Fall is here and so is...

Summer tried to rear it's head one last time this past weekend, but looking into fall, it's safe to say that summer failed to really show up this year for real.  What happened to 100 degree weather for weeks (note the plural)?  We ended up with what, one day in the triple digits? In 5 Septembers in Yakima, this is the first time sweatshirts are more common than T-Shirts coming out of my closet.

This week was jam packed with cool things happening, so naturally I spent all week being sick.  Highlight of the week though goes to the VanMarter Project Concert last night!  Wow!  Let's get rolling...

Looking Back:


Tuesday last week we were blessed to take a staff retreat day out in Cle Elum, where we were joined by Father Northrop from the Archdiocese of Seattle.  It was a great time to get away and be engaged on some meaty topics including redemption, forgiveness, & sharing the cross of Christ.  I'm still going through all the notes I took.


Wednesday was Registration Night for religious education and youth ministry, and I got to meet a lot of parents and more of the students.  I'm really psyched to get this year started this week!


Friday & Saturday I was privileged to join De Sales High School's senior class for their pilgrimage retreat in Oregon.  It was a 12 mile journey on foot, and given that I had memories of feeling like I had gas left in the tank when I made the trip two years ago, I decided I'd increase the challenge this time...A decision my feet still regret.  Rather than let my gear (sleeping bag, clothes, guitart, etc...) be brought to our housing at the end of the walk by car let everyone else, I packed it all into a backpacking pack and lugged that 40 pounder all the way there.  I'm still nursing sore joints everywhere, but I did it!


Last night at the fair, I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite bands (I happen to know the front-man), VanMarter Project.  Chris and the band really tore it up last night!  It's good to see you guys doing well, and in tribute...

Looking Forward:


This week is go time here in my office!  Meeting with the last leader that I've not been able to catch up with to get material to today.  Still working on figuring out the website stuff, and I'm starting to get questions on it, so I have to figure that one out pronto.  


Tomorrow will be the last music practice evening before the first time we lead worship as a group, pray for us!


Wednesday is the kick off BBQ for Youth Ministry!  I'm really psyched to be grilling and hanging out and praying with everybody!  It's going to be a great night!


Friday night is Homecoming game for La Salle High School, so I'll be out there supporting our local Catholic High!


Saturday is the Core Team Training retreat that we're hosting for the Dioceses here at Holy Family for Youth Ministers and Volunteers.  It will be keynoted by Casey Ross from the Archdiocese of Seattle from 8:30am--3:30pm.  Contact me if you'd like more details.


In the coming weeks:

• 10/05/11--Youth Group
• 10/12/11--Youth Group
• 10/19/11--Youth Group
• 10/26/11--Corn Maze Trip

Quote of the Week:

"He changed my mind tonight...I think he’s a shining example of somebody that tells it like it is. He doesn’t pull any punches. He’s not afraid to step on toes and it’s refreshing to see somebody that actually says what he believes."

 John Schildberg, a former Michele Bachmann backer, switched his allegiance to Santorum.




Tweet of the Week I:

"Lord we are not worthy to have you under our roof today, but we know you will be there."

Doug Tooke, director of youth ministry in the diocese of Helena

Tweet of the Week II:

"Evie just asked me if boarding school was a place where they keep a lot of boards handy for spanking. Um, probably?"

Sarha Hart, Catholic Singer/Songwriter on the joys of parenting


Six Things I think I think:

