News from All Around:

Lots beginning to buzz around World Youth Day…

TORONTO, ONT — As part of the new direction of the archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Catholic Youth, the office won’t be organizing a trip to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day 2013, said director Fr. Frank Portelli.
“It was discussed at the Council of Priests and it was decided that it would be better if the parishes work on their own groups to go down so it would be more parish-based initiatives,” Portelli told The Catholic Register.

The OCY will instead help with the formation which precedes World Youth Day, such as by creating a curriculum or teaching material for youth ministers in the lead-up to the pilgrimage. “We’re moving away from being event-based to being more of a support for those doing youth ministry already,” he said. read more from the Catholic Register

Also, our buddy Jack Regan has a read on some of the events for Rio, including the Pope’s arrive there.  Break out your Barry Manilow, folks, its at the Copa…  Copacabana

Meanwhile, here’s a update on some of the contenders on the next World Youth Day…  My bet is on Poland

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Margaret Mary "Meg" Miskin, a parishioner at Christ the King Church in Little Rock and a recent graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy, is one teenager who takes her relationship with Christ seriously.

For her dedication to attending Mass, participating in parish and diocesan youth events and growing in her faith life, she was chosen to receive the St. Timothy Award from the Diocese of Little Rock’s Youth and Campus Ministries Office. An adult committee who did not know the nominees made the selection.

The St. Timothy Award is the highest award that the diocese gives to high school students.  More from the Arkansas Catholic.

News from ‘round Here:

Monday the 4th involved the intended activity of visiting the Central Maryland YM’s and addressing Georgina’s unexpected announcement in the office. Tuesday was staff supervision, completion well in advance of a MAC project and some checking in with my supervisor. Wednesday was a very busy last day in the office before a break- breakfast reception with our new Archbishop, a meeting with College and University Campus Ministers, drafting a letter (yep, snail mail – old school, peoples!) to our youth ministers and completing a job description for our vacancy, wrapping up with our Eagle of the Cross reception, again with Archbishop Lori, saluting some great young people.  The long day finished with appetizers with a beloved companion and then a drop-in on the planning team of the Jesus Way program… whew!

Vacation officially kicked in Thursday the 7th. an early morning commute to the airport and two long flights all led to hugging my son in his temporary home in Hawai’i. Friday, after a great  breakfast we toured around the island, knocking off two museum visits and a visit with Lisa Gomes of the Honolulu diocese and some of her council members

Saturday was more island touring as well as some serious cribbage card-play, some cool site seeing of the natural beauty of the island, and a Miller family tradition of fleamarketing. Sunday involved picking my brother up at the airport and moving into his hotel room for the remainder of the trip.  We played some cards and Clark and I went off on a tour of the zoo and then watched the Pan-Pacific Festival Parade.

Monday, brother Gordon and I climbed Diamondhead, chilled at the beach, played cards, and met up with Clark for meal on the NorthShore. I was left of my own devices most of Thursday until a farewell meal with Clark and then loaded up on a redeye flight back home. Wednesday the 13 I arrived mid morning, went home to shower and was in the office to send (snail mail!!!) letters to our contacts.

Thursday found me at a regional meeting of diocesan directors of youth ministry and then off to our Hispanic Young Adult Council. Friday was “a day off” according to the office summer  schedule, but involved a breakfast with one of our youth ministers and meeting another to walk a portion of the proposed revised pilgrimage route.

Saturday started with an early morning oil change and a run over to the Inner Harbor for the Sailelebration, an invasion of tall ships honoring the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner. We will cover the end of our fortnight report elsewhere on the blog.