New Events List
The events lists in the left-hand side bar has been updated. Look for new posts about Incarnation Teens and B.A.S.I.C. early next week.
God bless!
A Penny Pledge Milestone!
Just so everyone knows about our progress on the "Our Family in Faith" Penny Pledge:
We have just surpassed the $200 plateau in spare change donations that help to pay off our parish's debt!
Only two more years to go! Keep up the great work, teens!
This Week with Incarnation Teens
First, let me apologize for neglecting the blog last week. There were other work matters that prevented me from spilling my thoughts into cyberspace. Alas, I have returned with a vengeance!
During the past two weeks, we have had some amazing youth ministry experiences! More than a dozen youth gathered for Mass and a fellowship breakfast on the Solemnity of All Saints! (I was thrilled that high school youth decided to get out of bed early on a Saturday morning.) Last Wednesday, over 40 youth worshiped Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament; and many of those same youth took the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation! Catholicism all around!
Just two days ago, as our regular Wednesday ENCOUNTERs continued, we were treated to wonderful teachings, and a fabulous witness story! It was just another example of why I'm proud to work with this group of youth and adults! Fabulous, I say!
Click here to see all of the pictures from our ENCOUNTERs this semester.
I do pray that this awesome trend will continue, even as the holidays are approaching and families become uber-busy. Remember, we all need Jesus, all the time!
REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Proverbs 31:10-13,30-31; Psalm 128:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30
At this week's Mass, we will hear Jesus' parable of the talents. As we listen to these words, it should become clear to us that God has entrusted us with gifts and resources. As we come to understand that God has entrusted His gifts to us, we should also understand that such gifts bring great responsibility also.
So, we must be good stewards of the gifts that God has given to us. We must use them wisely, never taking them for granted. We must put them into action, because such gifts are multiplies when they are used correctly and responsibly.
Take time during this next week to discern which gifts God has given to you. After you have discerned, try to use them in your daily life. I'll bet that you will be more content and productive than you have ever been before!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Teens Loving Christ
- Sunday, November 16 @ 1:15pm
- Youth Room
- Bring your Bible!
- ENCOUNTER
- Wednesday, November 19 @ 7:15pm
- Holy Family Life Center Gym
- Open Door Friday
- Friday, November 21 @ 3pm
- Youth Room
- November Service Project
- Friday, November 21 @ 4:30pm
- HFLC Kitchen
I hope that all of you are able to attend one or more of these upcoming gathering!
RANDOM FINAL THOUGHT
Birthday cake is still good after four weeks in the refrigerator!
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
B.A.S.I.C. Update
Don't forget that there are still plenty of ways for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to be involved in Brothers And Sisters In Christ (our middle school youth ministry)! We just held our third gathering of the fall semester, and we're already planning for more!
On Friday, November 21, all middle school youth are invited to join us for our November service project followed by an open gym and movie night. Beginning at 4:30pm, we will make sandwiches that will be delivered to a local soup kitchen. At 6pm, the movie begins, and their will by games in the gymnasium. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
In addition to our fun-filled evening next week, every youth should mark Sunday, December 14 on his/her calendar. That evening, we will hold our final BASIC gathering of the semester, which will consist of Christmas carols, cookies, and hot chocolate. It is sure to be a winter-rific good time!
As always, please feel free to call or email if you have any questions for me. I pray that God will bless you and your families!
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
1Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;
2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.
14For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods;
15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.
16And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five.
17And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two.
18But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them.
20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.
21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two.
23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
25And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.
26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents.
29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
30And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.