The diocesan World Youth Day Rally in Omaha was an awesome day for me. Rita Ramos, diocesan director of youth ministry, invited me to be there with 500 teens. Our theme was “Catholic to the Core”–and these teens were.

I heard their questions and answers about our Catholic faith and I was so impressed with them. They really are curious about what we believe and why we believe it. It really gave me a sense of pride and hope in working with them.

The other keynote address was given by Sarah Bauer. She is very talented and a delightful, fresh, real new voice and witness for Catholic teens, who is very much Catholic to the core.

I also got to visit with Mike Carotta, who is another one of my “ministry giants.” He has done so much for Catholic youth and those who work with them. He makes me think, he helps me to laugh and he’s been a big support to me in the 25 or so years that we have known one another.

Eighty junior girls. Nope, not a nightmare of Meg’s next birthday party. Just an annual blessing for me as I get to lead their day long retreat on friendship.

Of course, it’s great for me to reflect on my human friendships but it is also a wonderful time for me to reflect and give thanks for the friendship/relationship I have with God.

It’s super to listen to teens talk about friendships/relationships–what makes them work, what cripples them and why they matter. Teens remind me of the joy and the work of these building blocks of life.

The girls are also working through having to deal with an upcoming school merger with Blenk High School next year. That means this group will be part of the first senior class of the new high school. I know that has to be challenging- but from what I saw of these young ladies, I think they have what it takes to lead through this transition.

Quest is a faith-sharing event for teens held every other year in the Archdiocese of Louisville. I put in the bold italics because it’s different from every other rally or youth event that I do. There is a very strong focus on discussion groups. It’s almost a cross between a retreat and a rally.

This year’s theme was “Cast Your Nets into the Deep” (a cool theme, well decorated).

Over 300 teens attended but what really blew me away was the sharing from a 22 year old young man who is autistic and has cerebral palsy. He shared his story and his accomplishments (some simple, some very ambitious as well). There are few times when I feel “intimidated” to get up in front of a group to speak. That night was one of them. How could I follow a testimony like that? I’m sometimes called a motivational or inspirational speaker but that young man truly is. I realized that any, and all, of my excuses about any of my obstacles are really petty.

Another treat was to get 20 minutes with one of the giants in ministry (in my mind)…Brian Reynolds. Brian works for the diocese in a tough position but is such a class act. He was a trend setter and leader in youth ministry for years and now continues that as a lay leader and diocesan
administrator. He sat in on the last part of a workshop I did for adults (no pressure there –to have one of your heroes sitting in) and we chatted afterward. Very encouraging and heartwarming especially at the end of a nine day road trip.

Many thanks to Dr. Carole Goodwin and Aaron Jahn (of the youth ministry office) for inviting me- my soul was touched at Quest!

I feel God’s spirit around me and within me in a powerful way whenever I go to Wisconsin. That’s been true for the Diocese of Green Bay and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Last year, I spoke for the Office of Lifelong Formation’s Catechetical Conference and it went well enough that the Office of Catholic Schools wanted to bring me in for their one day Conference. Laurie Kish (young adult ministry) asked if I’d be willing to come a few days before because she felt she could get some parishes who would be interested in having me speak while I was in the area.

Man, did she ever! I spoke to parish catechists in two different regions, DREs, parents, school faculties, and junior high students. So I was kept out of trouble…that’s for sure.

A great week for me. My favorite presentation was the one on Tuesday: “When Fred Sanford Met Jackie Chan and They Met Hawkeye Pierce” –that ought to make you wonder!

Thanks to Laurie as well as to Randy Nohl for their invitation and their serving as “tour promoters” and transportation roadies.

I spent the weekend with over 70 adults (volunteer and paid) who work with teens in the diocese of Belleville. It was their first such gathering and I was flattered to be a part of it. The theme was “Keep the Flame Burning.”

Colette Kennett has served the diocesan youth ministry office for 25 years. She is such a gracious person and so believes in her adults…you can hear her pride and passion for them whenever she talks about them. After meeting, talking with, and laughing with them, I can see why. You can feel their passion and sense their dedication to being faith companions with young people.

And they are pretty intense about the St. Louis Cardinals! We watched game 2 of the World Series and I took credit for “praying” them to a win! (Not true, but looks good on the resume’.)

(my parting gift: a Cardinal’s tee shirt….aaargh…I had to mention I was a Cubs fan.)

