COR News

February 11, 2010

2010-02-11T13:43:00.001-08:00

Hey guys—

I want to write this blog today because I’m lethargically bored at work, (I don’t know if you can grammatically connect those two words, but I did, because that’s how I feel) and I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I have been wrestling with how I want to say this, if I even should say it, with what people are going to think of me if I even bring it up. It’s not that I’m mad, or that I feel like I need vengeance or anything ridiculous like that. I honestly understand the situation, and just want to be understood. That’s all I guess.
I’m coming from a place of total respect and humility, and my hope is that you will read what I’m going to write with an open heart to what I feel I should say.

When I first started doing COR 8 years ago, things were different. Back then, there were maybe five people helping out on kitchen crew, who were responsible for themselves. There weren’t themed meals, there weren’t weird costumes or funny wigs, or people greeting you as you went to eat a meal. There were some pretty violent name tag games though.
I know there are a lot of people that aren’t very happy with the way that I’m doing things. Bleh. There I said it. I didn’t want to say it because I feel like you guys are going to think I’m mad or something and I’m not. I get it. I’ve been expecting it. Fr. G told me to brace myself for it. Does it bother me? Of course it bothers me! It would bother anybody. But I just want to you guys to understand why I’ve been doing some of the things I’ve been doing.

I am absolutely petrified. Bleh. There, I said that, too. I mean, think about it. One day, I’m just little old me, with no huge responsibilities, and then boom, the next day I’m in charge of almost 100 kids, who are all together in the same place, doing different things! I feel like the parent of a toddler! (Not to say that you guys act like toddlers, just to say that parents of toddlers are a lil bit overprotective.) I’m always thinking, “what if someone falls in the pond? What if someone gets hit by a train? What if someone gets lost in the woods and then the white man comes out and gets her? What if someone chokes? Can I do the Heimlich? Do I have to be certified to do the Heimlich? AH!” I worry about you guys. I’ve changed some rules about kitchen crew because I want to protect your safety. I don’t want your parents to kill me.

And I want to be fair. I couldn’t even play favorites if I tried because in a way, you guys are all my favorites.

I love COR. I mean, it changes people, and I love watching teens transform and open their hearts to God on the weekend. I feel like there’s always this weird shift in focus when people come back for kitchen crew. I mean, sometimes we say and do things that don’t reflect our Christian values. I’m not pointing the finger, either. I am just as guilty. But we are supposed to be Christ to others! We are supposed to grow in holiness! I don’t want to get all preachy on you and stuff, but in Romans chapter 12, Paul talks about the marks of a true Christian; “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit. Serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.”

I feel like if we don’t do that, then all of the work that we’ve done will be in vain. I want us to grow closer to Christ together. That is my prayer for you guys. So that’s why there has been an added emphasis on service and prayer on the kitchen crew side of things.

I mean, I know that I could write all day. But if take only one thing from this blog, I hope that it is this: I care so deeply about the COR family. Every thing that I have done to “change” some of the regulations on COR has been done out of my sincere love for COR. I want to see it succeed. I want it to be a place where Christ comes first always. I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy.

Please don’t ever feel like you can’t vocalize your concerns to me about things like this. I want to hear what you guys have to say. If I do something, and you hate it, let me know! I don’t want you to hate things! I want this to be something that we work at together. I want to hear about your dreams for COR. This isn’t MY program. This is God’s program first, and yours second. I’m just the little person that helps you guys out. So let me know! Email me! Call me! Text me! Stop by my office! I get lonely there!

Ok! I have to go to a meeting! I don’t know why I keep using exclamation points!
Peace of Christ to you!

Molly

Is this thing on?

2010-02-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

Well. I think I may have figured out how to work this thing. Ha. I emailed Fr. G, asking him for help, and his response (which is currently my Facebook status) made me laugh: ""Good day, Molly! What the heck, YOU, a child of technology, are asking ME, a total geek in the field, about how to proceed with a blog?"I hope that when I publish this, it will post to the website. I have been kind of scared about doing anything here. I have often times felt unworthy to be involved in this ministry in this capacity, and I am always afraid of saying anything. Perhaps that is the devil playing his cards with me. When we act on our feelings of unworthiness, we don't allow God's grace to take control. Like it says in Isaiah 61:

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

He doesn't say that to just me. He says it to all of us. How cool would it be if we all lived as God has called us? I guess that's my way of saying that even if I feel unworthy, God asked me to do it. So, alright God. I'll do it.
Anyway. This is really just supposed to be a tester blog, I guess. I honestly have no idea if its going to work and publish to the website like I'd like it to. I am very lucky that I get to figure these things out by myself. It's like a little adventure every day!
I am a huge fan of music, and I like to share the stuff that I like. Today... a little Phil Wickham is just what I need to start off this beautiful, snowy day. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGYadYHnQCU
Peace to you.
Molly

2009-01-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

Good day!

It might seem quite early, but I am already preparing the ground for the April 3-4-5, 2009 COR Retreat.

Right now I am looking to create a TEEN TEAM from among the many eligible COR kids.