1. I think I'm feeling ready for this year to get rolling.  Mentally that is, I still have a fair amount of stuff on my to do list between now and Wednesday evening.
2. I think it's been a great blessing to me working with De Sales High School these past few years on a lot of different levels.  Their campus minister, Jenny Escobar, is an old friend.  Her family spiritually adopted me while I was serving on reach (her and her sister both served in the ministry before I did) and it's always good seeing her.  Working with those kids is always pretty special too, particularly working with the kids on the retreat team doing the facilitation part.  It's so neat to be a part of that teaching process.  And the big one for me, working with the Chaplain priests that have been assigned there.  Father Luke, Father Kevin, and now Father Jeff.  All 3 great, unique men recently ordained.  A great blessing to meet and spend time with all of them.
3. I think this Saturday's training retreat day is going to rock.  Casey is such a gifted guy, and so knowledgeable and spirit filled.  I'm really excited.
4. I think I'm not looking forward to doing the shopping for the BBQ.  I always feel weird walking through a grocery store being sick.  I'm just glad miss Jaime offered to come with me.  She's a life saver.
5. I think I'm bummed that I have to miss RCIA tomorrow.  I had to cancel music practice last week from being to sick to sing, so we're doing an extra practice tomorrow evening.  Sadness.
6. I think these are my non ministry thoughts this week:
1. I think fantasy football has been weird this year.  In one league I'm in, I once again scored high despite losing Jamaal Charles to injury for the year.  Cedric Benson is not a high end starter to replace him, but the rest of my team is on fire (props to me for calling grabbing Matt Hasselbeck late, great starter all season so far).  The other league, three weeks in a row, my team has been projected to outscore my opponents, and just vastly under-performed.  
2. I think the new Gungor and Matt Maher albums both rock.  Check them out!
3. I think Switchfoot's album being released tomorrow will be in the blog next week.
4. I think I saw one of the most awesome things I've ever witnessed last night at the fair.  A kiddy pool, with ginormous inflatable balls with kids INSIDE the balls rolling around on the water.  How cool is that?
5. I think God is good, and He's with us!  Peace everybody!

Who We Are

With another week in the books here at Holy Family, there's a lot of info to get out this sunny Monday Morning!  For this week, we'll be recapping the Core Team meeting this past week, as well as the Diocesan Youth Minister's meeting.  Also a few brief notes on a weekend that wasn't exactly what I had scheduled in as I looked forward Monday of last week.

What was already looking to be a whirlwind week got even more complicated Monday evening when a friend in Salem, Oregon contacted me to let me know some hard news.  "They're taking him off life support."  Shea Keeney was 20 years old, born with a heart condition.  Things hadn't been going well for a while, but when he suddenly collapsed in their driveway Thursday, it was just that.  Sudden.  He slipped into a coma, and never came out, with no transplant available.  I know the family, though I didn't know their youngest son very well.  Theresa and I drove down to Oregon Friday night to pay our respects at his funeral mass Saturday morning at Saint Joseph's in Salem.  It was a beautiful mass.


When things like this happen, it's easy to question God.  Why would a merciful God take a such a young life really just getting started?  Why take him from his family and friends?  Why?  Why him and not me, or someone dear to me?  There is no denying the tragic nature of such a loss.  I could try and explain the theology of why bad  things happen to good people, while so often the "Bad Guys" seem to face no consequences.  We could talk about free will in the Garden of Eden, and man choosing death.  We could talk about how the Lord says that vengeance is His, and all people will come to judgement.  At the end of the day however, the truth is this: God is in control, and we must trust Him with all of ourselves.  He doesn't take people's lives, but He will allow it to happen in it's due course.  When these things happen, standing at the gates of heaven, we will be judged on how we loved.  Rest In Peace Shea, our prayers are with you still.   

Looking Back:


Onto ministry!  Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday feel like a blur to me now.  All three days spent finalizing material and putting together books and calendars for my Core Team members.  Wednesday evening we were ready, and got info out to all of the team (save a couple who couldn't make the meeting) over pizza and a movie (safe environment training video).  Thank you to all of of you guys for coming out!  After the meeting, the WWWB (Wednesday Wonder Worship Band) had a practice session welcoming in our female power vocalist Kelly.  She's pretty much a rock-star, and we're beyond blessed to have her.  I can't wait to get into leading worship this year with these guys!


