Ribfest Today 1-5!!!!!

Hi gang hope to see all of you at the Ribfest today. We need all the help we can get running the games and working the prize table.

Remember next week JESUS JAMS Sunday October 14th. Meet at the PAC around 4:30. We will stop and have dinner (Ci Ci's ?) Then off to Upper Arlington.

Camp Mary Orton

OK everyone....It's time to get out and have some fun. I'm open for suggestions, but here is what I have and I will need a firm commitments for this event to be booked.
Everyone has heard of Camp Mary Orton? It is a hands on team building, community building mental/physical activity facility. They have adventure courses, high ropes courses, initiatives courses, all of which have gotten RAVE reviews!!! Whadya' think? If the first one goes well, we will plan to do the whole series for team/community building, and most important FUN!!!!

http://www.godmanguild.org/camp.htm

Not all meetings HAVE to be in the basement of the church. Let's have an outing once a month, and service project once a month instead of a meeting. Ideas, ideas, ideas....jump in anytime guys.
If you have an idea for a meeting feel free to bring that to schedule. You guys have SOOOO much to offer!!

Think about Mary Orton. Tentative dates are Oct. 14 and 21. I need to book so you do need to follow up with me on this. It will be $15. The time will be announced after the booking. So get back to me pronto, if this sounds like something you may like?????
Blessings,
Kelly

Here is the list for our fundraiser. Make sure you are there to sell during your time. If you cannot make it call another Youth member to fill in for you or Kelly or Me. The more we sell the more we make to have fun fun fun!!!!!

September 8/9
Saturday 4;30 - Wenerstrom & Sandford
Sunday 8:30- Jacobs, Gill & Will
Sunday 10:30- Rowley, Needham & Thobe

September 15/16
Saturday 4:30- Sanford & ? Need another Saturday person
Sunday 8:30- Jacobs, Wenerstroms, Wright
Sunday 10:30- Rowley's & Brickner

Peace Cynthia

What would you do for vanity?

What is beauty? Is it in the eye of the beholder? Does it make us feel better? Is it just vanity? What is it that makes us want to look better? Is it Screwtape and his gang or do we do it of our own free will. It tells us in the bible that "Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God." I Peter 3:3-4
But it also tells us that "A women's beauty makes her husband's face light up, for it surpasses all else that charms the eye," Sirach 36:22 I'm not sure about you but I always feel calmer and gentler inside when I feel good on the outside. I am very guilty of caring for my personal looks to a fault of sinning I‘m sure. Well I must share with you a moment of vanity a time when I put my looks first but in fact it actually lead to me to an a chance to be alone and quiet and Let the Lord be upon me.

If anyone knows me even just a little you know that I am “hair color challenged” and that we have only one car right now. Earlier last week I had my hair colored in a attempt to fix the color again. It was too dark and I had to wait a couple of days to add more blonde into the all over color. The only time I had that matched my stylists schedule was this Saturday at 1:30. Brad was able to drop me off there but he had to pick up Tyler and couldn’t come back to get me. So I decided that I could ride my bike home. Brad laughed at first then he realized that I was serious and went along with me. So I made the appointment and we loaded up the bike. He dropped me off and I had my hair fixed and it looked very nice and I was very happy with the results. Now I have to tell you that the salon that I go to is in Dublin off of Sawmill parkway. After the appointment I prepared myself to start off on my long trek home. I hopped on the bike with confidence and rode thru the parking lot and crossed Sawmill Parkway 6 lanes of traffic mind you. I crossed the street into the Fire station parking lot. I let the bike coast for a second waved to a fireman and realized that my legs were killing me and I was out of breath. My journey quickly turned into my own version of the Temptation in the desert. Not a good sign. I took a side street that led me behind the Kroger’s and strip mall and out onto Powell Rd. I passed the Shamrock Golf Course then I was able to try out the new road leading to the Zoo. I took the sidewalk which was all downhill. I crossed over Griggs Dam (nice view I might add) then past the Boogie Inn. I had to ride on the road for awhile down Glick Rd. until the pool parking lot then I was able to get on the bike path. The bike path was a treat I was able to go a little slower since I felt safer (If I went any slower I probably would of fallen over).

