Details

• Date: Saturday, March 31st
• Location: St. Joseph Cathedral Parish Hall
• Time: 10am – 4pm (includes lunch)
• Cost: Free

Who Should Come?

Registration

Of all the things I love to share with non-Catholics, why I love my Mother Mary is close to the top of the list. Many people don’t understand her and why we love her so much. Why do we as Catholics honor, love and venerate our Mother Mary so deeply? The first answer to this question is because Jesus did. The Gospel of Luke 1:48 says, “Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.” Any time the Bible uses the word “behold” it means pay attention because what is about to be said is very important. Mary knew she was called by God to be the Mother of Jesus. If Jesus chose to be born into this world through Mary how much more do you and I, “all generations”, need her to help us draw closer to Christ in our daily lives.

The second reason we love Mary so much is because she was given to us as a gift. When Jesus was dying on the Cross He chose to give us an incredible gift. He could have given us any gift, but the Gospel of John tells us He gave us the gift of a Mom:

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”

Let us follow St. John’sexample and take Mary into the home of our hearts.

• Hang a picture of Mary in your room and ask her daily to help you.
• Pray three Hail Mary’s daily asking her to be with you and to protect your mind, your heart and your body. St. Anthony ofPadua,St.Alphonsus Liguori and St. Leonard of Port Maurice did.
• When others ask you or challenge you on “why” you need a heavenly Mom share with them the following Scripture passages:

John 19:25-27

Luke 1:48

Genesis 3:14-15

Printable Version

Two page condensed to be used a parish bulletin inserts, handouts, etc.

Download Here

Articles Included in this Newsletter

Online Only

• We Yearn for Something Greater by Dr. Chris Burgwald (full article)

Included in Printable Newsletter

• Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children by Eric Gallagher
• Anyone? Anyone? by Katie Mellor
• We Yearn for Something Greater by Dr. Chris Burgwald

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So why is this such a tough item to tackle for those working with your children? I have worked with hundreds of youth and had thousands of conversations with them helping them to fight through the difficulties of being a faithful Catholic youth in today’s society.  To be blunt though, the majority of the problems that I have seen youth struggling with do not deal with the stresses of school or friendships.  When we get down to it, it has to do with the desire to be in a deeper relationship with their parents and/or siblings. At those times, my job is to simply give them some tools to help them build up those relationships.  I always strive to help them see the difficulties of being a parent. Even this summer, I had a few conversations with youth where the basic point was “maybe your parents are not aware that you need this from them.”  I encouraged the youth to talk to their parents and I pray for them and their parents, that they will grow together in love.

For those of you who are also longing for this deeper relationship with your child, let me provide a few tips. These tips come straight from my experience in ministry with youth in our Diocese. They will not only help you in your relationship with your children but will allow those adults who are partnering with you in this ministry to help lead your family closer and closer to heaven.

Give Them Your Time

Simple. Just do it.

Reconcile Your Role as Parent

The Catechism says “By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them.”  Parents must be real and teach their children the difficult path of being a Christian (CCC 2223).

You Must Be Fed

You can not give what you do not have. Get involved and find time to learn and grow in your own faith.  Go to parish events or read books on the saints with them.  Pray with them regularly. It is ok to admit you are learning with them!

Pray & Hang In There

It is not easy but the Church is there to partner with you in getting you and your family to heaven.  Cling to prayer and the sacraments and embrace all that the Church has to offer you.

Have any thoughts or other ways (especially specific to our Diocesan area) that you think may be helpful?  Please share below.

Pope Benedict’s message is an extended meditation and reflection on the theme of this year’s World Youth Day, a theme taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Catholics in Colossae (in the southwestern part of modern-day Turkey): “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (Colossians 2:7). He begins by noting that young people desire more; young people want “something great, something new.” He writes that “part of being young is desiring something beyond everyday life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater.”

Again, while this is indicative of youth, I think it applies to those of us whose teens and twenties are behind us; we, too, desire more. Perhaps we are less free than young people to act upon that desire, but it is a desire that remains in us nonetheless.

And that, frankly, is part of the Holy Father’s point: a desire for more, a desire in fact for the infinite is part of being human… it is hardwired in us. We have been created by God with an infinite desire, and in the end, only that which is infinite can fulfill our desire: God Himself. Pope Benedict quotes the great early church bishop and theologian St. Augustine, who said to God, “our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.” The great irony of a society which seeks to remove God from our awareness is that God alone is the one who fulfills us, who can satisfy our hunger for love, joy and peace.

This relates closely to another point that Benedict makes, a point which he’s been making his entire life as a Catholic priest, professor, bishop, cardinal and especially as pope: being Christian, being Catholic isn’t only about believe in certain things, certain truths… it’s above all about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He writes this about the Christian faith: “It is an encounter with the Son of God that gives new energy to the whole of our existence. When we enter into a personal relationship with him, Christ reveals our true identity and, in friendship with him, our life grows towards complete fulfilment.”

I get the sense that people are more used to language like this coming from evangelical Protestants than from the Pope, but the fact remains that this, Benedict is telling us, is what it means to be Catholic: to know and love Jesus Christ.

You remember the scene where the boring economics teacher drones on and on.  “In 1930, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the… Anyone? Anyone?… the Great Depression, passed the… Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?… raised tariffs, in an effort to collect more revenue for the federal government. Did it work? Anyone?”

