Catholic Teens 5-22-07
Hey All—
As many of you know, Pope Benedict was in Brazil earlier this month. One of the first things he did, was meet with the young people. Below is what he had to say to them. There’s lots of great stuff here—and it applies to you as much as to the young people in Brazil. As the pope says, you have much to offer the world, your youthfulness is a treasure, and you are called to be apostles to your fellow youth!
Pope to Youth: The Church Needs YouSays Christ Is Calling Them to Be Saints SÃO PAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's first full day in Brazil included a meeting with young people where he touched on themes as varied as protecting the environment and saintliness. The Pope arrived to Brazil on Wednesday for an apostolic trip that includes Sunday's opening of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Holy Father spoke with youth today, basing his discourse on the Gospel passage of the rich young man who asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. After Christ tells him to sell what he has and "come follow me," the youth goes away sad. The Pontiff said: "The question in the Gospel does not regard only the future. "On the contrary, it exists as a task in the present, in the 'here' and 'now,'" the Holy Father said. "In short, the young man's question raises the issue of life's meaning. … [W]hat must I do so that my life is not wasted? "Jesus alone can give us the answer, because he alone can guarantee us eternal life. He alone, therefore, can show us the meaning of this present life and give it fullness." Apostles of youth Benedict XVI told the young people that Jesus' answer lies in the affirmation of the goodness of God. "To understand what is good, we need help, which the Church offers us on many occasions, especially through catechesis," the Pope explained. "Whoever keeps the commandments is on the way that leads to God. And you, young people of Brazil and Latin America, have you already discovered what is good? Do you follow the Lord's commandments?
\n\u003cbr\>"Many times, we who are\npastors feel a sense of trepidation as we take stock\nof the situation in today's world. We hear talk of\nthe fears of today's youth. \n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"These fears reveal an enormous\nlack of hope: a fear of death […] fear of\nfailure […] fear of remaining detached."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Yet, the Holy Father told\nthe youth that they "radiate so much joy and enthusiasm."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"I\nsee you as Christ sees you," he said, "with a\ngaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you\nhave found the true way."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"You are the youth of the\nChurch," the Pontiff said. "I send you out, therefore, on\nthe great mission of evangelizing young men and women who\nhave gone astray in this world like sheep without a\nshepherd. Be apostles of youth."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Marriage and riches\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Benedict XVI encouraged the\nyoung people to "respect and honor" marriage, "an institution of\nnatural law, which has been raised by Christ to the\ndignity of a sacrament."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"God calls you to respect one another\nwhen you fall in love and become engaged, since conjugal\nlife, reserved by divine ordinance to married couples, will bring\nhappiness and peace only to the extent that you are\nable to build your future hopes upon chastity, both within\nand outside marriage," he told them.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Recalling again the Gospel passage\nof the rich young man, the Pope told them that\nyouthfulness is a treasure.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"This episode causes us to reflect further\non the treasure of youth," he said. "It is not,\nin the first place, a question of material wealth, but\nof life itself, and the values inherent in youth.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"From life\nsprings freedom, which manifests itself, especially in this phase, as\nresponsibility."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>The Holy Father encouraged the young people to be open\nto a vocation to the consecrated life.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"Some are called to\na total and definitive self-giving, by consecrating themselves to God\nin the religious life -- an 'exceptional gift of grace,'\nas the Second Vatican Council expressed it," he said.\n",1]
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"Many times, we who are pastors feel a sense of trepidation as we take stock of the situation in today's world. We hear talk of the fears of today's youth. "These fears reveal an enormous lack of hope: a fear of death […] fear of failure […] fear of remaining detached." Yet, the Holy Father told the youth that they "radiate so much joy and enthusiasm." "I see you as Christ sees you," he said, "with a gaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you have found the true way." "You are the youth of the Church," the Pontiff said. "I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelizing young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd. Be apostles of youth." Marriage and riches Benedict XVI encouraged the young people to "respect and honor" marriage, "an institution of natural law, which has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament." "God calls you to respect one another when you fall in love and become engaged, since conjugal life, reserved by divine ordinance to married couples, will bring happiness and peace only to the extent that you are able to build your future hopes upon chastity, both within and outside marriage," he told them. Recalling again the Gospel passage of the rich young man, the Pope told them that youthfulness is a treasure. "This episode causes us to reflect further on the treasure of youth," he said. "It is not, in the first place, a question of material wealth, but of life itself, and the values inherent in youth. "From life springs freedom, which manifests itself, especially in this phase, as responsibility." The Holy Father encouraged the young people to be open to a vocation to the consecrated life. "Some are called to a total and definitive self-giving, by consecrating themselves to God in the religious life -- an 'exceptional gift of grace,' as the Second Vatican Council expressed it," he said.
