Recognition Dinner: Are Your Nominations In Yet?

If not, for what are you waiting? The deadline has passed but we'll take nominations for a few more days from parish Youth Ministry Leadership Teams for this year's Recognition Dinner. Download a form and get to work! The event is set for April 12 at Christiana Country Club. Don't forget to make your reservations for dinner too (by calling 302-658-3800)!

YLI: Calling All Leaders

Time is running out to register young people and adult leaders from your parish or school for the upcoming Youth Leadership Institute (YLI). Download all the information (or here for .pdf document) and pass the info along to the leaders - or potential leaders - in your community. YLI will be held from March 30th (evening arrival) to April 3rd (mid-afternoon departure) at St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, DE (near Dover). CYM is pleased to welcome back the Center for Ministry Development (CMD) as partners in offering the program.

How About Some Good News for Sports Fans?

A few weeks ago, St. Peter, New Castle varsity boys’ basketball team played a make up game with Nativity Prep. The principal of Nativity Prep sent the following note to CYM: "Tonight we played a make-up game against St. Peter's. We only lost by 10, however the coach had pulled his best players the majority of the game, which allowed us to play a more competitive game."

Thanks to all those coaches who show good sportsmanship and who remember that CYM Sports are about fun, physical activity in a Christian environment! Do you have some good news to share? Email CYM today.
 

Remembering the Real Saint Patrick
by Jayne Zeller

Each year on March 17, millions of people all over the world celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. You might have wondered to yourself how a saint from Ireland came to have a national holiday in his honor in America. Well, the first known Saint Patrick's Day celebration actually occurred in New York City, back in 1762. Several Irish soldiers, who were serving in the English army, gathered together and held a parade, playing the music of their native homeland in order to lift their spirits. The parade became a way for the Irish people to gather together, celebrate their heritage, and show support for one another. But this day is not merely celebrated by the Irish; it has become a day that is enjoyed by people of all nationalities all over the world.

The true story behind Saint Patrick is deeply moving and spiritual in nature. Saint Patrick was born in the 4th century, and is believed to have been an Englishmen. When he was only sixteen years of age, he was kidnapped, brought to Ireland, and sold into slavery. It was during this time, that he came to depend upon God. Patrick eventually escaped slavery in Ireland, and came under the mentorship of Saint Germain. After spending many years studying the scriptures, and living a monastic life, Patrick became a priest. Saint Patrick had a dream that the Irish people were calling him to come back to Ireland, and Patrick believed that God wanted him to go there and share the Christian faith.

When Patrick arrived in Ireland, he established monasteries, churches and schools, and taught the Irish people about the Christian faith. In regards to the fable about Saint Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, it is more likely that the snakes were symbolic for the pagan religions that were present at that time, and metaphorically speaking, Saint Patrick drove the snakes (pagan religions) out, replacing them with the Christian faith.

So in actuality, Saint Patrick's Day is a sacred day that has nothing to do with leprechauns, pots of gold or magical blarney stones. But, the shamrock is connected to Saint Patrick, because he used this three leaf clover (not four leaves) to teach people about God. Saint Patrick taught the Irish people about the hope of salvation through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The infamous shamrock was not meant to represent "luck" it was meant to represent the Holy Trinity, and the treasures of heaven, salvation and eternal life, which is far more precious than any pot of gold.

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