The bike path was very interesting needless to say. There were a couple of 90 degree turns into culverts that take you under the road that I just didn’t quite make. I fell once coming up hill out of the culvert. I was happy it was mulch instead of cement but it still left a mark. At this point I set the bike down and finished the last of my water and almost called Brad for back up. I rested a minute, resisted the temptation to quit and decided that "Yes I can do this and I will finish or least make it to the park then call Brad for a ride."
I brushed myself off got back on the bike and continued on towards the round-a-bout. I made it thru successfully and onto the sidewalk that would take me to Corazon subdivision. What a relief all down hill from here. O.K. Physics was not a strong subject for me in school. Did you know that once you go down a hill you most often have to go up a hill? The devil is really messing with me now. As I was heading to the end of Corazon up ahead I saw grapes & flowers and a trestle area. I thought to myself there has to be a hose bib somewhere around here to water the flowers & grapes. Just then as I looked up at the end of the sidewalk underneath the trestle there it was my burning bush, my sign from God that I was not just doing this in vain or for vanity but that this was meant to be a journey that I needed to continue. There it was a big beautiful orange igloo cooler on a chair with a note attached “ Free Water Complements of the Columbus Running Company” I touched it to make sure it wasn't just a illusion (I was getting delirious at this point) OK I hugged it! Right then a very fit young man on a “road bike” with the whole outfit thing going on with gloves and helmet passes me. I think I heard a giggle. I didn’t care I was loving the water!! Thank you Columbus Running Company!!! So I filled my water bottle and felt a renewed strength as I road along the road for a short distance until I turned on to the Glacier Ridge Park Bike path. I rode the lower half of the park very slow but with more confidence since I was so close to finishing. I checked my time and it was 4:15. Well there goes Mass. So I said a prayer. Then I cut thru the bridle path to Brock Rd and continued towards Industrial Parkway. As I went across highway 33 I waved frantically at the cars as they passed underneath me. Right then the same guy that passed me when I was hugging the water cooler was coming back in the opposite direction. I defiantly heard a giggle that time. I’m sure I made his day.
Ok I was in the home stretch when a huge semi passed me and I screamed and shut my eyes as he went by. Probably not the smartest thing to do but it was scary especially on my little purple bike. As I turned onto 42 then onto my street (Monteray Dr) I had a huge smile on my face!! I had done it I actually did it!!! I was tempted but I did not fail!

I made it home to hugs and cheers from the boys and Brad (they always know just the right things to do and say). Took few moments to catch my breath and told them of my journey. I know it wasn’t like I was in the dessert for 40 days (though it felt like it at moments) but 11 miles (not all down hill like I thought) was a huge accomplishment for me. Sure I started out making this trek for my hair and looks but I finished for myself and for my spirit. God made it possible and gave me strength (and water) to make it home safety . So if you see me at Church or out and about a “hey your hair looks great” would make it so much more worth it.
You know its only 8 miles to Wal-Mart from my house. I need to get a little basket on the bike for groceries It shouldn’t be too bad since its all down hill!

Peace Cynthia

Back to School Time

Wow back to school already where did the summer go? Another year older and another grade higher. How will that first day go? Will it run smoothly or will it be bumpy? How can you make a difference this year? How will you fit in with the “cool” kids this year? Do you have to be apart of the in crowd? What about things that have happened over the summer are there fences we need to mend? Are there bridges we need to build to reach someone? If we didn’t do it last year guess what its never to late to start. As always I can pick up any book and start to read and its always a revelation to something that is happening right now in my life. Well I wanted to share it with you. This comes from : The Word Among Us Daily Meditations for Lent 2006 Saturday March 11th.

I say to you, love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

(Matthew 5:44)

What does it mean to love our enemies? Certainly this can’t be possible when we face a situation of extreme injustice, or when we are deeply hurt by someone close to us? An yet, Jesus tells us not to only forgive but to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. What a tall order?
The Greek word for the type of love Jesus tells us to have for enemies is Agape. This is a different kind of love than the love we naturally have for our family. It is different from the romantic love between two people or the fatherly love that God has for us. Agape does not mean a feeling of the heart as much as a determination of the mind and will. It is the decision to love those we do not like and who maybe do not like us.
On our own strength we cannot forgive or forget the hurts and insults we suffer. It is simple part of our fallen, human condition. And yet, God is asking it of us. And the answer lies in the person of Jesus and his Holy Spirit, who came to be with us after Jesus ascended to heaven. Granted, we may have to turn to the Spirit many times for strength to forgive, but no matter how long it takes he will give us the strength we need. It is in the will that the battle will be won. We may have to start out by saying to God, “I’m willing to be made willing to forgive,” and let the desire grow from there. The ability to forgive may have to come in stages, but when we call on the power of the Holy Spirit, we will ultimately see victory.
We may have to take many baby steps on the way to forgiving those who have hurt or harmed us, but with God’s help we can do it. Yes, we really can follow in the footsteps of all the great saints in our history. What’s more, by God’s grace we can even become like Jesus. Who forgave those who tortured him and him on the cross.

