Catholic Teens 3-27-07

Hey All—

Now this is cool. How’d you like to go to confession to the Pope?! Of course, remember that every time you go to confession…you go to Christ himself, represented by the priest “in persona Christi”.

I’ve heard stories that John Paul II would sometimes sneak down to St. Peter’s and plop himself in the confessional to administer the sacrament, unbeknownst to everyone else. J


Benedict XVI to Hear Youths' ConfessionsROME, MARCH 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Next Thursday, Benedict XVI will hear the confessions of young people from the Diocese of Rome during a penitential service for youth. Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, the director of youth ministry for the Vicariate of Rome, announced that the Pope will hear confessions in St. Peter's Basilica on March 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Rome time. The penitential service will prepare for the diocesan-level World Youth Day, to be held April 1, Palm Sunday. In a letter, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Benedict XVI's vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, invited "all the young people of the city to participate in this important ecclesial moment of prayer with the Pope." ZE07032201


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Intentions:
-For one of our young people’s dad who just lost his job.
-For all those preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.



Announcements:
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.

God bless you!
Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com

Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.

Catholic Teens 3-20-07

Hey All—
I was doing some thinking about Confirmation recently. To use the old terminology, at Confirmation, you become a “soldier for Christ.” You can picture your confirmation preparation as your “boot camp” or “basic training”. At the Confirmation ceremony, you are given your combat gear….the tools for the battle. These are known as the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.) After Confirmation, you are deployed into the Field of Battle, otherwise known as the world.

Unfortunately, it appears that a lot of our young people, upon receiving Confirmation, either go AWOL or end up being deserters. You know what they used to do to military deserters? They were shot. Nowadays, they aren’t shot, but put into military prison. Nonetheless, the punishment is still.

Jesus states, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” Confirmation and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit certainly qualifies as being given a lot! Woe to those, who take the Gift and desert the cause. Something to think about….


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Intentions:
-For all who are preparing for Confirmation that they may adequately prepare for this gift and responsibility.
-For all those preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.



Announcements:
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.

God bless you!
Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com

Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.

Catholic Teens 3-2007

Hey All—
I was doing some thinking about Confirmation recently. To use the old terminology, at Confirmation, you become a “soldier for Christ.” You can picture your confirmation preparation as your “boot camp” or “basic training”. At the Confirmation ceremony, you are given your combat gear….the tools for the battle. These are known as the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.) After Confirmation, you are deployed into the Field of Battle, otherwise known as the world.

Unfortunately, it appears that a lot of our young people, upon receiving Confirmation, either go AWOL or end up being deserters. You know what they used to do to military deserters? They were shot. Nowadays, they aren’t shot, but put into military prison. Nonetheless, the punishment is still.

Jesus states, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” Confirmation and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit certainly qualifies as being given a lot! Woe to those, who take the Gift and desert the cause. Something to think about….


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Intentions:
-For all who are preparing for Confirmation that they may adequately prepare for this gift and responsibility.
-For all those preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.



Announcements:
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.

God bless you!
Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com

Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.

Catholic Teens 3-13-07

Hey All—

Many of you heard Jason Evert 2 weeks ago, or have heard of him. His message of chastity and pure love is one, that if taken to heart, will lead toward a beautiful marriage. And one that lasts for life!
Here are some beautiful quotes on marriage for you to think about…and aim for as you look toward your own vocation.

"I want to see the radiant happiness of young lovers blossom into the mature love of husband and wife, and reach the crowning glory of fatherhood and motherhood. I want to see their castle of dreams materialize in the sanctuary of the Christian home, where love, peace and happiness abide. I want that home to be a little bit of heaven on earth, a foretaste of that eternal home where love abides and enraptures the soul." -From Courtship and Marriage, by Rev. John A. O'Brien, Family Life Center Publications.

Isn't that a beautiful quote??? It's something I share with our engaged couples. This is what the Church desires for every couple, and indeed, it is what every couple wants in their heart of hearts. As one priest stated, "the church is in the marriage promotion business." Amen!

Everyone seeks that type of happiness, but few actually find it. And with a divorce rate that is sky high—many find just the opposite. So aim high! Don’t settle for anything less then amazing in those you date. And root it all in God---and you are on the path toward that happiness.

Tertullian, one of the Church fathers, expresses it such: "How can I express the happiness of a marriage joined by the Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels, and ratified by the Father?" (CCC #1642) Announced by Angels! Try finding a wedding planner that can accomplish that!


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Intentions:
-For those preparing for marriage that they may come to know that peace and happiness of a marriage in Christ.
-For all young people, that they may “aim high”.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.



Announcements:
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.

God bless you!
Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com

Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.

Catholic Teens 3-6-07

Hey All—

C.S. Lewis in his excellent book “Mere Christianity” points out that God gives us glimpses of Heaven here on Earth, but not too much, lest we stop striving for it in eternity. We see this throughout our lives in those wonderful grace-filled moments---experiences we cling too—that give us a taste of Heaven now. However, as Lewis points out, they do not last—but merely increase our desire for what awaits us after death.

We had one of those experiences this past weekend at our Annual College-Age retreat. Young adults and college students from around Wisconsin gathered for a weekend retreat focusing on discernment of vocations. We were joined by 3 priests, 3 sisters, 2 postulants, and one married couple. The weekend featured everything from the Liturgy of the Hours, to Irish Ceili Dancing; from inspiring talks, to snowball fights; from confession to tubing and snow football; from all-night Adoration to Catholic Jeopardy; and of course the Mass.

Unlike so many of the retreats we have for confirmation, the people at this retreat actually Wanted to be there! J And as you look toward the future, I hope many of you will come on this retreat in a few years….it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

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Intentions:
-For all young people, that they may come to know God more fully—and experience His Love and Peace.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.



Announcements:
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 18th —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.

God bless you!
Phil Lawson

For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/

Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.