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.