Are you Ready and Are you Prepared?

Donnie…  A friendly, bear of a man.  Italian to the bone with a heart… a heart that is big enough to totally surround you with love.

When Donnie and I first met–both of us in the 20+ weeks of Pastoral Prep Classes–he must have asked me every question about the Deacon Formation Program in the diocese that he’d ever had! No problem… I was more than willing to share.

He’s now less than a year away from ordination.  I know he’s ready:  I can hear it… no feel it when we talk.  What a permanent deacon he will be!  Even though he was two years behind me in the “1st Year Class”, he was light years ahead of me in thinking about his call to vocation.

Donnie wrote a very moving note to “His Band of Brothers” a year ago. I was just a month away from my ordination and thinking about all that lay ahead.  When I received his note, his words moved me:  both emotionally and physically.  Within a day or two of Donnie sharing his experience, I put together my “Deacon Kit”.  I carry it with me all the time.  It has everything that he mentioned, and more…

Thanks to Donnie for letting me share this.  Post a comment or drop me an e-mail. I’ll share it with Donnie and with his class.

LINK:  Are you ready and are you prepared?

Hitting the Road!

Reflections on the Ride

Another Youth Bike Tour is just around the corner…  As I have been working on the “Reflection Newsletters”, our daily, themed sheets for spending 20 minutes off our bikes in the morning and considering all of God’s gifts to us, I’ve been moved by the working of the Holy Spirit in my life.

This Day 2 reflection, for instance:  how to find a way to express that grace of God within us, connecting with young people and sparking some discussion in our groups?  The parables of the buried treasure or the pearl of great price did not immediately come to mind. And yet, as I worked through the events of the upcoming day, the theme of the tour and the need to push each cyclist to consider the “hidden beauty” of each person, the Gospel of Matthew was right there for me.

Here’s the full pdf of the Day 2 Reflection Cyclo News. Let me know what you think! tour-down-under-2008-day-2

“Faith to the Finish” – A week to remember!

Perfect weather, endless hills, stunning New York State Finger Lakes scenery, 30 of the greatest young people on bikes… just a few of the ingredients that helped to make this year’s 11th annual Youth Bike Tour a resounding success. A special thanks to Stephanie, Ted, Dan, “Wonder Bob”, Nelson, Glenn, Jeanette, Dave, “the Amy’s”, Mike R., Joe G., the entire cook crew and of course Joe McD. who began it all. Many, many other individuals, parishioners from our churches, parents, friends and more contributed to 6 days of great cycling, faith sharing and fun-filled evenings around the campfire.

The best part: we weren’t alone and all sorts of folks took note of our passing. Even this ostrich’s feathers were ruffled as we whizzed down its road! During the week we managed to accomplish some great service work at Clute Community Park in Watkins Glen, cycled on the Watkins Glen Speedway track (3.4 miles of curves and hills!), and hiked the glen itself.

The week was a peak experience for every person in one way or another: making new friends, achieving personal goals, and exploring what it means to be a Christian disciple. The A-2 group that I rode with managed to conquer Goundrey Hill Road–3 miles of muscle-aching, gravel road torture that placed us in the hills above tiny Monterey, New York. We’re all a bit stronger, more committed and accomplished because of it, too!

In the next week or so I hope to post some highlight photos from the tour. Stay tuned!

Changing gears… cycling for Youth Ministry

I’ve included a number of posts lately about my own personal Cycling Retreat. The 150 miles embraced a wealth of experiences and enabled me to rejuvenate: emotionally, physically & spiritually. If you’d like to explore a short photo album from my trip, follow this link or click on this photo of riders who “joined me” as they participated in the Race for Sight sponsored by the Binghamton and Windsor Lions Clubs.

Today, though, I’m preparing for a different cycling adventure: our 11th annual Youth Bike Tour. We have over 50 registered teens and adults who will be pedaling 35-45 miles each day, sharing their faith experiences and really learning about being set aside from all of the “stuff” that bombards us each day. Joe McDonald founded the tour in 1997 with the “Diamond Mine Bike Tour”.  Since then we’ve grown to a family of youth and adult cyclists who return year-after-year. This year’s tour has been planned by a team of dedicated adults who have created what promises to be a tour blessed with sunny, warm weather as we bike across the incredibly beautiful countryside of central New York State.

This year we will tour in the Watkins Glen area for five days, including a tour on our bikes around the race track! On Wednesday we will take a break from cycling for a day of service to the community. Each day is bracketed by a morning “Reflections Break”, were small groups gather to discuss a theme for the day, and our evening campfires–complete with songs, awards and a great deal of enthusiastic sharing. This year’s tour them is Faith to the Finish.  Creating the reflections materials for the week is one of my contributions.  It’s something I look forward to and a very tangible way to extend my ministry to young people in a context that connects with them. You can look over our first three days of reflections by following this link: Faith to the Finish Reflections

I’ll be busy pedaling, sharing and exploring with a great group of young people this week. No blog posts until I return. In the meantime, keep us all in your prayers!

