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Tag Archives: Family

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Talking With > Talking About

By | March 28, 2011

I believe that who we talk about is a big indication of where our hearts are. If we spend a lot of time talking about God that normally means are hearts are alive for Him. If we talk about our families, it is a sign that family matters to us, even if it is messy at times. I always tell people interviewing someone to be the youth leader at a parish to note how many times the person talks about teens, as it is a good indication about the posture of that persons heart toward teens. The only problem

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Strong Catholic Families

By | February 24, 2011

I recently attended a youth ministry workshop on STRONG CATHOLIC FAMILIES. The presenter shared materials and findings based off of a National Study of American teenagers from Dr. Christian Smith at Notre Dame University. Some of the conclusions were… Only 12% of families pray together. The average couple only spends 4 minutes of uninterrupted time together a day. 71% of Jr. High and 61% of high school youth have never attended a religious retreat, rally, conference or mission trip.

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I Hope You Get To Experience That Kind of Love

By | December 19, 2010

The only detail left to close the deal was if the car dealer could have the car ready for his son to pick it up in time for his senior prom. You see this dad wanted his son to know he loved and trusted him. This dad loved buying new cars and this one was special, a brand new Lincoln Continental…..

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The Chilean Miners – What Catholic Families Can Learn

By | October 14, 2010

The past day I have watched as 33 miners were pulled from a half mile beneath the earth in a small rocket looking carrier to the surface. They spent over 2 month’s underground, with the first 17 days not knowing if anyone above ground knew they were still alive after a mine collapse. They spent more time trapped underground than anyone in history. What intrigued me most was hearing how they survived the ordeal so well.

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The 4 Principles of Effective Small Group Questions

By | October 11, 2010

Have you ever been in charge of coming up with small group questions for a retreat or youth night? If you are anything like me, you want the questions to get teens talking and to have some depth to them so that everyone will get something out of small group time. Here is a new way to take the time and stress out of writing small group questions. It all comes down to the following 4 principles.

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3 Books That Can Help You Keep Your Heart Open

By | September 19, 2010

People are often asking me to recommend books to read. As a Catholic leader we need to be reading on a regular basis. I have made a commitment over the past several years to read books. I read all types of books and often people recommend books for me to read. I have grown to really love reading and learning from what I read. Here are 3 books that I believe have the ability to make you stronger in your Catholic faith by helping keep your heart open.

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If You Want to Learn Current Teen Culture – You Will Love These Sites!

By | May 25, 2010

How familiar are you with teen sexting, girl bullying, club drugs or that teens are back into bowling? How up to date are you with today’s teen culture? Check out these 5 websites to make sure that Catholic youth ministry at your parish stays connected to the world of teens you are seeking to journey with.

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An Instant Message Your Core Team Needs to Receive

By | February 24, 2010

G. K. Chesterton once said ““I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” Sometimes we get our schedules so full that we forget to thank the people who are key to this ministry to teens. Do your Core Team members know your thanks? Take a minute to drop what you are doing and text, email or IM your Core members individually a quick note of thanks. Let them know we couldn’t reach the teens and families we reach without them.

Life Night

Ashes to Ashes: The Season of Lent

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Goal The goal of this Life Night gives both teens and their families an opportunity to break open the season of Lent, specifically the theme of sacrifice. It also challenges the teens and families to create a Lenten prayer plan. About this night This Life Night can be used as an introduction to the season of Lent. This Life Night is designed to include teens and their families and help them to dive deeper into Lent. Be sure to plan ahead to invite all teens and their families from the parish. Have

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Edge Night

Loving God In Our Families

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Objective:
 The middle school youth will consider how they experience the love of God in their families, and how following the example of Christ can enhance their family relationships. Overview: God has revealed the moral law to humans over a period of many years, although primarily in a place and time when the structure of society and the family was patriarchal. As a result, the traditional association of God with a loving, authoritative father – responsible for providing for, protecting and