Thanks for blogging along with me

Posted: 06.20.08

BOYNTON BEACH | From all the nice comments, it appears there are a lot of readers following the Steubenville Florida blogs. Many computer users also tuned into the live coverage shown of certain Steubenville events through this site last weekend.

I even have readers asking me about my father after reading the first blog to kick things off.

He is doing fine, but has an eye on the rising waters of the Mississippi River. The town where he lives sits on the Mississippi and is situated on the border of Mississippi and Louisiana. The community is protected by a levee. My dad is an expert when it comes to the river. He grew up on it, navigated it and fished in it since he was a kid. His forecast is bright and he has no worries about flooding there.

For me, the Steubenville Florida blog was an inaugural project, and I loved it especially when the fruits of the labor started coming in. The e–mails were interesting.

So we are hoping to make blogging a regular feature of the Palm Beach Florida Catholic Web site, and we hope to interest regulars to participate.

One grandmother was excited about the blogs and the live coverage, and she was happy to be at Steubenville without leaving her house.

“It’s great to be able to go to the Web site and check out what’s going on there,” she wrote. “Sounds like lots of exciting and fun things for the kids. I’m sure it’s a great experience for all who attend.

“Our three grandchildren are attending from St. Joseph’s Parish in Minnesota. What a great opportunity for teens to learn more about their faith and each other, and meet other teens from different areas. Thanks for relaying all the news via the Web, so that families can see what the kids are doing.”

One reader from the Fort Myers area commented about the Florida Catholic Web site: “I really like it. It’s attractive, cheery, good set up and easy to navigate. I like all the live feeds on the video page. I’m sure you are going to get lots of happy comments about it.”

One 15–year–old wanted to talk about her experience at Steubenville. She went there with her cousin upon invitation and after learning two days before the event she was a baptized Catholic.

The teen told me that she did not know what the word “Mass” meant, and after asking her cousin she received a lesson in Catholic 101 hours before Steubenville Florida started.

“I want to tell you about my deep moving weekend in the house and presence of Jesus,” she wrote.

The teen especially liked adoration events, when Christ in the form of the Eucharist is displayed behind glass in a gold container called a monstrance. Adoration took place on Friday and Saturday nights and processions were part of ceremonies.

“The presence of such a holy person and the overwhelming feeling of love can make you cry,” she said.

She went on to talk about enjoying Mass celebrations held daily.

“On Saturday, the Mass was the best one of the three. I cried. I heard God tell me that what I was doing was right — being there in Steubenville — and that I was safe. Some people I met haven’t heard God yet, but I have. I felt accepted by the Lord.

“The third day was the saddest because I knew that I wouldn’t have such a spiritual experience until next year. But until then, I am planning on joining the nearest Catholic youth group. I am planning on praying and reading the Bible, for the first time, every day.

“I don’t know if you will use this, but I am fulfilling the duty that I learned this weekend – to be a witness.”

I responded to this young girl, telling her I will help her find a youth group and youth minister.

We all know that she doesn’t have to wait a year to experience the Lord again.

I have a feeling that this teen has come home and will soon learn about the Eucharist and the graces and blessings received through the sacrament of holy Communion, a great gift one can receive daily.

Please keep sending your e–mails to me. I love to hear your comments.

Linda Reeves | 06.20.08 | Return To Top

 

Conference to close, “witness” continues

Posted: 06.15.08

BOYNTON BEACH | The theme of this year’s three–day event is “witness.”

I have heard several people talking about the theme and how they can relate moments to it.

Father Gavin Badway, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus in West Palm Beach, told me the teens are a “witness to their faith and their love of Christ.”

Some of the teens say they have witnessed Christ in adoration ceremonies and in the chapel set up for adoration and worship. One 14–year–old told me she could see Christ looking back at her from the monstrance, the vessel that holds the real body of Jesus.

This morning two sessions are planned. Then, there is praise and worship and Mass is planned 11 a.m. with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito.

Be sure to pull up the video on this Web site to “witness” Bishop Barbarito’s message to the teens as they leave the Lynn University campus today, and go back into the world.

Linda Reeves | 06.15.08 | Return To Top

 

Nine thousand words

Posted: 06.14.08

BOYNTON BEACH | I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the mood of the youths and adults who are attending Steubenville Florida other than to show you the faces of some who are taking part in the youth conference this weekend.

