Teenagers of Tours

2010-03-15T15:30:00.004-04:00

For more information about youth ministry at St. Martin of Tours please contact Erin at youth@stmartinsweb.com.

Where has everyone gone?

2009-07-16T15:14:00.003-04:00

We've had a crazy busy Summer here at St. Ms!

In June We:

- had a very large and very wonderful Eucharistic prayer festival. That's when we tested out our burning bush. Around 70 people were there!

- spent time with our graduating Seniors and their families (sniff! sniff!). We had a beautiful Mass followed by dinner and the ceremony. It rocked!

- welcomed Jonathan Benitez to the youth ministry staff. Jonathan has been with us all Summer and we've had so much fun!

-attended the Franciscan University Steubenville Conference. There we encountered Jesus' mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and His power in Eucharistic adoration. Our God truly is "above all". If you have not watched the Steubie promo video...check it out above.

- served the children of our parish at Vacation Bible School. We helped run classes, skits, played games, learned music and handmotions...and much much more!

So if it seems like we've disappeared off of the web...well...we have. So sorry about that! We've been busy about the Lord's business!

Youth Group's on Monday nights in the Summer for High School Students. Come join us in the Fr. Meyer Field at 7:30pm

Peace!

Eucharistic Prayer Festival

2009-05-19T18:38:00.004-04:00

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".

There will be Eucharistic adoration, praise and worship, and fellowship. We'll close the evening with a cookout and bonfire. All Middle and high school teens invited. 7:30-10:00pm in the Fr. Meyer Field.

We're Trying Something New

2009-05-04T22:13:00.001-04:00

You may have noticed a change to our blog's look and feel.

It will probably take us a couple weeks to get all the kinks worked out, so please bear with us, and if you notice any problems that we probably haven't, send us an email at teenagersoftours@gmail.com. Thanks!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

2009-04-17T11:52:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was Pope Benedict's 82nd birthday.

We love you Holy Father.

Hope your day was blessed and happy.

Can you believe it's been a year since Pope Benedict's visit to the United States? See below for a slide show of the Mass he celebrated at the Nat's stadium. His message for us last year was a call to remember that Christ is our hope. How appropriate and timely considering where our nation currently stands. Thank you Holy Father!

Spring Break During Holy Week

2009-04-13T14:40:00.010-04:00

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

So this year, spring break was scheduled during Holy Week! Awesome! We went to see the Gospel of St. John performed; spent some time with Jesus at XLT on Palm Sunday; helped to set up the altar of repose for Holy Thursday; and just hung out playing ping pong and spoons. The best part was participating in the Holy Triduum. Here are some pics from our rehearsals for the Living Stations of the Cross which we lead for the parish on Good Friday.

Holy Week's the best....now it's Monday of Easter...please pass the jelly beans!

Guys Day Out

2009-03-23T15:54:00.005-04:00

Our high school guys went

to Mass together yesterday and then spent the day playing soccer, laser tag, and eating pizza. Here's a really great pic of the group.

Pope Benedict XVI- message to young people for local youth day 2009

2009-03-18T13:56:00.006-04:00

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has recently released the message for World Youth Day 2009.

As is often the case, the Holy Father's most beautiful, eloquent, and hope-filled speeches are those which are addressed to youth. This is no different. What follows is a profound and sublime exhortation on the Christian virtue of hope:
Papal Message for Youth Day '09

"Jesus Also Wants to Encounter Each One of You"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 4, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's message for World Youth Day 2009, to be celebrated at the diocesan level this Palm Sunday. The message was released today.
* * *
"We have set our hope on the living God" (1 Tim 4:10)

My dear friends,
Next Palm Sunday we shall celebrate the twenty-fourth World Youth Day at the diocesan level. As we prepare for this annual event, I recall with deep gratitude to the Lord the meeting held in Sydney in July last year. It was a most memorable encounter, during which the Holy Spirit renewed the lives of countless young people who had come together from all over the world. The joy of celebration and spiritual enthusiasm experienced during those few days was an eloquent sign of the presence of the Spirit of Christ. Now we are journeying towards the international gathering due to take place in Madrid in 2011, which will have as its theme the words of the Apostle Paul: "Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf. Col 2:7). As we look forward to that global youth meeting, let us undertake a path of preparation together. We take as our text for the year 2009 a saying of Saint Paul: "We have set our hope on the living God" (1 Tim 4:10), while in 2010 we will reflect on the question put to Jesus by the rich young man: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mk 10:17)

Youth, a time of hope
In Sydney, our attention was focussed upon what the Holy Spirit is saying to believers today, and in particular to you, my dear young people. During the closing Mass, I urged you to let yourselves be shaped by him in order to be messengers of divine love, capable of building a future of hope for all humanity. The question of hope is truly central to our lives as human beings and our mission as Christians, especially in these times. We are all aware of the need for hope, not just any kind of hope, but a firm and reliable hope, as I wanted to emphasize in the Encyclical Spe Salvi. Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition. Perhaps this is why it is the time of life when fundamental questions assert themselves strongly: Why am I here on earth? What is the meaning of life? What will my life be like? And again: How can I attain happiness? Why is there suffering, illness and death? What lies beyond death? These are questions that become insistent when we are faced with obstacles that sometimes seem insurmountable: difficulties with studies, unemployment, family arguments, crises in friendships or in building good loving relationships, illness or disability, lack of adequate resources as a result of the present widespread economic and social crisis. We then ask ourselves: where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart?

In search of "the great hope"
Experience shows that personal qualities and material goods are not enough to guarantee the hope which the human spirit is constantly seeking. As I wrote in the Encyclical Spe Salvi, politics, science, technology, economics and all other material resources are not of themselves sufficient to provide the great hope to which we all aspire. This hope "can only be God, who encompasses the whole of reality and who can bestow upon us what we, by ourselves, cannot attain" (no. 31). This is why one of the main consequences of ignoring God is the evident loss of direction that marks our societies, resulting in loneliness and violence, discontent and loss of confidence that can often lead to despair. The word of God issues a warning that is loud and clear: "Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes" (Jer 17:5-6).
The crisis of hope is more likely to affect the younger generations. In socio-cultural environments with few certainties, values or firm points of reference, they find themselves facing difficulties that seem beyond their strength. My dear young friends, I have in mind so many of your contemporaries who have been wounded by life. They often suffer from personal immaturity caused by dysfunctional family situations, by permissive and libertarian elements in their education, and by difficult and traumatic experience. For some - unfortunately a significant number - the almost unavoidable way out involves an alienating escape into dangerous and violent behaviour, dependence on drugs and alcohol, and many other such traps for the unwary. Yet, even for those who find themselves in difficult situations, having been led astray by bad role models, the desire for true love and authentic happiness is not extinguished. But how can we speak of this hope to those young people? We know that it is in God alone that a human person finds true fulfilment. The main task for us all is that of a new evangelization aimed at helping younger generations to rediscover the true face of God, who is Love. To you young people, who are in search of a firm hope, I address the very words that Saint Paul wrote to the persecuted Christians in Rome at that time: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). During this Jubilee Year dedicated to the Apostle of the Gentiles on the occasion of the two thousandth anniversary of his birth, let us learn from him how to become credible witnesses of Christian hope.

Saint Paul, witness of hope
When Paul found himself immersed in difficulties and trials of various kinds, he wrote to his faithful disciple Timothy: "We have set our hope on the living God" (1 Tim 4:10). How did this hope take root in him? In order to answer that question we must go back to his encounter with the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. At that time, Saul was a young person like you in his early twenties, a follower of the Law of Moses and determined to fight with every means, and even to kill those he regarded as God's enemies (cf. Acts 9:1). While on his way to Damascus to arrest the followers of Christ, he was blinded by a mysterious light and he heard himself called by name: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He fell to the ground, and asked: "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:3-5). After that encounter, Paul's life changed radically. He received Baptism and became an Apostle of the Gospel. On the road to Damascus, he was inwardly transformed by the Divine Love he had met in the person of Jesus Christ. He would later write: "The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20). From being a persecutor, he became a witness and a missionary. He founded Christian communities in Asia Minor and Greece, and travelled thousands of miles amid all kinds of perils, culminating in his martyrdom in Rome. All this for love of Christ.

