SUMMER, 2010

Seminarian invites youth & young adults to weekly adoration: The visiting seminarian at Saint Matthias (101 W. Burrell Dr., Crown Pt.), Chris Stanish, is offering an evening adoration time from 7-8 pm each Thu. through July. He’ll start with prayers and an inspiring talk, followed by time for individual prayer. All are invited.

World Pulse Fest 2010: More than just an outdoor Contemporary Christian concert, World Pulse Festival attracts appr. 50,000 each year and millions more listen and watch from around the globe. Held Sat., Aug. 14 in South Bend, Toby Mac & Amy Grant highlight a full list of award-winning Christian artists. St. Matthias (Crown Pt.) and Our Lady of Consolation (Merrlvl) are taking a group to World Pulse. Participants will take a bus. Tickets are free, participants will pay $12 to cover the transportation. All are welcome to attend. There are two ways to register: register and pay online by completing a form, or download a permission form and drop it off at either parish office with payment no later than Sat., July 17. Visit facebook.com/stmatthiasym or facebook.com/olcyg  or contact Joe Kern directly at 708-932-9683. Event website

H.S. teens: Can you sing? Can you play an instrument? A group of high school leaders is looking to put together a youth ensemble to perform at CYX 2010. Practices will be at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Merriville June 5 (10am-1pm), June 18 (6pm-9pm), July 2 (6pm-9pm), and July 21 (6-9pm). For more information contact Patrick O'Donnell (DYC rep, St. James/Highld, purduepat11ATaol.com, facebook.com/lilkaner) or Joe Kern (YMC, OLC/Merrlvl, jkern313ATsbcglobal.net, facebook.com/OLCYG )

Summer Service Weeks at Sharing Meadows: Do you have teens looking for something special this summer? Consider Sharing Meadows, Rolling Prairie (La Porte County). They offer week-long summer camps for adults with disabilities. Unlike most mission trips, these service opportunities pay you (use it as a fundraiser)! This from our friend, former youth minister Sandy Furman, from the sponsoring organization, Share Foundation:

We're looking for great people to truly be Christ’s hands and feet in today’s world! Summer camps begin on June 6th-11th and go, consecutively, until July 11th-16th. Staff can be 17 to 75 years of age. We do offer a stipend of $150 per week to counselors and cooks, $175 to nurses. I have several openings for all. This is such an uplifting, spiritual, relaxing, fun experience for any age! The child within just naturally comes out...Do one camp or all six! We also offer weekend Mini-Camps all year 'round, and we accept volunteers for those, or c'mon out and get a good preview of what summer camps are like.

My phone number 10am to 5pm is 219-778-2585. Email sfurmanATsharefoundation.org Sharing Meadows website is: www.sharefoundation.org If you think my contacting someone is the best way to go about it, please email their name and contact numbers to me. I will get right on it. If you can help out, great! If you cannot at this time just keep us in the back of your mind for future reference.

Of particular need, I am struggling with finding male staff for our summer camps for adults with disabilities. In your multiple daily contacts, if you would run across anyone (especially males!), that is out of work, needs service hours, is retired looking for something to do, or simply desires to , please have them contact me.
 

LARRI (Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana), formed to assist survivors of the September 2008 floods, depends almost entirely on volunteer labor. There are countless way in which you or your organization can help those whose homes were damaged by the flood. LARRI is always in need of all levels of skilled and unskilled labor. Some ways you can help include carpentry, painting, cleaning, drywall, fundraising, clerical, marketing and even babysitting for the volunteers out on site.

LARRI also provides housing for our out-of-town volunteer groups. If you are able to contribute please contact:

For more information or to volunteer with , contact volunteer coordinator Rhonda Carlson at (219) 836-1325 x102 or email at rcarlsonATlarri.info. Website: www.larri.info

Flood cleanup help needed: Faith Without Borders is a St. John the Evangelist (St. John)-based service organization that has worked tirelessly to assist victims of last September's floods. They are always open to accepting new volunteers willing to get their hands dirty and serve their neighbors. For more info, contact Mary Ann Koke at 219-730-3381.

Wanted: New DYC reps! Attention Youth Ministry Leaders: Any time is a good time to add Diocesan Youth Council reps if you have not done so already. While it is completely up to you to designate your reps and their terms, and reps can be added at any time, right after CYX and the start of the new academic year provides the best chance for new reps to come aboard. Each parish is allowed up to two HS-aged reps. You may utilize the Info Sheet on the DYC webpage as an application, but all I really need to add them is your okay and their contact information. I will mail them and their parents a welcome packet. Reps should have a general understanding of the roles and responsibilities. Check out the Bylaws, FAQ, and Dates links at the DYC webpage. ~Kev

Contemporary Catholic Christian praise & worship band Inspired is looking for gigs! If you're looking to enliven your youth ministry retreat, gathering, prayer service, etc., consider inviting Inspired. This band, which ministers at St. John the Evangelist Church (St. John), has been together for over 10 years, singing, praying, and praising! Ron Foltman, a singer/songwriter/arranger, fronts the band and serves on lead vocal and lead acoustic guitar. Inspired has performed its ministry at various events, including CYX '04 '05, & '06, Source & Summit retreats and Grasta De!. For more information, contact Ron (email , 219-365-9490).

Youth Ministry Formation...

Ever dreamed of being a Notre Dame student? Now you can for less than $75...and receive ongoing formation in youth ministry! The Satellite Theological Education Program at Notre Dame (STEP-ND) offers two online courses on Catholic youth ministry for a very reasonable cost. Youth Ministry 101 & Youth Ministry 201* :. Visit STEP-ND to register or learn more.
* - recommended for Diocese of Gary YMU graduates