Happy reading!

Linda Reeves | 06.14.08 | Return To Top

 

Security is efficient

Posted: 06.14.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Kathryn Murphy is a volunteer and part of the security team for Steubenville Florida. She is efficient, tough and thorough; she is doing her job well.

This morning, I ran into Kathryn, a parishioner of St. Juliana parish in West Palm Beach, guarding one of the glass doors at the entrance of Lynn University gym.

Hundreds of teens and adults shuffled through two doors after being checked.

“Where’s your wristband,” she wanted to know.

My wristband was missing, and there was no getting by Kathryn. “Your wristband is important, and we can’t let anyone in if they are not wearing one,” she explained.

I tried everything to convince her that I was just doing my job. The walk back to the registration was a trek.

Registered participants are given badges, programs and aqua colored paper bands that seal around the wrist. They have the words Steubenville Florida Youth Conference printed on them.

After giving up attempts to get through ID checks, I ran back to the registration area. I didn’t want to be late for the early morning Mass.

“Everything is going good,” said Kathryn about the 8 a.m. crowd assembled for worship and music.

“I am just getting all the people through. Everyone has to be officially registered.”

An array of security measure are being taken by Lynn University, the Diocese of Palm Beach and event organizer to make sure all participants at the youth conference are safe and sound.

I complimented Kathryn for doing an efficient job as she helped me with my aqua band.

Linda Reeves | 06.14.08 | Return To Top

 

Magic is in the air

Posted: 06.14.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Two cups of coffee and a cantaloupe and I am out the door headed to Lynn University. There is no traffic until I get to the school in Boca Raton 15 miles from my house in east Boynton Beach.

The security guards at the gate are directing traffic and checking parking lot slips given to individuals attending the Steubenville Florida youth conference.

The cars roll onto the campus in a steady stream and into the white gravel parking lot located near the university gym. I am worried about my brand new tires and the big rocks covering the parking area.

There is a large group piling out of a luxury SUV. They are wearing bright orange shirts, name tags, caps and smiles at 8 a.m. in the morning. Amazing! I do notice one guy frowning and rubbing his eyes.

“I am having a great time,” said Addison Dudek, a teen who is here with his youth group from St. Ann Parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. “We went to Orlando first and Disney.”

The group of 13 teens and three chaperons flew into Orlando from Georgia last week and stayed there a couple of days before driving to Palm Beach County.

“The whole trip is magic. It has been magical,” said Dudek.

Linda Reeves | 06.14.08 | Return To Top

 

Who is at the youth conference?

Posted: 06.14.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Looking down over 1,300 teens at Lynn University gym from an upstairs deck is totally awesome.

It looks like a sea of color. Yellow shirts, bright green, baby blue – every color under the rainbow. The shirts are designed with logos and have names of the youth groups they belong to, or their dioceses or parish names.

Looking around the crowd you see youngsters from Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. There are Steubenville Florida people walking around, volunteers with their groups, a dozen or so nuns from the order of Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary in the Archdiocese of Miami with their veils and white dresses and priests and deacons.

The music is loud—very loud. And the youths are swinging and swaying and some have their hands up in the air.

And then you see a statue of Mary looking down over the crowd. A spot–light is shining on her. You look up and there is a wooden crucifix high over the crowd holding Jesus.

The energy is so high that you start moving you feet, and you have an emotion in your heart that is difficult to describe.

It is an amazing feeling. I have this feeling when I am at ordinations in the cathedral, sometimes at Mass and I had it at my mom’s funeral last year.

Someone standing near me commented that they feel the Holy Spirit moving.

Then, I spot a young man from New Orleans and St. Rita of Cascia Parish. He is standing with other youths getting ready to pray.

His shirt reads “This is Holy Fever.”

Linda Reeves | 06.14.08 | Return To Top

 

Steubenville Florida goes green, gliders are grounded

Posted: 06.13.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Mary St. Pierre, parish services manager at the Florida Catholic’s headquarters in Orlando, sent me a large package stuffed with trinkets labeled with the Florida Catholic Web site address.

So, with this oversized, stuffed envelope under one arm, a camera on one shoulder, a purse on the other and a pad and tape recorder in my hand, I headed over to Pope John Paul II High School’s library.

I had been walking around the Lynn University campus and was about to have a meltdown from the nearly 90–degree temperature. My mascara had dripped down my cheek and my hair was flying from the humidity.