The great hope is in Christ
For Paul, hope is not simply an ideal or sentiment, but a living person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Profoundly imbued with this certainty, he could write to Timothy: "We have set our hope on the living God" (1 Tim 4:10). The "living God" is the Risen Christ present in our world. He is the true hope: the Christ who lives with us and in us and who calls us to share in his eternal life. If we are not alone, if he is with us, even more, if he is our present and our future, why be afraid? A Christian's hope is therefore to desire "the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1817).

The way towards the great hope
Just as he once encountered the young Paul, Jesus also wants to encounter each one of you, my dear young people. Indeed, even before we desire it, such an encounter is ardently desired by Jesus Christ. But perhaps some of you might ask me: How can I meet him today? Or rather, in what way does he approach me? The Church teaches us that the desire to encounter the Lord is already a fruit of his grace. When we express our faith in prayer, we find him even in times of darkness because he offers himself to us. Persevering prayer opens the heart to receive him, as Saint Augustine explains: "Our Lord and God ... wants our desire to be exercised in prayer, thus enabling us to grasp what he is preparing to give" (Letter 130:8,17). Prayer is the gift of the Spirit that makes us men and women of hope, and our prayer keeps the world open to God (cf. Spe Salvi, 34).

Make space for prayer in your lives! To pray alone is good, although it is even more beautiful and fruitful to pray together, because the Lord assured us he would be present wherever two or three are gathered in his name (cf. Mt 18:20). There are many ways to become acquainted with him. There are experiences, groups and movements, encounters and courses in which to learn to pray and thus grow in the experience of faith. Take part in your parish liturgies and be abundantly nourished by the word of God and your active participation in the Sacraments. As you know, the summit and centre of the life and mission of every believer and every Christian community is the Eucharist, the sacrament of salvation in which Christ becomes present and gives his Body and Blood as spiritual food for eternal life. A truly ineffable mystery! It is around the Eucharist that the Church comes to birth and grows - that great family of Christians which we enter through Baptism, and in which we are constantly renewed through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The baptised, through Confirmation, are then confirmed in the Holy Spirit so as to live as authentic friends and witnesses of Christ. The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony enable them to accomplish their apostolic duties in the Church and in the world. Finally, the Sacrament of the Sick grants us an experience of divine consolation in illness and suffering.

Acting in accordance with Christian hope
If you find your sustenance in Christ, my dear young people, and if you live profoundly in him as did the Apostle Paul, you will not be able to resist speaking about him and making him known and loved by many of your friends and contemporaries. Be his faithful disciples, and in that way you will be able to help form Christian communities that are filled with love, like those described in the Acts of the Apostles. The Church depends on you for this demanding mission. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter. Be patient and persevering so as to overcome the natural youthful tendency to rush ahead and to want everything immediately.

My dear friends, follow the example of Paul and be witnesses to the Risen Christ! Make Christ known, among your own age group and beyond, to those who are in search of "the great hope" that would give meaning to their lives. If Jesus has become your hope, communicate this to others with your joy and your spiritual, apostolic and social engagement. Let Christ dwell within you, and having placed all your faith and trust in him, spread this hope around you. Make choices that demonstrate your faith. Show that you understand the risks of idolizing money, material goods, career and success, and do not allow yourselves to be attracted by these false illusions. Do not yield to the rationale of selfish interests. Cultivate love of neighbour and try to put yourselves and your human talents and professional abilities at the service of the common good and of truth, always prepared to "make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet 3:15). True Christians are never sad, even if they have to face trials of various kinds, because the presence of Jesus is the secret of their joy and peace.

Mary, Mother of hope
May Saint Paul be your example on this path of apostolic life. He nourished his life of constant faith and hope by looking to Abraham, of whom he wrote in the Letter to the Romans: "Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become the father of many nations" (Rom 4:18). Following in the footsteps of the people of hope - composed of prophets and saints of every age - we continue to advance towards the fulfilment of the Kingdom, and on this spiritual path we are accompanied by the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope. She who incarnated the hope of Israel, who gave the world its Saviour, and who remained at the foot of the Cross with steadfast hope, is our model and our support. Most of all, Mary intercedes for us and leads us through the darkness of our trials to the radiant dawn of an encounter with the Risen Christ. I would like to conclude this message, my dear young friends, with a beautiful and well-known prayer by Saint Bernard that was inspired by one of Mary's titles, Stella Maris, Star of the Sea: "You who amid the constant upheavals of this life find yourself more often tossed about by storms than standing on firm ground, do not turn your eyes from the brightness of this Star, if you would not be overwhelmed by boisterous waves. If the winds of temptations rise, if you fall among the rocks of tribulations, look up at the Star, call on Mary ... In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary ... Following her, you will never go astray; when you implore her aid, you will never yield to despair; thinking on her, you will not err; under her patronage you will never wander; beneath her protection you will not fear; she being your guide, you will not weary; with her assistance, you will arrive safely in the port" (Homilies in Praise of the Virgin Mother, 2:17).

Mary, Star of the Sea, we ask you to guide the young people of the whole world to an encounter with your Divine Son Jesus. Be the celestial guardian of their fidelity to the Gospel and of their hope.

Dear young friends, be assured that I remember all of you every day in my prayers. I give my heartfelt blessing to you and to all who are dear to you.

From the Vatican, 22 February 2009

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

Happy St. Paddy's Day

2009-03-17T11:20:00.003-04:00

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck.

No Stations of thr Cross Rehearsals tonight...Monday March 2nd

2009-03-02T11:40:00.003-05:00

SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW ...lol!

Hello Everyone! Just a little notice. Please do not risk driving in this weather to come out for Via Crucis practice tonight. We will gather next week to work on it.

See you Wednesday at Bible study.

God bless!

H2O Project Week II

2009-02-24T11:18:00.002-05:00

Wow! It's so wonderful to see how our little H2O Project has grown!

We recently received an update from Fr. Ryan with pics and stories of how the people of our sister parish in Togo, Africa are doing. Follow this link to read his letter and found out what we can do to help.

Togo update

Romans fiiiiiive 8!- But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us......

2009-02-20T14:16:00.008-05:00

Mount 2009- Wow! I LUV Bein' Catholic!

Our high school youth group spent the weekend of February 13th-15th on retreat at Mount St. Mary's Seminary. There we spent lots of time in Eucharistic adoration, singing praise and worship songs, and listening to dynamic speakers break open the mysteries of our faith.

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.

Give it up 2 Give it Away

2009-02-12T14:46:00.005-05:00

4 children die every minute because they lack clean water.

As little at $10.00 can provide one person with a lifetime supply of clean water.

The Challenge...for 2 weeks:

1. Make water your only beverage.

2. Save the money you would have spent on other beverages.

3. At the end of 2 weeks, contribute 100% of the funds you collected to Catholic Relief Services and help them drill a well.

Mount 2009- Some changes to what you need to know....

2009-02-10T15:44:00.003-05:00

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.

Whoa, Take It Easy, Chief!

2009-02-10T14:04:00.001-05:00

So I just opened up, on a lark, a little daily devotional I have from the Catholic Book Publishing Co. called Every Day Is a Gift. The reading for the day goes:

SCRIPTURE: "By patient endurance you will save your lives," Luke 21:19.

REFLECTION: "Practice patience toward everyone, and especially toward yourself. Never be disturbed because of your imperfections, but always get up bravely after a fall," St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER: "God of Patience, let me endure my imperfections without rebellion. Help me to be patient with myself as well as with others."

My first thought was, "Whoa." That's because being gentle and patient, with others and with myself have been big on my mind lately. I have also been thinking about how patience with others and patience with myself are related. Yesterday those thoughts had been especially frequent on my mind.

