The Kony 2012 video/campaign from Invisible Children is certainly attracting a lot of attention, especially among youth and young adults. I believe that it presents a wonderful teachable moment to help our young people think critically about important issues, and apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Please be aware that the Kony 2012 video, while trending on YouTube and Twitter, has also stirred up controversy, and like any issue we face in our day, is the subject of significant critique. There are many who are publishing thoughtful criticism of this video and campaign, and who offer alternative perspectives (some links are below). I strongly believe that any discussion about the situation of Joseph Kony or the issue of the Kony 2012 video should be informed by research and presentation of multiple perspectives, all evaluated in the light of Catholic Social Teaching. Please understand that our office is not “taking sides” on the Kony 2012 debate, but sharing some “starter” ideas for ministry leaders to help our students engage with this issue.

I invite you to be a part of this discussion!

Some of you are likely already familiar with this, but for others, this may be new information . . . We wanted to pass along some information regarding a video/issue that has gone viral this week and is attracting the attention of many youth and young adults. My thanks to Joan Ersing, Mission Education Coordinator for the diocese, who compiled the information and links below.

Sometimes the smartest thing a person can do is simply be a conduit to other smart people, to other inspirational things, to other insights that give food for thought.  That's the case here.  Check out "The Teacher: 3 Parables" on Building Faith, an online Christian ed community.  Which kind of teacher helped to you really know God?  We probably all know people like the first teacher, and maybe sometimes our creativity for "active learning strategies" leads us into temptation to be a bit like the second.  What does ministry in our church look like if we are like the third teacher?

Have you been busy being a saints? From Dec. 9-12, Jennifer Belock and I attended our national youth ministry conference (NCCYM) in New Orleans, LA, where we celebrated the theme “March with the Saints!” Obviously it was a very appropriate theme for the location, but it was also a tremendously powerful theme in terms of our faith. We were reminded throughout the weekend of the power of the communion of saints – those who have gone before us in our faith tradition, those who have gone before us as saints and faith mentors in our own personal lives, those who march with us side by side today as living witnesses, and those young people who we are preparing to be saints, marching into the future.

 

Looking for a program to help revitalize (or kick start) your youth ministry program? May I humbly suggest that you "Venture" in a new direction . . .

Who says Boy Scouting is just for boys? Or that it's not for older teens? If your parish youth ministry program is looking for some new life, new energy, or a new structure, consider Venturing! Venturing is a program for young men and women 14-20 years old (or 13 years old and completed 8th grade) to provide positive experiences through youth-led activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills. Remember, scouting IS youth ministry, and Venturing is a program that fits well within the framework for Catholic youth ministry described in Renewing the Vision.

 

The holiday season is most definitely here. With Thanksgiving immediately ahead and Christmas not far behind, it’s an opportune time to ask: What is your parish doing to welcome young adults?

Holidays are one of the natural connecting moments between the church and young adults. Think about it . . . Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when:

• many college students return home for a visit
• out-of-town young adult children come home to visit parents
• many young adults visit with their boyfriends’ or girlfriends’ family and friends

The holidays are a time to put forth your parish's best efforts to welcome and invite young adults to your parish. Consider a special emphasis on the virtue of welcome this Advent & Christmas season.

 

Excerpt from remarks shared at the 38th annual Bishop McNulty Award Dinner Dance (11/19/10):

Once there was a king was traveling with his child and his whole entourage through the wilderness. Suddenly the procession came to a halt because the king’s son was crying for water. So the king ordered his royal engineering corps to dig a well right there, on the spot at which they had stopped. Soon the royal engineers were boring a hole through the desert sand and rock. Toward evening they reached a vein of water, and the prince’s thirst was quenched.

After he had drunk his fill, the prince asked his father, “Why did you trouble your men to dig a hole in the desert? After all, you could have obtained water much more quickly and easily by sending men by horseback to the nearest settlement.”

 

November is Black Catholic History month. During this month we knowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of our black brothers and sisters in the faith. Throughout history people of color have served the church and lived their faith in many important ways. From the African who helped carry the cross of Jesus to present day role models such as Sr. Thea Bowman and Fr. Augustin Tolton, black people have witnessed to the good news of God's love and challenged us to love one another. People of all races, all ethnic or cultural groups, and all ages can learn from the incredible faith witness of our black brothers and sisters.