Father Allen Navarro!

Join all of us for his Thanksgiving Mass at Resurrection Church on Sunday, May 24th at 11:30am. All are invited to a reception party in Farana Center. Translation: Filipino food!

Bishop McGrath leading the Eucharistic prayer…and a whole bunch of Padres

 

Blessings are for everyone… even pastors!

Me receiving a blessing...wait, did he touch my head? Oh please: hair...and lots of it

As you may have already heard, Deacon Allen Navarro will be ordained as a priest this Saturday, May 23rd at St. Frances Cabrini church in San jose along with 6 other men. Deacon Allen has been around for many years now and we are all very excited to see the culmination of his persistence and hard work. Battling through illness, Deacon Allen has refused to give up –and we all know God will never give up either.

Soon to be Fr. Allen will be celebrating his Thanksgiving Mass here at Resurrection the following day at 11:30am. Following the mass, there will be a GINORMOUS celebration in Farana Center. Hey, we’re talking Filipino people here = Filipino food. If any of you are planning on attending, please let me know if you can come a few minutes early to help setup some of the food items. We only need a few people.

Just wait… Deacon Allen will be coming to a 5:30pm mass near you!

For more on Allen Navarro:

http://resparishevents.blogspot.com/2009/05/allen-navarros-priesthood-ordination-on.html

Thanks to everyone who came out early on Sunday morning to help out with the ICF Pancake Breakfast. As always, where ever two or more RYM members are gathered we find nothing but fun and sometimes a bit of shenanigans (and Jesus too of course). RYM is super grateful for the portion of donations and ticket sales that will be added to our fund for the Tahoe retreat.

Thank you to all who helped make the breakfast a success. Special thanks to all members of ICF and to Ric Shimshock for coordinating with RYM.

RYM teamed up with the Resurrection Women’s Group to host the first ever white elephant rummage sale on April 4th. The results are in and the sale managed to raise $421.00. Proceeds went directly towards sponsporing our annual diocese-wide Tahoe retreat. The success of the sale took effort from both sides and all around. The Women’s Group donated various items, sorted them, and priced them accordingly, while RYM students spent their Saturday morning overseeing the sale and garnering the attention of motorists passing by on Hollenbeck Avenue. We would like to thank everyone who contributed and made this event a success. Especially all you goofy knuckleheads that scared motorists and made them turn into our parking lot. Lol.

Big special thanks to the Resurrection Women’s Group, especially Carolyn O’Connor for coordinating the whole thing and Donna Beres for her wisdom.

Bringing the energy and excitement that RYM is known for, the RYM Band was invited by Faith Formation to provide the musical backdrop for the annual 8th confirmation retreat. And boy did we ever bring it… the whole nine yards. With drums, guitar, bass, backup vocalists, the entire PA system, and even someone working the live sound board, the RYM Band rocked the retreat with hits such a ‘Deep & Wide’, ‘Let the River Flow’ and ‘Trading My Sorrows’. We also provided music for the noontime liturgy and gave the confirmation students a taste of what the 5:30pm mass is like. After lunch, just because we could, we busted out the electric guitar and distortion and gave everyone in the crowd a chance to be backup vocalists in our rousing version of ‘Ocean Avenue’ by Yellowcard.

Thanks to everyone who spent their Saturday morning showing the confirmation students what life after confirmation can be like. Also, special thanks to Nicholas and Ariana for being guest speakers, and Matt for running the sound board.

(due to rules restricting photos to only be available online with consent, only photos with high school members are available online)

Soup anyone?

What a way for RYM to show what the season of Lent meant to us! Thanks to everyone who came on out with a pot of soup on March 27th. Besides the soups actually being edible (jk), the amount of work everyone put in was absolutely awesome! From dishwashers, to fruit slicing, to serving the soup, to setup and cleanup, to spending time with parishioners and sharing conversation with them, each and every volunteer contributed to the overall success. Don’t forget that! And in case you were losing sleep wondering about this, we received very positive feedback from many of those who attended the soup supper. I think we really showed ourselves (and the parish community) how Lent can bring us all together to help serve each other. It’s just one of the ways we prepared ourselves for this glorious season of Easter. Alleluia! He is risen!