My second thought was, "Well, wait a minute." After all, some people don't care about their imperfections and their vices, don't try to root them out, but rather seem very happy to have them. Should we encourage them to be more patient with themselves, or more aggressive against their sins?

My third thought was, "Ah!" I cannot make a whit's difference in whether somebody else takes his faults seriously enough. I cannot even really know whether he takes them seriously or not. I probably can't even gauge whether he merely seems to take them seriously when he is near me. I am biased. I either like him or not; I either share his faults or not. That affects how I see things. I am not God. Better to let others worry about whether they are too patient or not. For me, it is best just to try to get rid of my faults, and be patient with myself and with others when faults pop up.

Music video

2009-02-10T10:53:00.001-05:00

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!

Jesus in the streets of New York

2009-02-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

The Month in Review

2009-02-03T15:05:00.003-05:00

“Why are we looking for life on Mars, when we can’t find it in the womb?”

- David Harper

Our high school youth group has spent the month of January learning about the Church’s teachings on life issues. At our Friday night meetings we have hosted several guest speakers whose presentations covered embryonic stem cell research, IVF, and the Freedom of Choice Act. We also had the opportunity to send postcards to our Senators and Representatives expressing our pro-life views and our concerns about the possibility of new pro-abortion legislation in our country. We hosted the USCCB People of Life Display in St. Martin’s Church hall as means of providing information to our parishioners. We also spent a Saturday morning praying the rosary for an end to abortion and the healing of women and men who suffer after having had abortions. We attended the March for Life on January 22nd in Washington, DC. Three of our young people read the Prayers of the Faithful at the respect life Mass that was held at the Verizon Center and one of our teens authored beautiful pro-life rosary meditations that were used there as well. Our teens shared their personal pro-life testimonies and provided music, skits, and leadership at the pro-life concert we held for 400 teens the night before the March for Life. Many of our young people and older parishioners shared in a period of Eucharistic adoration for life. We have spiritually adopted unborn babies who we pray for daily. Finally, our teens encountered the pro-life message in the viewing of the movie Bella, a beautifully pro-child, pro-family experience.

Our teens have been getting busy about being people of life!

Here's our YouTube Video...can you find yourself in the crowd?

2009-02-03T13:15:00.002-05:00

Hey Hey! Ho Ho! Roe v. Wade has got to go!

Pics from our pro-life month.....

2009-02-03T12:38:00.016-05:00

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

March for life 2009

2009-01-26T14:27:00.000-05:00

A fraudulent email situation...

2009-01-19T21:32:00.003-05:00

+M
Hello Everyone!

It's so hard to believe that tomorrow is January 20th and we will have a new President! As faithful Catholics, let us make it a day of prayer and fasting. Let's pray that he might respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as he leads our nation and that his decisions might uphold the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death!

On another note, I want to address a situation which has happened in the past 24 hours. My email account has been hacked. I apologize for any confusion that may have become of this. If you are currently listed as a contact in my address book, you may have received a fraudulent email from me requesting money to bring me home from England. Rest assured, I am in Gaithersburg and working at St. Martins. Please do not send any money! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. This matter is being investigated. Please pray for its swift resolve.

Thanks!

God bless,

Erin
Director of Youth Ministry

What's Happening in January?

2009-01-09T14:47:00.007-05:00

HERE ARE THREE GREAT EVENTS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!

1. Come pray with us for an end to abortion. Be a witness!

On Saturday, January 17th, we are going to the abortion clinic to pray. This is a peaceful and quiet protest...one that will bring many graces and hopefully save lives!

Here is what you need to know:

We will be meeting at St. Martin's for the 9:00am Mass. Then we will carpool over to the clinic to pray the rosary. Family and friends are invited! After prayers, we will eat lunch at the Burger King across the street (bring a little dough!) Pick up will be at the Burger King at 12:30pm. Permission slips are required.

2. CONCERT FOR LIFE!
As you know, this year we will have Chris Padgett in concert. You're going to love it!

Here's the schedule for January 21st:

4:00pm Youth Mass in the Church for out- of- town groups

5:15-6:50pm Dinner in the Church Hall

7:00-9:00pm Chris Padgett in Concert

9:00-9:30pm Face 2 Face Jesus time- Eucharistic adoration and Benediction

Any St. Martin's high school students who come early to help on this day will get into the concert and eat dinner for free (what a deal!) You have exams this day right? Well come on over after exams....it's gonna rock!
3. March for Life- This is the event that we are gearing up for. We will be taking buses into Washington, DC for the March. The bus ride and lunch is free. We will be meeting in the Fr. Meyer Field on January 22nd at 5:00am. We will be going to Mass at the Verizon center with 20,000 other Catholic teenagers. Pick up after the march will be at the Fr. Meyer field at 5:00pm. Permission slips are required.

If you have any questions about any of these events.....please contact Erin.

U2

2009-01-02T12:08:00.002-05:00

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!

Christmas isn't over...it's only just begun!

2008-12-30T10:56:00.003-05:00

'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.

Seminarians watch over the youth at Mount 200X

2008-12-30T10:27:00.002-05:00

Is God calling you to be a priest?

Prayer- The first step in discovering your vocation....

(article taken from www.vocation.com)

You ask. God responds. Then what do you say?
The first step in praying well is to realize to whom you are speaking - God who is your Father - and ask for what you need. In discernment, what you need is God's light to discover his plans for your life. Ask him with the confidence a child has in his mother or father when he asks for something that is truly good for him. How many times did Our Lord tell the Apostles the basic step of asking in prayer for what they needed? Faith and asking in prayer for what we need are two threads woven throughout the Gospel.
It sometimes happens that you pray and ask for an answer from God but seem to receive no response. This makes you wonder why: is it because it is too late to be asking the question? Is it because the path you already are on is the correct one? Is it a question of your motivation?

I don't know the exact answer to this, but let me ask you and then do some imagining: what kind of an answer are you expecting to your prayers? How do you think the answer is going to come to you?
At times we expect our prayers to be answered in the form of some unmistakable visible sign (like someone who does a novena to discover his vocation, and tells God to send him someone to give him an answer. Then, as soon as he finishes it, a perfect stranger asks him if he is going to be a priest... ). It is not good to look for this type of sign, because by doing so we are setting out conditions for God to fulfill. That's not the way it works.

God, of course can send us a sign like this if he wants. But we shouldn't be counting on it, and much less stipulate it.
Other times we expect our prayers to be answered by an almost overwhelming interior illumination. We expect to be flooded with an absolute conviction in answer to our prayers, and no longer have any doubt whatsoever about the path to follow.

This is not good either. It is too subjective. It begs the question: couldn't this be just my imagination, some sudden euphoria; how can I be sure it really is God's answer?

So, how do we know what God is saying in answer to our prayers?
Remember what Jesus tells us, in essence: "your Father knows what you need even before you ask him for it. If he loves you, will he hold back anything that you need? You wouldn't do that to someone you love, and he loves you much more."

Jesus also tells us how to pray, "seek first the Kingdom of God, and then you will receive all else as well."

The important thing in prayer is not so much to ask, but to change. Often when we pray to find our way in life we say, "Lord, tell me if it's A or B." Then we don't seem to get a clear answer. Could be it really is C, or maybe even D. So to get our answer we have to change: not limit him to the choices we see, but to tell him we are willing to do anything he wants us to do. When we start praying we are usually looking for what is good for us (of course, for all the right motives, but we are still looking out for ourselves). The outcome of prayer is that we begin to look out for what is best for his Kingdom.

As you pray better, certain convictions will take root in your life. You will be more sensitive to the needs of the Church and to the unique gift God gave us by giving us life; you will grow in the sense of how little this life can compare to the next, and how short life really is. All of this will affect your attitude towards the way you are going to live yours, and the choices you make. You will see God's hand and providence in your life more easily. You will have more of a 'sense' of what he wants you to do.
But it will never be absolutely clear. You will still need some prudent advice and direction from a spiritual director.

