Hello, Jesus people. I did lots of thinking today. One of the things I thought about was this: We are really lucky that all of us can get together and plan a mass for people. We get excited about God and we try to share it with others. I had a Worship Commission meeting this morning and realized why I never feel fulfilled after a meeting - because we never figure out how to get people on fire. Because everyone argues over stupid rules in the mass. We need to be concerned with how to get people to mass. Anyway. I wrote this in the minutes from the meeting, and I thought I would put it here too, because it's kind of what Youth Liturgy is all about.
It was expressed that obedience to the bishops and the pope is highly important. It was also expressed that support of our priests is a good thing. The goal of the Worship Commission should be to get people excited about coming to church. This would solve a lot of problems – people would want to give money, youth would want to get involved, and people would want to learn more about their faith (fostering the GIFT program). We should focus on this goal rather than working out how to follow certain rules. People are the church and without people, it doesn’t matter who follows what rules. In the end, what matters is how many hearts can be set on fire for God through their worship.
Woot to the oot! I'm so excited I get to spend time with you guys tonight. I also thought about how we're going to help people after we're gone. We know a lot of stuff, and a lot of us have been to St. Meinrad. And even if you haven't gone there, you still know how to put a Youth Mass together. In three years, all we'll have left is Colin and Jennifer's brother. And while the three of them and Carrie (plus a choir) could probably pull it off, we need to try to leave a legacy behind us. So, I was thinking maybe we should write down the things we do. Not the silly conversations we have, but directions for how to make a youth mass. It sounds stupid...but Mr. Brayko's having me do the same thing for stage-managing. And I guess it makes sense. If people get involved in Youth Liturgy somehow, we want to teach them how to do it - they won't come just knowing how to analyze a reading. So maybe we could just write up little things on how to do Lectio Divina or something. What kinds of things work well in homilies and what kinds of things don't. What music works well for certain masses and what kinds don't. Advice, like rapping after Communion is not a good idea, but a procession of kid with palm branches is. I think I've kept all of our handouts from every mass we've done...and, well, it would make it easier, I think. We wouldn't have to go through two entire books of music every time we want to pick stuff out.
I know we're going to have to try really hard to get people involved in Youth Liturgy and everything else. But I think it's also important to have something to guide people once they get involved. Also, this dealie would be useful for instances in which Carrie was gone. When she was in Australia, we didn't actually plan anything, so Shane's mom was just fine. Also, it's a possiblity that through the booklet, it could (dare I say it??) SPREAD to other parishes. So, let me know what you guys think. Because sometimes I just sit around and think too much. TEH END.
My thoughts echo Sarah's, so I can't even begin to thank all of you for everything you've done for me...Youth Liturgy has helped me grow in so many ways. It gave me the chance to meet all of you, and you've helped me to grow as a person and in my faith. I always look forward to Sunday nights because even if we don't get anything done, it's so much fun being at church with everyone!! I'm going to miss all of you when you go away to college, and I know I'll be sad...but I'm happy for you, too, because I know that you all have so much to offer the world. Outside my family, you are the best group of people I have ever been blessed with, ever had the privilege to meet--thank you for everything!!!
Carrie, you are such a giving, amazing person--it seems to me you are always thinking of everyone but yourself. Thanks for all the hugs, cookies, hours and hours spent making sure we all stay on task and a mass actually gets planned, and words of encouragement. I can't say it any better than how Sarah put it--all I can tell you is that we are so extremely lucky to have you as a leader. I feel blessed to have been able to meet and know you--thank you so much for all that you've done!!!
Good job at the mass today, everyone! It was beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday :)
I don't have time to write everything I'm feeling (but feel free to check my blog if you're interested. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that Carrie said we are meeting for Youth Liturgy next Sunday night (the 23rd). It's on the sidebar in case anyone forgets. I love all of you!
I can't tell you all enough how much you mean to me... and how lucky I am to know you. God has blessed me with some of the best people in his whole world, and I will never forget a single one of you, even when you're gone off to college. The rest of us back here will do our best to keep this wonderful thing we started alive and kicking. It's a great thing we have here, and we will refuse to let it die after us. Youth Liturgy has shaped me, and I think all of us, into the people we are today.
