My wife Marlene and I flew out last night to Las Vegas, carying 6 large bags–our clothes and tee shirts, playing cards, buttons , pens and pads –to go to the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry. This event happens every other year. It is for the adults who work in youth ministry . It’s always a joy to be with friends from across the country…people who are on the front lines of working with teens and sharing faith with them.

We arrived late last night at the host hotel, the Riviera in Las Vegas. We were pleasantly surprised to find out we were given a suite.

Today Marlene set up my booth (will try to get some photos up soon) while I went to a retreat with 14 other “itinerant” ministers; that is, people who travel most of the time in their ministry to teens. Gene Monterestelli of APeX, led a good day for those of us who travel. The day included thoughts on vocation, joy, the anatomy of a call and even some nuts and bolts of traveling ministry. Good people and good food for thought.

(Gene as a menacing eagle man? Don’t ask. He’s different but man he’s got great insights and super connecting abilities with so many people….a true bridge builder. Thanks Gene for ministering to me today.)

The actual conference begins tomorrow. I’ll blog more when I can.