How to Get Started in Prayer

There are several good prayer books, but let me suggest this. Get a copy of a Daily Missal (for example, the 'Vatican II Missal' published by the Daughters of St Paul). Check the index to make sure it has a section called 'A Treasury of Prayers' or something similar, usually in the back. It will include prayers before and after Mass, morning and night prayers, popular devotions, prayers for special intentions, etc....
The reason for my suggestion is this: if you want to cultivate your prayer life, and especially if you think God might be calling you, you will want to go to Mass more frequently, and you will want to prepare and participate in the Mass more fully. The missal will help you do both.

On the days you cannot go to Mass you will be able to read the scripture readings from Mass on your own, and the missal I mentioned has short, helpful reflections for each day's readings that I am sure you will find useful.

After you read through the Treasury of Prayers a few times you are going to have a few favorites that you like to pray every day. That is usually a good sign for your spiritual life.

visit www.vocation.com for more information.

don't forget to turn in your Mount 2009 permission slips!

2008-12-30T09:41:00.006-05:00

Here are

some pics

from

Mount 2008

Deck the Halls!

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We had lots of fun at our youth group Christmas party!

Are you really going to use all of the shaving cream?

Cotton balls or marshmallows?

The"GREAT" gift exchange....

David....need I say more?

The "Santa" look-a-like competition

Merry Christmas Fr. Avelino!

For some, this was our first time Christmas caroling!

Hmmm...I wonder what we'll do at next year's party?

Wait for God's Mercy

2008-12-17T16:39:00.003-05:00

He's almost here, God's-Mercy-Made-Into-Flesh. Can you feel Him? Pray, and ask God to show you where He is acting, especially as the days grow short and the night grows long and dark. Here is a psalm to reflect on:

Psalm 90: A prayer of Moses, the man of God.

Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations.
Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth,
from eternity to eternity you are God.
But men you return to dust, saying, "Return, you children of men!"
A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday,
Before a watch passes in the night,
you have brought them to their end; They disappear like sleep at dawn;
they are like grass that dies.
It sprouts green in the morning; by evening it is dry and withered.

Truly we are consumed by your anger, filled with terror by your wrath.
You have kept our faults before you, our hidden sins exposed to your sight.
Our life ebbs away under your wrath; our years end like a sigh.
Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone.
Who comprehends your terrible anger? Your wrath matches the fear it inspires.
Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Relent, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy.
Make us glad as many days as you humbled us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
Show your deeds to your servants, your glory to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!

I told Erin that I'd put something on the blog

2008-12-08T10:53:00.003-05:00

But I forgot when I was supposed to do it. So now seems like a good time.

Who knows what day today is? Ten monopoly dollars to whoever gets it right - and I know you won't have to guess.

That's RIGHT! It's the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That's the day we celebrate when St. Anne conceived Mama Mary in her womb, in the ordinary way that babies are made, but with an extraordinary grace involved. We are all born into the brokenness of Adam and Eve. It's the most provable fact in the world. Just open a newspaper if you don't believe me. Burglaries, rapes, murders, hatred, racism, pollution - the world is broken. In our own lives: missing parents, drugs, gossip that cuts, broken and hardened hearts, loneliness covered up with iPods and video games. The world is broke. That's what Original Sin kinda means. Our default direction is downward.

But not Mary. God spared her the brokenness so that she could be a good mom for His own Son, Jesus. The two of them then can become a tag-team superhero duo, giving sin the ol' one-two. Nothing evil can stand up to the sacred names of Jesus and Mary. Use them often, but never in jokes or as cuss words. Keep them in your heart. She was perfectly open to Jesus, and if we ask her, she will open us to Him as well. Jesus is God's great gift to us, but he's too much for us to handle on our own. So God gave us Mary to get the world, to get each of us, ready. Mary is the gift before the gift.

Which reminds me that Christmas is seventeen days away. Sweet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T14:13:00.003-05:00

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)

The Parrot

2008-11-26T13:15:00.003-05:00

John received a parrot as an early Christmas gift.The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude,obnoxious and laced with profanity.John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and shoved him in the freezer.

For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said 'I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.' John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued....

........"May I inquire as to what the turkey did?'

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Who said FREE PIZZA?

2008-11-24T15:05:00.004-05:00

Youth Group...

Gotta Love it!

Save the Date

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January 22nd, 2009

Plan 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.

Dear God....

2008-11-24T13:52:00.003-05:00

Whether we realize it or not,

prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours.

God thirsts that we may thirst for him.- #2560 CCC

Another Cool Chris Padgett Video

2008-11-20T18:17:00.000-05:00

Online Text

2008-11-14T11:27:00.003-05:00

Giving everything to Jesus through Mary is a little bit like spiritual skydiving.

Are you game?

If so, follow this link to hear the prayers and readings in audio or to read them in text. We will be making our consecrations on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12th at a special Mass during youth group.

Click Here for Total Consecration Prayers and Readings

Contact Fr. Avelino or Erin if you have any questions.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

2008-11-14T11:02:00.004-05:00

Trip to Butler's Orchard Rescheduled Due to Rain

Bummer! We will not be having youth group tonight...November 14th. However, we will be going to the Orchard for our hayride and bonfire next Friday (November, 21st) at 7:00pm.

You were asked to bring canned food items for our pantry. Please drop them off at the church hall before Monday because our pantry is in great need.

In the event of rain next Friday, we will still have youth group in the school cafeteria.

Do You Have a Marian Heart?

2008-11-10T13:53:00.003-05:00

Girls' Day Out!

Just for Girls! This Sunday, November 16th our high school girls will be traveling to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for exploration and Sunday Mass. We will also be cooking dinner together and watching a movie.

Don't forget $15.00 and a permission slip.

Call Erin if you have any questions.

Hayride, Bonfire, Music, and S'More's.... Woo Hoo!!

2008-11-10T13:36:00.006-05:00

Yep! That's right.

We will not be having our regularly scheduled high school youth group meeting this Friday (November 14th). Instead, we will be meeting at Butler's Orchard in Germantown, MD for some Fall fun.

Time: 7:00pm- 10:00pm at the Orchard

Cost: Please bring at least 5 canned food items for St. Martin's Pantry

Parents should drive you to and from the Orchard.

Dress warm and come hungry!

Pray Today for an End to Abortion

2008-11-04T15:36:00.002-05:00

Today is election day. Please pray and fast that voters might be well informed and vote prayerfully for candidates who uphold the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

However, should a pro-abortion candidate be chosen for President or as a judge or member of congress, let us remember that our Lord and God Jesus Christ is our leader and He alone can and will save us from the powers of darkness.

Check out this psalm from today's Mass readings....what a perfect reminder to us that we are called to love Jesus in the quiet but also in the assembly of the people. Go out therefore and praise God with your pro-life vote and your public witness.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32

R. (26a) I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the LORD shall praise him:“May your hearts be ever merry!”

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD;All the families of the nations shall bow down before him.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

For dominion is the LORD’s,and he rules the nations.To him alone shall bow down all who sleep in the earth.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

To him my soul shall live;my descendants shall serve him.Let the coming generation be told of the LORD that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Scripture- the Living Word of God

2008-11-04T15:20:00.006-05:00

Sunday's Mass on our CA Retreat

Brothers and sisters:Hope does not disappoint,because the love of God has been poured out into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.For Christ, while we were still helpless,died at the appointed time for the ungodly.Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,though perhaps for a good personone might even find courage to die.But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood,will we be saved through him from the wrath.Indeed, if, while we were enemies,we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,how much more, once reconciled,will we be saved by his life.Not only that,but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:5-11

CA 29- Courage!

