On June 5th we will be packing the large tent used every year for the parish picnic with teens for Jesus. Monica's building us our very own "burning bush".
Saturday was Valentine's Day and all 1600 young people were given a special challenge. We were encouraged to tell Jesus that we love Him 100 times within 24 hours. If we all did this, then we would be able to send Jesus over 160,000 valentines. Pretty cool huh?
Happy Valentine's Day Jesus, from Mount 2009.
As little at $10.00 can provide one person with a lifetime supply of clean water.
When: February 13th-15th 2009
Where: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary
Leaving on Friday: We will meet at 3:00pm in the Fr. Meyer Field. We will be driving in vans and leaving promptly at 3:30pm. Please don’t be late!
Retuning on Sunday: We will return to the school cafeteria by 6:00pm on Sunday.
Cost: $75.00
What to bring:
-Yourselves
-An open heart!
-Sleeping bags (we will be sleeping on the floor)
-Pillow
-Modest, comfortable clothing with something nice to wear for Sunday Mass.
-Sports clothes: tennis shoes, tshirts and sweatshirts, etc.
-Toiletries and pajamas
-Towel and washcloth
-Camera (if you want)
-Pen
-Notebook/journal
NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, or ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES OF ANY KIND!
Absolutely NO ipods, cell phones, watches, computers, and anything else that you can think of that’s electronic, makes noise and wouldn’t be appropriate for a retreat.
Remember the vocations video with the Eucharistic procession that Fr. Avelino showed us at youth group on Friday? (If not, please see Jesus in the Streets of New York below.) This is a remix of that video using an awesome song by Kutless...enjoy!
Ellen, David, and Juana... super fantastic readers at the Mass at the Verizon Center... with 30,000 people. Way to go! 
Burger King....a delicious lunch after praying in front of the abortion clinic on one of the coldest days of the year! 
Ever wondered about the loaves and the fishes? They were a symbol of the Eucharist.... Who is Jesus Christ, broken and shared for all. We witnessed this at the Mass at the Verizon Center....Eucharist for 30,000 of our closest friends! 
Yes, Lord! Yes, Lord! Yes! Yes! Lord!
Waves of mercy...waves of grace....
Maria, Ana, Veronica, and Ryan
Lunch! This is where we learned that Nghia likes to smash his sandwiches before eating them....yum!
Fr. Raul....it was so nice to see you!
Here's the whole St. Martin's crew...what a good lookin' group of people!
Shannon and Bridget
The March for Life
Hanging out at youth group with our friends from Kentucky....
The children with Father Dan
I Want to be with You again....
Happy New Year Everyone!
I'm sure you're wondering why I have posted this video. Well, I was thinking that this song makes a great prayer. Really? Really.
If you've heard it a million times, listen to it again. This time, imagine that you are speaking to God. Cool, huh?
This is the time of year, when our society begins it's "resolutions." Many people will say that in 2009, they resolve to drop a few pounds; turn all of their homework in on time; or spend less time watching TV. All good things but I really think that resolutions are good not only for our daily lives, but also for our spiritual lives. I challenge you to take some time to think and pray about where your relationship with God stands right now. He loves you and longs for you to live your life for Him, with Him, and in Him. Where do you see God at work in your life? What are some areas of sin and darkness in your life? Do you spend regular time praying? Do you go to Mass on Sundays and confession often?
The Lord stands at the door of your heart and knocks. What can you do in 2009 to open yourself a little more to Him?
Maybe you can resolve to pray a little everyday and read Scripture. Maybe you can resolve to be more patient with your parents and siblings by asking God to teach you how to be gentle with them. Or, perhaps you can to try to get to Mass a little early on Sundays and to listen, watch, and pray throughout the Mass, really putting your entire self into it
These are just a few ideas....I'm sure you have some of your own.
Please know that I am praying for all of you and that I wish all of you a very happy and holy new year!
'Tis the Season!?!
from-http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx PageID=BGSTWDETAIL&__DocumentID=255597
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1
Ready for Christmas?
Ready for Christmas to be over?
How do you keep Christmas going?
It’s a familiar sight: boxes torn open, bellies full of food, trash cans overflowing and wrapping paper flung aimlessly about while children unleash a sugar fit and parents enter into a sleep-deprived food coma.
