Support Katie's Habit

I am proud to support this cause and encourage you, if you're able, to support as well. Check out Katie's blog, "Support Katie's Habit," about her road towards nun-dom. (She has to eliminate her student debt in order to enter the convent.) Then contact me (or Katie, or Erin H or Meghan M) about ways you can help. Donations of cash are accepted on the website, or you can donate items or time to the BINGO Fundraiser on Apr. 17. Suggested donation items are below. Thanks!

Consider donating:

• Food (like snacks--chips, pretzels, salsa--or baked goods)


• Auction items (event tickets, themed baskets like Wine&Cheese or Movie Night, restaurant or retail gift cards)


• Beer, soda, wine


• Time -- we're happy to have helpers (who know stuff about Bingo, or can help decorate, clean up, etc)


• PRAYERS - it's easy and good for you! (and for Katie!)

Lent 2007

With some guidelines, and a lot of creativity, I managed to produce only this much garbage in my 40-day Lenten journey.

For Lent a couple years ago, I gave up garbage. I know that sounds like a crazy, impossible undertaking, but Lent, for me, is about pushing yourself, re-evaluating, putting your existence into a greater context, a context in which Christ chose you to save. So I did some thinking, set some goals and some helpful guidelines, and got myself a garbage bag.

Guidelines included:

• Produce as little garbage as possible
• All garbage (defined as non-recyclable, non-reusable) must go into The Bag*
• The Bag must be carried at all times and serves to a) motivate me to produce no waste, b) stimulate conversation with others who can learn about protecting the planet
• *the exception is Biohazard. Anything that would cause illness to myself or others had to be disposed of properly (i.e. composted, flushed)

Things I learned to do:

• always take reusable bags to retail and grocery stores
• re-use plastic produce bags
• buy in bulk (less packaging then)
• buy from Farmers Markets (easier to bring-your-own-bag and cut down on packaging)
• take tupperware to restaurants to avoid styrofoam
• ask cinema concession workers to put your popcorn in that bag I brought from home
• stop using q-tips :(
• ask relatives NOT to gift wrap my bridal shower gifts...awkward, but necessary and rewarding
• take a towel into a public restroom to avoid using paper towels
• use a hankie
• buy the item that is most biodegradable or least packaged
• compost, compost, compost (and worms are your best friends)
• take only what you can eat
• Never, ever, ever drink bottled water
• don't buy new stuff; buy used! or swap crap with your friends! Think about it: You can probably share luggage or a lawnmower...why does every household "need" one?

I also spent a lot of time reading up on recycling, landfills, scarce resources...educating myself helped me educate others, gave me lots of food for thought, and made me appreciate the things I have, and freed me from wanting (most of) the things I don't. Admittedly, I still love receiving re-usable grocery bags. I like having a variety to choose from when shopping.

In Memory of a Role Model

In my theology studies at Aquinas, I've been reading a lot about living as your truest self. I've also been reflecting frequently on who my truest self is. Thanks to the friends who've patiently suffered my questioning and advice-seeking. Something that Parker Palmer writes in Let Your Life Speak reminded me: you may see lots of people you want to be, whose gifts you wish were your gifts, but you are called as a uniquely gifted person to be only yourself.

A role model of mine passed away last week and his absence strikes me. His example, however, is so pure that I feel like I can honor him best, not by imitating him, but by digging for, cultivating and propagating my own gifts. I know he would appreciate that gardening metaphor. Henri Nouwen wrote that "death bears fruit in many lives," and that "you and I have to trust that our short little lives can bear fruit far beyond the boundaries of our chronologies. But we have to choose this and trust deeply that we have a spirit to send that will bring joy, peace, and life to those who will remember us...How different would our life be if we could but believe that every little act of faithfulness, every gesture of love, every word of forgiveness, every little bit of joy and peace will mutiply as long as there are people to receive it..." Darrell lived in the trust and hope that his love was merely God's, reflected to the world, and that his legacy would live on, as one of many who worked in God's name.

Darrell was diagnosed with leukemia four weeks before he died, but even in the hospital, he lived the Gospel, radically--from his very roots. Some visitors recall him thus:“He retold his conversion experience working with the very poor in Recife, Brazil. He spoke with quiet passion and a voice choked with emotion and tears about the meaning of Jesus to him and to his life since that experience: Jesus' great love for the poor and needy, for the forgotten and abandoned; Jesus' message of acceptance and freedom, peace and nonviolence; Jesus' message in our time of care for the earth. He spoke with deep regret, yet without bitterness or blame, of how we have still not heard, known, and lived Jesus as He truly is.”