2008-11-04T15:11:00.003-05:00

This past weekend we had a beautiful retreat at Village of Mount Zion Retreat Center in Fort Valley Virginia. We experienced all night Eucharistic adoration, a Eucharistic procession, excellent talks from our teens leaders and we even went on a hike with Fr, Avelino! This was an amazing experience for all. The theme of our retreat was COURAGE. It took courage for our teen leaders to give their testimonies, it took courage to hike to the top of the mountain, and it takes courage to proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ boldly from the rooftops. We learned that this virtue and all virtues are gifts from the Holy Spirit. Thanks to all of the adult volunteers who supported us. You Rock! See future posts for more stories and pics.

watch this

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Bob Rice and Chris Padgett -Handmotions in Heaven

2008-10-08T16:46:00.000-04:00

Chris Padgett- Jesus for President

2008-10-08T16:42:00.001-04:00

Check this guy out!

2008-10-08T15:58:00.003-04:00

Chris Padgett is coming to St. Martins on Janurary 21st!

You may remember him from Steubenville conferences.

For all the Chris details visit http://www.chris-padgett.com

Almost time for the CA retreat ....woo hoo!

2008-10-08T15:26:00.005-04:00

Have you sent in your registration form for our CA retreat yet?

Christian Awakening #29

Dates: October 31st- November 2nd
Cost: #120.00

Registration due: October 24th

If you have, here is what you need to know:

We will leave the Fr. Meyer House on Friday, October 31st at 3:00pm.

We will return to St. Martin’s Church Hall on Sunday, November 2nd at 7:00pm There will be a dinner and presentation for all teens and family members in the Church Hall from 7:00- 9:00pm. Parent cooks welcome.

Please bring:

sleeping bag
pillow
comfortable and modest clothing

(you will need hiking shoes and weather appropriate clothing for being outdoors)
shoes for hiking
coat
toiletries
medication (if you need prescription or over the counter medication,

please give this to Erin with a note from your parent)
Bible

rosary
an open heart!

Please do not bring:
any electronic items (you will not have cell phone reception at the retreat center

and ipods will absolutely not be allowed)

watches or other time pieces
alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal substances

Blog Celebration!

2008-10-08T15:16:00.003-04:00

Praise be to God!

Thank you to everyone who supports youth ministry at St. Martin's!

Monthly Service to the Poor

2008-10-06T11:46:00.002-04:00

Today at 3:15pm in the Church Hall we will begin our monthly service to the men, women, and children who come to the Lord's Table Soup Kitchen. As a youth group we have been serving on the first Monday of the month during the school year for two years but as a parish community we've been providing meals to needy families for more than 25 years. This is a powerful way to serve Christ in others. Please join us.

My soul thirsts for you my God

2008-09-29T16:35:00.004-04:00

Sweet Savior, open our blinded eyes and heal us of our hardness of heart. In glimpsing your beauty in all of creation, help us to long for Heaven. Amen.

Pics from Sunday's Life Chain

2008-09-29T15:24:00.006-04:00

Jonathan shared with us his testimony and his pro-life work. His talk has inspired us all to persevere in the battle for the protection of life in the womb. Thanks for being a courageous witness!

Our youth group members participated in a day of prayer, catechises, and service. Theresa pointed us to the writings of our bishops and told us of our moral obligation to vote prayerfully and according to our consciences being mindful of the candidate who will provide for the common good. She reminded us that as Catholics it is gravely wrong for us to vote for any candidate who supports something that is intrinsically evil. (To read the Bishops' statements in Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship and for more information on voting as Catholics please visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org).

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We were able to stretch from the Fr. Meyer Field to West Deer Park! We had over 100 participants. What a witness to our community! Tell your friends. Our next life chain will take place on the first Sunday in October of 2009. If we start now, maybe next year we can stretch out to Shady Grove Road!

Prayer to the Redeemer in the Womb

2008-09-29T15:14:00.002-04:00

Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood. You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.

Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers' womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb. Amen.

- this prayer and other pro-life prayers can be found at http://www.priestsforlife.org/prayers

Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael the Archangels

2008-09-29T12:22:00.005-04:00

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.The dragon and its angels fought back,but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,who is called the Devil and Satan,who deceived the whole world,was thrown down to earth,and its angels were thrown down with it.Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:“Now have salvation and power come,and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed.For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,who accuses them before our God day and night.They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;love for life did not deter them from death.Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,and you who dwell in them.” Revelation 12:7-12ab

All you holy angels and saints, pray for us!

We are a people of life....

2008-09-23T11:51:00.003-04:00

Life Chain

This Sunday, September 28th. there will be a pro-life event for all youth group members.

Time: 10:00am- 4:30pm

Cost: Free (lunch included)

We will participate in the life chain which is a peaceful and prayerful public pro-life demonstration.We will also have guest speakers who will come to discuss with us faithful citizenship and how we can stand up for the teachings of the Church when having political discussions in this time of presidential elections.

Please come to the Fr. Meyer House by 10:00am on Sunday morning. See you there!

Leadership Retreat in the Mountains

2008-09-23T11:36:00.007-04:00

This past weekend our leadership team headed for the mountains and three day adventure with Jesus. We prayed together; cooked meals together; went hiking and sat around a bonfire looking up at all of the beautiful stars. On the second night of our retreat we had a beautiful Eucharistic procession in the woods to a small chapel where we exposed the Blessed Sacrament and had all night adoration. We praise God for the opportunity to spend time with Him in silence and that He chose us to serve Him in youth ministry. Please continue to pray for us and all of the teens at our parish.

Happy Birthday Mother Mary!

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Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,

heralded joy to all the world.

For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,

Christ our God.
Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;

and damning death,

He bestowed on us life everlasting.
Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

For from thou hast risen of Sun of justice,

Christ our God. Amen.

Did you know that the Church's calendar only celebrates three birthdays?

Saint John the Baptist, Mary the Mother of God, and Jesus our Savior.

Today we celebrate Mary's birth. We believe that Mary was conceived without original sin. This was a special grace given to Mary by God because she was to be the Mother of the Messiah. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, to become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role". The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace" In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace. Let us take some time today to honor Our Lady and to thank her for her "yes" to the will of God in her life.

Pics from Labor Day Parade

2008-09-04T13:41:00.001-04:00

Labor Day Parade

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On Monday, September 1st we will participate in the Gaithersburg parade. Please wear any red youth group t-shirt (WYD, Benedict XVI or Pro-Life). You should arrive at the Girard business center in Old Town by 10:45am. We will be meeting in the blue zone (same place as last year) on the parade route. Navigate to Gaithersburg's website to see a map of the route and to get more information.

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=773&TOC=107;84;99;773

A party will take place at the Gorres' house after the parade. Please be prepared to arrange transportation. All family members are invited.

Feel free to call Erin for more information.

Mark Your Calendars....

2008-08-21T16:10:00.003-04:00

Courage...I love you this much!

"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

Your every act should be done with love." 1Corinthians 16:13-14

CA #29 High School Youth Retreat

October 31st- November 2nd, 2008

- Registration will open soon so keep checking back for more information!

No youth group the last week of summer...

2008-08-19T15:49:00.004-04:00

Last night at youth group we prayed the rosary outside together by candlelight. This marks the end of our summer youth program. Now we will take a little time off to prepare for the school year. Please join us on Friday, September 5th from 7:30-9:30pm for our Friday night kick-off!

Latin the Language of the Church

2008-08-19T15:17:00.002-04:00

Fr. Avelino is teaching us how to say the rosary in Latin! If you'd like to practice at home, here are the prayers....

(Our Father) PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

(Hail Mary) AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

(Glory Be) GLORIA, Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

WYD Sydney news coverage and theme song...

2008-08-18T15:02:00.000-04:00

2008-08-15T16:51:00.005-04:00

Make them wonder what you got....
make them wish that they were not...
on the outside lookin' bored.

Let it shine before all men...
let them see good works and then....
let them glorify the Lord!

2008-08-14T14:53:00.002-04:00

Listen with the ears of your heart.

Is God calling you to a radical life of love

as a religious sister?

Pray. Reflect. Discern.

Check out www.VocationGuide.org

Today's Saint

2008-08-14T14:27:00.004-04:00

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Feast Day: August 14th
"I don’t know what’s going to become of you!” How many parents have said that? Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s reaction was, “I prayed very hard to Our Lady to tell me what would happen to me. She appeared, holding in her hands two crowns, one white, one red. She asked if I would like to have them—one was for purity, the other for martyrdom. I said, ‘I choose both.’ She smiled and disappeared.” After that he was not the same.