3/22/2009 — UPDATES:

Hey guys (and gals),

We’re only FIVE days out now so here are some last minute details:

1. We need about 8-10 people to help staff the kitchen before and during the soup supper. Please confirm with Jonathan so he can make sure you are signed up. Also, let him know if you need still need additional community service hours.

2. Please arrive by 5:30pm in the kitchen. Things to do before soup supper begins:

• Warm-up the oven
• Slice oranges/lemons
• Setup tables
• Cover tables with butcher paper
• Set donation basket out
• Receive pots of soup from parishioners as they bring them in (keep them warm in the kitchen)
• Fill pitchers of water
• Set out bowls, napkins, plasticware
• Cut up the bread (if there is any)

3. During the actual soup supper we will need help serving the soup, seating the elderly in our community, and keeping an eye on anything that might need replenshing (e.g. water, napkins, etc.)

4. Clean-up: If you can’t make it before 6:30pm, I would encourage you to come anytime before 7:30pm to help clean up and tear down. We HAVE to leave Farana Center and the kitchen the SAME WAY we found it. I know, I should’ve been a wood shop instructor. Lol. We should be outta there by 8:00pm if we all chip in.

Lastly, please please please donate a pot of soup if you are able to. If you aren’t willing to cook, there are plenty of adults who are willing and all you have to do is kindly ask them. It’s for a good cause after all. Remember:

• Vegeterian Soups only (no meat)
• Pots are OK, but crock pots are BEST (we have no access to the stove so plugging in a crock pot is ideal)
• Feel free to bring a soup ladle for serving but PLEASE LABEL it. We want to make sure it doesn’t become a permanent resident of the Resurrection Kitchen (or The LoFT).
• To serve the average crowd, we will need 12-15 pots of soup.
• Please remind anyone who is bringing soup to bring it anytime between 5:30pm-6:30pm to the kitchen in the Farana Center.

I’m looking forward to serving our community and having fun all at the same time. Oh yeah, it’s possible… just wait and see!

——————————————————————–

Hey everyone,

As we journey through this Lenten season together, we have an opportunity to help out the parish community in which we are as much of a part of as any other ministry at Resurrection. For the first time EVER, Resurrection Youth Ministry has been handed the distinction of sponsoring a Lenten Soup Supper. Our date is Friday, March 27th and if you’ve never been to one before, it is quite an undertaking. Lenten Soup Suppers occur every Friday during Lent after stations of the cross and serve anywhere between 50 to 100 people! We’ll definitely be needing YOUR help! So two things to do for now:

1. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 27th from 5:30pm – 8:00pm

2. Check with your parents or any one else who would be willing to donate a pot of yummy delicious (vegetarian) soup. More details to follow.

That’s it for now! Remember that Lent is not just a season of fasting and ‘giving up things’ but also being open and serving our communities.

— EDIT 3/09/2009 —

Are you signed up yet?! If not, you’d better get your forms and fees into the RYM office before space runs out!

http://resyouth.wordpress.com/forms

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Alright everyone… it’s goin’ down…

Mark your calendars: on March 14th from 10:00pm to 11:00pm all high-school students from both Resurrection Parish and St. Joseph’s Parish in Cupertino are invited to come out to the Ice Center at Vallco Mall and run amuck waving brooms at each other!

If you haven’t played broomball before –no sweat! All you need to do is dress warm and bring comfortable shoes that have decent soles (grip) and are easy to run in. Ever operate a broom before? Ever seen a soccer or hockey match before? Then you’re all set!

The cost for one hour of crazy heart-pounding action is $15 and that covers the cost of ice time rental (it’s a private game just for us!) and equipment usage. Because we’re limited to 20 spots, please turn in your permission forms and check or cash to your youth minister ASAP. Payment is required to hold your spot.