Christmas is not a day, it’s a seasonIt’s Christmas night. Families have squeezed into overstuffed pews, encountered the Lord of the universe in the Sacrament(s) and returned home with “Silent Night” engrained in their heads. Santa has come. Relatives have joined together and departed (or fallen asleep) and all that work of shopping and wrapping, cooking and cleaning came to fruition.
Christmas is over – says the world.Christmas is just beginning, however, says the Catholic Church.Christmas is not a day, it’s a season. We don’t just celebrate Christ’s coming over a 24-hour period, but for days – weeks, even.So, how do we avoid falling into that trap of cleaning up and counting down the 364 days until the next organized melee of celebration?
Here’s a few suggestions:First, be present to the holy days (holidays). Pay attention to the people around you. Ask them questions. Find out how they are and what they need prayers for this year. Listen to stories, even if you’ve heard them a thousand times before. Be thankful for the mere opportunity you have with your family and loved ones, you never know how many more Christmases you (or they) will have, just as Christ reminds us in scripture: “no one knows the hour.” (Matt. 24:36)
Next, make the Christmas Mass primary for yourself (and hopefully for your family). Encourage your family to start getting ready even earlier and leave plenty of time to get the Church ahead. Stress, tardiness, parking and overcrowding lead to frustration during what should be a joyous liturgy. Enter into the Mass, fully, and offer a joyful example for all to see.
Third, don’t even dish up the food or sit down to eat until everyone has taken a few minutes in meaningful prayer before the meal(s). Now, this looks different from household to household. If your family doesn’t pray, be bold and initiate it. If your family always prays, go deeper – make it even more meaningful. Doesn’t God deserve better than a “quick prayer” before we start shoveling food? After all, He’s the reason we’re having a party. Keep up this practice each night before dinner.
Next, practice being patient each and every day, one situation at a time. Possibly carry your rosary in your pocket, wear your cross more prominently or do something else visual and visible that will act as a reminder to you to be like Christ to people who annoy you. You, my brothers and sisters, make Christ’s name more holy or less holy to the world, through your actions.
Fifth, with every tear of the wrapping paper and while cleaning up every box and gift bag, remind yourself of those who are without this year. Many will not open any presents, or eat any food. Many are alone this holiday season. Be thankful for each and every gift you receive (even the tube socks, calendar, ugly sweater or bad tie).
Sixth, at the end of Christmas day, go to bed extra early, and spend some time in prayer thanking God for not only the physical gifts you received, but for the gifts we often don’t thank Him for, like your sight, your hearing, your mobility, your health, your clothing, food, etc. Keep up that early-to-bed practice for at least a week – it only takes a couple weeks for something to become a habit.
Lastly, begin a list on Christmas, and spend the following week until the holy day on January 1st (The Solemnity of Mary) adding to it. On the list, write down concrete, practical ways that you are going to use your gifts to proclaim Christ’s love and His mercy this next year. Make these your primary “New Year’s” fesolutions.These are just a few ideas, but they can easily become simple things that bear great fruit in your life. You probably have much better ideas, so write some down and commit to them. The gifts in boxes and bags won’t last a lifetime. The gift of eternal life is the only one that does…
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” - Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is no time like the present and there is no present like this Christmas season.
Is God calling you to be a priest?
Yes. It is that time of year again. Hopefully, we are thankful everyday for all of the blessings that God has given us. We believe that God only has our best interest in mind as we experience the joy and the suffering that life can bring. So be sure that whatever table you stick your toes under tomorrow, you take some time to thank God for loving you so much. May your Thanksgiving "holy day" be one of laughter, fun, family, and prayer.
"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (Thess. 5:18)
January 22nd, 2009Plan ahead to attend the March For Life in Washington, DC on this day. Take the time off from work or school. Set aside any other plans you may have had. Grab a coat and gloves and join us as we march on Washington to proclaim the truth about abortion to our country and our new law makers.
We need everyone to pray and to participate.
All for Christ.
All to save lives.
If you'd like to ride the bus to the march from St. Martins, please sign up on the sheets at the entrances of the church. If you are in high school please contact Erin about coming with the youth group.
