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Author Archives: Trica Tembreull

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Multi-Generational Core Teams

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Communication can be just one of the challenges when working with a multi-generational Core Team. Teaching and learning styles, work ethic, conveying expectations and affirmation all need to be managed in different ways. No matter when you were born, it can be intimidating to mentor and manage a generation younger or older than you. However, when you understand how to communicate, clearly articulate your expectations, encourage ongoing formation in Core’s spirituality and religious study, aid them in teaching this current generation with various techniques while affirming them in ways that speak to their gifts and talents, you will not only have a stronger Core Team, you will have stronger teens with a deeper relationship with Christ.

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Life Teen and Edge Webinars: Relational Ministry on a Different Playing Field

Whether you are already registered for Life or Edge Support or you are looking into starting, you can sign up for a webinar or two. This is a free service and you do not have to be a Life Teen or Edge subscriber to participate. Webinars are one way that we as a Parish Outreach Team want to support you as in your ministry. We recognize that not everyone can come to a Life Teen and Edge Training Convention or Conference but you still need to be trained and you still need to connect with us as a staff. We also know that time is precious and no one wants to spend days playing phone tag waiting for an answer. Therefore, keeping that in mind, we developed four webinar trainings to support you from your playing field in a time sensitive way.

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Avoiding Burnout: Answers from I Love Lucy

Ever since I was a kid, I can honestly say that I Love Lucy. The television show, the woman (Lucille Ball), the lack of Technicolor on the TV set – I love it all! One of my favorite episodes, “Job Switching”, has Lucy and Ethel working at a candy factory while Ricky and Fred attempt housework. The most memorable scene is when the girls are placed in the wrapping department where they’re ordered to wrap every piece of chocolate on the conveyer belt in a wrapper. At first, the chocolates come out slowly but soon enough they speed past Lucy and Ethel as they shove pieces in their hats, shirts, and mouths to keep up the allusion of perfection. Looking competent, the boss orders them to “speed it up”, causing their unavoidable first day firing.

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June 2010: The Best Month Ever!

June 2010 has been one of the most exciting months I can remember for Life Teen. It started with our Life Teen Convention with 500 participants and 70 priests in attendance and then crescendoed in our Mesa office when we welcomed 47 new Life Teen parishes in one month. Every day Pam Zimmerman would place a new stack of parishes on my desk and I would ring my bell with the biggest smile on my face. Soon, Kevin Hickey would run into the office to ring the bell for the 33 new Edge parishes and the enthusiasm just got bigger and bigger.

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Dealing with the “Other Stuff” of Youth Ministry

When I first started in youth ministry I was green, youthful, and enthusiastic.  I attended Diocesan meetings excited, only to encounter tenured youth ministers who appeared burned out. The longer I stayed in youth ministry, the more I understood how people get burned out. On the outside I was as enthusiastic as ever, but in all honesty, I wanted to quit everyday. Not because of the teens–I loved them–but because of “other ministry stuff.” Let’s talk about that other stuff. I wish I knew

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Are You Making a Small Deal Out of Confirmation?

It continually surprises me when I get asked the question, “Can we just make Life Nights our parish Confirmation program?” Don’t get me wrong, I understand the reason for the question: not enough time to do Life Teen and Confirmation or you don’t have enough catechists or you’re trying to kill two birds with one stone (poor bird) or there isn’t enough facility space for every ministry. So don’t think I’m heartless when I say I’m surprised. Confirmation is one of the Sacraments

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Don’t Be A “Bridezilla” At Your Life Teen Kickoff

I just got off the phone with a youth minister who asked me for some last minute words of advice prior to her parish kickoff this weekend. In our conversation I told her that the most important thing to do on the big day is to pray and be present to the teens. As much as you are laboring over the environment, skits, talks, training, music and homily for Mass, what the teens will remember most is your presence to them. They will return the next week if they feel a connection to Christ through you

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After a Big Summer, Take Time to Celebrate and Anticipate

The Life Teen staff traveled all over the country to various conferences, camps, retreats, and more to pray, play, and grow in virtue with you and your teens this summer. We kicked off the summer with super heroes at camp; we grew in virtue as ministers at the Life Teen Training Convention; our teens learned how to lead by virtue at Life Teen Notre Dame; we worshiped God Above All at Steubenville Atlanta and Steubenville West. God has been busy with us with summer! You know, it’s easy to read

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4 Common Mistakes of Starting Life Teen (And How to Avoid Them)

As the youngest child in my family, I have found tremendous joy learning from my mistakes of my brother and sisters. If you are the youngest in your family you know what I’m talking about. Your older siblings make massive mistakes, and you just sit back thankful you’re not the one with the bar of soap in your mouth and enjoy the show. Many life lessons have been learned as the youngest. Mistake #1: Buying a prom dress because it was a good deal. A good deal isn’t always good looking. Mistake

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Tips on Managing Busy Summers

When I think of summer I think of Red Rover, Steal the Bacon, kickball, chalk cities, bike rides to the park, Barbies, forts, and camping trips. I remember having so much time on my hands I was bored. I was lucky to grow up on a cul-de-sac with a friend to play with every day of the week and a different house to sleep over each night. Summer was about fun not calendars, fund raising and permission forms. Summer was that moment when you threw your report card at your parents and ran outside to