Thursday was a much anticipated Diocesan Youth Minister's meeting (happens each month).  The Diocesan Youth Convention is pretty much ready to go, though we're still waiting on forms and fliers to promote and register parishes to attend.  Paul George will be the Keynote Presenter and worship leader, hailing from Louisiana.  If you're not familiar with Paul, he founded Adore Ministries 15 years ago, and working with Life Teen, directed the construction of XLT as a worship experience.  He is a gifted speaker, and singer/songwriter, and a wonderful gift to the Church, and we are very blessed to have him coming to Yakima in November.


As for the promised discussion on Summer Ministry, we ran out of time before we got there, but hopefully we can make it a priority for the next meeting in October.


And for kicks, this video has had me captivated for a while now.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  The band is Gungor, and this is, "When Death Dies" from their album, "Ghosts Upon the Earth" being released tomorrow!  

Looking Forward:


Today is going to be busy.  After I finish up here, it will be on to putting together a flier for the Core Team Training Retreat Day coming up on October first that we are hosting for the diocese.  Then onto putting things together for registration night coming up...


Tuesday is a staff retreat and reflection day up in Suncadia for us here at Holy Family.  I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to get out of the office and spend a day in prayer and reflection!


Wednesday is Registration Night from 6pm--8pm(ish) for all religious education and youth group and confirmation kids!


Friday morning (really early) I'll be driving out to Walla Walla to connect with De Sales High School seniors to facilitate praise and worship (prayer through song) for their pilgrimage retreat.  It's a 12 mile walk geared to take all day and be broken up with breaks for talks, and lunch, and such things.  A beautiful retreat that I was blessed to be a part of the year before last.  We stay overnight at the end of our journey, and then pack up and drive back Saturday.


In the weeks to come:

• 09/21/11--Registration Night
• 09/28/11--Youth Group Barbecue
• 10/01/11--Core Team Training Retreat
• 10/05/11--Youth Group/Confirmation
• 10/12/11--Youth Group/Confirmation
• 10/19/11--Youth Group/Confirmation

Quote of the Week:

 " Can you breathe? If you can, please go replace 

 Alan Ball."

Great line from the Dallas Cowboys Coaching staff during the game against the Jets, talking to Michael Jenkins.

Tweet of the Week I:

"1 hr of stationary bike, no air circ, peppy blonde yelling, Eminem in background.. Who needs 2 fear hell-I just experienced it. #spinning"

Mary Bielski--Catholic Speaker and founder of All 4 Him Ministries

Tweet of the Week II:

"Back in my beautiful home state. Don't let Snooki fool you...it's awesome here!http://twitpic.com/6ltkmr"

Audrey Assad--Catholic Singer/Songwriter


Six Things I Think I Think:

1. I think Father Cesar's homily last night was really insightful.  He spoke at length on Generosity from the Gospel reading, and it's good for our young people to hear a message contrary to the self-centered media they're bombarded with on a daily basis.
2. I think I may take on a second weekly entry going forward, with reflection on the upcoming Sunday readings for mass.  Thoughts on this?
3. I think that given that 2 people +1'd my blog last week, that means that someone is reading it!
4. I think I told KC Poor that I'd blog about him this week.  He's a nurse at Regional here in Yakima, a long time parishoner at Holy Family, having gone to the very first summer camp done at Camp Koinonia in 1996.  He still helps out with Middle School ministry, is married with 2 beautiful children, and continues to bless our parish with his time and talents.  Thank you sir, I salute you! Also, if anybody wants to hear a feel good story, ask him about how he met and came to marry his wife.  Great story.
5. I think it's good to see some non youth council students as ministers during the youth mass even before groups get assigned to that facilitation.  Don't get me wrong, it's great to have the youth council crew there week in and week out, it's just good for the parish to see that there are more than those sixteen students wanting to be a part of the parish in this way.  
6. I think these are my non-ministry thoughts of the week:
1. I think in need 32 points from Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks in tonight's game against the Rams to win one of my fantasy league matchups this week.  Given that they're playing the rams, I have high hopes yet.  And the hole wouldn't be so big if MJD had scored more than nine.  Also, call of the week goes to me starting Cedric Benson over Jamaal Charles.  Of course Ced's 6 isn't too hot either.
2. I think my other game is just a wash.  My team had a great week, and I got smoked anyway.  147 points, and the sick part, nobody on the roster scored more than 26, they all just had great weeks all at once. Lame.
3. I think catching up with Stacy last night (along with Theresa and Fred) was really great.  I'm excited to have her helping out with the Senior Group this year, and I'm excited to be able to enjoy that friendship again after being away for a year.
4. I think God is good, and I am out of words.  God bless you all, and we'll be back next Monday with much more! 

