Preparing the Way

The session of Friday, July 2 began with the recitation of the Rosary at 5:45 pm in the courtyard outside the Hope Room. It was a warm evening, but the youth were faithful to their commitment to beginning the session with prayer to the Virgin Mary.

Following the opening prayers, the trash bags came out for a quasi-sack-race. Despite the clear instructions, few of the youth actually "hopped," but instead ran in their small plastic bags  and tore huge holes through the bottom. Some later donned the black elastic as rain coats.  This activity ruined, the youth were divided into two groups. Hands were joined, then twisted, tangled and locked around one another with a few legs joined together with the remaining shards of trash bags. At the whistle, the two confused and tangled troops of youth dashed for the finish line. Halfway there, one group fell flat on the grass, leaving an easy win for their opponents.

After the activities, Br. Joseph explained the upcoming Amigos de Jesus retreat. The parish has booked a very large and beautiful cabin at the foot of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs exclusively for the use of the youth group. The dates will be August 13 to August 15. It is important that youth check with their parents now and reserve this date on their calendars.

The youth split into their two camps for small group discussions and reflections. Part of the small group time was given to a practical explanation of the methods used in meditation. Br. Joseph walked his group through the final luminous mystery of the Rosary, meanwhile explaining how the youth could use their breathing and imagination to foster a deeper meditation. Attention then turned to Sunday's Gospel and Jesus call to his disciples to go into the towns and villages to prepare the people for his arrival. The youth reflected on what this meant for them in their lives today. How were they being called to bring Jesus to the people they encounter on a daily basis?

The groups rejoined at 7:15 pm to celebrate the July birthdays. Brownie cakes were lit with candles and the birthday folks, Alejandra, Alicia, Salvador, and Aide, had the honor of blowing them out. Ice cream was also included in the high-calorie celebration.

The session ended at 8:00 pm. Below is a slide show presentation of images from the session.

On Saturday, June 3, several members of the youth group gathered together at 12:30 pm for an afternoon of sports and barbecue. The youth spent nearly three hours playing soccer and wiffle ball at City Park before returning to the parish for a feast of hamburgers, bratwursts, wieners, chips, and cupcakes. It rarely gets any less healthy than that!

The youth ended the day with the celebration of the evening Mass at 6:00 pm at the parish. Thanks to all of the youth who participated in making the day such a fun and memorable ocassion.

God's peace,
Br. Joseph