Recent youth events throughout the world! The following are short summaries of ACTS Evangelism and Worship ministry in conjunction with Sal Solo at various youth rallies, retreats, and other youth events.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Famine - Confirmation
Two events this past weekend. Firstly our 3rd or 4th annual 30 Hour famine in Romeoville, then a Confirmation Retreat in Chicago. How did they go? See for yourselves:
FOUR days of ministry and four days of travel in one eight day period and finally back home!
NEW JERSEY YOUTH RALLY The week ended with a big Pro-Life rally organized by the Salesian Fathers and Brothers. 5 dioceses across NJ participated, together with a small group from NY. Although they were in school groups, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of many as they ran up onto the stage for the upbeat songs. The whole audience listened with close attention throughout, with no sense of impatience or tiredness even after almost two hours - my computer clock was still on central time, so I did not realize I had run over! After nearly 8 years in the USA, this was the first time anyone had requested the Pro-Life message. It was very timely in a week when the Supreme Court upheld the ban on partial birth abortion. Fr. Steve the organizer said the audience was "captivated." He later wrote: "Sal did a masterful job. The way he used technology and clearly preached the life message to the young was amazing." However, the messages sent by some of the teens often speak louder: " i attended the pro-life rally at seaton hall on april 19, 2007. it was amazing. the facts and the information you provided us was touching. I have been in youth group for 4 years now and we never really touched the subject about aborstion. what you said made me feel like i want to go out there to the world and to my peers and preach about pro-life. i am now looking into the topic and deciding that thats what i want to do when i have enough info. i want the world to know that abortion is wrong and that takeing someone elses life away is not the right thing to do. i want to preach just like you did today. i am so thankfull that you were our main speaker. thanks you so much for inspiring me to do whats right and to get the word out there."
"I was at the youth ralley today in new jersey, excellent presentation, I definetly enjoyed it. I'm a fan of classix nouveaux so it was definetly a nice suprise to see you there. Definetly a big influence on me. Thank you so much, and it was good hearing you speak at the rally today."
"You are totally awesome and an inspiration to all!!! =]" The 'nun who used to be in a heavy metal band' that I often refer to in my talks was there. Her school group did an amusing skit about "Chastity Man" and she had her picture taken with me. All kudos to her and those who bring their school groups to this excellent event, and specially to the Salesians for their effort in putting it on, and raising the $20,000 it takes each year.
ST. BENEDICT's CHICAGO
Before taking the plan to NJ we had a Leadership Retreat for Juniors at this Chicago Catholic High School. They were led by an excellent group of seniors and responded positively to all elements of the retreat. In fact the scores on their evaluation forms were higher than typical Confirmation retreats, giving theree elements 9 out of 1o and 4 elements 8 out of 10, for a 8.42 average. Preparing them to be leaders in their senior year was best summed up by one boy who said "I am a leader when I know what to do and a follower when someone else knows better!"
Paul Bauer, my faithful technical assistant made this video:
Comments included:
Sal did a really good job! Especially making up the games. His message was really good and he should come back again. I love the music Good job, I really love your old music video I really enjoyed it! Amazing job! The games were tons of fun I really liked it a lot!!! You rock! SAN ANTONIO YOUTH EXPLOSION
The previous weekend, a two day conference in TX provided a model for other charismatic youth conferences, including our own in Chicago. They have formed a strong team of youth leaders in High School, and a couple in college. They are able to lead and ,otivate their peers in a way adults often cannot. During the weekend of the year they do retreats in various parishes, and so they are a well oiled machine when it comes to putting on their conference! A flood of MySpace requests and comments proceeded from this conference, such as these:
Hey Sal You were SOOOO Great In San Antonio, You really inspired me in so many ways and you touch my heart... when you were giving ur talks it made me think alot and I really like the fact of it.... Well hope to see you at next years youth explosion and god bless to you and urs!!!
i was at the comference in San Antonio, and i sat behind u once!!!!! i think you preach about God really well!!! ^__^ ~GoD rOx mY sOx~
I think that you where so awsome here in San Antonio exsplosion this weekend you where great. Hope to come agian
u were so awesome at the san antonio conference!!! i'd like to be at another conference with u there! it was so fun! ^__^
Hey just wanted to tell you that you were totally awesome this weekend in San Antonio!! This conference was really inspiring and I hope to go again next year!! Thanks for everything and keep it up!!
you were freakin awesome at the youth explosion this weekend.
u were amazing at the san antonio convention! i really enjoyed it
"You really were great at San Antonio! ^^ Your music was awesome and I really enjoyed it!"
I loved it when you came to the convention center in San Antonio for Youth Explosion!"
"Hey! i just saw u at uth xplosion in San Antonio u were awesome!
Walking into St. Monica's, I heard one girl say "He's cool, he has earrings!" Just shows how important small details can be to teens! The retreat brought together 50 8th graders from the school and the parish who might not have known each other, making the mixer games important. Staff from the parish and the school were all very friendly and welcoming, and appreciated us being there, as did the Pastor.
Before starting the program, the students filled out a couple of forms in preparation. One invited them to write down their gifts and ambitions. One boy wants to play in a heavy metal band - another wants to play World Cup Soccer. The other form is about what is important to them, and themes such as WHAT COLLEGE SHOULD I ATTEND, HOW FAR SHOULD I GO ON A DATE, and MAKING FRIENDS, were among the most common priorities.
The adult leaders commented that the kids were sharing and interacting well, and they responded positively and respectfully to the various talks, games, and activities. After the first session, the Deacon expressed his appreciation that the message is presented very much in the language of the teens. This was our 9th retreat of the past 3 months. Once again a number of Friend Requests on MySpace indicated the approval of the teens. Comments included:
thank you. iim from st.monica school. we had your retreat on wednesday. i had a blast
"doode! you are amazing! your retreat was fantastic.
The week ended with a big Pro-Life rally organized by the Salesian Fathers and Brothers. 5 dioceses across NJ participated, together with a small group from NY. Although they were in school groups, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of many as they ran up onto the stage for the upbeat songs. The whole audience listened with close attention throughout, with no sense of impatience or tiredness even after almost two hours - my computer clock was still on central time, so I did not realize I had run over!