As I entered the library door I received Danielle Twist’s cheery greeting, “may I help you?” I asked her what was happening.

“The group chaperones will come in, and they will get their packets with name tags, maps, rosaries, books, lanyards, T–shirts and water bottles,” she explained about today’s agenda at Pope John Paul as the participants began to arrive.

Big white bags overflowing with clear drinking bottles were sitting all around and waiting to be placed in give–away packets.

The water bottles decorated with a red crucifix, the word “witness” and pop–tops are part of “going–green efforts.”

To eliminate tons of harmful plastic on the campus this weekend, each participant receives one large drinking container. There are water–filling stations at various locations.

I was eager to open my big package and see what was inside to give to the volunteers to put inside the packets for the kids.

Kathy Twist, event organizer, walked up and said, “Hello, Linda.” Danielle is her daughter. She helped me rip the envelope open and we both peeked inside.

Filling the envelope were lovely prayer cards with a picture of Jesus and the Web site, www.thefloridacatholic.org, printed on the back.

The cards were a big hit and Kathy thanked me for bringing them. There appeared to be just the right amount of cards to place in each bag.

Then, there was another plastic package inside.

We opened it we saw — balsa wood toy airplanes.

I couldn’t wait to put my Florida Catholic glider together labeled with the words: Your Faith, Your Life — Your Community.

Kathy thanked me for the cards, but the gliders were grounded.

Needless to say, I left with my airplane, the entire package of airplanes under my arm and the camera, purse, pad and tape recorder.

As I was leaving, I saw Jason Touw, a young volunteer helping with the event and the filming of it that will be shown on this Web site over the next days.

I took a paper airplane out of my bag and gave it to him. We both smiled.

Linda Reeves | 06.13.08 | Return To Top

 

Teens and adults are hitting the campus today

Posted: 06.13.08

BOYNTON BEACH | The term “college–bound” has a new meaning this weekend at Lynn University.

More than 1,200 teens from around the country and every diocese in Florida are flocking to the educational institute for the Steubenville Florida youth conference today for registration and for the kickoff of the three–day–event.

Many of these youngsters have never stepped foot on university grounds, and some thrifty teens and their chaperons and some other participants traveling to Boca Raton from long distances are even opting to sample campus living the next days rather than spend the big bucks on hotel rooms.

Roaming the campus to see what was going on, I found Kit Johansen.

Johansen, who is generally seen lugging a fingerprinting machine around in her role as coordinator for the Office of Serving Children for the diocese, was toting a suitcase behind her as she headed into a dorm room.

“I am officially moving in,” said Johansen, diocesan liaison for Steubenville Florida. “It has been many years since I have been in a college dorm at LaSalle University in (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania.”

Even though Johansen lives in the neighboring–town of Delray Beach, she took advantage of the chance to live on campus, mingle with the teens, and be there in the heart of things all weekend.

With dorm life comes perks according to Johansen. “I have a sink which is good,” she said as she gave me a tour of her simple room with bare off–white walls, twin bed, pine desk, chair and dresser. “There was not a good light for reading so I brought one from home.”

Johansen says she raided the hurricane supply at home and found the perfect reading lamp for her new ‘home–away–from–home.’ “I got one of my little hurricane lanterns,” she said with a smile.

Five–foot Johansen also packed something for her three–foot–high bed. “My bed is very high,” she pointed out. “I had to bring a stool from home.”

The shower facilities are down the hall from her room.

“It is a typical dorm,” she recalls from her days at school.

She mentioned that there is one “creature comfort” that she will miss while living at Lynn.

“My dog is a cute little guy, and he usually sleeps in my room near my bed,” she said about Moe, her Tibetan spaniel with big brown eyes and black nose. “He is upset.”

Linda Reeves | 06.13.08 | Return To Top

 

Mark your calendars for 2009

Posted: 06.12.08

BOYNTON BEACH | I also visited Pope John Paul High School Thursday afternoon to see if anything was going on there as far as the Steubenville Florida event.

The campus is closed for summer vacation, but lights were on in the library. I walked in and was greeted by Danielle Twist, a 2007 graduate of Franciscan University who, when not helping with registrations for the youth rally, is looking for a job in education.

Twist told me that about 1,250 people are registered to attend the events this weekend.

