okay, inspired by Christian Cosas -- who has blogged EVERY DAY in October, I am going to start -- not that I don't have things to write about, but days go by quickly. OK, let's see...

Last Saturday, my parish, St. Catherine Laboure had our first ever "Trunk or Treat" night -- like everybody buys a parking spot (proceeds to youth ministry wink wink), and kids go from car to car and get major quantities of sugar. Hay rides, Monster Mash playing in the background, yup.

On the down side, the Packers are 1 and 6 -- to quote REM, it's the end of the world as we know it...

Thanks to Sally Bolderson, Matthew Baute and all of the musicians and organizers of the Hurricane Benefit concert this weekend. It was a small group, but Jesus was no less present, amen.

We also played music at the Pro-Life Convention Closing Mass on Sunday. Archbishop Burke presided, and I thought he was stellar. He gets grief from a lot of people, but he comes across to me as a man who is full of gratitude and humility, and who is a steady-handed pastor in troubled times. He spoke with passion for the Church, for those in need (including the unborn) and for the truth. Needless to say, it was an honor to be part of the event and it makes me even more fired up to help with music for the Life Really Matters pilgrimmage in January.

This is the Big House Band, WYD 2005, Belleville IL!

To be a youth minister, i think it pays to have ADD. Well, at least major multi-tasking ability and a selective short memory.

Still, I don't want to have ADD like the news media. While most of the country has moved on or tuned out from the drastic events of late August and mid September, I want to remember.

In short, let's keep praying for and reaching out to the victims of the hurricanes. Alot of people lost homes or jobs. It is not as distant as it seems. I just interviewed a guy who was a teaching professor at the University of New Orleans. Since there is no more UNO, there is no more job. I am sure all of us have stories to tell...

To that end, we have a day of music and prayer planned at J.F. Kennedy High School on October 15 (3 to 10 PM). Don't tune it out -- come and join us, donate some money and remember we are one body in Christ. Thanks! :)