Susan Dorfmeister and Kevin Daugherty lead the youth office in the diocese of Dallas.

(Cindy–office secretary, Tammy–former parish youth minister and current youth speaker, Susan–office director and Kevin–associate director)

They asked me to come in and do a short workshop for youth ministers about the importance of not becoming myopic about our youth work in light of the church’s larger mission. They also referred me to a pastoral letter from Bishop Edward Braxton of Belleville IL where he speaks of a “decline of common meaning.”

I chose the imagery of targets and arrows. Are we locked into programs and texts (arrows) more than we are the bigger picture or “punch lines” of all our work?

Susan and Kevin decorated the room accordingly. I always enjoy working in Dallas; they do such a good job in “setting the bar” and in paying attention to detail.

The workshop was challenging because it was a little more on the theoretical side than what I usually do. It was also tough because there was a wide scope of ministry experience in that room. Still, it was a good stretch for me.

A side note: I love when ministers choose to voluntarily get together to socialize or support one another. There’s a group of 8-10 young women in youth ministry who pray and discuss their work. While I was in Dallas, Susan playfully “commissioned” them “the order of the flip flops” for their preferred footwear. Tres chic!

I spent a long weekend in Nashville. The first part of the weekend was the diocesan youth rally. Over one hundred teens came together to celebrate the theme, “Live Out Loud.”

It was great for me to be with Sally Corby; she and I know each other from working in diocesan youth offices. She’s been in that work in Nashville for over a dozen years. She’s loved by many because she is the ‘’face” of the office.

I got to meet the new associate director, Kevin Edwards. He is returning home to Nashville after going to college and teaching out in California. I was impressed with his energy, his openness and his rapport with teens.

The rally was held at Holy Family Church in Brentwood TN. A colleague in ministry who works at the parish, Harvey Carter, invited me to come to speak at the weekend masses as well as to speak at a Generations of Faith session on the Monday night. Over 300 folks turned out.

I am impressed by many things in this parish. First, the physical plant is amazing.

When I first saw it, I thought it was a mega-church for another denomination! It is a wonderful place for worship and community for this rapidly growing suburb of Nashville. Secondly, as is the case in many parishes in my travels, I am so impressed by the adults who are paid staff. Father Ed Alberts has some first class people working with him. I especially enjoyed the “informal workshop” with the Generations of Faith team after the presentation. Special thanks to Catherine Birdwell, Janis Lovecchio and Harvey for all they did to make this event happen and for wonderful hospitality.

It’s always a treat to visit with friends when I travel. I got to see 2 students from my teaching time at St. Thomas More High School (in Lafayette). It was super to have lunch with Elizabeth and her sons as well as to see Jenny and her young family. I also got to visit with Therese Williams, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the diocese. I enjoy her energy and it was an added benefit to a great trip.

The Windy City.
The Sears Tower. The Blues Brothers. Da Bears.
And, of course, my beloved Cubs. (Ironically, I’ve been to Chicago four times in the last year and have seen not a single Cubs’ games. Something intrinsically wrong with that. Not with being a Cubs’ fan, but with being a fan and not seeing a game. Poor scheduling on my part, I suppose.) Was in town when they announced Dusty Baker, a guy I like, was fired. Should have at least let them know I was in town in case they wanted to interview me. to be the next manager.

But I digress…

Some youth leaders invited me to come in for 3 days of different chats with teens and coaches.

My first night I spoke to some energetic junior high students at St. Celestine’s. They had so much energy; they wore me out! A side note: I did this talk wearing a way- too- small White Sox jersey under my shirt because I lost a bet with the parish youth minister, Kim McMillan. (I let my Cubs would heat her White Sox in their cross-town series this summer. A painful loss!)

I got to speak to teens three more times in the next 2 days. Kim Madonia had me come out to her (two) parishes.

(Kim Madonia and me)

Two groups were junior high students in the Catholic schools. The last group was about 20 high school students and I really enjoyed their company. Kim took me to a great Oriental restaurant called Chi Tung. Awesome!

I also spoke to 2 groups of coaches while I was in the area. This was a treat for me, because one of the things I miss most, in my post Katrina world, is my direct (limited) involvement in athletics. We talked about the challenges of coaching with Christian values and how that really is counter-cultural.

It was a great way to start October–even if the Cubs aren’t playing.

Oh. Kim? Just wait till next year. You’ll look cute in Cubbie blue.