Remembering the floods of 2006 & a call for volunteers

Here in the Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties of upstate New York, we are just a few days away from the anniversary of the devastating floods that destroyed hundreds and damaged thousands more homes and businesses in this area in the last week of June 2006. As extensive as the damage was caused by the mud and debris filled waters of the streams and rivers in this picturesque area of New York, it pales by comparison to the destruction of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Gulf Coast in 2005.

As the communities here continue to recover, rebuild and regain a sense of normalcy, the communities along the Mississippi continue to struggle with the enormous task of rebuilding after the hurricanes. We received this letter from Jennifer Feltner, Volunteer Coordinator at Saint Rose Outreach and Recovery. With funding for three additional Americorp volunteer positions, they are in a unique position to continue the great work that they have already begun. If you know of an individual who might meet their criteria, please pass this along. Thanks!

Dear Supporters and Friends of St. Rose,

We are writing as St. Rose Outreach and Recovery has been given funding for three 4.5 month 900 hour Americorps positions through Hands On GulfCoast for the dates of July 9-November 28.

We are looking for individuals with experience in the following skills to fill these positions ASAP: pouring foundations, framing, finish carpentry, masonry, hanging drywall, installing flooring, plumbing, electrical, and roofing. We are also looking for those who may not have extensive experience in construction, but who are energetic and talented individuals with a strong desire to serve and help contribute to the rebuilding effort in Hancock County MS. We provide communal housing and meals. In addition, members receive a bi-weekly stipend, health insurance, are eligible for student loan forbearance, and an educational award at the completion of their term.

Please forward this Email to anyone you know who may be interested in these specific positions, as well as those who may be interested in beginning work later in the fall.

Interested candidates should answer the questions below and submit their resume and 3 references to ASAP to volunteer@stroseoutreach.org. We can also be contacted via phone at 228-239-2477.

Thank you all for your support and help!

Best,

Jennifer

—-
If you are interested in continuing with the application process, please respond to the following questions.
–How can we contact you? (name, phone number, email, physical address)
–Describe any remodeling, construction or trade skills, where you obtained these skills, and when you began learning them (work, volunteer experience, home remodeling, etc)
–Describe additional volunteer, work or personal experience which makes you a good candidate for an AmeriCorps position.
—Why do you want to work with St. Rose Outreach and Recovery?
—Dates you are available to serve & length of term you are willing to commit to. Please let us know if these dates are flexible.
—Are there other ways you feel you can contribute to St. Rose Outreach and Recovery?

—–
Jennifer A. Feltner
Volunteer Coordinator
St. Rose Outreach and Recovery
510 N. 2nd Street
Bay St. Louis MS 39520
C: 228-239-2477
F: 228-467-2033
Website: http://www.stroseoutreach.org

A Call for Skilled Volunteers!

I received this note from Jen Feltner at St. Rose Outreach & Recovery. I’m posting it here, along with links to the S.O.A.R. website. If you have skills or know of those who do, please help! – Tim

————————————————————

Dear Friends and Supporters of St. Rose Outreach and Recovery,

We hope you are well wherever you may be – you have all remained in our prayers. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the recovery and rebuilding effort at St. Rose – with your help we have made a lot of progress in getting people back in their homes. However, nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina passed through Bay St. Louis Mississippi, the need for help is still great – many residents remain in FEMA trailers and many of the homes damaged and destroyed by the storm are still uninhabitable.

Unfortunately, as time has passed, the number skilled volunteers who can really make a difference is dwindling. Our team of long term volunteers is doing a great job, but we cannot do it alone.

This summer, and into the fall, we have several major rebuilding projects lined up to tackle:

3 Complete Rebuilds: We are building three houses from the ground up that must be completed by the end of September.

5 Major Rehabs: We are taking five homes that are “dried in” and completing the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, painting, cabinets, doors, trim and flooring.

12 Small Remodels: We’re helping 12 families with the finishing touches on their homes. Work ranges from installing flooring and cabinets, fixing minor plumbing or electrical problems.

We need your help!! If you are skilled in construction and would like to volunteer for a week or more, please contact St. Rose’s Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Feltner at 228-239-2477 or volunteer@stroseoutreach.org. If you are not skilled in construction, but know someone who is, please spread the word, and please pray for the continued success of the rebuilding!! Thank you!

The following dates are currently OPEN for skilled volunteers:

July 8 -14
July 15 – 21
Aug 1-4
Aug 5 – 11
Aug 11-18
Aug 19-25
Aug 26- Sept 1
Sept 2-8
Sept 9 – 15
Sept 16 – 22
Sept 23-29
Sept 30 – Oct 6
Oct 9 – 13
Oct 14 – 20
Oct 21 – 27
Oct 28 – Nov 3
Nov 4 -10

—–
Jennifer A. Feltner
Volunteer Coordinator
St. Rose Outreach and Recovery
510 N. 2nd Street
Bay St. Louis MS 39520
C: 228-239-2477
F: 228-467-2033
Website: http://www.stroseoutreach.org