He entered the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lvív (then Poland, now Ukraine), near his birthplace, and at 16 became a novice. Though he later achieved doctorates in philosophy and theology, he was deeply interested in science, even drawing plans for rocket ships.

Ordained at 24, he saw religious indifference as the deadliest poison of the day. His mission was to combat it. He had already founded the Militia of the Immaculata, whose aim was to fight evil with the witness of the good life, prayer, work and suffering. He dreamed of and then founded Knight of the Immaculata,, a religious magazine under Mary’s protection to preach the Good News to all nations. For the work of publication he established a “City of the Immaculata”—Niepokalanow—which housed 700 of his Franciscan brothers. He later founded one in Nagasaki, Japan. Both the Militia and the magazine ultimately reached the one-million mark in members and subscribers. His love of God was daily filtered through devotion to Mary.

In 1939 the Nazi panzers overran Poland with deadly speed. Niepokalanow was severely bombed. Kolbe and his friars were arrested, then released in less than three months, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

In 1941 he was arrested again. The Nazis’ purpose was to liquidate the select ones, the leaders. The end came quickly, in Auschwitz three months later, after terrible beatings and humiliations.

A prisoner had escaped. The commandant announced that 10 men would die. He relished walking along the ranks. “This one. That one.” As they were being marched away to the starvation bunkers, Number 16670 dared to step from the line. “I would like to take that man’s place. He has a wife and children.” “Who are you?” “A priest.” No name, no mention of fame. Silence. The commandant, dumbfounded, perhaps with a fleeting thought of history, kicked Sergeant Francis Gajowniczek out of line and ordered Father Kolbe to go with the nine. In the “block of death” they were ordered to strip naked and the slow starvation began in darkness.

But there was no screaming—the prisoners sang. By the eve of the Assumption four were left alive. The jailer came to finish Kolbe off as he sat in a corner praying. He lifted his fleshless arm to receive the bite of the hypodermic needle. It was filled with carbolic acid. They burned his body with all the others. He was beatified in 1971 and canonized in 1982.

Quote:
“Courage, my sons. Don’t you see that we are leaving on a mission? They pay our fare in the bargain. What a piece of good luck! The thing to do now is to pray well in order to win as many souls as possible. Let us, then, tell the Blessed Virgin that we are content, and that she can do with us anything she wishes” (Maximilian Mary Kolbe, when first arrested).

- from http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1107

St. Maximilian Kolbe- Pray for us!

Don't Forget to go to Mass on Friday

2008-08-13T18:50:00.004-04:00

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

August 15th is a Holy Day of Obligation.

This is a day on which all Catholics are required to attend Mass.

The Catechism teaches us that:

“Finally; the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.” The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.” -CCC #966“

You'll find St. Martin's Mass schedule on our parish website at www.stmartinsweb.com.

Come and eat at the Table of the Lord. Learn about Mary's life in Heaven and the place that God has prepared for each of us in our life to come.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!

I Have Called You By Name

2008-08-13T18:21:00.003-04:00

Thinking about serving Christ

as a priest or a

religious brother?

Check out:

www.vocationmatch.com

www.VocationGuide.org

http://www.adw.org/vocations/priesthood.asp

Story from a WYD Pilgrim

2008-08-12T09:37:00.004-04:00

ZE08073110 - 2008-07-31Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-23391?l=english

What the Media Missed in Sydney

Pilgrim Reveals Real Youth Day Story

By Sophie CaldecottOXFORD, England, JULY 31, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A couple of weeks ago, more than 223,000 Catholics gathered together in Sydney to celebrate their common faith in the largest event Australia has ever hosted -- World Youth Day.Despite the fact that a representative from almost every corner of the world could be found at this dynamic event, despite the atmosphere of elation, energy and love, and despite many interesting talks, the main -- perhaps only -- interest of the English media was the relatively small group of protesters who wanted to make sure that their objections to the Catholic Church didn't go unheard.

The angle the media was trying to spin on the story seems absurd to someone who was there, singing and dancing in the brightly coloured crowd. This was not just any crowd -- when else and for what other reason in the world would that many young people get together and be so considerate and friendly toward each other, so joyful and excited and unselfconscious without being drunk or on drugs? There was clearly something else going on at that gathering, something unique and fascinating that the media completely failed to pick up on, and it had nothing to do with protesters.

The protesters who made their presence felt around the events surrounding World Youth Day can be broken down into several main groups: representatives from the gay community, people angry about cases of sexual abuse in the Church, atheists trying to "educate ignorant believers," Protestants who believe that the Catholic Church is the "whore of Babylon" and people who believe that condoms are the solution to AIDS.The smattering of various protesters holding signs and watching thousands of young Catholics pass by probably weren't sure what reaction to expect, but I would imagine they were prepared for the worst. Far from receiving abuse, however, the people holding the rainbow flag sporting the message "Gay, Free, Happy" received cheery waves and smiles, while many people assumed that the protesters holding the signs saying "Think: Don't Be a Sheep" were actually Catholic, and part of the World Youth Day crowd.

It took us a while to figure out that the leaflets handed to us as we walked out of the train station -- about how we are saved by God's grace and not by our own works -- were not actually from fellow Catholics, but from Baptists who were concerned for our souls.Contrary to the expectations of the general public and, perhaps, the people who instated the "annoyance" laws, many World Youth Day goers relished the opportunity for some friendly discussion in the street with people who, on the whole, had little accurate knowledge and understanding of the Church and Catholic teaching.I only wish we had had more time to talk to the protesters, getting to the root of their anger and sharing our point of view with them.

Unfortunately, reducing an opinion down to a slogan on a T-shirt or a sign is rarely an adequate means of expressing an opinion. One speaker, Christopher West, delivered a series of talks on Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body during the week in Sydney, and listening, I couldn’t help but be brought close to tears, wishing that the Church’s critics could hear this teaching.This teaching is not the authoritarian, repressive set of rules that it is so widely believed to be. It is teaching of freedom, love and logic. This is the truth that the whole world is searching for, thirsting for desperately, whether or not they fully acknowledge it. John Paul II exposed the flaws of modern thinking about sexuality, answering the deep ache for love that we all experience by pointing us back to the constant teaching of the Church throughout history -- the teaching that the human person has an inherent dignity, that we are created in God's image, and as men and women are described by him as being "very good."

I became deeply convinced that I am called, along with all the people of the Church, to witness to Christ by addressing this ache that the world is feeling. As West put it, there is only so long that you can eat out of the dumpster before getting sick. This world has been eating out of the dumpster for far too long, and it desperately needs to be shown the way to the wedding feast. Benedict XVI commissioned us young people to be bold witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth, praying for a new Pentecost and an outpouring of the Spirit. I for one am convinced that John Paul II's Theology of the Body holds a vital key for doing this.Being part of World Youth Day is to experience the Church in all her varied glory and youthful energy.

The various flags seen in Sydney that week pointed to the universality of the Church, her children being fed by the sacraments and living and breathing as one body, in Christ. Perhaps the reason that the secular world was inevitably bound to miss the point of World Youth Day is because without Christ there is no way that humanity can be united in truth and love.The great joy with which the young Catholics of the world greeted Benedict XVI proved that the Church is not only alive and growing, but ready to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter’s successor.

The secular media had to focus on the protesters, missing the real point of World Youth Day, because they didn’t know what to make of the Pope’s powerful words to the expectant youth of the Church: "Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses, and the pain of false promises. Our hearts and minds are yearning for a vision of life where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion.

"This is the work of the Holy Spirit! This is the hope held out by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to bear witness to this reality that you were created anew at baptism and strengthened through the gifts of the Spirit at confirmation. Let this be the message that you bring from Sydney to the world!" (Address at Sydney Harbour, July 17).