If you are interested in the role of TEEN TEAM member for the April COR, are eligible (have at least served once in kitchen crew...) and are free on that weekend, please contact me now.

I am looking for teens who are enthusiastic about COR, eager to share the magic of COR with other teens, ready to be totally real, able to recruit friends from their own or other schools, and free to participate in 3 planning meetings (dates to be determined).

In a Teen Team Member I am also looking for a deep sense of faith, an openness to the Spirit of God, courage to share one's story, leadership to guide a "family", a spirit of cooperation with Mom and Dad (in this case, Jack and Debbie Bradley).

In my estimation, basically all of you who read this news are superb candidates for teaming...

I hope to hear form you, and very soon!

Ciao! Fr. G

The Fourth Day

2009-01-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

I had publised the piece below on January 20, 2009, but it did not make it to the website... I am trying again with it... Here we go!

Good Day, my dearest COR friends!

My dearest, at least for today, are those of you who shared the COR retreat with me this past weekend. It is to these that I especially address the following reflections.

At the end of some retreats, the leaders introduce the participants to the "FOURTH DAY".

The 4TH DAY is every day after the retreat. It is the time in which the "COR high" will slowly vanish away. It is also the time in which the energy, the hope, the love, the trust, the courage, the dreams, the friendships, the faith of COR can flourish and become your very LIFE.

I see that many of you are keeping in touch and exchanging contact information. I love that! This form of caring for one another is extremely crucial especially for those of you who did not have any other friends -or maybe only one or two- from the same school celebrate the COR retreat with you. Let these "loners" hear you, they need you to keep alive the spirit of COR alone and in a cold environment...

Those of you who, on the other hand, came with -or found- many teens from your school, you can truly be blessed if you continue to form the community that you started here at COR, if you continue to reach out to one another, to support, encourage, love each other.

The fourth day can be, if you make it so, an infinite COR...

I did not get to sit on the hot seat this time around. I had a heavy heart after listening to all your pain, and as I kept thinking that this was probably my last Winter COR retreat here at the St. Leonard Yotuh Retreat Center.

I would not have told you any story from my life (I have plenty of amazing ones!), but I would have simply offered you my immense love for you. I also wanted to give you one of the most awesome gifts I could ever offer you: the gift of COR, because COR is not Fr. G: COR, now more than ever, is yours, it depends on you, it lives in you!

I pray for you constantly. I have offered you at COR, in the best way that I could at the moment, the most awesome gift of all: Jesus in the Eucharist, Jesus in his Word.

I now ask you to continue COR forever, that is, to see Christ in others always, and to be Christ for others always!

I will share my thoughts and announce events in this blog on a regular base. It will be one way for me to be close to you, and for you to listen to the heartbeat of this COR kid...

I love you, I bless you.

Ciao! Fr. G

The FOURTH Day

2009-01-20T04:56:00.000-08:00

Good Day, my dearest COR friends!

My dearest, at least for today, are those of you who shared the COR retreat with me this past weekend. It is to these that I especially address the following reflections.

At the end of some retreats, the leaders introduce the participants to the "FOURTH DAY".

The 4TH DAY is every day after the retreat. It is the time in which the "COR high" will slowly vanish away. It is also the time in which the energy, the hope, the love, the trust, the courage, the dreams, the friendships, the faith of COR can flourish and become your very LIFE.

I see that many of you are keeping in touch and exchanging contact information. I love that! This form of caring for one another is extremely crucial especially for those of you who did not have any other friends -or maybe only one or two- from the same school celebrate the COR retreat with you. Let these "loners" hear you, they need you to keep alive the spirit of COR alone and in a cold environment...

Those of you who, on the other hand, came with -or found- many teens from your school, you can truly be blessed if you continue to form the community that you started here at COR, if you continue to reach out to one another, to support, encourage, love each other.

The fourth day can be, if you make it so, an infinite COR...

I did not get to sit on the hot seat this time around. I had a heavy heart after listening to all your pain, and as I kept thinking that this was probably my last Winter COR retreat here at the St. Leonard Yotuh Retreat Center.

I would not have told you any story from my life (I have plenty of amazing ones!), but I would have simply offered you my immense love for you. I also wanted to give you one of the most awesome gifts I could ever offer you: the gift of COR, because COR is not Fr. G: COR, now more than ever, is yours, it depends on you, it lives in you!

I pray for you constantly. I have offered you at COR, in the best way that I could at the moment, the most awesome gift of all: Jesus in the Eucharist, Jesus in his Word. I now ask you to continue COR forever, that is, to see Christ in others always, and to be Christ for others always!

I will share my thoughts and announce events in this blog on a regular base. It will be one way for me to be close to you, and for you to listen to the heartbeat of this COR kid...

I love you, I bless you.

Ciao! Fr. G

2009-01-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

Good day!

COR is today!

I am happy. I am excited. I am hopeful. I am prayerful. I am grateful. I am smiling. I am relaxed. I am waiting...

If I see you here this weekend, you've earned a hug from me.
If I see you not, I count on your prayer.