 

The Lull Before The Storm

Another week is in the books here in the Youth Ministry Office at Holy Family.  In this installment we'll be taking a look back at the Parish Picnic, a special inside look into the upcoming leaders meeting, and much much more!  Here we go...


Looking Back:


A quiet week from my office this time around.  School is in full swing, but we're a a couple weeks out from running full steam ahead here.  Why is that?  It's good to give kids a chance to get re-acclimated to the swing of things with school and extracurricular activities before we get going so they don't feel overwhelmed.  I already have La Salle students telling me their typical day is coming home from school, doing homework until nine, and heading to bed by ten, to do it all over again the next day.  Wow.  And this is from a guy who's not playing sports with the time that eats up.  Moving on...


Tuesday last week was easily the highlight of my week, featuring Theresa (my lovely fiancee) moving down to Yakima and in with some friends from Reach.  She'll be starting school at YVCC this month, having transferred from Wenatchee Valley Community College.  She's less than a year from being through all of her prerequisite credits to apply for a nursing program (leaning towards WSU through YVCC to earn her BSN--like all the cool acronyms?).    It's SO good to finally have her here in town!  Welcome home Theresa!


Wednesday was quiet in the office...until about 6:30 pm, when we kicked off our first, everyone-is-here (almost) practice for the soon to be Wednesday Worship Wonder Band (I just made up that name right now, and we're keeping it) for youth group and retreats this year.  It was a great beginning for us, and I look forward to continuing to develop chemistry with these guys, and to pray with them and the kids this year.


Thursday was a great productive day, and generally my favorite weekday!  Why is this?  Thursday night volleyball at The Ark.  I'll get to that more in a bit.


Friday we celebrated as a parish staff with a Back-To-Work-BBQ @ Father Cesar's house (in the evening after work).  One of the obvious and apparent things I've learned quickly here, is that the staff at Holy Family really enjoy each other.  People make a point of going to things like this regularly, and just sharing the gift of self with each other.  It feels a lot like a microcosm reflecting the overtone of the Parish as a whole.  It's good to feel like I'm home here.  Thanks everybody!


Saturday (what happened to my day off?  I cleaned the bathroom and...) I came down with a few warriors to setup some tents for the Parish Picnic.  Our one hour job was easily completed in a little more than two.  Which leads to...


Sunday was our Parish Picnic.  If you didn't come, you missed out big time!  We roasted TWO whole pigs, and people brought sides in all shapes and sizes, and it was pretty much all around amazing.  We had games setup for the little kids, including a scavenger hunt, water slide, and bouncy castle.  If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say we fed a couple hundred people that afternoon.  A very special thank you to Theresa, and all of the young people who spent the day with us keeping water jugs full, garbage cans empty, and kids supervised.  


Looking Forward:


This coming week feels very much like being in the lull before the storm.  We are so much on the verge of getting started, but with TONS of detail work yet to be done.  At the top of the list, learning to update my page on the Parish Website.  If you follow that link, you'll see it really needs some love.


Today I'll be spending my afternoon making phone calls and meeting with a student planning and facilitating our Halloween Festival for his Senior Project this year.  