More Pics from WYD 2008

2008-08-11T12:10:00.005-04:00

Fun at Barrangaroo!

Praisin' Jesus and Proud 2 B Catholic!

These guys can dance!

"Say Jesus! "

Road Trip!

2008-08-05T12:31:00.003-04:00

Come with us to Kings Dominion!

August 13th, 2008

We'll meet for the 6:30am Mass at St. Martin's.

After Mass, we'll drive to the park where there are roller coasters,

water park rides, and so much more!

We'll return by 9:00pm to the Fr. Meyer Field.

Please contact us if you plan to attend.

Cost is $60.00 and a permission slip is required.

A Sense of Purpose

2008-08-05T12:05:00.006-04:00

Ever ask yourself, "Why am I here?" or

"What am I supposed to do with my life?"

Do you believe your life has a purpose? If you do, then you already have an important asset. Keep strengthening it by the choices you make and the actions you take. Stay focused on your purpose and don't let anyone or anything distract you from it. On the other hand, know that people and purposes can change. Don't be locked into a goal or a dream that no longer feels right to you.

If you're not sure that your life has purpose or your can't figure out what your purpose might be, find some quiet time to think and pray. Ask yourself what really matters to you. What gets you excited about each new day? What dreams do you have for the future? What are your talents? Interests? Passions? These come from God and they are good.

Where would you like to be- what would you like to be doing-

Five years from now?

Ten years from now?

If you could only do one thing with your life, what would it be?

Questions like these can help you find a purpose, because you do have a purpose. No one is here by accident. Every life has meaning. If you're still not convinced- if you really, truly can't imagine why you're here- then talk with an adult you trust and respect. Try to find someone who seems to have a strong purpose in life. Explain how you feel and ask for help in finding your purpose.

-adapted from What Kids Need to Succeed by Peter Benson

Freedom from Our Fear

2008-08-04T13:45:00.003-04:00

OUR DEEPEST FEAR

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who I am to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

Pope Benedict to the Youth- Life is Not Random!

2008-07-28T10:18:00.003-04:00

Dear friends, life is not governed by chance; it is not random. Your very existence has been willed by God, blessed and given a purpose (cf. Gen 1:28)! Life is not just a succession of events or experiences, helpful though many of them are. It is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. It is to this end that we make our choices; it is for this that we exercise our freedom; it is in this – in truth, in goodness, and in beauty – that we find happiness and joy. Do not be fooled by those who see you as just another consumer in a market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty, and subjective experience displaces truth.

Christ offers more! Indeed he offers everything! Only he who is the Truth can be the Way and hence also the Life. Thus the “way” which the Apostles brought to the ends of the earth is life in Christ. This is the life of the Church. - Pope Benedict XVI- WYD SYD Opening Ceremony

Our Return Home

2008-07-24T17:40:00.003-04:00

Hello to the world "up over" we've officially made it back from the world "Down under"! Our plane arrived at Dulles airport at 9:00pm last night and we had a very joyful reunion with our families. Ellen even brought us homemade chocolate chip cookies!
MamaLu, I've just noticed your "wisecrack" about the pizza and Mexican food....let's just say that all pilgrims will be fasting from sausage, tuna and granola bars for at least two weeks after our return....we need fruits and veggies!

Yummy Mexican Food....and other things

2008-07-20T05:43:00.002-04:00

Hello Parents, Family, and Friends!!

I finally have been able to find a few moments in an internet cafe to update you on our World Youth Day experience. It has been quite difficult to find internet available but our dear friend Mary Beth has been doing an excellent job sending updates from her host families' computer.....THANKS MB!!!!

It's 7:45pm and we are back in Randwick at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart parish after having spent last night in the field with Pope Benedict XVI. Wow! What an ecperience! The youth (not to mention the adults...lol) are pretty physically exhausted but so very spiritually refreshed! We decided to keep tonight pretty low key....after our walk back home from the racetrack we took nice, hot showers and settled in for afternoon "nap time." Presently, we are having dinner in various restaurants in the area. Msgr. Brennan went with a group for pizza.....yum...and the rest of us checked out a local Mexican restaurant....hurray for the beans and rice!

It's important to say as our WYD experience draws to a close....that parents, you have amazing teenagers! They have really opened themselves up to the movement of the Holy Spirit and have become witnesses of Christ's message not only to the people of Sydney but to all of us adult chaperones as well. Their behavior has been excellent. They have enjoyed such activities as trading USA items for items from other countries, (for example....Claudia traded a USA flag for a shoe from Holland) singing, hiking through the city and going to the beach after dark.

All in all, we have had a great time! We will be home soon and are looking forward to warm hugs from family and friends....and a party.....at Mr. Gómez's house (more on that later).

Tomorrow, we're headed off for the zoo and a ride around the Harbour!

Good night family! Hope to update again soon!

World Youth Day 2011 Will Be In Spain

2008-07-19T23:23:00.004-04:00

Let's get sellin' those hotdogs, kids! Who's on for next Sunday?

Mass with Our Papa(s)

2008-07-19T23:16:00.005-04:00

We had an amazing day yesterday! We gathered early in the morning with hundreds of thousands of youth from all over the world for a pilgrim walk across the Harbour bridge. Wow, what an inspiring and unforgettable experience! We were able to really see the universality of our church. God is so good!

Last night our Holy Father blessed us at a candle light vigil at the racetrack. One of the teens said that he knew why we couldn't see the stars in the sky (besides the fact that it was cloudy...lol) it was because everyone was shining so brightly! Everywhere you looked you could see thousands of candle flames flickering in the gentle Sydney breeze. Msgr. Brennan celebrated a beautiful Mass for us in the field. It was cold but we huddled together to sing praise and share in the Table of our Lord. What a sight!

Thank you to everyone at home who worked so hard to get us here. God bless you! Know that we are praying for you and we love you. We're about to participate in the closing Mass with our Papa. We'll be home soon with lots of stories and pictures. Hope you're watching from home and that you are as blessed as we are.

See you soon!

Bring in the Pope!

2008-07-18T08:13:00.002-04:00

So today the Pope arrived in Sydney from his retreat. A lot of people gathered to welcome him in. It was kinda hard to see him, because the boat was really big, there were lots of people, and the sun gets in your eyes. No matter - he's here. With us.

We love you Holy Father!

Down Under and Havin' Fun

2008-07-16T20:10:00.000-04:00

No, nobody's having fun here. Lol!

Hey, Ma! Dad! No hands! And we're makin' lots of friends. Where's Papua New Guinea, anyway?

2008-07-16T09:11:00.002-04:00

Hello All!
So after we left Cowra, last Sunday, we hit the town of Bathurst and spent the night there. The kids had a lot of fun there. Some passed out and went to bed early because they were so tired, while others kept dancing the night away. They had a lot of fun doing line dances, I believe.
Then we left and took a bus, the train, and another bus to make it to our home Sydney parish. We had a great barbeque as a welcome. The next day we traveled to the Harbor and saw the Opera house. Then we did more walking aroung trying to figure out where things were and we occasionally got to things only a couple of hours after things had closed. Unfortunate, but our pilgrims were very flexible. We had opening mass that day as well. It was beautiful. And until today the lines for food had been short, but today it took a good 45 minutes to get dinner.
Speaking of today, we went to a church in the morning for a lesson on the Holy Spirit and Mary in the Catholic Church, we went to the Expo and went to a concert. We headed back early to get some laundry done, but getting back early too us some time so we actually got back late/ but earlier than the day before. Good thing we planned early. Tomorrow the Pope will come to the World Youth Day events! We are all so excited! After morning Catechist we will go see him! It will be a wonderful day!

The Bonfire

2008-07-12T06:57:00.002-04:00

The bonfire was loads of fun! And it sure was a BIG bonfire! A couple of kids played against visitors from Zambia. They were really good. The Zambians won partcially from the lack of participation from the American side. We had roasted lamb for dinner. And the potatoes were good. Patrick sang in front of everybody. West Virginia was a song he sang. Some Zambians did a dance and we taught some australians some of our cheers, like the Jesus Jive. We also roasted marshmellows. They tasted different. It tasted more like sugar candy than the marshemellow taste, but they were still good roasted. Overall it was a blast and everyone had fun!

