Florida to Chicago

After returning from Crookston last week, we had just two days to prepare for another 5 days of ministry and 2 days travel.  In the last couple of years, we in ACTS, made a decision to concentrate on those who don't want to be there (Confirmation kids and now schools) rather than those who do (Youth Rallies). Lately we have been doing many Confirmation retreats but last week we had retreats for sophmores and juniors in a Florida Catholic School.  Beforehand I wondered what might be the difference in a group who are always together, used to following specific schedules and discipines etc.  For instance, would they be willing to enter into games?  Would they mix, or stick in their usual cliques?  Would they be willing to interact at all?

They gathered in the hall of an unfamiliar school and that might have helped them be prepared for something different.  They were somewhat inhibited in the mornings, but ready to enter into games and excercises much more enthusiastically in the afternoons.  The inclusion of a short rap show from Masheti Moses each day was well received by the students, even though some don't like rap.

On the evaluations, overall scores averaged 7 or 8 out of 10.  One teacher called the presentation "phenomenal" and one parent who came to help echoed the sentiment.  Comments from the teens included:

My outlook has changed quite a bit.  Thanks!
I LOVED the videos & message.  Also I enjoyed hearing from someone who had his own personal life changing experience.
Better than any other school retreat
Your talk affirmed me and my beliefs & brought to view many things I never thought of and really made me look, thank you so much.
This was the most meanignful retreat so far
Very cool media presentation - I liked the videos!

There were two or three hostile comments, which as a former Catholic school student myself, I would not find too surprising.  However we we didn't know until afterwards that not all students are Catholics, but some are Protestants, Jews, Hindus and Muslims.  It is quite possible that a Protestant may object to teachings about the Sacraments, while those of other religions may object to the idea that Jesus is the Only Way!

Immediately upon completing the second retreat, we had to pack up and fly back to Chicago for the CCRCC Conference.  Two new presentations were needed: THE WOMAN AT THE WELL for High School on Saturday morning, and MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU for Junior High on Saturday afternoon.  The latter was particularly well received, though some MySpace messages from older teens also came in:

"i liked your song this weekend they were great i liked them"

"hey sal i wanted to thank you for being at the confrence you were really good if i were to say you were the best my second favorite band is mashetimoses i listen to there cd all the way home thanks for coming "

On the Saturday night they had a Masheti Moses performance and the kids responded with excitement, and bought all his CDs!  Sunday morning we brought in another new guest - Rob K from Spirit Juice, a Catholic Radio program.  He showed some vieos and seemed another hit with the kids.  Special guest was Fr. Stan Fortuna from NY, and we followed with a slideshow from the weekend, which allowed the kids to see themselves and recall the various activities.  Despite the heavy snowfall, it seems a good weekend was had by all.

Crookston MN

This was the first Diocesan sponsored Junior High Rally for Crookston, and seems to have been a great success. Already the Youth Director, asked if we can return for a summer camp. With snow covering the landscape in a town called Ada, the locals said it was "warm", (at least compared to usual!) Anyway, the reception and the people certainly were warm.

Theme of the day was "Discovering the Way", accenting that Jesus is the Way. A great team of older teen leaders served as MCs, musicians, and opended with a skit illustrating all the peer pressure to follow the crowd.

Next came our Evang-a-Ganza with many new videos that have not been seen before at a youth rally. Of course most of them had never seen any of them before, and for those younger kids, it may have been the first time they ever had such a faith experience. As usual they were up on the stage for the popular songs, and when invited to receive prayer, they all stood up. The Youth Director commented that for most of them it would have been something new for them to raise their hands in praise. Later he told them this was one of the most powerful keynotes he ever witnessed.
The Bishop arrived for Mass and during his homily, he turned to me and said "I didn't hear you, but I heard good things about you!" Though he is close to retirement, he spoke about iPods and internet, confirming the message we keep hearing that the tech language of today's youth seems to have taken over their lives.

For dinner they had to split into two groups, and so I had half of them at a time for some games and activities, including a whole bunch of Minnesota American Idol wannabbes! The day ended with a dance and our favorite Catholic DJ Bill Lage. We last worked with him in the Diocese of Winona, and he leads the kids in actions to all the songs. He also told the kids that last time I had encouraged him to play more Christian music.

Though younger kids are often limited in their access to the net, first internet messages came in quickly: "Hey i was just at the rally in crookston good show" and "you should really come back to ada borup, you were great. and i really liked your guitar." Thanks for your prayerful support.

VIDEO BLOGS

Blogs of latest events are now up on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=627680526C6967AA