Friday, November 21, 2003

One hundred and twenty two youth and adults from our area just returned from navigating the River of Life at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston, TX. What an adventure! What a weekend! What a blessing! Find a young person or an adult in your parish or school and get them to tell you all they learned about justice, reconciliation and how they are committed to changing their community!

For this week, we offer you the following:

  1. If you didn't get a copy of the quarterly mailing last week, please email CYM and let us know to add you to the list.

  2. Theology on Tap is back and better than ever! Download a flyer to post at your parish or place of business and spread the word.

  3. CYM is co-sponsoring an adult retreat opportunity with surrounding dioceses and we want you to be there! If you have not yet signed up for the Chesapeake Bay Conference, it's not too late to enjoy a weekend of rest and renewal.

  4. An Advent Retreat for young adults will be offered on Sunday, 12/7, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in Aston, PA (just north of Wilmington). Retreat participants are welcome to stay for dinner at the Center (no additional charge). The retreat will be facilitated by Sr. Ruthann O’Mara, SSJ, Pastoral Associate at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington. Cost is $10.00 per person. For more info or to sign up, contact Anthony Albence or call (302) 658-3800.

  5. The HIV/AIDS epidemic affects millions of people all over the world. At times, however, it is difficult to understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on community members, families, and those involved with their own businesses. As a way to inspire youth to understand the challenges of HIV/AIDS high school students were recently invited to participate in an interactive game that challenged them to put themselves in the shoes of community members impacted by HIV/AIDS. You can use this activity in the classroom or at a parish youth group meeting in preparation for World AIDS Day on December 1, 2003. We've provided a link to the Tough Times exercise or you can contact Michelle Harrington at CRS via email. 

  6. Speaking of World AIDS Day, Mass will be celebrated at Christ Our King Church on December 1, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli will preside at this special liturgy. The church is located at 28th and Madison Streets, Wilmington, Delaware 19802. The Mass is open to the public and people of all faiths. A reception with refreshments will follow the Mass. Those present are invited to attend the reception. Please contact the Catholic Charities’ Family Resource Center for directions or further information at (302) 762-9244.

  7. Have you been to YMI yet? If not, join the next session of the Youth Ministry Institute (YMI) seminar series on December 13th.  Dolores Ballintyn, member of Theology Faculty of Salesianum School, will facilitate a session that will present innovative ways to broaden one’s understanding of and effectiveness in sharing the Good News of the New Testament with young people. 

  8. Cornerstone Media's most popular audio product, The Dirty Dozen and Psalm 151 CD, is produced every year from the ideas sent by thousands of teens! Have your teens voted for the next Dirty Dozen & Psalm 151 CD? Voting for the countdown would make a fun and FREE activity at your next class or youth meeting! Ballots are being accepted now through December 1, 2003. The new Dirty Dozen & Psalm 151 CD will be available in January 2004.

  9. Can you help lead Girl Scout Troop for young ladies from the Catholic Charities Group Homes? If so, please call Tamyko McIntyre at 302-456-1750, ext. 7184. Thanks in advance for your help.

Quotable: "When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." Henri Nouwen