Catholic Teens 7-24-07
Hey All—
Hundreds of young people from our area and diocese just returned from the Steubenville Youth Conference held in Denver, CO. Many returned, having been changed. For many of the students, they were able to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit in a very profound and personal way. And having encountered God in a very personal way, they are now changed.
I wish every young person could at least experience one conference like this. The fruits are immesurable. Indeed, many, many vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are springing forth from such events.
With Steubenville’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit—it dovetails nicely with something Pope Benedict recently said to young people preparing for World Youth Day next summer:
Pope Calls Holy Spirit the "Great Unknown"
Invites Youth to Meditate on His Role in SalvationVATICAN CITY, JULY 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's message for World Youth Day 2008 presents the Holy Spirit to young people and the world as the "great unknown."The Pope's message is a reflection on the theme he chose for the event to be held in Sydney, Australia, next July: "You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon You; and You Will Be My Witnesses.""The common thread of the spiritual preparation for the appointment in Sydney is the Holy Spirit and mission," explains the papal message, published in Italian and French by the Vatican press office. Translations into other languages are forthcoming.The message continues: "Therefore it is important that each one of you young people, in your communities and with your educators, reflect on this protagonist in the history of salvation which is the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Jesus."There are many Christians for whom he remains the 'great unknown.'"3 goalsThe Holy Father presents three objectives to the young people, both those who will be in Sydney and those who are unable to attend.He invites them to "recognize the true identity of the Spirit by listening to God's word in the revelation of the Bible."He suggests they "learn about his continuous and active presence in the life of the Church, in particular rediscovering that the Holy Spirit is the 'soul,' the life-giving breath of the Christian life, thanks to the Christian sacraments of initiation -- baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist."Finally, he exhorts them to "deepen their understanding of Jesus and at the same time to implement the Gospel at the dawn of the third millennium."The Pontiff says that preparation for Sydney should be an opportunity to "verify the quality of our faith in the Holy Spirit, to find it again if we have lost it, strengthen it if it is weakened, to savor it as a companion to our faith in the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ."He added: "Never forget that the Church, rather, all of humanity, all that which surrounds you and what awaits you in the future, expects much from you, young people, because you have in you the supreme gift of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus."
Many of you have been confirmed and have received the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Strive to grow closer to Him---strive to realize His Presence in the world---strive to do as He seeks—and both your life, and the world, will be changed.
==================================================Intentions:
-For our Vacation Bible School this week.
-For those who just returned from Steubenville—that they may continue to grow closer to Christ in their daily lives.
-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:
World Youth Day 2008- destination: Sydney! The WYD cross has reached Australia and is ONE year away from being joined by thousands of youth 16-36 years old. There is still time to sign up for this amazing opportunity. If interested, contact Megan Moss, youth minister for St. Bartholomew, St. Joseph & St. Stephen parishes now! 341-1617x113 or meganmoss@togetherinfaith.org.
The Youth Group, Generation JPII: Watch for summer announcements!
*********Note: The next edition of Catholic Teens will come out at the end of August. Have a blessed rest of the summer!
*************************************************************************************
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.
Hundreds of young people from our area and diocese just returned from the Steubenville Youth Conference held in Denver, CO. Many returned, having been changed. For many of the students, they were able to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit in a very profound and personal way. And having encountered God in a very personal way, they are now changed.
I wish every young person could at least experience one conference like this. The fruits are immesurable. Indeed, many, many vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are springing forth from such events.
With Steubenville’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit—it dovetails nicely with something Pope Benedict recently said to young people preparing for World Youth Day next summer:
Pope Calls Holy Spirit the "Great Unknown"
Invites Youth to Meditate on His Role in SalvationVATICAN CITY, JULY 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's message for World Youth Day 2008 presents the Holy Spirit to young people and the world as the "great unknown."The Pope's message is a reflection on the theme he chose for the event to be held in Sydney, Australia, next July: "You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon You; and You Will Be My Witnesses.""The common thread of the spiritual preparation for the appointment in Sydney is the Holy Spirit and mission," explains the papal message, published in Italian and French by the Vatican press office. Translations into other languages are forthcoming.The message continues: "Therefore it is important that each one of you young people, in your communities and with your educators, reflect on this protagonist in the history of salvation which is the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Jesus."There are many Christians for whom he remains the 'great unknown.'"3 goalsThe Holy Father presents three objectives to the young people, both those who will be in Sydney and those who are unable to attend.He invites them to "recognize the true identity of the Spirit by listening to God's word in the revelation of the Bible."He suggests they "learn about his continuous and active presence in the life of the Church, in particular rediscovering that the Holy Spirit is the 'soul,' the life-giving breath of the Christian life, thanks to the Christian sacraments of initiation -- baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist."Finally, he exhorts them to "deepen their understanding of Jesus and at the same time to implement the Gospel at the dawn of the third millennium."The Pontiff says that preparation for Sydney should be an opportunity to "verify the quality of our faith in the Holy Spirit, to find it again if we have lost it, strengthen it if it is weakened, to savor it as a companion to our faith in the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ."He added: "Never forget that the Church, rather, all of humanity, all that which surrounds you and what awaits you in the future, expects much from you, young people, because you have in you the supreme gift of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus."
Many of you have been confirmed and have received the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Strive to grow closer to Him---strive to realize His Presence in the world---strive to do as He seeks—and both your life, and the world, will be changed.
==================================================Intentions:
-For our Vacation Bible School this week.
-For those who just returned from Steubenville—that they may continue to grow closer to Christ in their daily lives.
-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:
World Youth Day 2008- destination: Sydney! The WYD cross has reached Australia and is ONE year away from being joined by thousands of youth 16-36 years old. There is still time to sign up for this amazing opportunity. If interested, contact Megan Moss, youth minister for St. Bartholomew, St. Joseph & St. Stephen parishes now! 341-1617x113 or meganmoss@togetherinfaith.org.
The Youth Group, Generation JPII: Watch for summer announcements!
*********Note: The next edition of Catholic Teens will come out at the end of August. Have a blessed rest of the summer!
*************************************************************************************
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 7:31 AM
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