Forms and more information can be found in the Forms section or here:

http://resyouth.wordpress.com/forms/

And for those of you who are a little more adventurous, RYM will be lacing up our skates and hitting the ice BEFORE broomball starts from 8pm-10pm. Cost of admission and skate rentals is $10. This is NOT a private event. It is a public skate session open to all so ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. Admission can be paid at the door.

Come on out, meet some new friends, and have a blast watching me crash into the walls.

Looks like March was a popular month for the dudes of RYM to come into this world… We enjoyed beef stroganoff before a dessert of cupacakes and ice cream to celebrate birthdays for these manly-men:

RYM would like to wish Nick, Alex, Gary, Patrick, and Riley a very happy birthday. May the coming year bring you many blessings and may the peace and joy of Christ be with you where ever you go.

Can you believe it?! It’s only been 10 months since the first post here at The Resurrection Teen Room Blog and we’ve already eclipsed the 10,000th hit mark! Thanks to all who have made this online portal an integral part of our ministry and communication hub.

Stay tuned for updates to the calendar…

Wow! What an amazing couple of days! From learning about how to fully experience liturgy to encountering the awesome power of God in the world that we live in, Youth Day 2009 was absolutely inspiring and uplifting. Not to mention the huge cast of famous bands and musicians that supplied the entertainment. We heard from Josh Blakesley, Jesse Manibusan, and Steve Angrisano among others. Check out some of the photos! (For the complete collection, click on the Flickr sidebar on the right —>)

Outside the Anaheim Convention Center

Steve Angrisano sharing some music during his workshop

A happenstance run-in with Mr. Jesse Manibusan himself

the whole crew at morning workshop (and Ariana too)

Jesse Manibusan discussed the various ways we, as the youth of the church, are not just called to be active participants in mass. We are in fact called to be CATHOLICS. This means saying Amen like we really mean it during mass. This means volunteering to help with the liturgy be being a proclaimer. usher, or eucharistic minister. We don’t come to church, we ARE the church.

Steve Angrisano on the other hand, contrasted nicely with the morning workshop on liturgy by reminding us how God is present in our every day lives even though we sometimes forget, are closed off from God, or think that God has abandoned us. Before he began his talk, he moderated an epic battle of “Simon Says” that whittled down the competition to just a handful of winners out of hundreds of youth. Then, with a beautiful guitar backdrop, Steve shared his personal recollection of the Columbine shootings in Colorado in only a way that he could: 4 of the 12 students who perished that day were from the home parish in which he is a musician and youth minister. His story was moving and very emotional, but he shared with us how God was still present even in the horrors of that day, to save the students who made it out unharmed, and helped be the strength and courage for those who performed acts of heroism that day.

And of course, there was Disneyland!!!

Rare sighting of not one but THREE Disney princesses

Three sweet lumps of sugar please

No introduction needed on this one. Just pure awesomeness

The happiest place on earth

I’d like to thank everyone who was involved with making this trip a huge success. From the parish staff for supporting our ministry, to all the parishioners who helped support us financially by participating in our 2008 Fall Bake Sale. I’d also like to thank the parents for giving their children a chance to experience Youth Day 2009 and be spiritually nurtured. Special thanks to The Paclibon Family for providing us with transportation and to Jillian Luu for being an additional chaperone. I’m already looking forward to next year’s trip for it will be even bigger and better!

Just a reminder that there will be no afternoon Drop-In or Teen Topic Discussion this Thursday, 2/26 due to Youth Day at LA Congress. We’ll see everyone back at The LoFT on Sunday for S.N.L. though!

Stay chill…

What up everybody?!