“We have a little more, a little extra and we are still getting calls,” she said. “They want to come in and I am going ah. We are telling them that we are full that is pretty much what it is.”

“We hate to turn them down, but it is so hectic. What we are trying to focus on the situation at the end.”

“We would love to see them next year, because we are planning on doing this again next year and many years after that.”

“It is very hectic, but it is going very well. We have over 5 states coming, which is great, and I have no doubt that it will all come together.”

Twist says for those interested in next year’s event, information will be coming soon.

Watch the Florida Catholic print edition and the Florida Catholic Web site for information on Stuebenville Florida 2009.

Linda Reeves | 06.12.08 | Return To Top

 

One priest, many hats

Posted: 06.12.08

BOYNTON BEACH | I bet Father Richard Champigny will sit in an easy chair with his feet up after this weekend is over.

Normally, the Carmelite priest is parochial vicar at St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton. Today though, he is sporting many hats as he prepares for the Steubenville Florida youth event being staged this weekend.

He was lifting furniture, stacking boxes and walking from one end of Lynn University’s gym to the other making sure everything is in place.

“We are trying to coordinate,” he told me when I ran into him at the entrance of the gym talking to maintenance, security, and lighting and sound crews.

As a participant in organizing the youth event, his official title is liturgy coordinator and he is directing the liturgy for the Masses, processions and other ceremonies.

“We are trying to bring in the equipment,” he said. “The man is here with the altar. We have the stage being set up in there right now. We are getting everything ready so when the 1,200 or so kids come here everything will be ready for them.”

Linda Reeves | 06.12.08 | Return To Top

 

Lights, speakers, monitors and action

Posted: 06.12.08

BOYNTON BEACH | I made a trip to Lynn University this afternoon not knowing who or what I would find the day before Steubenville Florida participants arrive on campus to kickoff weekend activities.

I found wires, boxes, crates and Alex Anta, an owner of E Productions of Fort Lauderdale, and his crew.

“We are putting in 48 k, which is 48 thousand watts just in the lighting parts for the stage,” he told me. “That does not include the intelligent lights,” said Anta, who set up equipment for last summer’s diocesan youth event held at Pope John Paul II High School.

“We are putting in speakers for the sound system for the kids, and have eight intelligent lights. We are setting up all the monitors for the band that is going to be here and have special–effects–lights going onto the crowd to motivate them. We are putting two 10 –½ by 14 screens on the left and right of the stage to animate. We are putting the kids and the priests on the screens – anybody.”

Being technology–challenged, I have no idea what he was talking about, but by the looks of the massive speakers, gear, gadgets and lights, I have a pretty good idea that this weekend’s entertainment is going to be amazing.

Anta’s company is also providing video coverage that will be streaming live on this Web site.

“We are recording it all for the Web site.”

Wow! I wonder who we will see?

Linda Reeves | 06.12.08 | Return To Top

 

‘Youths are the future of our church’

Posted: 06.12.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Mary Waters is very familiar with Franciscan University and the great youth programs offered by the school on campus and off.

She says the fact that speakers, youth ministers and religious from the school are coming to Florida and the Diocese of Palm Beach this weekend is significant.

“I think it is excellent,” Waters told me this morning after Mass at St. Mark Parish. “I have been praying that it will be a success.”

“The youths are the future of our church. They are the future citizens of our country and of heaven. They need to be given the opportunity to absorb all this information to continue to be good Catholic citizens and good Catholic men and women. We need good leaders,” she said.

Waters, a member of the Council of Catholic Women, Legion of Mary and a parishioner of St. Mark Parish, knows a little something about Franciscan University and has close ties to Steubenville, where the school is located.

“I really have a feeling for Steubenville because I am originally from Ohio,” she said. “I know about the school, and I have followed it.”

Waters said she will be at the Boca Raton event from a distance over the next days.

“I won’t be attending, but in prayer, spiritually, I will be there because I think this is very important. This is a wonderful thing that has happened to the Catholic Church.”

Linda Reeves | 06.12.08 | Return To Top

 

Florida youth conference is only one click away

One homebound teacher will be logging on to experience Steubenville Florida.

Posted: 06.12.08

BOYNTON BEACH | Classes at St. Mark School are empty and students and teachers are on vacation — but this morning during Mass, I spotted Maureen Fulop, a second–grade teacher, sitting across the church with her husband, Stephen.

