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Y.E.S. D4: Dancing?
Usually, on the last night of a retreat, nobody can sleep. Well, after 4 days on the Y.E.S. Retreat, this was no exception. Most got involved in an interesting version of “So You Think You Can Dance?” to grooves by Mixmaster “Upsidedowny” on the laptop. Since I only had 15 minutes of videotape left, I saved it for tomorrow’s Mass. I think that was God’s plan. 🙂
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
I found a 2 minute video clip (accidentally recorded on my memorystick) recorded by “Esmerelda” in the hallway at night just before lights out. I think they’re playing “Mission Impossible” or mountain climbing??? WARNING: If you get motion-sickness, this is not the clip for you. (12 MB in size)
Y.E.S. D4: Great Commission
On the last evening (day #4) of the Y.E.S. Retreat, we had a evening prayer service which included a commissioning service.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Dinner
Our dinner on day #4 of the Y.E.S. Retreat was good, especially with Bishop Estevez.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Bishop Estevez
On day #4 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, we had a surprise guest, Auxiliary Bishop Estevez. He joined us for evening prayer (before dinner) and gave a great teaching on the Eucharist.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Covenant House
On day #4 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, we had a guest speaker from Covenant House, a shelter for runaway teens in Ft. Lauderdale.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Free Time
For free-time on day #4 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, some slept to catch some ZZZs while others played football.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Daily Bread Food Bank
Our third Y.E.S. service project (on day #4) was sorting food @ Daily Break Food Bank in Lauderdale Lakes.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D4: Breakfast & Prayer
Day #4 of the Y.E.S. Retreat began with breakfast and prayer.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D3: Free Time
For free-time on day #3 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, some slept to catch some ZZZs while other practiced their S.W.A.T. team training. 🙂
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D3: Providence Place
Our second Y.E.S. service project was a painting at a women’s shelter @ Providence Place.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D3: Breakfast & Prayer
Day #3 of the Y.E.S. Retreat began with breakfast and prayer.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D2: Immigration & sharing & making lunch
On day #2 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, we had guest speaker Sr. Ondina Cortes (Director of the Office of Youth & Young Adults) show the movie, “Dying to Live” and speak on our response to the Immigration problems in our country.
At the end of the night, we all got together to review the day and share our experiences. To save time in the morning, we made P&J sandwiches for our lunch the next day. An AWESOME first day!
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D2: “Class” Dinner
Our dinner on day #2 of the Y.E.S. Retreat had a twist. To determine the “type” of dinner each would eat, we randomly chose an “Upper,” “Middle,” or “Lower” class dinner.
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D2: St. Elizabeth Gardens
Our first Y.E.S. service project was an elderly day-care center in Pompano Beach, St. Elizabeth Gardens. We played games like “wheelchair races” & “beanbag toss.” Then, after an aerobic workout, we had lunch before playing some BINGO.
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D2: Breakfast & Prayer
Day #2 of the Y.E.S. Retreat had breakfast & opening prayer. Then we loaded up the bus and headed out for our first service project, St. Elizabeth Gardens, a elderly day-care center.
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D1: Catholic Social Teaching
The Y.E.S. Retreat continued with guest speaker Gloria Luna of Voices That Challenge Office of Social Advocacy. She introduced Catholic social teaching by presenting the differences between Charity & Justice. One group covered “global warming” and the other “immigration.” Gloria also gave us some “fair trade” chocolate.
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
Y.E.S. D1: Welcome
The Youth Enjoying Service (Y.E.S.) Retreat is a 5 day service project experience for high school teens from all over the archdiocese of Miami. It’s is held a the Madonna Retreat House in Hallendale. This year had a small (but very lively) group of 12 teens.
It began with a general orientation and icebreakers like “Human BINGO” and “4 Winds Blow” to get to know each other better.
Then we had a dinner prepared and served by Barbie‘s crew.
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
I’m back … & leaving
I haven’t been posting for the last week because I’m trying to move my blog from WordPress.COM to my own domain (using WordPress.ORG software) here at CatholicKermit.com. I’ve had problems with extra features and formating and plugins, so I didn’t want to lose any posts.
Anyway, today I found out the Y.E.S. (Youth Enjoying Service) Retreat for high school kids needs a male chaperone, so I offered to help. It starts tomorrow evening and goes until Sunday afternoon. 3 full days of service projects. Probably some good blogging topics (about charity), cuz I’m starting to run out of stuff to say. — Later.
Convocation ‘07 – Mass @ Shrine
After morning prayer, breakfast, and group conference with Fr. Manny (our Vocation Director), we left for the Shrine for Mass with Bishop Agustin Roman. A beautiful celebration in a beautiful shrine. At the end of Mass, the bishop gave each of us a beautiful rosary (I’ll try to take a picture to put here) to encourage prayer, especially every morning before any ministry work to always remember what we are called for and by whom. We also took a group picture (I’m on the far right) and departed for home. An awesome experience.
Convocation ‘07 – Authenticity, beach, Mass
After morning prayer & breakfast, we had talk by guest speaker and counselor Ana Pando on the topic of “Authenticity.” I first thought it would be real abstract, but now I wish I took notes because it was very good, especially with all her real-life examples. I guess the main point I got was to be “true to self.” In practical terms, I remember her illustrating “authenticity” by avoiding “blaming, hiding & denying,” but instead, “take responsibility, admit mistakes, and make health choices.”
We had lunch (pizza) at the beach in Key Biscayne. The weather was beautiful until we started playing volleyball. That’s when it not only started raining (south Florida is in a drought), but gail-force winds picked up and then it poured, forcing all of us into the pavillion for shelter. We suddenly remembered the Archbishop’s prophecy last night (about praying for rain) at dinner and laughed. It was like the Apostles at Pentecost in the upper room remembering Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. Hearing it and believing it are not always connected. Nevertheless, we waited for a break in the storm (probably the Archbishop taking a break from prayer) to get back to the retreat house to rest.
The newly ordained priests came to celebrate evening Mass with all of us. I especially remember the homily by the new Fr. Lucien Pierre highlighting our attitude of “gratitude” is a reflection of our fruitful praylife. As we grow in the Lord, we recognize and thank God for all our blessings, and especially our “priesthood” as a blessing that brings us joy and reflects Christ to His Bride (the church). He inspired all our “brothers and sisters.” 🙂
Dinner was sponsored and served by St. Agnes Men’s Emmaus Group and was so good I had to take pictures. We had carrot soup, tilapia (fish) and an ice-cream & fruit cocktail for dessert. It was delicious! After dinner, we were free to fellowship some more. End of day #2.
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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