to like and appreciate the people who work there. My contact person is Donna Eisenbath but I am always supported and welcomed by Fr. Raul, Tina, Gina, and Fr. Dwight.

Fr. Raul, Gina, me, Donna and Fr. Dwight–from NCYC last November)

The event I spoke for this year (and last) was the annual World Youth Day rallies –one on Saturday for 700 junior high students and 500 high schoolers on Sunday. The theme was TRUE GREATNESS, based on the Sunday gospel where Jesus calls us all to serve.

I got to see that in action—first from Oddwalk Ministries. Oddwalk is made up of Shannon Cerneka and Orin Johnson. These two talented men are funny and engage the crowd well and were a pleasure to watch as they sang and mixed the crowd and emceed the weekend. Check out their website for their new CD, LET US GO REJOICING. It was great to see Shannon with his family (wife Erin, daughter Madeline—who likes the stage—and 3-week old son, Noah) and Orin with his wife Erin.

Shannon and Orin–Oddwalk Ministries

I got to visit with youth ministry friends, Colette Kennett, who gave me some LOVELY photos of myself speaking at the Shrine (I really am not a photogenic guy), and mutual friends Lesley Coleman and Mike and Dianna Kempfers. What a great treat is it to hang out and reconnect with friends from this ministry journey! A treat, an added bonus.

The teens were great fun and the energy was great. Part of that is because of Jesse Manibusan. I love what I do…and I think some days I am pretty decent at it, but when I am around Jesse, I simply marvel at his passion, his skill, his love of (and ease with) all ages and his faith. We were able to share a meal and some of the challenges of this life we lead. We even shared a keynote which was awesome…it was spontaneous and fun and even a little funny I think. His service is a witness of TRUE GREATNESS.

(Me and Jesse)

The weekend was well planned and organized. It was a lot of fun and the messages I received from friends—old and new—were great reminders of how following Jesus calls me to serve.

Close friends (and most people who’ve heard me speak) know it takes a lot to make me speechless. Well, some of you –who I don’t even know — got me good.

I got a small package in the mail containing a brand new iPod Nano! It seems that a friend (Amanda) heard about my MP 3 player being stolen and organized some friends who chipped in and BOUGHT ME A NEW ONE! The card, and of course, the gesture, blew me away.

You are too good to me. “Thank you” doesn’t seem to carry the depth of what I feel. Your kindness and generosity (in anonymity) “rocks.” You’ve given me a great gift but also a reminder of how important it is to offer “random acts of kindness.” Especially without being found out.

Thanks.

Doug Triche is a dear friend and a great guy.

He asks me every year to be a part of the senior retreat for the school where he serves as campus minister, St. Charles Catholic High School, in LaPlace LA. He has been doing youth work and campus ministry for years and is another hero…not only because of his faithful friendship but also because of his joy at working with, and being among, and seeing the best in, teens.

This year he invited me back to be with a really good class of close to 100 seniors.

Their retreat focused on Finding God in Our Memories and in our future. It was great to reflect on the poeple who have helped me see God. I reflected on my dad and mom, my wife Marlene, and good friends.

This retreat was special for me in that 2 young people who are friends were in the class. It was great to see Matthew E. and Aimee F. To think that they are seniors now lets me know I am really getting older!!!

The faculty and chaperones at St. Chalres are very committed to their teens. It’s a great school and I feel lucky to be a part of their senior retreat. Even when I look like this (I don’t think I will qulaify for most photogenic..ever!)

I had the privilege to speak with 25 (or so) Catholic CEOs and their wives. These men and their wives are the San Antonio chapter of Legatus. Legatus is a Latin word for ambassador.

We went to mass at St. Francis of Assisi parish and had an awesome meal at Paesano’s.

My topic…oh? Humor in the workplace. I know it seems like a stretch for me.

Thanks to Warren Dazzio, Greg Davis, (his secretary, Tracy) and chapter president, Michael Metz, for their hospitality and warm reception.

I always smile when I’m among a group of people who show naturally that they just enjoy being together. That was the case for me when I led reflections fn the (adult) are team of Good Shepherd’s youth ministry.

(They have a cuter logo of their sheep/shepherd but I couldnt find it!)

Angela Turner is the coordinator of youth ministry for the parish. We’ve known one another for close to 10 years. We met in Mobile, AL while taking courses in youth ministry from the Center for Ministry Development. Angela has been working for the parish for 15 or so years. Her joy is obvious. Her love of, and gratitude for the core group is touching–and reciprocated. There was a good energy among the team as we shared laughter, prayer, good food and reflection. They enjoy one another’s company and feel committed to the ministry they have with teens. Check out their website.

On Sunday, I spoke to 90 people–teens preparing for Confirmation and their sponsors. They seemed to listen well and get into the talk.

I did a few talks in the diocese of Hartford (CT) this April. Within a week of the talk, I got a call asking if I would be interested in coming back to speak to two groups of teens in the area- and one group had just heard me! We agreed on a September date.

The talks went well but what I was struck by were a few things:

+I had supper with 4 leaders from one of the parishes. I was inspired by their enthusiasm and their eagerness to “pick my brain.” (Later one of the leaders commented how curious the restaurant’s servers seemed. It looked like they were asking what I would have that would hold people’s attention in such a way.

+ I had lunch at a very neat diner called Shady Glen. I was a little shocked when they brought us water in a “dixie” cup…my face gave away my reaction.

The diner is also known for its crunchy fried cheese. You have to ‘’fold it over” to get it on your cheeseburger. A very quaint place! Kinda a throw-back to a simpler time.

+I got to visit with a former colleague, Shawnee Baldwin. She is youth ministry coordinator for the diocese of Hartford. We got to walk and catch up on life –always a super side benefit to the “work” I get to do.

Thanks to Gina from St. Dunstan’s and Eileen from St. Brigid’s for the invitation to return and for hospitality.

I enjoy hanging out with the folks in the diocesan office of youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Whenever I visit with Brian, Randy, Candy, Sandy, Luz and America, it is always a good experience. There’s plenty of laughter and I get to see what new programming they are doing.

My purpose in Houston was to facilitate an adult training on the topics of communication and group dynamics. We were a small group, numbering less than a dozen. Still, there were great questions, and a sincere desire to learn.

I also got to run into my first boss, George Laird. He serves as associate superintendent for Catholic schools there. He hired me to teach at Teurlings Catholic (my alma mater) in 1984. He recognized me and we had a short, but great chat.

I also had supper with a dear friend I’ve known for a while. That was “good for my soul.”

A life-giving trip all the way around.

Blog–September 1

Integrity. Big word. Deep stuff.

I had the privilege to speak to the student body of Garces Catholic High School in Bakersfield CA on this topic.

This wasn’t an easy talk for me because of the prep work around it. I always get kinda freaked out as I prepare talks because I think about how I’m doing on these same topics in my real everyday life. When you talk about “integrity”–walking the talk… Living a life that is undivided…practicing what I preach… I’m not excited to say that I’m an example of true integrity.

That’s somewhat sad but the good news is that through faith I, and all of us, can re-turn toward Jesus and gospel living. I think that’s called “continual conversion.”

Garces is a cool school; the 750 students there were into the talks (especially for it being the Friday before Labor Day). I’m grateful that Susan Rizo, campus minister, thought of me to do the day. It was a good opportunity for me to do some soul-searching and re-committing.