Wednesday is the "Double Whammy" with a leader meeting and music practice to follow for the WWWB (the new acronym for the newly christened band).  The meeting is to go through expectations and material for the coming year, and to go through safe environment training.  I can't say how much I'm looking forward to working with this crew this year!


Thursday is the Monthly Diocesan Youth Ministry Meeting with youth ministers from all over the diocese.  On the table is Diocesan Youth Convention in November, Middle School Retreat in October, and Summer Ministry for next year.  Have a topic you'd like to have discussed at this meeting?  Shoot me an e-mail


Saturday is the Diocesan Liturgy Meeting for parish music ministers.  I'm not technically a parish music minister, but I do music for mass at a dozen or so retreats each year, so it's important for me to be up to speed.  I'm actually really excited to get a good look at some different takes on the new Liturgy we'll be rolling into in November, and in case you missed it, we're already using the Sanctus with the updated words in line with the Bishop to begin gradual integration into the new text.


In the weeks to come we have:

• 9/14/11--Leader Meeting
• 9/21/11--Registration Night
• 9/28/11--Kick Off BBQ
• 10/05/11--First Group!

Quote of the Week:

"When death dies all things live."

Michael Gungor--From the new song, "When Death Dies" from his band's (called Gungor) new album "Ghosts Upon The Earth" released next week.  If you've not checked them out, please do.  Just look at the link above with the video for this song.  Easily one of the most (if not the most) dynamic Christian Band today.  


Tweet of the Week I:

"I need to remember that the Bible says to mourn with those who mourn. It doesn't say to fix them."

Rick Atchely--Pastor in Fort Worth Texas

Tweet of the Week II:

"Zumba instuctor is Ripped! So, I guess I should hide this twinky in my pocket? #zumba #NOintimidation"

Mary Bielski--Catholic Speaker and Youth Minister

Tweet of the Week III:

"Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline. #GoodToGreat"

Eric Porteous --Central Director for Lifeteen




Ten Things I Think I Think:

1. I think we should Picnic here at Holy Family more often.  Next time, roast goat!
2. I think that the DYM meeting Thursday will be interesting in regards to what gets talked on/decided for summer ministry in the diocese going forward.  This could be a pivotal meeting for us.
3. I think that it's unfortunate that the Diocesan Middle School Retreat and our Halloween Festival are the same weekend.  I'm slated to be doing the music for the retreat, so I'll end up missing out on the festival I'll be helping to plan.  
4. I think it's important to note that with our leader meeting here on Wednesday, I'll be missing a meeting at La Salle that I wouldn't miss for anything else.  They'll be talking about how to pull in more students in an open forum of community members and staff who are in a position to make an impact on just that.  
5. I think that we need to find a clever way to mark the holes for the volleyball net posts.  I failed miserably at finding the second hole yesterday when I went to set it up.
6. I think I'm pretty stoked to continue on with guitar lessons again this week for students wanting to learn to play.  Also teaching bass simultaneously, all Wednesday evenings @ 5:30 to 6:00.
7. I think I need to give a special shout out to Tim from the Sunday Evening Band.  Great voice, reliable guy for years in the group, brings his A Game each week.  Thanks for making that group better by being a part of it!  
8. I think I still owe Carleen some music to check out.  Add that to my list for this afternoon.
9. I think the heat in Yakima is a little more brutal after a year in Oregon, and it showed when I was drenched in not fun sweat all day yesterday at the picnic.
10. I think these are my non ministry thoughts:
1. I think playing in two different fantasy football leagues is interesting.  Going into tonight's game, in one league I need the Patriots Defense to outscore their Kicker by more than 35 points to win my match, pretty bleak.  In the other, the only way I lose is for Brandon Marshall to score 48 more than the same kicker I'm rooting against for my other league...hmmm...
2. I think Matt Hasselbeck is not the first player to see his Career being revived by leaving the Seahawks, as sad as that is to say. He played well yesterday despite losing.  It was (as odd as this is to say too) the running game holding them back.
3. I think Thursday night volleyball is often times the highlight of my week.  Semi-competitive friendly games in round robin style in a christian environment is a lot of fun.  Thursday nights at 7 pm at the Ark out on Ahtanum and 86th Ave., across from Ahtanum Pioneer Church.  Come on out if you like.
4. I think I'm ready for fall.  Too hot this past week.
5. I think I'm ready for Football (you couldn't tell right?)
6. I think daily mass rocks my world every time.  If you can go, go.  Even if it means 6:30 am, or going to Saint Joe's to go at noon.  More Jesus is what we need.  Always.