Summer signifies freedom for most students and teachers, but Fulop told the Florida Catholic that she had hoped to spend some time with youths during her extra time this weekend.

“I would have loved to have been a chaperone and helped,” she said when asked if she is attending the Steubenville Florida youth conference. “I think it is wonderful, exciting. It is an adventure for the young people. They have wonderful liturgy and music. It is a wonderful prayerful atmosphere. Yes, it sounds wonderful.”

Fulop has another appointment this weekend that can’t be put off to a later date. On Friday, she enters the hospital.

“I am going to the hospital to have an operation — a knee replacement. Otherwise, I would have loved to have gone,” she said.

That dream may still come true even though the teacher will not be able to travel to Boca Raton.

“I will be at a computer,” she said about her recovery time this weekend. She heard about the Florida Catholic Web special. “I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the kids. I am a substitute organist. I would love to be there and participate in the music,” she said.

Linda Reeves | 06.12.08 | Return To Top

 

Up for an interesting weekend anyone?

Posted: 06.10.08

So, I mailed my Father’s Day gift to Louisiana instead of hand–delivering it this year because I am going to Steubenville Florida 2008 this weekend, which will actually be pretty great.

I have been reporting on the conference that is sponsored by the Diocese of Palm Beach and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, in advance for months, but I have never actually attended an event like it.

My sharp father, who turns 87 in August, is not upset that I am delaying my trip back home to the New Orleans area, but he says he is going along with me to Boca Raton for the youth event by way of his computer while sitting in an easy chair.

You should come along to Lynn University and Pope John Paul II campus, too.

I bet you will find my daily online entries, event descriptions and photos of people there interesting.

What are your thoughts? Drop me an e–mail at Reeves775397@bellsouth.net as you read the daily postings.

More than 1,200 teens plus parents and chaperones are coming from every diocese of Florida and from states across the nation. I don’t know what to expect when I get on campus and things begin, but from all the stories I have heard I think my faith will be charged, especially my faith in the youths of today, who are greatly challenged.

I’d say there will be mostly 15– to 18–year–olds there, which is cool because I am not around young people much. I don’t have children of my own and no nieces and nephews here in Florida.

At that age, it will be interesting to see teens doing spiritual and Catholic things together instead of getting into mischief, like I used to way back in strict St. Mary Catholic School.

The stories I have heard from people who have been to Steubenville events hosted by teams of speakers, musical performers and professionals of Franciscan University are full of emotion and tears, and people tell me that you can literally feel the Holy Spirit’s presence and see lives changing before your eyes. That is the kind of stuff I want to feel and see and talk about. It gives me goose bumps.

Volunteers will begin setting up Thursday afternoon. I have been told there are some surprises. So I am going to pop in to see what is going on and take my camera.

Friday sessions being at 7 p.m. with a blessing followed by general welcomes and introductions.

Jim Beckman of Franciscan University is featured speaker for the evening, which will end with a procession and adoration ceremony. The teens will be pretty keyed up at the beginning so I am eager to see how Beckman captivates his young audience.

Saturday is the busy day, with events planed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The day should present an awesome challenge for this reporter who is a morning person and usually in bed by 10 p.m.

I think musician and composer Father Stan Fortuna, who has been playing music since he was 8 years old, will be one of the great highlights on Saturday.

He is known for his Christian, jazz, reggae and rap music appealing to all ages, and for evangelizing through music. He is sure to have everyone moving and on their feet.

Sources say that there is a big surprise on Saturday, something to do with a guest in town and some big news. That should be fun.

Saturday will also include workshops where boys and girls get separated into sessions and talks. The workshops will be followed by more talks, activities and, of course, food.

In the evening, musicians from back home will be on hand, something I am looking forward to y’all.

The Servant Singers, featuring Kelly Pease, will perform. They are from Alexandria in the center of Louisiana and well–known nationally.

I hope to interview teens from different dioceses and get some feedback so moms and dads, keep an eye on the blogs. I wonder if any of their chat will make it to YouTube.

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito is visiting on Sunday. There will be a Mass and closing.

What will Bishop Barbarito say to the teens? The message that they will walk away with will be interesting and profound I am sure.

Stay with us, and if you want to send me a comment or suggestion, please send an e–mail. Again, the address is Reeves775397@bellsouth.net.

Linda Reeves | 06.10.08 | Return To Top