News from ‘All Around:

MODESTO, CA — Hundreds of young people came to Modesto on Saturday for the first day of the Stockton Diocese’s 25th annual Catholic Hispanic Youth and Young Adults Congress. The two-day conference at Modesto Centre Plaza carries the theme "Ever Young in Christ" and offers two tracks: a bilingual one for teens and a Spanish one for young adults. The event includes talks on the importance of education, sexual purity and vocational discernment. Read more from the Modesto Bee.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY) has called on the youth sector “to actively participate in the activities for this year’s observance of the Year of Pontifical Mission Societies, which follows the observance of 2011 as the Year of the Youth. The CBCP News said that ECY executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta encouraged youth ministries to collaborate with the PMS for the activities, particularly the Grand Mission Festival on April 18 to 20 at the Marikina Sports Complex in Marikina City. More from the Manila Bulletine Publishing Company (of all places!)

WAYLAND, MA — Just a few months into her tenure as coordinator of youth ministry and Confirmation at Good Shepherd Parish, Mary Lou Bozza is emerging as a steadfast, faith-filled role model for the parish’s young members.

Serving a Roman Catholic faith community that combined two parishes just one year ago, Bozza has stepped into her new role with a quiet determination. Bozza believes being involved in youth ministry can give adolescents useful tools to help them “make sense of life as it gets more complicated.” “Teenagers are learning how to be and trying to figure out who they are. They need a safe place to talk and to explore some of life’s big questions,” she explained.

Get more backstory on Mary Lou from the Wayland Town Crier

News from ‘Round Here:

Despite a very busy previous weekend, Monday I came out roaring. Actually, I had an IT issue first up, which slowed me out of the gates.  But I did complete a draft of a family newsletter, a child protection memo, outlined and article, and began on the e-newsletter.  Georgina and I spent the later afternoon drafting an evening’s worth of presentation on human sexuality for Hispanic young adults.  Weigh-in was in the evening.

Tuesday morning a contributed a very small part of the presentation on the new elementary school religion curriculum.  There was a Valentine’s day luncheon and then it was off to bang out a parent newsletter resource for our folks.

Wednesday, we took a pass on a day-away planning day for a mix of reasons, but it offered me the opportunity to visit with the Howard County YM’s. I also spent part of the day drafting out the biweekly office e-newsletter and taking a meeting regarding Equip.  Thursday involved a monthly meeting with the e-team directors along with the directors of our cultural ministries.

Friday was a bum-y sort of day.  I got a project or two done, but mostly lounged about and cleaned the apartment. A later afternoon interview with a potential youth minister and a dinner guest rounded out the day.

Saturday continued the bum-y theme into the afternoon – just lounging about.  I think I needed some rest. Went to Cornerstone, our youth leadership training day in the afternoon and then out to a fund raiser for the retreat house in the evening.

Sunday was a day of anticipation of winter’s best reported chance of snow…. which didn’t pan out. But delightful company, a viewing of my #2 favorite movie, and an expanded diet which now includes the wonders of a turkey burger rounded out the weekend.

Greetings from my third week of a medifast diet paired up with a consistent schedule of workouts. According to my scale this am, I’m down 3.5 pounds for a three week total of 15. Average is supposed to be 3-5 pounds so we remain on track! I tightening up my belt a notch and feel pretty good!