The reference was effective with me, but was totally lost on our teen. It got her attention, but failed to really communicate.  As faith-filled adults, we have really important things to pass on to our teens, things that will keep them safe and help them live a Christ-centered life … and help them get to Heaven!  Along with praying that our young people have a heart receptive to the Good News of the Gospel (Luke 8:4-15), what else can we do?

Raising awareness is the first step, but alone is not enough.  Here are some overlooked steps to truly effective communication:

Understanding.

Kids need to understand the information in the message.  Our teen didn’t get the “Anyone? Anyone?” lines, until we filled her in on the scene from the movie.  Sometimes kids need a little more information, the kind that puts things into context.

Commitment.

Once they understand it, they must commit to doing something with the information.  We can’t assume that just because they are aware and understand that they will move to action. Nurture commitment.

Action.

Teens take action based on the information they have committed themselves to. See where commitment helped these teens take saintly action. Read about Saints that were teens. http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay0901.asp

Appreciation.

Yes, take hope in the fact that teens “get it”. They appreciate information delivered in a way that’s easy, quick and understandable.

Now with the help of God, to empower you; be bold about speaking of your faith and do his will.  “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, but the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

Online registrations close at 8am on October 1st.  Registrations will still be accepted through our office until Friday, October 7th at 4:00pm.  You may register or make changes to previous registrations by calling (605-988-3766) or emailing (mandersen@sfcatholic.org) before October 7th at 4:00pm.  Please include your parish information when emailing or calling.  Registrations received after October 1st will be $35/student ($5 more).

Dates

Junior High – October 9th, 2011
High School – November 6th, 2011

Both rallies are held at Huron High School

Registrations

Youth may only register through the parish.  Parish staff and youth workers may call Mary Andersen for the password to register online 605-988-3766.  Paper registration forms are available upon request.

Junior High Rally Online Registration
High School Rally Online Registration 

One Day Consent Form (for parish use)

Who is Going to be There?

Sean Dalton – Keynote Speaker

Leah Darrow – Keynote Speaker

Promotional Materials

Youth Rally Flyer

Helpful Information

• Cost:
  • The total cost for the Rallies are $30 per youth. $35 after registration deadline, if space allows. Lunch and Dinner are included in the registration costs.
  • One adult for every eight youth is required.  Adults attend for free but must be registered.
• Who Can Go?
  • Junior High – students currently in 6th through 8th grade.
  • High School – student currently in 9th through 12th grade
• Times
  • Both rallies start at 10:30am with registration open at 10:00am
  • Rallies end with Mass & supper around 6:30pm
• Other
  • The adult ratio of 1 per 8 youth is required
  • All participants must be pre-registered.
  • Parishes are responsible for youth consent forms. (print form here)
  • Registration fees are non-refundable.
• Print Tentative Schedule

For any questions, please contact Mary at 605-988-3766

Past Youth Rally Guests

• 2010
  • Junior High - Popple & Deacon Ralph Poyo
  • High School - Sonar & Deacon Ralph Poyo
• 2009
  • Chris Stefanick
  • Chris Padgett

D-Camp (Discipleship Camp) is our Diocesan summer youth camp.  Junior High and High School youth come together for four days of faith and fun.  During the day you will hear talks to help you grow in your faith, bond with a small group of other teens, compete in all-camp Olympic games, have the chance to go to Mass, Confessions, and Adoration, and meet lots of new friends!

Dates

High School Camps

July 9-12 & July 16-19, 2012

Junior High Camp

July 23-26, 2012

Location

Broom Tree Youth & Family Camp

Registration

Register Online – Printable Registration

Promotional Materials

• Print Full Color Flyer

Counselor Applications

• Counselor Application – Those who will have graduated high school.
• Junior Counselor Application – Those going into 11th and 12th grade.

History of D-Camp

D-Camp was started in 1988.

FAQ

Q. Can a high school youth register for both camps?

A. No. We are glad you are asking, but not this time.

Q. How can I be a counselor/junior counselor for camp?

A. We have a formal application process to be a counselor or junior counselor at camp.  Our greatest need is for counselors to help with the junior high camp.  An application can be downloaded above.

Check Out The Promo Video!

A few notes:

• Spots will be filled on a first come first served basis.
• There are less spots available in July then other weeks.
• The first week is intern week.  You get two teams for the price of one if you receive this week.
• Thank you for supporting Totus Tuus in our Diocese!

Answer: Yes & No

Both words refer us to something or someone that is uncorrupted.  But there is a discernable distinction that is important to understand, especially for us parents and those who work with youth.

na•ive – means lacking worldly experience and understanding, unsuspecting.

in•no•cent – means uncorrupted by evil or wrongdoing, not guilty; sinless.

While we want our young people to be free from the scars and heartache of sin, we do not want them to be so “clueless” that they are snared by temptation or the evil intent of others.  Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8-9a, Discipline yourselves, keep alert.  Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…

Yes, we want our kids to be protected, but over-protecting can lead to dangers.  They do not need to do wrong things to know about them.  God gives us the do’s & don’ts out of love.  He doesn’t want any wrongdoing to interfere with our relationship with him.  Knowing what they are up against and why they should avoid sin helps them (and us) to remain steadfast in our faith.

I want my teen to be innocent but not naïve!