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Author Archives: Randy Raus

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Interview with NET Ministries / Mark Bercham

By | February 12, 2010

I spent the last two days working on a collaboration between the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Life Teen and NET Ministries. I was able to sit down with Mark Bercham (one holy guy) for a few minutes before we flew out yesterday – here is what Mark had to say!

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Recovering the Lost Art of Focusing on the Teens!

By | February 11, 2010

It’s like the real estate agents’ mantra: location, location, location. It’s repeated 3 times emphasizing how important location is for a real estate property. In Catholic youth ministry our mantra is: the teens, the teens, the teens! How often does the stress of parish politics, the mountains of safe environment paperwork or the unending stream [...]

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5 iPod/iPhone Apps To Help You Be A Better Catholic!

By | February 8, 2010

I confess – I am a gadget geek. I have a few close friends who are Apple fanatics and a couple of years ago they bought me a Mac laptop and a year later an iPhone. I must admit that I have had to watch the amount of time I spend on “screens” as I never want it to replace face to face or verbal communication. I may be into technology, but I still believe that relational ministry will always be what helps us form a true communion with each other. One thing I am always looking to save is time. Here are 5 iPod/iPhone applications that I use all the time that you may want to check out.

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3 Things That Youth Ministers Do That Drive A Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry Crazy!

By | February 5, 2010

Do you want to improve the relationship you have with your diocesan director of youth ministry? Over the past 22 years I have had the privilege of hearing from both parish youth ministers and from diocesan directors of youth ministry about strained relationships and a desire to work together. You might be thinking that you [...]

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20 Artists You Should Know if You Minister to Middle School Youth!

By | February 1, 2010

There is a conflict in many Catholic families over the music kids are listening to. Parents need help monitoring who their middle school youth are choosing to listening to. The kids wish they would just leave them alone because as they say – “It’s just music!”

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Do You Make This Mistake When You Pray?

By | January 31, 2010

Who ends the conversation when you are talking with God? In the military the use of two way radios or walkie talkies is common. When a soldier is talking to a superior via radio communication they often say the words – “Roger, Over” meaning information received and I am listening for your reply. The superior [...]

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Why Taking a Retreat Might Be the Best Thing You Can Do for Teens

By | January 28, 2010

There is a difference between a “to do list” and a “master task list”. The to do list tends to be reactive. The master task list is more proactive and loaded with the things we should be doing, but never quite get around to. For example – going on a retreat to make sure you are spiritually full.

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How to Navigate the Waters of Catholic Youth Ministry Acronyms

By | January 25, 2010

Have you ever been with someone who kept talking using confusing acronyms? The reality is that the language of Catholic youth ministry in the United States is filled with acronyms. Here are 11 acronyms that anyone working in Catholic Youth Ministry needs to know.

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5 Ways to Avoid Relationship Bankruptcy!

By | January 25, 2010

Ever wonder if you approach relationships the right way? I heard something recently that made me think about how we approach the people in our life. A friend recently looked at me and said – “For years my relationship with my wife has been a banking relationship. I deposit time, service, gifts and affection in [...]

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Keeping Internal Purity

By | February 2, 2009

It’s all about appearances. As I go through the daily journey of life I find myself caught up in two worlds: the external and the internal. One view of the world that judges everything by its outward appearance, take blue jeans for instance. The other day I was shopping for with my teenage daughter. We [...]