Really, Really Random... Part deux

So tonight I ended my weekend on a high note. I was able to successfully tri-locate and have a parents meeting, a fund raiser rehearsal (we are doing a mystery dinner theater) as well as oversee a Confirmation Class. Sometimes I really just do ride the energy of the Holy Spirit... other times I rely on crack. Just kidding... it is actually the rum that makes me happiest, and tonight I made Kool Aid, so I can have a little before bed (Fruit Punch and Ron Rico... Yummy).

I prefer Captain Morgan or Bacardi (151 is da bomb... seriously it has a flame retarder on the bottle!).

Now, I am sure that some of you may stumble across this and ask yourself how a youth minister in the Catholic Church can know so much about alcohol... Wait... I just blew it... I am Catholic, and for me, as long as I am not doing so to get drunk, it is okay for me to enjoy alcohol (after all, beer is proof that God loves me). In all honest though, if Christ had a problem would He have chosen to turn water into good wine at Cana? In those days, by the time they had run out of wine, they had been drinking for days... You can't tell me that was not a rocking party, and yet, Christ gave them more to drink, and better than the initial wine they had.

You can argue symbolism all you want, but it does not matter to me. My Lord and Savior enjoyed life to the fullest. He came to show me how to live, and how to be a man. That means eating and drinking with people... Moderation and self control come into play in a virtuous life,  yet every time you turn around Christ is eating and drinking. Always at someone's home, making sure that they are well fed and that they knew He loved them.

I think that modern Christianity has forgotten this aspect of Christ's life. How much He enjoyed the time He had here. I think that I might have for a while too. He lit a fire in me again though... just a little one. I think that is all He needs though. I have the Holy Spirit to fan those flames, and all I need to do is turn back to Him. It will be interesting to turn around again and have all my sin burned away, yet as scary as that can be, I know that I have to.

Lord Jesus Christ, have Mercy on me, a Sinner. I believe Lord, help my unbelief!

Prayers,

Pisio

P.S.: I should be back to card droppin tomorrow... Tonight... I am going to enjoy that other great gift... sleep.

Ministry with Teens

I have never known anything as rewarding as the work that I do with teenagers. I am thankful that Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to pass on the Faith to the coming generation. I have to tell you though it is the most taxing career choice I think that I could have made. I love what I do, but man am I tired...

Tonight I had a night with my peer ministry where we played a game called Curses. I am convinced that this is a game straight from hell, so it is perfect to play at a Church meeting. Actually, it is a lot of fun, and allows you opportunity to break down the walls that keep you from opening up in groups. It also allows me to see the strengths and weaknesses of the teenagers that I look to as leaders. 

Being an introvert, I have to be alone at times to recharge... so to speak. Tonight is one of those nights where I am glad that I married Jonah. She understands that sometimes I just need my space. We are able to be in the same room together and know that we are supporting each other, yet not in each other's space. Does that even make any sense?

So... In  three weeks we have our Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser, the following weekend is a Junior High Retreat, then we have Easter and three weeks later our Confirmation Retreat. It all ends on May 2nd after the Celebration of the Rite of Confirmation. Or does it just begin? That is really the question... 

I am one of the few youth ministers in the Diocese who chooses to do a round the year ministry. It is really silly to me to take the summers off, as that is when those we minister to have the most free time, yet most of my counterparts here in the Diocese do just that. I just do not see how they can ever make inroads in to the teenage culture. That is something that in my experience takes around the calendar consistency and quality.

Time will tell I guess...

Any way... It is going to be a busy few months. I pray that He will give me the strength to make it through these busy times... and that my wife knows despite my desire to be alone... how much I love her...

Happy SAINT Valentine's Day

Prayers,

Pisio