Life Teen Semester
Fall 2013
Social Justice
1)Life Night “Back to Basics: Fall Kick-off to Life Teen”
- Life Teen training camp, platoon divisions, and game challenges.
The goal for this night is to foster an environment of teamwork through several fun challenges. This night builds community at the beginning of the year among the teens, and lays the groundwork for trust for the rest of the year. Pray for our family members and friends in the military all over the world. Pray for ourselves, as soldiers of Christ, may we defend the Truth of our Faith in our families, schools, and communities.
2) Life Night "Fearless: Overcoming Fear, Trusting Christ"
- Cobwebs, scary movie trailers, scientific name trivia challenge (ex. arachnophobia)
As a natural human response to a perceived threat, fear is an emotion God put within us to protect us. Fear can motivate us to positive action, but when it doesn't, we become anxious, paralyzed, and afraid. Fear can stop us from being who God is calling us to be. The Bible, depending on translations, repeats more than 352 times, "Be not afraid." That's at least one reminder for each day of the year. Trusting in God's love casts out all fear.
3) Life Night "Social-Light: the Social Nature of Humanity"
- 3 short skits about being, "Connected?"
Beginning our semester of Catholic Social Justice, we identify why we should care about others at all. God has designed us to be in relationship with other people - in communion, "It is not good for man to be alone," Genesis 2:18. The Trinity is a communion of three persons; one God. This is the Mystery of the Trinity: God breathes out His Word (Jesus) and perfectly loves the Son. The Son perfectly loves His Father back. The perfect love between the Father and Son creates another person of the Trinity. The God who wants to be in relationship with us gives us an example by literally being a relationship himself!
4) Life Night "Protect This House: the Dignity of the Human Person"
- Life Teens enter the building to find a maze of security checks and screenings in order to attend tonight's Life Night. Security officers Poage, Michalak, and Makuch are very thorough! Gaga Pit competition!
As members of a community, we are charged with upholding and protecting the dignity of all persons. The fundamental understanding for why there is dignity inside each of us is because we come from the Creator. This makes us "sacred." All human life is endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul, intelligence, and free will. If we all have the same Creator, are we not all connected? Are we not related? We are called to uphold the basic human rights to life, food, water, clothing, shelter, education, justice, valuable work, and honest wages. We each use our gifts and talents in the service of others.
5) Life Night "Free: Freedom of Religion"
- Watch the trailer for "For Greater Glory." This film, about the Cristero War, chronicles the attempted counter-revolution against the anti-Catholic Mexican government in 1927. THEN, in a surprise closure by the 'government', the students are "kicked out" of the building! They make their way down to a raging bonfire to continue the Life Night.
Because of our human dignity, we have the fundamental human right to seek truth, express faith, and worship god. This is a freedom many of us take for granted. There are many places in the world where this freedom is threatened. If religion was outlawed in the US, we Catholics would be meeting in secret; quite possibly in the woods around a fire like our bonfire tonight. Our own US government has caused many some concern. The Obama administration uses language like, "freedom of worship" instead of "freedom of religion." The semantics here matter because they are not the same thing."Worship" only protects the right to gather one hour a week on a Sunday. "Religion" protects the right to take our faith out to the world, to love and serve, as Catholic men and women. When we hear politicians talk about the two, let's make sure to pay attention to what they're actually talking about. Define the first 3 of 10 Commandments as what we are to do/not to do when in relationship with our Father.
6. Life Night “Filling in the Gap: the Church’s Concern for the Poor”
- Zombie Tag
Why is it constantly brought up in our parishes and by our leaders that we need to take care of the poor, the vulnerable, andthe ignored? Because they deserve it. All people are reflections of the living God. They are made in His image, each with a dignity and respect inherent in their being. We help them – and more importantly, we love them – because they show us the face of Christ.The Church has an important role to stand for love, truth, and justice. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy call us to care for the body and souls of all God’s people. For over 2,000 years the Church has stood in the gap between the rich and the poor. Example: Mother Teresa
7) NCYC: The National Catholic Youth Conference 4-day Event
Held in U.S. cities every two years and organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry(NFCYM), this is the first time SJB Life Teen attends. During the conference, there is music, prayer, workshops, liturgy, and opportunities to participate in the Sacraments.Christian artistMatt Maher is in attendance among many of the “Catholic Rock Stars” our youth recognize as “leading them to Christ!” The thematic park is an area set up with interactive educational and recreational activities, as well as traditional exhibits and vendor booths. This year, NCYC is hosted by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis atLucas Oil Stadiumand theIndianapolisConvention Center. The event's main sessions are broadcast around the world online. November 21-23.
8) Life Night “So Much More: Wealth and Materialism”
- Bosco Bills with the faces of Fr. Mathew, Deacon Louis, Mrs. Poage, Mr. Makuch, etc. are given to Life Teens and Core Members. Each needs to sell a talent to earn money. Adam plays guitar, Ferran performs magic, Scott shines shoes, etc. Winner is the Life Teen with the most money at the end of the game. View a powerpoint with some of the most famous people in the world, their net wealth, and their age. We all want wealth, but we don’t always know the best way to use it.
Money is a huge issue in our world, but does it actually make our lives better? If our goal is to live a life that means something to other people and if we want to spend eternity with Christ, then owning things shouldn’t be high on our priority lists. Our faith calls us to simplicity. The poor of our communities and of the world have much to teach us. Teens work with SVdP to create Giving Tree tags for families in the Mattawan area who will receive Christmas food baskets and gifts from SJB families this holiday.
