Youth Ministry

So with the coming of may, comes the time for evaluating, planning, and budgeting... and dreaming? On monday our staff got to have our own personal retreat which was wonderful. Often times in life, in many ways, we all give of ourselves but take little time to receive and just keep going on empty. We focused on the fundamentals of our christian faith of contemplation, call to communion with one another, and mission. It truly was a great day to recharge, fill up the spiritual gas tank and be renewed in energy and passion.

One of the key messages from the last keynote was on dreams. The idea being that often the inspirations of the Holy Spirit given to us in the inner desires of our heart, is not meant for us alone. Often we squash a dream because we can't see ourselves achieving it, but what if it was for another - or for someone to help you complete? To give respect to God I think we need to be fair and share our dreams, speak up, and take courage knowing that the Lord says, "my ways higher than your ways" (Isaiah 55:9).

So I thought to myself, what do you want to see from the YMO office next year? What are your dreams for the Diocese? It is not that I have found millions of dollars but before I begin leading our team into praying and discerning our priorities in the coming years, I'm curious what you think the Diocesan youth and young adults NEED, and what are your DREAMS for them.

Going forth the desire is to have a Youth Ministry Office that is relevant, effective, and cutting edge in equipping others to help respond to the needs of the Church in the 3rd millennium. As it is not ministry if it is not needs based... after all, Jesus didn't die for us because we were saints...yet...

What do you see as concerning needs among yourselves and the youth in your family, community, school/college, parish? How can the YMO better serve the Body of Christ? We cannot do everything, but we can do something well.

So DARE to DREAM, and better yet, DARE TO SHARE! Dream BIG and share with us by messaging me on facebook, commenting below or email youthmin@saskatoonrcdiocese.com. There is always going for coffee, I especially love coffee with a newborn taking all his sleep! This only works when your voice is heard. So speak up!

Peace to you all,

-Colm

Check o ut this sweet opportunity! 

Entering its eleventh year, Youth Speak News mentors young people with an interest in media to develop their skills in a faith context. YSN offers its team members regular online workshops in different aspects of journalism and an opportunity to be become a published author in the pages of The Catholic Register and this web site. This team has become an important outreach for The Catholic Register and has helped foster greater awareness of youth issues within the church in Canada.

Through the YSN program, youth will:

• Receive hands-on training in Catholic news media

• Gain an understanding of news production for newspapers, television and the web

• Produce high quality articles and opinion pieces suitable for portfolios

• Attend an expenses-paid weekend in Toronto for instruction, fellowship and fun

• Help people in youth ministry by sharing their own stories or ministry practices, either through the pages of The Register or online discussion groups.

How to apply: 

Nomination letter

We ask each applicant to submit a nomination letter by a youth minister, pastor, or teacher who can vouch that the applicant has a demonstrated interest in media and communications and is a committed Catholic.

Resume

Application form

Questions? E-mail Carolyn Girard at carolyng@catholicregister.org.

This is Sr. Evelyn coming to you from the Discernment House. We are trying something new, and are having a Personal History Discernment weekend in May this year. For those of you who have had difficulty getting to the other ones between assignments, papers, exams, etc perhaps this one might work. If you have already made this retreat please feel free to pass it on to anyone you know who may be interested or might find this helpful. 

The Personal History weekend is a great opportunity to look at your own personal life; your relationships with yourself, others, the Church and God, the events etc which have fashioned you into who you are today. Through a process of journaling you will come to discern how God is calling you in your faith journey with Him. It is a great weekend to bring together all your life experiences and look at how you can move forward with it into the future. If you are trying to discover how God has always been a part of your life and how he is calling you to respond to His Will at this time I encourage you to come to this weekend. 


Here is the specific info. 
When: Friday, May 14th (beginning at 7:00 pm) to Sunday, May 16th (ending with noon meal.) 
Where: 851 University Drive, Saskatoon 
Cost: Recommended offering $40.00 (This includes accommodations, meals, and retreat) 
Please invite any friends you think may be interested. 

It would be greatly appreciated if you could respond to this email whether or not you are able to come, as I will be following up those I have not heard from with a phone call. Hope you can make it! It is always a great time! 

If you have any questions we can be reached at 244-0726 Sr. Evelyn/Sr. Mary Jane. If there is no answer just leave a message and one of us will get back to you asap. 

P.S. Goodluck with exams/work and have a blessed Easter season! 

Peace in Christ,

-Sr. Evelyn 


Check out our exciting website at http://www.presentationofmary.ca 

Hey Everyone,

So I've broken my pledge since lent to post something more regularly, but this time I have good reason! The Circle of Life! And no, it is not because of an extended marathon of the Lion King, which reminds me of this.  Awesome.

No, as much as I love Elton John, nothing matches the love that has flowed since the birth of my first child; beautiful Jacinta Mary-Luisa Leyne! Being a new parent has definitely been a world changing experience 8 days in, and undoubtedly is just the beginning. And THAT is precisely the best part to me. 

I mean finding out we were expecting in Fatima, Portugal, home to the three little shephards (Francesco, JACINTA, and Lucia) in the homeland of my wife's family was awesome. Having 9 months to marvel at life growing inside the womb, with kicks, pokes, and spins and hiccups providing wonder and awe and laughter will be cherished forever. To a wonderful experience of her birth on DIVINE MERCY Sunday and the feast day of St. Gemma, namesake of her grandmother another great experience. But what I relish the most - is what is, and what is to come. This last week has reminded me truly of God's unending mercy and life giving love. Moreover, the need for us to be amazed by the life giving moments around us all the time. How many times do I grumble each morning when its cloudy, snowing (especially in April!) or have negative thoughts throughout my day? How often do I consciously give thanks. I try for 5 times a day. Every morning I say a short prayer of praise and offering, one at night with my wife, and hopefully during 3 meals throughout the day. Sure, we could try to go all day and be awesome saints, but I just want to be better than I was yesterday. I think that's how we become saints, not by being perfect for 1 entire day, but being better than the day before.

The amount of new experiences one shares in new life is astounding! The first strolls, diaper changes, smiles, hiccups, first family photo, first meeting with Grandparents and cousins, it goes on and on. But how many more are in store! It only made me think of how I live my christian life personally and as a family.

The LORD needs not to work in great sweeping moments of miracles and apparitions all the time to show us his mercy and goodness. To live a faith dependent on them is not a deepening faith. Thomas was a faithful and good follower of Christ. But remember Christ's words that "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:29  - It is good for us to believe in our every day experiences; connecting them to what we have seen and heard growing up in the faith. What we hear and proclaim on Sunday we must recognize and celebrate throughout the week. 

I remember the first evening with Jacinta she was crying and so I took her and just held her, face to face for over two hours. Neither of us slept, but just stared into each other's eyes. In those silent moments, all I could do is praise God seeing the wonders of his work joined with our efforts. Bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh I kept thinking from scripture. I am so profoundly thankful for the grace to see the beauty that God wished to give to us and care for. It is my mission of thanks to care well, and bring her back to Heaven as beautiful as I found her so that one day I might hear; "well done good and faithful servant".

"But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31 

So, let us believe through what we experience each and every day. Try to take some quiet time each day to reflect where you are in that circle of life; and nurture that attitude of gratitude. It may be as marvelous as a new child, or as simple as a sunny day - the point is we give thanks. There is much to be concerned about these days in the world, the church especially and it pains me to the core. But that is why now more than ever the need to love and give thanks grows even greater. Do not cherish it alone in your hearts, but let us fill the world with headlines of GOOD NEWS of what God has done. 

After all Lent was 40 days, Easter is 50. Take that despair!