\n\u003cbr\>The Pontiff\nadded: "I pray that in this moment of grace and\nprofound communion in Christ, the Holy Spirit will awaken in\nthe hearts of many young people an impassioned love, prompting\nthem to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, chaste, poor and\nobedient, totally devoted to the glory of the Father and\nto love for their brothers and sisters."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Benedict XVI affirmed that\nthe Church needs young people. He asked them to follow\nclosely the progress of the 5th General Conference of the\nEpiscopate of Latin America and the Caribbean.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"My dear young people,"\nhe concluded, "Christ is calling you to be saints. He\nhimself is inviting you and wants to walk with you,\nin order to enliven with his Spirit the steps that\nBrazil is taking at the beginning of this third millennium\nof the Christian era."\n\u003cbr\> \n\u003cbr\>ZE07051012\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.zenit.org/english/send_friend/index.phtml?sid\u003d107393\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>email this article\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003ca href\u003d\"#1127888c54ccf727_top\"\>TOP\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003chr align\u003d\"left\" width\u003d\"50%\"\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003ca name\u003d\"1127888c54ccf727_107394\"\>\u003cfont color\u003d\"#000040\"\>\u003cb\>After Mass, Pope Pays Silva a Visit\u003c/b\>\u003c/font\>\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003cbr\>\nSÃO\nPAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.zenit.org\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>Zenit.org\u003c/a\>).- On the first\nfull day of his apostolic trip to South America, Benedict\nXVI paid a courtesy visit to the president of Brazil,\n\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>After celebrating Mass in private this morning, the Pope met\nwith Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at 11 a.m. \n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>An\necumenical meeting and a discourse with youth completed the main\nactivities of the Pope's day in Brazil. The Holy Father\narrived to the South American country on Wednesday for the\napostolic trip that will include the opening of the 5th\nGeneral Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the\nCaribbean.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>On Friday, Benedict XVI will start off the day with\na "popemobile" tour among the faithful. He is set to\ncanonize the first Brazilian-born saint during a 9:30 ",1]
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The Pontiff added: "I pray that in this moment of grace and profound communion in Christ, the Holy Spirit will awaken in the hearts of many young people an impassioned love, prompting them to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, chaste, poor and obedient, totally devoted to the glory of the Father and to love for their brothers and sisters." Benedict XVI affirmed that the Church needs young people. He asked them to follow closely the progress of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean. "My dear young people," he concluded, "Christ is calling you to be saints. He himself is inviting you and wants to walk with you, in order to enliven with his Spirit the steps that Brazil is taking at the beginning of this third millennium of the Christian era." ZE07051012
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Intentions:
-For all victims of violence.
-For peace in the world and an end to terrorism.
-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, June 3rd —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.
Nun Run – June 18-22, 2007
Join us as we -- Visit with several different orders, both cloistered and apostolic, share in meals, participate in Mass and prayer, listen to the Sister's stories, enjoy informal discussion, see some sights in big cities. Be part of a road trip you’ll never forget! For more information, or to sign up, please contact Fr. Sakowski at
(715) 252-4396 frsakowski@spacs.k12.wi.us Also, there is a brochure attached to this email.
Vacation Bible School: July 23-27th:
- We’re looking for volunteers to help! Shoot me an email if you’re interested in being a part of this. The school is for grades 1-5 and runs from about 8am to Noon each day. We’ll even be including JPII on one of the days!
Note the next edition of “Catholic Teens” will come out June 12th.
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.
