October 16, 2008

Guest: Brandon Harvey, DRE and Coordinator of Youth Ministry for St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux City
Featured Saint of the Day: St. Marguerite d'Youville
Buffalo Road Round Up: Miranda Taiber, Dowling Catholic Correspondent
Congratulations to Today's Winner of "The Pirates who Don't Do Anything, A Veggie Tale Movie": Beverly Whitlatch

Today Deacon Rick and Jenny spoke with Brandon Harvey, DRE and Coordinator of Youth Ministry for St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux City. Brandon shared about his journey of faith, and how when he started working with CCD and with the youth, he began noticing that a lot of the youth weren't present at Mass. He and a friend decided to volunteer their services to their parish as Youth Ministers. Brandon is now the DRE and Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Michael's in Sioux City.

When asked about the youth and their take on the political races, Brandon noted that most kids don't understand why the Church is so pro-life. Brandon tries to teach them about the Church's pro-life stance by taking their text books and discovering what defines life through what they can understand. Once they understand what life is, they want to get involved.

Brandon noted how kids these days are falling victim to Moral Relativism, or the belief that nothign matters. Brandon strives to answer their questions, which once he does it opens gates to more questions. He commented on how the Youth often ask intense questions.

The exciting thing is that Brandon has discovered a propensity to lead within the heart of the youth. Once they discover and embrace the riches of our Catholic Faith they step up and make things happen. He has a student who started a Girl's Bible Study of her own accord, another who began a Music Ministry Group, some are CCD teachers, and he's working with another student who wants to give the youth a safe environment where they can hang out after football games. He sees youth that are discovering vocations and finding a new appreciation for marriage and family life.

Brandon is working on three books that will be released within the next year. The first one will be out by Christmas on Sacramental Theology.

Buffalo Road Roundup:

-Dowling in conjunction with KWKY will be having the first annual Diaper Dash at the last Dowling home game of the season. October 24, 2008: they need diapers sizes 4-6, baby wipes and formula.
-The VIP Service Club is collecting pink Yoplait Yogurt Caps in support of Breast Cancer research.
-The Fall Project at Dowling went well last Saturday. 370 students showed up to help with ground maintenance.
-Ticket sales for the Pancake Breakfast on November 2 has begun. The Pancake Breakfast will be from 7:30-1pm. You can buy tickets at Dowling or through any Dowling Student.
-The Fall Play, MacBeth will be October 30-November 1