The challenge

While "working" on Facebook, I ran across the status of my friend, another youth minister.

Mary is trying to use Final Cut Pro to make a version of Donnie Darko that's edited for the kids.

It's particularly funny because, once again, it's the time of year for Confirmation candidates to make their "day of reflection" retreat. I work with a team that facilitates just such a retreat. For the past few years, I've been tasked with finding video clips which stimulate discussion about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, like Courage and Right Judgment. Lots of movies could fit that criterion, but, alas, they must be unoffensive (to youth and their chaperones, a near-impossible task), clear, brief...Furthermore, based on adult evaluations, they must not involves witches, witchcraft, or sorcery. So Harry Potter is out. But, by those standards, so are the G-rated films Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Nanny McPhee. Or the PG Princess Bride.

We've tried to apply our own rules like "permitted for viewing by adults and adolescents by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Film and Broadcasting." Apparently, while the good bishops saw no major problems with The Devil Wears Prada, the chaperones were less forgiving. By the way, the bishops mention no objection to magic or wizardry in Harry Potter.

It's challenging. It's frustrating, and sometimes aggravating. Ministers are asked to catechize youth in the teachings of the Church. We are asked to reach out to young people in their element, which means engaging them in discussion about music, clothes, movies, socializing. And yet, we're asked not to get too real. Sure, they've all seen Harry Potter and The Devil Wears Prada, but that was in their secular lives. This is their church life and it should be naively pious, even if it means isolation or willful ignorance. Why equip kids with the moral and intellectual tools observe, question and challenge their own culture, when you can just show them The Song of Bernadette from 1943 and then have a nice, innocuous, vapid discussion on French saints?

There's lots of room for talking about Christian identity--saints, apostles, sacraments and all. But if we can't make ministry relatable and relevant, what's the point? We're not raising youth to be hermits. We're raising them to be conscientious adults, formed by the world in which they live, and informed by the values of the discipleship.

Mary, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. The Mormons used to offer edited movies at CleanFlicks.com but apparently the copyright people weren't pleased. Now they offer rental services for movies that do not include nudity, profanity and violence. So that should give you a stock of about 6 movies to choose from. (They do offer Harry Potter and The Princess Bride!)

This is not a peace sign

A bloody end to another peace-less year. The perennial tension in Israel-Palestine has broken into violence once again. Here, Palestinian protestors flash victory signs and chant anti-Israeli slogans. Both sides are launching missiles and young men, both Israeli and Palestinian, are seen on the streets throwing rocks at police forces. Please keep the people of Gaza in your prayers, along with the aid workers, world politicians and UN officials, that they may work diligently to find a common path to peace.

Advent

God, in God's wisdom, has gifted me with living in St. Louis. I love this city and treasure it as my chosen home. While at college, the Arch always welcomed me home and certainly stirred my heart whenever I neared it--almost there! Finally, I've put down roots and can claim the city as my own. The city holds many of the things I love--people, places, food! And a most permanently vital feature: I also have the pleasure of crossing the Mississippi River twice a day (or more), a feat that still amazes me. This is a river with a history and meaning that run deeper than its waters. Today, I welcomed a stupendous sight. The cold weather has caught up with the mighty river and there were ice floes among the barges this morning. Photographer Bob captured this photo and was kind enough to let me show you. This is my (frozen, frosty) city, no less beautiful in the dead of winter than it is in full spring bloom.

As Advent draws to a close and we make our final preparations to welcome the Light into the world, let us embrace the gray twilight and take stock of our blessings. They are present, even in shadow. The light is on the horizon! Come, Emmanuel.

A Prayer

One of the Christmas activities our Youth Min staff oversees is a Peace Prayer Tree. Children are invited to write a prayer for peace in the world. It's not unusual to get indecipherable scribbles or prayers like "Jesus, I would give you a football." Here's a gem. In case you can't read it:

Our

father hoo

wort in heven

I will be my

name my

kingdom

kom I

My favorite is "I will be my name." I like to pretend that this kid is familiar with Moses and the burning bush.

Merry Christmas!