 

 

Welcome to the inaugural blog!


Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to give you a quick preview on how this will work as we go.  Each Monday morning (sometime before noon) I'll be posting a blog on youth ministry going on's at Holy Family.  There will be sections looking back on the past week, looking forward to the next, as well as several others with little side notes and such to add some flavor.  If you read Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback" column for Sports Illustrated, you'll likely notice that I draw a lot of inspiration from him as a writer.  Last quick note, pictures and videos will be added frequently as we go through the year, however until we have registration packets turned in with parental permission to use (or not use) pictures on the internet, I won't be able to use any.  Enjoy folks! 


Looking back


I arrived in Yakima in May, and hit the ground running at Holy Family in June.  My first few days on the job were helping facilitate the parish yard sale with Rose, our greatly gifted Director of Religious Education (DRE).  What a welcome! That first week and a half was a whirlwind, in and out of the yard sale for setup, the whole event, and tear down.  At the same time I was working to get my office cleaned out and organized.  All said and done, the yard sale was a great success, with lots of customers, and we'll definitely be doing it again!


June also saw the beginning of our summer fun activities that continued through the end of August.  We watched a movie, Tie Dyed, had a game tournament with some friends from Saint Paul's, had a water relays, and all sorts of good times.  Thank you much to our Youth Council for helping to setup, plan, and organize these events!


In July we took a weekend to fund-raise and held to our yearly tradition of baking and selling tea rings.  A small group of our young people worked tirelessly all weekend to make it happen, and it was a huge lift to help get us to Summer Camp (see further down).  I do, thankfully have some pictures of this awesome event!

August brought about summer camp, a week of adventure, fun, and prayer out at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum.  Thirty or so campers and an adult staff team went out and had an awesome week.  We were able to experience the camp out in the woods, with campfires (scaled way way down with burn ban sadly), games of capture the flag and mission impossible, and  time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation all around us.  We took two side trips while we were away.  The first was off to Franklin Falls, a beautiful hike to a great (and very, very cold) waterfall, with a natural rock water-slide near the base of the trail.  The second was out to Lake Easton (slightly less cold) to enjoy the waterfront.  We also had the blessed opportunity to experience daily mass, reconciliation, and an all night vigil of adoration with the Blessed Sacrament.  Thank you SO much to Father Cesar, Father Gary, and Father Mike for providing the Sacraments for us, it meant a lot to all of us.

Looking Forward

This week in the office is rather exciting for me!  Today, this blog is happening from home, as the office is closed for the holiday.  Tomorrow is the beginning of a new session for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) headed up by our Adult Faith Formation Director, Ree Kearns.  Part of my plan this year is to sit in on these classes to listen and take notes.  Every few years I try to do this as a part of my ongoing formation. I find that the questions brought up by people coming into the church, whether they're coming back after an extended absence, or coming from a protestant background, or just exploring Christianity for the first time, are the sort that many of us cradle Catholics never think to ask.  Working with young people especially, it's important for me to be prepared to field many of these same questions.  

Wednesday we'll be hitting up the first formal music practice for the worship band commissioned for leading worship at youth group throughout the school year.  We've mostly all played with some members of the band at one point or another, but it will be our first time with everyone in the same room at the same time.  Very excited!  