After a loooong two week hiatus, RYM is back in action. Our schedule remains the same for the time being:

Study Hall Drop-Ins:

• Mondays & Thursdays – 2:00pm – 7:00pm

Teen Topic Discussion / Scripture Study:

• Thursdays – 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Sunday Night Live Meetings (S.N.L.):

• Sundays – 6:45pm – 8:30pm

Special thanks to the members of the Youth Band & Choir that planned, decorated, and executed a surprise ‘welcome back’ mini-celebration. I admit I was caught off-guard. But only this one time…

I have to admit, I look pretty good for having four stomachs

Anyways, some updates on upcoming events…

First, our Ice Skating/Broomball event has been pushed back about a month to March 14th. PLEASE throw it on your calendars ASAP. We want to get as many people (up to 20) to come out as possible. I will also be inviting teens from St. Joe’s in Cupertino so it should be a lot of fun.

Lastly, for LA Congress, we still need to secure at least one more parent chaperone who is willing to drive. PLEASE check and see if any of your parents are willing to drive. A male and and female chaperone would be ideal, but if necessary, one female parent chaperone would be acceptable (I would act as the male chaperone). Please check ASAP as I need to book the final hotel rooms for me and the chaperones.

See y’all on Sunday!

–Jonathan

— EDIT 1/7/2009 ———————————————————————

These students have been registered to attend Youth Day at LA Congress this year:

1. Joanna

2. Kathleen

3. Fred

4. Kim

5. Patrick

6. Anthony

7. Leah

8. Rodney

9. Chaperone/Driver 1

10. Chaperone/Driver 2

— EDIT 1/3/2009 ———————————————————————

UPDATE: The preliminary numbers are done. Assuming that about 6-7 students will be attending youth day and that we will have 1-2 parents that are able to chaperone, the total out of pocket cost per student breaks down like this:

• Travel Fees: $65-$75 (includes gas and hotel stay)
• Youth Day Registration: Free (covered by our Fall Bake Sale)
• Money for food: $60 (about five full meals and snacks in between)
• Disneyland: $65-$75 (depending if we can qualify for a non-profit rate)
• Disneyland (non-profit rate): $56

————————————————————————————————

Happy Christmas again!

(I love saying that to people and they give me this weird look: “umm, Christmas was Dec. 25th”)

Not for us!

Anyways, on to very important matters. Registration for Youth Day at LA Congress does not end until February 1st, but every year so far, they’ve filled up by mid-January. To avoid the risk of getting left behind, if you are interested in going this year, please check your calendars and let me know by Thursday, January 1st if you are planning on coming. I would like to register by next weekend to make sure we have spots for us in the workshops.

The dates and loose itinerary are as follows:

1. Depart on Wednesday, February 25th (Ash Wednesday) in the afternoon by parent drivers

2. Arrive and check-in at an Anaheim hotel close to the Convention Center

3. Thursday, February 26th: Attend all day Youth Day activites, workshops, and mass at the Anaheim Convention Center

4. Wake up early and do a “Disneyland Run” until the early afternoon. (The convention center is literally across the street from Disneyland)

5. Return home on Friday, February 27th by late evening.

More details, information, permission forms, and total costs will be available in the next few days. Adults wishing to help drive and chaperone are welcome to contact me for more information at youth@resparish.org

By committing to coming, RYM will cover the $20 registration fee for you to hold your spot (covered by funds from our Fall Bake Sale). Cancellations will result in the $20 fee being billed to you. First come, first serve.

This is a great opportunity to meet thousands of other students that believe as much as you do, see awesome performances by critically acclaimed bands, and attend workshops that talk directly to people your age. Check out http://www.recongress.org/ for more information on Youth Day and the Adult Conference that follows it. We also have an information packet in The LoFT.

Seems like we have enough interest for a New Year’s Eve celebration at The LoFT this Wednesday so come on out, watch some movies, and hang out with all your RYM friends. The shindig will begin with a movie matinee starting at 3:00pm. We’ll wrap up the matinee portion with “dinner and our last movie” at 7:00pm. From about 9:00pm until the ball drops at midnight, everyone is invited to stay and play some games, shoot some hoops, rock out with Guitar Hero, or just hang out. Festivities will end promptly at 12:30am.

Feel free to bring any food or games you’d like to share as we say goodbye to 2008 and welcome in 2009!