In this season of prayer and reflection, as the coldness of winter gives way to the light of spring, may the warm weather outside remind us to hope inside for the new life that is to come. And may we offer you the following news and information:

1. Our prayers are requested for the eternal repose of the soul of Joseph A. McNesby, Sr. who died Monday morning. Mr. McNesby was the father of Joe McNesby, the Athletics Program Manager for Catholic Youth Ministry. Visitation will take place on Thursday evening between 6-8 pm. at St. Elizabeth’s Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets where the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 5th at 10:30 am. The family suggests contributions in memory of Joe to DFRC, Inc., 640 Plaza Drive, Newark, DE 19702. Cards may be sent to Joe and his family at the CYM office, 1626 N. Union Street, Wilmington, DE  19806.

2. The Passion of the Christ, which premiered last week, continues to be No. 1 at the box office. The Offices of Religious Education, Catholic Youth Ministry, and Communications have collaborated to provide a website replete with resources, movie reviews, discussion guides, and more. Please use this site as a means of preparing yourself and your young people for the powerful conversations we hope will take place in the coming days and weeks.

3. Theology on Tap is back in Wilmington for a five week series on Thursdays in Lent. Join the fun as ToT returns to Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub and Restaurant at 1616 Delaware Avenue, Trolley Square. Doors open at 7:00pm, and the evening’s program begins at 7:30pm. Food and drink are available for purchase. This week's speaker is Ken Stockard of the Catholic Communications Campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Bob Krebs, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Wilmington. Click here for more information.

4. The next session of the Youth Ministry Institute will be offered on Saturday, March 13, 2004. This session, Empowering Young Leaders, will be presented by Coleen O’Connor. To register, please contact CYM.

5. The Delaware Pro Life Convention will be held March 27, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Select in Wilmington. A special teen session will be offered for those in grade 8 and above. Special guest Kim Marshall from Generation Life will be present

6. CYM is co-sponsoring a Lenten Young Adult Retreat, in conjunction with the Franciscan Spirituality Center, on Saturday, April 3, 2004. The retreat will take place from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Center (in Aston, PA, just north of Wilmington). The retreat will be directed by Fr. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap; of the Office of Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cost is $30.00 (including lunch), and a $10.00 deposit will reserve your space. To register, contact Anthony Albence.

7. The Philadelphia 76ers are hosting a Faith and Family Night with a free post-game concert with Christian Rock Group FFH on Friday, April 9, 2004. Enjoy the game against the Washington Wizards at a discount and the concert for free with your group or family.

8. Hey Sports fans! Val Whiting's Hoop Fitness Spring Break B-ball Camp will be held April 12-16 at the Wilmington PAL from 9-5. The cost is $160. The camp is open to boys and girls in grades: 3-8; and girls only from 6 grade and up. Price includes , Pro PT Acceleration Training, T-Shirts, Quality Basketball Instruction, HoopFitness Skills Manual, and more! Call Val at 655-4441 for a brochure.

9. St. Anthony of Padua invites all youth ministry programs and school groups to attend the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross, on Friday evenings during Lent. This dramatic presentation of the Stations is a Wilmington tradition and includes a cast of young people from parishes and schools from throughout the Diocese. For groups of 10 or more, please call ahead to reserve a seat (302-421-3710).

10. Sign up now for the Effective Practices in Dynamic Youth Ministry Seminar on Thursday, April 22, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. This seminar, presented by the Center for Ministry Development and hosted locally by CYM, will be facilitated by nationally-recognized experts and will present the results of three years of exhaustive research on what makes the most effective parish youth ministry programs “tick”. To register, visit the CMD website.

Quotable: "What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." - Meister Eckhart