I will hold all of the COR kids I know -that means you, too - in the heart of the retreat.

I bless you, I love you.
G

2009-01-08T11:21:00.001-08:00

Good day, COR friend!

I am continuing preparations for the COR Retreat. We are still at 50 participants. No more registrations accepted.
This Sunday there will be a KITCHEN CREW TEAM Meeting here at the St. Leonard Youth Retreat Center at 3:00 PM.
At 4:30 the TEEN TEAM and ADULT TEAM will hold their final meeting.

Please pray for the following COR weekend participants:

JULIE CECYS
BRIAN DARMSTADT
JOE DECAPITE
DANIEL DELAAT,
MARY DOWDELL

A powerful way to pray would be the EXALT! service at St. John Neumann in Strongsville tonight (Thursday, January 8, 2009) at 7:45 PM. Teens and young adults will hold a praise and worship service before the Blessed Sacrament. I am going! Contact me if you wish to car pool with me, or just go there on your own!

You may also wish to join me for a TEEN MASS at St. Mary, Avon this Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

Ciao! Fr. G

2009-01-04T13:45:00.001-08:00

Good day!

In two weeks we will be at the end of another COR Retreat...

The Janaury COR is full, as you well know.

That means that you have lots of people to pray for.

I invite you to pray, today, for the following COR Retreat participants:

Taryn Avon (Elyria Catholic HS)
Liz Balazs (Kirtland HS)
Jaclyn Bradley (Adult)
Andy Bruck (Elyria HS)
Antonia Chavez (Elyria Catholic HS)

The Kitchen Crew Team is in its final stages of formation. Contact Brian De Laat ( prezident2028@yahoo.com) or Kristin Smajdek (ksmyte@aol.com) for information on kitchen crew developments.

Ciao! Fr. G

2009-01-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

Good day!

I hope you are enjoying the first day of 2009!

I wish you NOT a "Happy New Year" for happiness is, as you well know if you are part of my world, a DECISION that a person makes over any circumstance that life offers.

I do wish you a Holy New Year, because holiness is a gift from God, one that He is most eager to offer you... maybe he is just waiting for you to ask for such an awesome grace!

I place 2009, mine and yours, into the loving hands of Mary, the most blessed Mother of God.

Ciao! Fr. G

2008-12-30T08:11:00.001-08:00

Hey!

We just completed the DISCERNMENT RETREAT. I loved it! It looked like the 20 or so participants also truly enjoyed it!

We ventured into the night darkness to find signs of God, we listened to some passionate “Indian” stories, we devoured some delicious “pasta alla carbonara”, we visited a heavenly museum which held a painting of each of us (by Jesus himself, the celestial artist...), we completed for the very first time the “Young Saints Walk”, etc.

The Next Discernment Retreat is waiting for us in more friendly weather: it is scheduled for May 16-17, 2009 (a Saturday evening / Sunday morning deal). It will be part, as tradition by now, of the St. Leonard Day Celebrations.

I am playing an outdoor soccer game tomorrow night here at the SLYRC. I invite YOU to it.

Play begins at 11:45 PM on December 31, and ends at about 0:15 AM on January 1, 2009. I call it the longest soccer game in history, lasting 2 years!

We will celebrate and honor the last goal of 2008 and the first of 2009...

We will share hot chocolate after the game, together with any cookies/snacks/drinks you may wish to bring along.

Ciao! Fr. G

COR Retreat Full

2008-12-26T07:10:00.001-08:00

Good day, COR friend!

A most holy and blessed Christmas Day to you!
On December 26?
Yes, the liturgical celebration of Christmas comprises a week-long day! It's Christmas till the end of 2008!

The January 16-17-18, 2009 COR retreat is now FULL. There are over 50 participants already, and I have closed registrations.

If you have a friend to whom you wish to offer the awesome COR experience, he/she will have to register for the April 3-4-5, 2009 COR Retreat.

Pray today for all those who will participate in the January COR Retreat!

Ciao! Fr. G

January COR Kitchen

2008-12-03T12:13:00.001-08:00

Wake up! Waste no time! The KITCHEN CREW TEAM for the January 16-17-18, 2009 COR weekend is being formed now!

Send in immediately your name to Brian DeLaat (Prezident2028@yahoo.com) or to Kristin Smajdek (ksmyte@aol.com) and request to be a member of the Kitchen Crew Team.

Remember: only the first TWENTY COR kids to apply will be eligible to serve in the Kitchen Crew Team!

2008-11-30T21:51:00.003-08:00

I now have a "ROOKIE COUPLE" for the January COR Retreat. They are a newly married couple! Their names: Heather (Sockel) and Matt Driggs. Congratulations to them!

2008-11-30T21:51:00.001-08:00

The KITCHEN CREW TEAM for the January 16-17-18, 2009 COR retreat will be assembled after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Be prepared to register as soon as registrations open!

2008-11-30T21:37:00.001-08:00

We have a LEAD COUPLE for the January 16-17-18, 2009 COR Retreat. I am now assembling the ADULT TEAM. I am looking for married couples, as well as for single adults ... Any suggestions?