Arriving...

2008-07-12T01:21:00.002-04:00

Hello All,
We have all arrived safely and had a wonderfully warm welcome! It took many hours to arrive but aside from a few food poisoning victims, all are well.
Yesterday, was aboriginal day. We saw dances preformed and painted boomeranges in three colors. Yellow, black, and white are important colors to the aboriginals. We then also participated in some games. One was like basketball but called net ball. In it there are only two people that can shoot and score.
Today, we had mass and then our host families took their pilgrims around town on tours. Some visited art museams, some went to a rugby game, some went to the look out, some went to the Japenese Gardens, and most of everybody saw some kangaroos. Then later tonight there is supposed to be a bonfire.

Not Going to Australia?

2008-06-30T16:40:00.002-04:00

Not going to Australia? That's OK.

Don't get left behind - join us for

World Youth Day at Home!

Click HERE for a permission slip.

School is out!!!

2008-06-14T17:11:00.001-04:00

Time to........

Holy Orders

2008-06-14T17:07:00.003-04:00

Today, we went to the National Shrine for the ordination of Jose Raul DeLeon and Marco Schad to the holy priesthood. What a beautiful and amazing outpouring of grace through the Holy Spirit! Please keep Father Raul and Father Marco in your prayers as well as the other five men who were ordained today.

Pics and more information will be available soon!

You are a priest forever....

Sacrament of Confession

2008-06-03T12:18:00.000-04:00

17 days until Steubie

2008-06-03T11:36:00.003-04:00

Want to get a taste of this year's Steubenville Cofonference? Check out this video!

It's hard to believe that we'll be there in about two weeks! Oh yeah, if you have not registered yet.....what ya waitin' for?

See the post from ...um.. May 7th for more information.

a moment of peace

2008-05-27T13:31:00.003-04:00

"Pause by the tabernacle by yourself, for no special reason, even without saying a word, simply remaining in Christ's presence, contemplating the supreme gesture of love contained in the consecrated Bread." Pope John Paul II

a family meal

2008-05-22T15:40:00.007-04:00

There's something really special about sharing a meal with family and friends. As part of our culture, we eat together when we're celebrating an important occasion, or just visiting with someone we love. Jesus often shared special meals with his friends. Many times it was at these meals that he taught the Apostles how to love and told important stories. This also rings true for us today. Recently, the youth group came together to celebrate the confirmation of several of our members. We had a very beautiful and peaceful evening together. We first shared the table of the Word at the Mass where the words of God were proclaimed and opened for us that we might learn how to live a holy Christian life. Then, we were united as we were also fed by Christ's very Body and Blood at the table of the Eucharist, making us one family with Him as our Head. Finally, we came together over dinner, where we told stories, shared all things in common, and celebrated with great joy, the wondrous gifts God has given us. Sounds a little like what the early Christians did shortly after the first coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost......

check it out........

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

You Will be My Witnesses

2008-05-22T15:10:00.006-04:00

"You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

Congratulations to all who have recently been Confirmed! May the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen you and all that God is calling you to do with your lives!

go out and tell the whole world....

2008-05-20T10:03:00.006-04:00

Today, we celebrate St. Bernardine of Siena, a preacher and pastor who devoted his holy life to the service of the poor. Growing up in Italy in the 1300s, he accepted the habit of the Friars Minor. He is known for having risked his life caring for the sick ravaged with plague and for having walked the breadth of Italy preaching and teaching peace. He loved the Holy Name of Jesus. He encouraged people everywhere to practice devotion to the Holy Name and would carry a plaque or later a staff with Jesus' name surrounded by beautiful rays of light for the faithful to venerate.
As young people, we are given the opportunity to follow in St. Bernadine's footsteps. We live in a culture where Jesus' name is not honored, but on the contrary, often slandered and spoken in vain. Yet, by the way we speak, act, dress, play, and live, we can make a difference. Let us ask St. Bernadine to intercede for us, as we learn how to proclaim our love for Jesus' name in a fallen world. Have courage! Do not be afraid!

from-The Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

V. Jesus, Son of the living God,
R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, [etc.]

Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.

V. Be merciful,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.

St. Bernardine, Pray for us!

A Walk to Remember

2008-05-19T18:35:00.007-04:00

On Saturday, May 17th, 24 pilgrims walked to St. Mary's church in Rockville, to ask our Lady's intercession for the pilgrimage to Sydney, Australia that we are preparing for in July. We had a wonderful time carrying our seven foot cross down busy 355. Our group provided witness to the hundreds of people who drove by in cars, several waving and honking.One of our members also made a large styrofoam rosary which father blessed when we arrived.

Once at St. Mary's we participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass where we prayed for friends, family, our parish, and all the suffering in the world.

At the beginning of the trip, each pilgrim shared petitions and names of their friends and loved ones for whom they walked and prayed. Of course, a true youth group activity wouldn't be complete without lunch and football.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

The Priest Can Dance!

2008-05-13T12:27:00.001-04:00

National Cathoic Youth Conference

Just a cool video from Youtube...Enjoy!

hotdog anyone?

2008-05-13T12:21:00.002-04:00

Hotdog sales are going strong. Stop by after Sunday Mass for a delicious hotdog and some fun!

All proceeds are going to help our teens get to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia this July.

DC Hoods Basketball

2008-05-13T12:00:00.005-04:00

Friday's game rocked!

what's your passion?

2008-05-07T18:08:00.000-04:00

Steubenville Retreat 2008

2008-05-07T14:52:00.003-04:00

Franciscan University

High School Youth Conference

When: June 20th- 22nd 2008

Where: Steubenville, Ohio

Who: All High School Youth

Cost: $240.00

We will be taking a bus to the conference. Space is limited. This is a very popular retreat so make sure you register early! The retreat is expensive but financial reasons should not keep any young person from attending. We have some scholarship funds so make sure you contact us soon!

Here are a few things you should know:

Leaving on Friday, June 20th- Please arrive at 8:00am and load your belongings on the bus at the Fr. Meyer House. We will all attend the 9:00am Mass together in the church. The bus will leave promptly at 9:45am.

Leaving Franciscan University on Sunday, June 22nd - Pick up time is 9:00pm in the Fr. Meyer Field. This is subject to change with traffic.

What to bring:

- An open heart
-casual, modest clothing
-toiletries
-a sleeping bag and pillow
-any medications you need
-Bible, rosary, and prayer materials
-small amount of cash for lunch on Friday and Sunday

What NOT to bring:

- drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated. Your parents will be notified immediately and you will be sent home at their expense.
-cell phones, ipods, cd players, etc.
- tank tops, short shorts, short skirts, or immodest clothing of any type, If you are caught wearing something inappropriate at the retreat, you will be asked to change clothes or put something on over top.

Registration packets are available at the parish office during business hours. Remember to register early!

may crowning

2008-05-07T14:28:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again; sunshine, spring rains, and beautiful flowers. May is also the month of Mary. Many parishes and schools will take a special moment to honor the Mother of Jesus by adorning Marian statues with crowns of spring flowers. This outer action of placing a beautiful and sweet crown on Our Lady's head should be a sign of the inner love we have for her. Take some time this month to think and pray about the wondrous gift God has given us in Our Lady. Mother's Day is this Sunday, perhaps it would be the perfect day to crown Our Lady the Mother and Queen of your heart.

Mother Teresa on suffering

2008-05-07T12:06:00.002-04:00

Suffering will never be completely absent from our lives. If we accept it with faith, we are given the opportunity to share the passion of Jesus and show him our love. One day I went to visit a lady who had terminal cancer. Her pain was tremendous. I told her, "This is nothing but Jesus' kiss, a sign that you are so close to him on the cross that he can kiss you."

She joined her hands and said, "Mother, ask Jesus not to stop kissing me."