“Holy Spirit, please comfort all those who suffer today from hurts and insults of others. Pour the love of God into their hearts so that they can forgive and be healed."

Its so amazing how things happen as they do. I know it’s not by chance but it is God showing me the way that is right in front of me. A year ago I was hurt by a very close friend. Recently she had returned for a short visit. I was so upset about her visit that it made me physically sick. At my age how could I allow something like that disturb me so much to make me sick? How could I allow it to happen? Today as I described the events to another friend I told her how I was mad at myself for not being the better Christian and to forgive and forget. She politely reminded me that its never too late. Well darn it don’t you hate it when someone is right and you know it.!!!
Are you asking yourself “why is she telling us all this”?
Well my point is that we are all the same, no matter how old I am we still have the same things happen to us. Your parents are also still experiencing the same things just in a different setting. This will never go away. So we need to learn to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we need to learn how to forgive and to forget how to accept God’s graces to be the better Christian. As you begin your first day (or week) of school remember that its never too late to reach out to that person that has hurt you in the past, or to someone who needs a new friend. As I watched all of you the other night I could see the Love (agape) in your eyes. I know its there so lets share it with the world!!!!!

Peace Cynthia

Catholic Athletes for ChristTake your faith to a field near you!

NCYC 2007: Discover the WayThe ship is sailing...be there!National Catholic Youth ConferenceNCYC Theme Song

Pope Benedict PraysIn his general prayer intention for the month of August, Pope Benedict prays "that all those who are going through moments of inner difficulty and trial may find in Christ the light and support which leads them to discover authentic happiness." Papal Prayer Intentions: August

Mark you calendars for our first Youth Ministry Meeting

Hey Gang were going to start meeting on a weekly basis. Our first meeting will be August 26th at 7:00 p.m. in our new space in the church basement. Come prepared with your ideas and suggestion for the up coming year.

This is a 62-foot, $250,000 Jesus statue that can be seen in Monroe, Ohio. The sculpture towers over the church and nearby interstate 75, serving as a “beacon of hope and salvation.”
"We're living in a day when a lot of people feel hopeless, but we believe that when people see him, they will understand he is the hope for the world,"

I think a road trip might be in order to check this out!!

Thanks for a very successful VBS

Here's a few pictures of VBS Thanks for all your help!

What a devil!

Preparing the food Cassie, Olivia & Gloria Butler

Our fearless leader Kelly!

Journey with Jesus VBS Needs our help

Calling all Youth Members!!! Yes that's you

This years VBS is a one day event being held on Saturday July 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.and the Religious Education Team is asking for our help.

Susie Duckworth is looking for about 6-8 teens to help in different areas. She is asking for 2-4 teens to help with the "Market Place" activities which will include helping the kids with the animals and helping with the relay races. And two-four more helpers to serve the lunch meal and set out the snack. I have stepped up to run the food part so I should be there in the kitchen too.
The only other area that she could use someone would be for set up on Fri. evening for a couple of hours (maybe if someone wants to help, but can't be there on Sat.)

Please either call Kelly or Cynthia or email us if you want to help. You could also talk directly with Susie. Thanks so much gang and remember these are your opportunites to give service to St. Joes. Were all counting on you to help. If you can only give a hour give an hour if you have a whole day give the whole day. See and be seen! Peace Cynthia

Respect for Life Float Decoration

Anyone interested in helping with the float decoration for the 4th of July Parade please meet at the PAC after the 10:30 Mass on Sunday July 1st.

Then ride on the float during the Parade. Meet at the PAC at 2:00 p.m. on July 4th, bring candy to throw if you like.

St. Joseph's First Annual Youth Ministry Camp-out

Wow! What a great turn out for our first annual camp out.

What a wonderful setting thanks to John and Rachel Ward.

We had a great time playing games and cooking out.

Smores by the fire with a great program thanks to Kelly, Diana and Denise!

God was looking down smiling on us that night with perfect weather

and lots of fun.

What could better than jumping off the deck into the pond, playing baby oil

balloon toss and a Scavenger Hunt.

What was your favorite part of the night?

Let me know!

What's your UPC Code?

Did Kelly fall asleep or was the smoke in her eyes?

The next morning

Hey! Which one of you ate my cookies????? Vince, Matthew & Griffin are sure looking guility?

Three legged race!

Liz & Tiger

Danielle, Matthew our fisherman and Griffin
The Boys are winning!!!

Sarah & Jill
The morning after!