As many of you know, Pope Benedict was in Brazil earlier this month. One of the first things he did, was meet with the young people. Below is what he had to say to them. There’s lots of great stuff here—and it applies to you as much as to the young people in Brazil. As the pope says, you have much to offer the world, your youthfulness is a treasure, and you are called to be apostles to your fellow youth!
Pope to Youth: The Church Needs YouSays Christ Is Calling Them to Be Saints SÃO PAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's first full day in Brazil included a meeting with young people where he touched on themes as varied as protecting the environment and saintliness. The Pope arrived to Brazil on Wednesday for an apostolic trip that includes Sunday's opening of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Holy Father spoke with youth today, basing his discourse on the Gospel passage of the rich young man who asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. After Christ tells him to sell what he has and "come follow me," the youth goes away sad. The Pontiff said: "The question in the Gospel does not regard only the future. "On the contrary, it exists as a task in the present, in the 'here' and 'now,'" the Holy Father said. "In short, the young man's question raises the issue of life's meaning. … [W]hat must I do so that my life is not wasted? "Jesus alone can give us the answer, because he alone can guarantee us eternal life. He alone, therefore, can show us the meaning of this present life and give it fullness." Apostles of youth Benedict XVI told the young people that Jesus' answer lies in the affirmation of the goodness of God. "To understand what is good, we need help, which the Church offers us on many occasions, especially through catechesis," the Pope explained. "Whoever keeps the commandments is on the way that leads to God. And you, young people of Brazil and Latin America, have you already discovered what is good? Do you follow the Lord's commandments?
\n\u003cbr\>"Many times, we who are\npastors feel a sense of trepidation as we take stock\nof the situation in today's world. We hear talk of\nthe fears of today's youth. \n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"These fears reveal an enormous\nlack of hope: a fear of death […] fear of\nfailure […] fear of remaining detached."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Yet, the Holy Father told\nthe youth that they "radiate so much joy and enthusiasm."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"I\nsee you as Christ sees you," he said, "with a\ngaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you\nhave found the true way."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"You are the youth of the\nChurch," the Pontiff said. "I send you out, therefore, on\nthe great mission of evangelizing young men and women who\nhave gone astray in this world like sheep without a\nshepherd. Be apostles of youth."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Marriage and riches\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Benedict XVI encouraged the\nyoung people to "respect and honor" marriage, "an institution of\nnatural law, which has been raised by Christ to the\ndignity of a sacrament."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"God calls you to respect one another\nwhen you fall in love and become engaged, since conjugal\nlife, reserved by divine ordinance to married couples, will bring\nhappiness and peace only to the extent that you are\nable to build your future hopes upon chastity, both within\nand outside marriage," he told them.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Recalling again the Gospel passage\nof the rich young man, the Pope told them that\nyouthfulness is a treasure.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"This episode causes us to reflect further\non the treasure of youth," he said. "It is not,\nin the first place, a question of material wealth, but\nof life itself, and the values inherent in youth.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"From life\nsprings freedom, which manifests itself, especially in this phase, as\nresponsibility."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>The Holy Father encouraged the young people to be open\nto a vocation to the consecrated life.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"Some are called to\na total and definitive self-giving, by consecrating themselves to God\nin the religious life -- an 'exceptional gift of grace,'\nas the Second Vatican Council expressed it," he said.\n",1]
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"Many times, we who are pastors feel a sense of trepidation as we take stock of the situation in today's world. We hear talk of the fears of today's youth. "These fears reveal an enormous lack of hope: a fear of death […] fear of failure […] fear of remaining detached." Yet, the Holy Father told the youth that they "radiate so much joy and enthusiasm." "I see you as Christ sees you," he said, "with a gaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you have found the true way." "You are the youth of the Church," the Pontiff said. "I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelizing young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd. Be apostles of youth." Marriage and riches Benedict XVI encouraged the young people to "respect and honor" marriage, "an institution of natural law, which has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament." "God calls you to respect one another when you fall in love and become engaged, since conjugal life, reserved by divine ordinance to married couples, will bring happiness and peace only to the extent that you are able to build your future hopes upon chastity, both within and outside marriage," he told them. Recalling again the Gospel passage of the rich young man, the Pope told them that youthfulness is a treasure. "This episode causes us to reflect further on the treasure of youth," he said. "It is not, in the first place, a question of material wealth, but of life itself, and the values inherent in youth. "From life springs freedom, which manifests itself, especially in this phase, as responsibility." The Holy Father encouraged the young people to be open to a vocation to the consecrated life. "Some are called to a total and definitive self-giving, by consecrating themselves to God in the religious life -- an 'exceptional gift of grace,' as the Second Vatican Council expressed it," he said.
