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Category Archives: Random

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It Goes with the Territory

By | July 20, 2010

When I was growing up almost every time I would whine and complain about something, my dad would simply say – “It goes with the territory” – meaning that more than likely what I was complaining about was something that went along with either the choices I had made or that it was part of being the age I was and wishing I was more grown up. The reality for us in Catholic youth ministry is that there are a lot of potentially unpleasant things we face simply because it goes with the territory. The key is not focusing on all the negatives we face but in realizing the positives that go with the territory.

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The Theology of Randomness: how useless knowledge can be useful in ministry

By | April 29, 2010

I love useless knowledge. I could read random bits of trivia all day. One of the reasons that I love Sacred Scripture so much is because there are so many random, seemingly unimportant details found in its pages. They fascinate me. Nothing is unnecessary, however. Every iota of Scripture was inspired and breathed by the Holy Spirit. Everything is important and everything, everything is useful if we pray about it long enough. Over the past several years I’ve spent a lot more time sharing the “random”

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The Drag and Gary Show: “Lent”

By | February 17, 2010

Our friends Drag and Gary meet up with Matt Maher, our favorite Canadian Catholic singer/songwriter, to talk about Lent. We learn about God’s mercy, using our inside voices, and cheese pizza.

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Collaboration in Ministry: No Ministry is an Island!

By | January 14, 2010

“Collaboration” is such an overused buzzword that it has virtually lost all meaning. But now, when ministries are being cut at worst and restructured at best, it would really help us all to reach out and find ways to help each other. Collaboration among leadership teams, priests, parish staff, other parish ministries, pastoral councils and diocesan offices can go far beyond telling each other what we’re doing. Our survival as youth ministries hinges on developing a model of successful leadership in which we can all participate.

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New Video: The Drag & Gary Interview Matt Maher

By | December 21, 2009

Enjoy this new Life Teen video where two puppets–The Drag and Gary–interview/heckle our beloved Matt Maher. This video elevates the word RANDOM to new levels.

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Christmas for Your Core Team

By | November 10, 2009

It is that time of year again… lists, shopping, wrapping, trying to figure out the perfect gift for every person in your life. For youth ministers, here’s the million-dollar question: What do you get the most dedicated Core Team on the planet on a youth ministry budget? How do you honor those who give up their Sunday nights, their weekends and their evenings so teens can be led closer to Christ? With your limited time (and even more limited budget), you want to make it a meaningful and useful

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Photos of Demolished Miracle House at Covecrest

By | November 3, 2008

Although this camp Covecrest building had a noble name–Miracle House–it was hardly a glorious destination. So after several years of finding a purpose for the building, the staff and board of directors at Covecrest decided it was time to tear it down and find a better use for the land. My dad sent me a before and after photo of their work… Gone Baby Gone

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Taking Teens on Mission Trip

By | August 19, 2008

“We’re on a mission from God” – Blues Brothers Someone asked me recently what were some of my favorite moments as a youth minister. In a instant thousands of images flooded my mind, everything from crazy Life Night skits gone horribly wrong, to late night talks with teens drinking entirely too much caffeine, to retreat pranks involving gorilla costumes. My work in youth ministry has been so richly blessed. But there are images and moments that rise above them all. Some of my favorite

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A Quick Update During a Busy Summer

By | July 28, 2008

Good morning everyone! Here are some quick updates about what’s going on around the our websites this summer: No blog updates: You’ve probably noticed that there have not been many blog updates recently. Why? Because the summer is “conference season” for our staff when host a gazillion events in June, July, and August. Plus, most of our contributing writers are active youth ministers. So we haven’t had any time to update our blogs. We wanted to have a dozen updates finished by the end of May so

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Photo from My Beloved Retreat

By | May 2, 2008

Our first Life Teen Women’s Retreat was a HUGE SUCCESS!