Carrie, if it weren't for you in particular I don't know where or who I would be. You are the one who started Youth Liturgy, and you're always here for us, bringing us cookies and hugs and prayers when we need them the most. I am astounded by the amount of time you commit to helping us, and helping the entire church community. In your last post, you talked about crying, and how in bringing yourself to care so deeply about something that you cry, you make yourself open to and usually experience pain. You said that in that pain there is gentle strength, like Jesus (and you made me cry again by the way! But thank you so much for it.) I think the same is true for any individual who really lives their faith and reaches out to others, even when they are in pain or when the path is hard. In short, a person like you. You give so much of yourself and your time to helping reach out to us, and to so many, and in that you show the most resilient gentle strength of any person I think I've ever known. If I can become half the person you are, my life will have truly been worthwhile. Thank you for everything that you do, and for helping me to discover the faith deep within me.
I'm sorry if this is all corny! Just writing how I feel in here. I thought I'd post it on the Jeebus Blog because I'm sure everyone else would agree with it. I really should get to bed though lol. I'll be seeing you all in less than 9 hours... :-)
I'm pretty sure Carrie made me cry twice in five minutes. ;_; I'm going to miss you guys so much! Oh my gosh.
Um, what was I going to say? Oh, Colin, I'm glad that you've joined the Jeebus Blog. And, Ryan: Sunday afternoon is bad for me, I think, but I get off of work on Saturday at 4:15 or something. So maybe you, me, Heather, and Jennifer, and whoever can discuss it at school or at Senior Night or something. I have no clue.
So, anyway. Our last youth mass is on Sunday. But I don't like to think of it as my last one ever....for example, Rachel's singing with New Life on Sunday! So who knows, maybe I'll be back for your last one next year. And if not, we'll still be here all summer to get the ball rolling. I love all of you!
If anyone can help take this old man's house apart. (Home with tons of stuff from the depression) Let me know. We will be working on it Saturday night and sunday after noon.
I just want to say good luck to everyone who's doing AP Testing right now!! It must be really stressful. :( I'll pray for you all.
...Well, that's all. Tengo que hacer mi tarea. See you all Sunday! Or Saturday, if anyone else wants to go to spring play. :D (Everyone who's doing the Cancer Walk--have fun! ^-^)
I miss Father John! And Carrie! :-( But Carrie will be back soon, and we can all bombard Father John with e-mails ;-) (evil grin) So how are ya'll doing? Hopefully pretty well. I don't think I'll be at much of Liturgy next week due to stupid AP review sessions, but I'll do my best. We need to really kick some butt with this last mass and do something crazy. Any ideas for the homily, be sure to keep them ready. I love you guys so much, let's go out with a bang! Alright, back to studying. Bye, God bless~
Alright. So, now that Father John has left our church, you can find a little box on the sidebar. And by clicking the link, you can send an email to Father John whenever you want! He assured us that his email address will never change. He wants us to pray for him, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind letters now and then! I'll make the sidebar more user-friendly when I have more time. Like....all the emails will be in one spot.
Also, do we need to decide what we're going to do about volunteering at this Habitat for Humanity thing? Maybe this Sunday night at Youth Liturgy, we could figure that out (since we don't have much else to do, other than practice readings and maybe brainstorm some homily ideas, AND figure out what we're going to do this summer!). Anyway. I miss Carrie! And I'm sorry I didn't come to Youth Liturgy this Sunday, but I just had way too much to do. So. Later.
I'm going to church this weekend, everyone! ^-^ For the first time since Easter. Stupid work. I'm going to try to go tomorrow morning. I wish I could come see Sarah lector, but I have to go to work :( Good luck, Sarah! :D
It's been a long week. For everyone, methinks. But it's May now!! Wow, May already?? Not that I'm complaining... ^^
I realized a little while ago I forgot to go back and sign up for a newspaper article. I should remember to do that Monday. But as for now, I have chemistry homework to do, so I'll talk to you all tomorrow!