\n\u003cbr\>The Pontiff\nadded: "I pray that in this moment of grace and\nprofound communion in Christ, the Holy Spirit will awaken in\nthe hearts of many young people an impassioned love, prompting\nthem to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, chaste, poor and\nobedient, totally devoted to the glory of the Father and\nto love for their brothers and sisters."\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>Benedict XVI affirmed that\nthe Church needs young people. He asked them to follow\nclosely the progress of the 5th General Conference of the\nEpiscopate of Latin America and the Caribbean.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>"My dear young people,"\nhe concluded, "Christ is calling you to be saints. He\nhimself is inviting you and wants to walk with you,\nin order to enliven with his Spirit the steps that\nBrazil is taking at the beginning of this third millennium\nof the Christian era."\n\u003cbr\> \n\u003cbr\>ZE07051012\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.zenit.org/english/send_friend/index.phtml?sid\u003d107393\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>email this article\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003ca href\u003d\"#1127888c54ccf727_top\"\>TOP\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003chr align\u003d\"left\" width\u003d\"50%\"\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003ca name\u003d\"1127888c54ccf727_107394\"\>\u003cfont color\u003d\"#000040\"\>\u003cb\>After Mass, Pope Pays Silva a Visit\u003c/b\>\u003c/font\>\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\u003cbr\>\nSÃO\nPAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.zenit.org\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>Zenit.org\u003c/a\>).- On the first\nfull day of his apostolic trip to South America, Benedict\nXVI paid a courtesy visit to the president of Brazil,\n\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>After celebrating Mass in private this morning, the Pope met\nwith Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at 11 a.m. \n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>An\necumenical meeting and a discourse with youth completed the main\nactivities of the Pope's day in Brazil. The Holy Father\narrived to the South American country on Wednesday for the\napostolic trip that will include the opening of the 5th\nGeneral Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the\nCaribbean.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>On Friday, Benedict XVI will start off the day with\na "popemobile" tour among the faithful. He is set to\ncanonize the first Brazilian-born saint during a 9:30 ",1]
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The Pontiff added: "I pray that in this moment of grace and profound communion in Christ, the Holy Spirit will awaken in the hearts of many young people an impassioned love, prompting them to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, chaste, poor and obedient, totally devoted to the glory of the Father and to love for their brothers and sisters." Benedict XVI affirmed that the Church needs young people. He asked them to follow closely the progress of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean. "My dear young people," he concluded, "Christ is calling you to be saints. He himself is inviting you and wants to walk with you, in order to enliven with his Spirit the steps that Brazil is taking at the beginning of this third millennium of the Christian era." ZE07051012
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions:
-For all victims of violence.
-For peace in the world and an end to terrorism.
-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, June 3rd —6PM in the St. Faustina Room.
Nun Run – June 18-22, 2007
Join us as we -- Visit with several different orders, both cloistered and apostolic, share in meals, participate in Mass and prayer, listen to the Sister's stories, enjoy informal discussion, see some sights in big cities. Be part of a road trip you’ll never forget! For more information, or to sign up, please contact Fr. Sakowski at
(715) 252-4396 frsakowski@spacs.k12.wi.us Also, there is a brochure attached to this email.
Vacation Bible School: July 23-27th:
- We’re looking for volunteers to help! Shoot me an email if you’re interested in being a part of this. The school is for grades 1-5 and runs from about 8am to Noon each day. We’ll even be including JPII on one of the days!
Note the next edition of “Catholic Teens” will come out June 12th.
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.
posted by Phil Lawson at 8:37 AM
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