9) Life Night “God Save the Queen: Government and Social Justice”
- “Your Majesty Says” game (Simon Says)
The Church does not endorse any political party but rather tries to help any and every government focus on the common good of all citizens. Christ makes it clear that proper government is necessary to enhance the development of every human person. A government who takes care of its citizens can enhance the recognition of the dignity of the human person. Our special guest, Beth Griffin, talks about her elected role as CountyCommissioner of Van Buren County, how she judiciously uses taxpayer monies for the good of people, how she uses her “Catholic lens” to view the world, and how each of us is called to be aware and participate in good government.
10) Life Teen Christmas Caroling for Residents at Bronson Commons
- Caroling first. Christmas dinner at Main Street Pub. An anonymous benefactor paid for our entire party’s meal!
Life Teen Semester
Spring 2014
January 12th "Lights Out Dodge Ball: Reflecting on Christ as the Light"
The teens and the Core have a blast playing a classicgame with a new twist and give them a thought-provoking imageof Christ as the light of the world. Using verses John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcomeit" and Ephesians 5:8-13, "For you were oncedarkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light," we are reminded of our mission.
January 19th"For What It's Worth: Safe Environment & Healthy Relationships"
Every human person hasdignity because he or she isGod’s creation. No action,sin, or abuse can diminisha person’s inherent dignityand worth.A healthy relationship isdefined by a Christ-centeredlove and respect.If a person has suffered fromabuse, it is important to talkabout it with a trustworthyadult.
Feb 9-12th "The Presence" Diocesan Weekend Retreat
A weekend encounter with The Presence of Christ in the Eucharist for High School age teens from the Mid-west area.
Feb 16th"Hunger: Concupiscence, Lust, Spiritual Hunger"
The goal of this Life Night is to introduce teens to the virtue of chastity as it stands in opposition toconcupiscence. It will challenge teens to recognize their desire for relationships, and to act on that desire in ahealthy and chaste way.
March 2nd "Heroes: Witness of Saints/Martyrs, Purpose of Sacrifice/Suffering"
The goal of this night is for teens to understand the role of the saints and martyrs as holy examples of living and powerful intercessors. This night helps teens understand why suffering, sacrifice and even death is an important part of the lives of the saints. All of us are called to sainthood.
March 9th"I Doubt It: Atheism, Doubt, Science, and Faith"
Learning the difference between subjective and objective truth. This Night uses St. Thomas Aquinas' 5 Proofs of God's Existence and C.S. Lewis' argument of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord. The one thing you cannot say of Jesus Christ is that he was just a good man, a great prophet, or a moral teacher. Jesus himself forces us to make a choice. He is either a lunatic, a liar, or He is Lord. God is real and Jesus is His Son, so I must respond in love and possibly change how I am living my life. Faith is a Theological Virtue and a gift of grace from God. It allows us to trust in the Truth.
March 16th"Mr. Handyman" Life Night
The goal for this night is for the teens to learn more about the important role St.Joseph played in the life of Jesus, and how we honor and celebrate him today.
March 22nd "Be Amazed" Kalamazoo Youth Rally
Our Catholic faith is filled with so much, since it was given to us by Him who gives everything that is good. This year, we are celebrating the fact that faith has the answers to all things life can throw at us because we have a God who works with us on our journey in life.
April 13th"Uum? A Life Night on the Triduum"
The goal for this night is to immerse the teens into thecelebration of the Triduum through prayer and reflection of each day—Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The teens will experience the richness of the traditions of theChurch that will help them enter more fully into the threedays of the Triduum.
April 27th"A Bowl & A Towel: Faith and Works"
This Life Night was designed to do two things: stress to teens the necessary relationship between the gift of faith and the call to serve those around us (works). The washing of the feet was the most humble act of service Jesus did for His apostles. Peter objected, "You will never wash my feet!" John 13:8. It was an act of love but also a lesson for the apostles; serve others with love, receive gifts of service with love.
May 4th"Know Your Momma" Life Night
This is a night on Mary’s role in Salvation History and themain teachings about Mary. This night should help theteens understand the role of Mary in the Church as wellhas how to develop a relationship with her.
May 10th "Jesus vs. Zombies" Trip to St. Basil Catholic Church, South Haven
Using the current show, Dead Man Walking, as a place to meet teens where they're at and based on the verses John 6:53-54, "Jesus said to them,'Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the fleshof the Son of Manand drink his blood,you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day;'" this day in South Haven, Michigan includes a scavenger hunt, pizza, and a bonfire on the beach.
May 18th "Love Hunt: Free, Total, Faithful, Fruitful"
This Life Night uses the lyrics of current love songs to help "define" love. We often find lyrics describing infatuation, obsession, lust/use, co-dependence, or abuse/manipulation; but not often do we find lyrics that describe self-donating love. The only way to give yourself as a gift of love to another person is freely, totally, faithfully, and fruitfully. Jesus and Mary both imaged this love. The love between a husband and wife, in a covenantal relationship, within the Sacrament of Matrimony, is the only way we can truly give this self-donating love freely, totally, faithfully, and fruitfully.
June 1st "Life Teen Crawfish Boil & Life Teen Bonfire"