My big project for the week is putting together outlines for youth group nights for the fall.  This perhaps is the most exciting, if most labor intensive, part of my week.  I am really looking forward to having a week to week plan all fleshed out for our first semester.  Saint Joseph, patron of workers, pray for me!

Lastly, in this section I'll work on having the next four weeks events lined out:

• 9/7/11--Music Practice with the Band
• 9/11/11--Parish Picnic
• 9/14/11--Leadership Meeting:  Go Time!
• 9/21/11--Registration Night
• 9/28/11--Kick Off BBQ

Quote of the Week:

"In all honesty I guess I should just be thankful for problems that can be completely solved by money."

Jeremy Chase via Google +

Tweet of the Week I:

"Wak up every morning to my son's soggy dirty diaper! Gotta #CRUCIFY myself, follow Christ & clean this butt #NOTMYWILL "

David Tyree--Wide Receiver for the New York Giants, champion for marriage and the pro-life movement in New York City.  How many professional athletes took the time to protest at the capitol building when New York State voted to allow marriage privileges for same sex couples?  Great example as a man, a christian, a husband, a father, and a celebrity who's not afraid to stand up for the truth.

Tweet of the Week II:

"Breath, trust, breath again....it's the ever ending prayer of the heart."

Paul George--Catholic Musician and speaker who will be keynoting the Yakima Diocesan Youth Convention in November


Tweet of the Week III:

"@americanpapist If any national-level candidate is 98% right on #prolife issues, I will be behind him all the way."

Patrick Hoelscher--In regards to Rick Santorum's interview misstep last week.  The former Senator from Pennsylvania is making a bid for the Republican Nomination to run for President next year.  Interesting to see a solidly Catholic candidate from the Republican Party.

Ten Things I Think I Think

1. I think our summer was productive, fun, and a great learning experience.
2. I think the parish picnic may be the day I look forward to this month...and of course, it being the first Sunday of NFL football has no bearing on that thought...
3. I think the worship band is really going to rock.  Ryan Miller on guitar is amazing, Kelly Gresham on vocals is brilliant.  We are really blessed to have so much talent.
4. I think it was good to have Jennifer Thompson helping out with ushering last night at the youth mass.  She is such a gift to our parish, teaching Religious Education, and happy to serve wherever she can.  
5. Along the same lines, it's awesome to see Freshman like Jessica lector at mass.  She does a great job every time, and we're blessed to have her.  
6. I should've had a mass section earlier I guess, I've not had the pleasure of meeting the young lady who sang with the band for mass the past two weeks, but I hope she's here to stay.  Big voice that blends well.  Great find for Carleen.
7. I think Father's homily last night was one of the best I've heard (or maybe it was just something that I needed to hear) lately.  Made me think of this song by Matt Maher.  
8. I think that the new release of the week goes to Tammy Evevard with her new book, "Becoming the Woman God Made You to Be".
9. I think that this is an extremely exciting month for Christian Music, with Switchfoot, Matt Maher, and Gungor all releasing new albums.
10. I think these are my non ministry thoughts this week:
1. I think that two fantasy football leagues shouldn't be much harder to manage than one, but I am concerned that there will be weeks that I'll be really confused on who to root for with different players on my team in different leagues.
2. I think I put close to a thousand miles on my car this week traveling to and from Leavenworth, and to and from Coeur d'Alene on top of my usual driving.
3. I think my Fiancee Theresa is pretty awesome, and that her moving down this week is the biggest stress relief in my life in the past year.  So blessed to have friends here she can live with as we prepare for marriage next summer. 
4. I think God is good, and way bigger than me, and that's why I can make it day to day trusting He's already forgiven me for the mistakes I don't know I'm going to make yet.  That's pretty comforting.  
5. I think this year is gonna rock!  God bless people.